#32 - PINKERTON'S BARBECUE - Horns up for BBQ!

The eyes of Texas are upon Pinkerton's Barbecue.  Literally.  From Texas Monthly to the Houston Chronicle to University of Texas sports fans who congregate inside, Pinkerton's is at the center of the Texas BBQ renaissance.

Every live long day, barbecue fans visit Pinkerton's, located in a house in Houston's Heights neighborhood.  I've read that the Pinkerton family used to live in the house and that its owner, Grant Pinkerton, still lives there.  If so, this is the greatest home makeover in history.

Pinkerton's reminds me of the funky restaurants that define the Austin food scene, places like Banger's or Kerbey Lane Cafe.  In fact, Pinkerton's food, location and vibe would fit in really well on Rainey Street.

It's crazy how much influence Austin has on Texas, including Grant Pinkerton, who graduated from the greatest university in the state, the University of Texas at Austin.  So many things were popularized there...Dell Computers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Shiner Beer...that many Austinites believe they're the center of the universe.  There can be a dark side, though.  I remember when the first Olive Garden opened in Austin. The entire city FLOCKED to the place, they couldn't get enough, but you don't hear them taking credit for popularizing Olive Garden, do you? Noooooo.  And let's not even talk about the city's "bbq experts" who anointed Subway's brisket sandwich the next big thing.

Pinkerton's will appeal to both sides of your brain.  When you enter, you will find a well-stocked bar on your left to help loosen up your analytical side.  On your right, you'll find a well-stocked meat counter to help feed your creative side.  Put them together and your brain will think it's in BBQ heaven.

When you walk past the bar, ask Mike the bartender for a Ranch Water, a featured drink at Pinkerton's.  If you've never had a Ranch Water, you need to rethink your life because it's hands down better than a margarita.  All you need is Topo Chico, silver tequila, lime juice and at Pinkerton's, a couple of candied jalapenos.  The only bad thing about Ranch Water is that...well... there's nothing bad about Ranch Water.  It even comes with its own glass!  (By the way, you can thank Austin for popularizing Topo Chico.)

Pinkerton's Barbecue hasn't been around as long as some BBQ joints, but it's been around long enough to make its mark.  They've got the full complement of proteins -- brisket, chicken, pork and sausage -- and some fantastic looking sides and desserts which I didn't order.  Trust me, they looked really good. I hear they're made from scratch and based on family recipes.

I ordered moist brisket and jalapeno sausage with a side of pickles and onions.  The eyes of Texas may be upon Pinkerton's, but the tastebuds of Texas are the beneficiaries.

The brisket at Pinkerton's is outstanding.  It stands with any of the best barbecue in the state.  It was coated with a flavorful rub, kissed by smoke and cooked to perfection...like a delicious, beefy cloud.  The jalapeno sausage was snappy, spicy and satisfying, exactly what I expected.

After the meal, my dinner partner and I stopped for another Ranch Water and headed outside.  Even though it was August, the shade trees on the patio made it comfortable.  A nice close to a great evening.

Horns up for Pinkerton's!  I could eat at Pinkerton's all the live long day...at night til early in the morn...til Gabriel blows his horn...