Tejas Chocolate Craftory

200 N. Elm
Tomball, TX 77375

Outside Houston

281-892-1700

http://tejaschocolate.com/

Critics' Pick

Best Of

Photo by Chuck Cook

More Images

Details

Hours:11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays; 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (breakfast) and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (barbecue) Saturdays.
Alcohol: Beer/Wine
Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining
Parking: Parking Lot Available
Reservations: Reservations Not Necessary

Barbecue

Directions

Something is afoot in Tomball. The last time there was a culinary stir, it was over Bootsie’s, Randy Rucker’s wildly experimental restaurant that won national acclaim but never seemed to win over the natives. Now it seems that with places like Tejas Chocolate Craftory, the wave is slightly less ambitious, more practical and actually appreciated.

As the name indicates, Tejas started as a “bean-to-bar” chocolate company. That meant that it literally made its own chocolate from cacao beans. The cacao beans were being roasted on a barbecue pit, so why not also use it to make barbecue? It’s a symbiotic relationship, as chocolate in various forms is incorporated in the rub of the exquisite beef short ribs, the lush mole barbecue sauce and the decadent bread pudding. The pulled pork is a must-have. It’s unabashedly fatty, like satin in the mouth, and the leftovers make an outstanding hash for breakfast the next day. Also, don’t dare pass up the carrot soufflé, a warm, smooth, flan-like pudding that’s on the menu as a side dish but could also serve as a lightly sweet dessert.

On our visits, the brisket was perfectly cooked but the rub could have used a little more salt to really enhance the “beefiness.” Don’t miss the pastrami burnt ends if they’re available. A dining companion was obviously struck by divine inspiration when he called them “truffles of meat.” Obviously, buy a small box of the creative — and very large — chocolate truffles to go, or a Dark Matter bar with black salt and pepper. Don’t make a pilgrimage to Tejas on Sundays or Mondays, as it’s closed then.

Best Of Awards

2016 WinnerBest Ribs

See More Best Of Houston

View All

More Barbecue Restaurants in Outside Houston

Dozier's Grocery Inc.

One of the highest and best uses of a Sunday drive in Fulshear is to load up on the legendary pep...
Barbecue
Florida's Kitchen

This old ramshackle house is one of the most popular eateries in Livingston. You can get breakfas...
Barbecue
Midway Market BBQ

At more than 50 years old, Midway Food Market in Katy is a venerable grocery store with an excell...
Barbecue

View All

More Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

Critics' Pick

Killen's Barbecue

Chef Ronnie Killen was already well known for his acclaimed steakhouse but when he put his compet...
Barbecue
Luling City Market

Named after City Market in Luling, one of the greatest barbecue restaurants in the world, this Ri...
Barbecue
Best Of

Goode Co. Texas Bar-B-Q

Since 1977, Jim Goode's shrine to smokedom has practiced the art of cooking over mesquite. Big sl...
Barbecue
Swinging Door

Distinguished barbecue -- served family-style, no less -- is the reward for driving into the boon...
Barbecue
Guy's Meat Market

The barbecue can be hit-or-miss, but it's the hamburgers that make this place famous. Every day, ...
Barbecue
Best Of

Demeris Barbecue

The Demeris family has been serving Houstonians barbecue since 1964. This casual concept serves t...
Barbecue