Get Your Meat Sweats On: Houston Barbecue Festival Returns for Fifth Year

HOUSTON, TX — It's never to early to put this red-letter date on your calendar: The Houston Barbecue Festival takes place on April 9, 2017, and pre-sale discount tickets are now on sale. Get yours now, save some money, and make some friends and loved ones happy in the process when you give them access to the meatopia.

"We've seen international interest in the festival increase over the last five years," says J.C. Reid, co-founder and director of the event. "Last year, we had guests from as far away as England, France and Germany. This year, we've already had inquiries from New Zealand and Australia."

"The value proposition for our festival is simple: Houston's best barbecue all in one place, at one time, for one price," Reid adds. "For out-of-town guests, visiting all these great Houston and Texas barbecue restaurants individually would takes weeks to accomplish."

The list of confirmed restaurants and pits for the festival constitutes a who's who of the Houston area's best barbecue:Blake’s BBQ, Blood Bros. BBQ, The Brisket House, Brooks’ Place BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, El Burro & the Bull, Fainmous BBQ, Feges BBQ, Gatlin’s BBQ, Gerardo’s, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Killen's Barbecue, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Louie Mueller Barbecue, Pappa Charlies Barbeque, Pinkerton's BBQ, Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue, Ray’s BBQ Shack, Roegels Barbecue Co., Southside Market & BBQ, Spring Creek Barbeque, Tejas Chocolate (and BBQ), and Tin Roof BBQ.

"Though our primary focus will always be on traditional Houston and Texas barbecue, we hope to continue to add examples of international flavors that Houston is known for," says Reid.

General and VIP tickets are available, and cost $60 and $120, respectively. (Pre-sale general admission is $50, while early-sale VIP passes are going for $100.) For further information, and to purchase tickets, click here.

— Photo of J.C. Reid and additional images courtesy Chuck Cook Photography