Best BBQ in Spring, TX: Brisket, Ribs, and Smokehouses Worth the Drive

Spring, Texas has eight verified barbecue joints open for business, ranging from a Michelin-starred pitmaster destination to a Tex-Orleans smoker fusing brisket with boudin and gumbo. Most concentrate along the I-45 North and FM 2920 corridors. The two ground rules: arrive early (the best spots sell out well before dinner), and bring a cooler if you plan to take half of it home.

How we chose, and where Spring begins

Spring is an unincorporated community in northern Harris County, roughly bounded by Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway) to the south, FM 1960/Louetta Road to the north, and the I-45 corridor running through the middle. For this guide we cover ZIP codes 77373, 77379, 77380, 77388, 77389, and 77386. The last two sit on the Spring/Woodlands statistical border; we include spots from those ZIPs when the address falls in unincorporated Harris or Montgomery County rather than inside a Woodlands-branded planned development.

Every pick was confirmed open via its own official website or official ordering platform. Hours change — treat every schedule here as a starting point and check the official site before you go.

The quick list

• Best brisket, period: CorkScrew BBQ, Keith St
• Best pecan smoke: Teague’s BBQ, Spring Stuebner Rd
• Best Gulf Coast crossover: 3rd Coast BBQ, Oakhurst Dr
• Best Tex-Orleans plate: Paw Paw Chico BBQ, Cypresswood Dr
• Best independent mixed-plate menu: Pit-Master Bar-B-Que, Sawdust Rd
• Best open seven days: Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, IH-45 N
• Best family cafeteria: Spring Creek Barbeque, FM 2920
• Best food truck: Yates Barbecue, Gosling Rd

CorkScrew BBQ

26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373 — Wed–Sat, typically 11 a.m.–4 p.m. or until sold out

Will Buckman started CorkScrew in 2010 after a career with AT&T, and what began as a roadside stop on Keith Street became one of the most celebrated barbecue destinations in Texas. The pitmasters smoke over red oak — not the post oak most Texas pitmasters favor — which gives the brisket a subtler, slightly sweeter smoke ring. In 2024 the Michelin Guide awarded CorkScrew one star — one of a small number of Texas barbecue joints to earn that recognition.

What to order: Brisket (get both lean and moist cuts), beef ribs (available most days they are open; arrive before noon for the best chance), garlic links, and the pulled pork tacos on handmade corn tortillas. The brisket-stuffed potato salad is worth adding to the order.

The catch: CorkScrew is open only Wednesday through Saturday and sells out daily. Arrive before noon for the best selection — before 11 a.m. if you want the beef ribs. No reservations; strictly first come, first served from the pit.

Teague’s BBQ

3307 Spring Stuebner Rd, Suite B, Spring, TX 77389 — Tue–Sat 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m.

Where most Texas pitmasters reach for oak, Teague’s smokes over pecan wood, which produces a milder, slightly nutty character that shows especially on the pork ribs and pulled pork. It is one of the few Spring smokehouses that opens on Sunday.

What to order: Pecan-smoked brisket plate, pork ribs, the Meat Loaded Baked Potato (topped with your choice of smoked meat, listed at $14.75), and peach cobbler. During crawfish season Teague’s also runs a Gulf-style boil — check the official site for current availability.

Location tip: Teague’s sits near the I-45 and Grand Parkway (TX-99) interchange, making it an easy stop from either side of the north metro.

3rd Coast BBQ

25219 C Oakhurst Dr, Spring, TX 77386 — Thu–Sat 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m., or until sold out

Started as a family business in 2016, 3rd Coast fuses Texas pit barbecue with Gulf Coast seafood — you can order award-winning brisket and handmade sausage on the same ticket as Gulf oysters, shrimp, and gumbo. The concept works because both traditions share the same DNA: smoke, seasoning, and patience.

What to order: Brisket and handmade sausage first; the Gulf combo plate (brisket with shrimp and gumbo) if you want the full idea. Like CorkScrew, 3rd Coast sells out — the limited hours are intentional, not a staffing issue.

Location note: ZIP 77386 is on the Spring/Woodlands border. The Oakhurst Drive address is in unincorporated territory, not inside a Woodlands master-planned community.

Paw Paw Chico BBQ

26835 Cypresswood Dr #12, Spring, TX 77373 — Mon–Thu noon–8 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–9 p.m.

Paw Paw Chico is a Black-owned, family-run operation that has been smoking brisket and boudin for over a decade. The approach is Texas technique — 10 to 12 hours over real wood — applied to New Orleans Creole spice profiles. The result: a menu where brisket plates sit next to chicken-and-sausage gumbo, crawfish, boudin links, and Creole mac and cheese.

What to order: Brisket-loaded baked potato, jalapéño sausage, boudin links, and the Creole mac and cheese. The gumbo is a genuine Gulf Coast version with a proper roux base. Important: the former FM 2920 location closed permanently in July 2026. Use the Cypresswood address only.

Why it stands out: No other pitmaster in Spring runs hickory-smoked brisket alongside authentic Louisiana boudin on the same menu. It is genuinely its own category.

Pit-Master Bar-B-Que

343 Sawdust Rd, Spring, TX 77380 — Tue–Thu 11 a.m.–7:45 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Pit-Master is an independent family operation with an unusually broad regional approach: Texas-style Angus brisket, Memphis-style pulled pork, and St. Louis-style ribs on the same menu, all smoked in-house. The Tall Texan Sandwich — chopped brisket or pulled pork with three cheeses, sausage, and an onion ring on a Kaiser roll ($15.99) — has a loyal local following.

What to order: The Texas Sliced Brisket Plate, the Pit Master Special Plate (brisket, St. Louis ribs, and sausage), and the Tall Texan Sandwich. Check the site for current prices.

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q

20806 IH-45 N, Spring, TX 77373 — daily 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun–Thu, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri–Sat

Rudy’s is a Texas chain with a decades-long following. The Spring I-45 location is one of the few BBQ spots in the area open seven days a week and for breakfast, which makes it the most convenient call if you have a mixed-appetite group or a tight schedule. The ordering system is cafeteria-style: choose your meat by the pound, pick sides, and grab a bottle of Rudy’s house sauce (they spell it ‘sause’ on purpose).

What to order: The moist brisket — Rudy’s sells lean and moist cuts, and most regulars go moist — baby back ribs, turkey breast, and creamed corn. This is a consistent, no-surprises experience useful for large groups.

Spring Creek Barbeque

6068 FM 2920, Spring, TX 77379 — Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Spring Creek has been in the Houston area since 1980, and the FM 2920 location is a neighborhood institution in this corridor. Families line up for cafeteria-style plates of sliced brisket, pork ribs, smoked chicken, and sausage, with house-made cream corn and peach cobbler. It is not as high-drama as CorkScrew, but it is reliable, generous, and genuinely kid-friendly.

What to order: Combination plate (sliced brisket and a rib), cream corn, and cobbler. A second Spring Creek location operates at 4083 Riley Fuzzel Rd (77386) for anyone on the northeast side of Spring.

Yates Barbecue

24600 Gosling Rd (behind Gosling Express), Spring, TX 77389 — Thu–Sat 4 p.m.–9 p.m., or until sold out

Yates is a food truck operation with limited hours, but it has a local following in the 77389 ZIP code, where smoked-meat options are thinner than near I-45. The evening-only schedule makes it the right call after work, not a weekend lunch. Call ahead at (713) 292-0678 or check the ordering site before making the drive; food truck hours can shift.

What to order: Brisket and pulled pork are the signature items per the posted menu.

Save this: Spring BBQ Saturday route

This route works best on a Saturday when CorkScrew is open. Use a rideshare or designated driver for the whole run.

1. Arrive early at CorkScrew BBQ (Keith St). Get in line by 10:45 a.m. Order brisket, beef ribs, and garlic links. Expect a wait. Buy extra to take home.
2. Afternoon: Pit-Master Bar-B-Que (Sawdust Rd). Order the Special Plate and Sidewinders. Good for anyone who missed out on ribs at CorkScrew.
3. Late afternoon: Paw Paw Chico (Cypresswood Dr). Order boudin links and Creole mac alongside brisket — a genuinely different flavor to close the day.

More eating and exploring in Spring

See our full Spring, TX restaurant guide for non-BBQ options, and our things to do in Spring, TX guide if you want to make a day of it. For Houston-proper comparison, the best BBQ in Houston guide covers the city’s top joints. Our family BBQ crawl guide has a full three-day route if you want to turn it into an event. If you’re considering living in the area, our Spring, TX neighborhood guide covers schools, commutes, and what each part of Spring is like.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best BBQ in Spring, TX?

CorkScrew BBQ on Keith Street is the most acclaimed, holding one Michelin star, with a line that starts before the 11 a.m. opening. For everyday barbecue open more days of the week, Teague’s BBQ and Spring Creek Barbeque on FM 2920 are consistent choices.

Is CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, TX?

Yes. CorkScrew BBQ is at 26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, typically from 11 a.m. until sold out, often by early afternoon.

Where can I get barbecue in Spring, TX on a Sunday?

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q (20806 IH-45 N) is open daily including Sunday. Teague’s BBQ (Spring Stuebner Rd) opens Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Spring Creek Barbeque (FM 2920) is also open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Are there any unique barbecue styles in Spring, TX?

Yes. Paw Paw Chico BBQ smokes over hickory with New Orleans Creole spicing, serving boudin and gumbo alongside Texas brisket. 3rd Coast BBQ pairs Texas pit barbecue with Gulf Coast seafood including oysters and shrimp. Teague’s BBQ uses pecan wood rather than the more common oak.

What time does CorkScrew BBQ sell out?

CorkScrew BBQ typically sells out by early afternoon, sometimes by noon on busy days. Arrive before the 11 a.m. opening for the best selection, especially if you want the beef ribs.

Does Spring, TX have barbecue open for lunch every day?

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q opens daily at 7 a.m. and serves through dinner. Spring Creek Barbeque on FM 2920 is open daily from 11 a.m. Most independent smokehouses in Spring are closed Monday and/or Tuesday, so check hours before going.