Killen's Barbecue in Pearland still is the one to beat, but you don't have to take our word for it. In June 2015, Food Network named Killen's the second-best barbecue joint in America. (The Bar-B-Q Shop in Memphis took the top spot.) It's not just that Killen's puts out competition-level brisket, gigantic, tender beef ribs and bone-in pork belly. It has its sides game down, too, serving up pints of homemade creamed corn, green beans allowed to retain a bit of firmness (unlike the nasty steam-table-style ones found at other barbecue joints) and a potato salad anyone would be proud to call his own. Lines form before the place even opens at 11 a.m., so it's best to get there early.
READERS' CHOICE: Killen's Barbecue