If there's anything I like as much as Texas BBQ, it's wacky only-in-Houston fusion cuisines. So imagine my glee when I noticed the sign in front of Mai Thai restaurant at 3819 Kirby advertising "Texas BBQ Thai Fusion." I pulled over immediately. The special BBQ menu listed beef, chicken, spicy pork and sausage. I asked for a beef and sausage sandwich, but they only had beef.
The BBQ brisket sandwich I got came on toasted white bread with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onions for $3.95. The beef wasn't smoked, it was actually braised in the oven in a tangy barbecue sauce seasoned with mysterious Asian spices. (Purple basil? Five spice powder?) Goode Company BBQ is not in danger, but the Thai brisket sandwich tasted pretty good, all things considered.
"Our customers love our Thai BBQ chicken, so we decided to do all kinds of Texas BBQ Thai-style," the owner explained. "We have to do what the people want," he said looking across a completely empty dining room. The BBQ menu also included BBQ plates, BBQ on baked potatoes, and side orders including coleslaw, yams and potato salad.
-Robb Walsh
