You guys. This was a close one.

For the past week, I've been watching the numbers on the poll rise. For some time there was a clear leader, then suddenly, the next time I checked, the former leader had fallen to third place, and the two frontrunners were neck and neck. I kid you not, the Kentucky Derby has nothing on the Houston Press's poll for the most underrated barbecue in the city.

In fact, the top two choices are separated by only one vote. ONE VOTE.

Is that close enough to call it a tie? I have a feeling you'll have some strong opinions about this tight race. Sound off in the comments.

Then eat yourself into a barbecue-induced haze so we can all be friends again, OK?

5. Pappa Charlie's Barbecue Pappa Charlie's is a labor of love for the owner, who named the place after his late father, a fan of pulling over during road trips at any little barbecue shack and testing the smoked meats. Pappa Charlie's has been open since 2009, and in that time, the smoky brisket has garnered a lot of fans, both local and at competitions throughout the state. Reader assertnull writes, "The dude could smoke a boot and have it come out tasty. Brisket rivals anything I've had in the Austin/Taylor/Lockhart circuit...haven't tried the chicken, but I did snag some of their turkey at the HouBBQ festival. I don't know if it's a regular thing for them, but good god man, it wasn't turkey, it was some god-bird plucked from the heights of Olympus, basted in ambrosia, and smoked to perfection. I seriously have no idea how you do that to a dadgum bird. Totally epic." Enough said.

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