Friday, January 6, 2012

Gatlin's BBQ


HOUSTON: Gatlin's BBQ
1221 1/2 W. 19th St.

Houston, TX 77008

281-804-4555

Open Tues-Sat 11-7

gatlinsbbq.com


It was the end of a long day. My friends Nick and Clark had stayed with me bite for bite through six other barbecue joints and we were on our way to Houston to eat at this mightily heralded joint in northwest Houston that's just over a year old. Greg Gatlin had his heyday on the gridiron as a defensive back for the Rice Owls, but barbecue is his game now. He was manning the counter inside the small dining room as I tried to order a small plate for my already satiated friends and I. I met some Houston friends there who had other ideas and we soon made our way to the covered picnic tables with a large foil tray brimming with all flavors of smoked meat.



I started with the grayish hot links. These are house made without red dyes or nitrates, so the they may not look like your idea of hot links, but they pack some heat. The casings are a bit chewy, but the meat and spices beneath are smoky and delicious. The regular sausage (made elsewhere) has a great snap and good black pepper flavor, but those hot links have superior flavor. Rosy pulled pork is flecked with black bits of highly seasoned crust. The texture is a good balance between toothsome and silky from the remaining fat.

All of the meats on the menu that I tried are excellent versions, but it's the brisket that has me considering a road trip from Dallas to Houston fortnightly. The true connoisseur will always go for the fatty brisket, and it was well represented here. Thick slices were just on the edge of disintegration. They were barely held together with strands of well cooked fat that had good smoke and great flavor from the subtle seasoning, but it was the lean brisket form the flat cut that stole the show for me. When it is done properly, a lean cut of brisket with a 1/4" thick layer of fat remaining can be a thing of smoked wonder. I find that the fat locks in the smokiness greater than the meat, so a bit of each makes for a perfect bite of brisket. This fat was the epitome of what I like. It's nearly clear and barely clinging to the meat. A pinch of the fingers goes clean through without a hint of resistance. The pencil thick slices of meat were a just hovering over the optimal tenderness as a few broke in half under their own weight, but it was far from mushy. A thick black crust enveloped the whole smoky slice and provided a slight crispness to the very edge. My brain overruled my bulging stomach as I continued to another slice.

Already well on our way to demolishing the meat pile, out came the large bowls of family style side items. I have a dim recollection of any save the dirty rice which was the best I've had anywhere. Almost as much meat as rice, this side could easily make a meal in itself. Prompted by my dining companions I mixed in a bit of sauce and took a great side to an even higher level. I'll take this Gulf Coast flavor with my Texas style BBQ any day.



Being late in the day, I wasn't surprised that the popular ribs were already gone. After a bit of begging from the table, a few of these beauties being held back (probably for the owner's dinner) were released by the generous kitchen. The ribs were sweet, smoky and magnificent with a sugary rub that didn't overwhelm the well formed crust. These perfectly tender ribs would have been a great way to cap off this excellent meal, but before I could ask, the peach cobbler arrived. Prior to this meal I could hardly imagine ingesting more than a few bites of anything, but the bottom of the peach cobbler bowl was clean before I left the table.

With the emergence of Virgie's and the hopeful comeback of Pierson's, Houston is quickly becoming a barbecue destination of its own. Let's hope 2012 brings more quality urban BBQ to our fine state.

Rating *****
Gatlin's Barbecue on Urbanspoon

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gatlin's has gotten some wonderful press in the last year and they've earned every bit of it. The wife and I go at least 3 times a month.

Ray said...

BBQ Snob,is Gatlin's dirty rice better than Thelma's?

BBQ Snob said...

That's a tough one, but I think Gatlin's has the edge, especially when you add in a few dabs of their BBQ sauce.

Texas2step said...

Went to Gatlin's today. Had the ribs, pulled pork and brisket. The ribs looked like nothing you had BBQ snob. Had good spice on there but zero sugar! The brisket and pulled pork were delicious. My buddy had the smoked turkey and it was money! Missed out on the dirty rice but the slaw and pot. salad were excellent! I wish the ribs were more like you had! I like my ribs sweet and smokey!

Anonymous said...

I went to Gatlin's yesterday (my third time) and was a bit disappointed. First, the ribs were not as tender as my prior visits--a little force was needed to get the meat offa da bone (everyone has an off day). What killed me was they increased their prices, yet drastically reduced the portion-size of the sides. What used to be served in those baskets and styrofoam containers is now spooned onto small, shallow plates.

Anonymous said...

Some of the meats are good but my latest visit (Jan. 2013), showed the staff unwrapping foil packs of meat (cooked the day before?) when I arrived at 10:45 AM. Service was severely stressed with 1 person at the tiny register area handling: all phone calls, every order in line, all to-go orders, and stopping to go outside to deliver food! It was embarrassing. Also, never order the "lemon butter cake" as it is raw! Wow--guess the owner's never tasted it.

DISCLAIMER:

Each joint is judged on the essence of Texas 'cue...sliced brisket and pork ribs. Sausage is only considered if house made. Sauce is good, but good meat needs no adornment to satisfy. Each review can only be based on specific cuts of meat on that particular day. Finally, if the place fries up catfish or serves a caesar salad, then chances are they aren't paying enough attention to the pits, so we mostly steered clear.

-THE PROPHETS OF SMOKED MEAT