By Nathaniel Samuels

The Pit Room is a recent barbecue restaurant that opened in 2016 on Richmond. It was founded by two veterans of barbecue with the goal of using their combined experience to make handcrafted barbecue for hungry customers. This restaurant does not stop at food however, the atmosphere is great, and lets people sit in a variety of settings. Indoors, there's standard seating like you would expect at any restaurant, with square tables and chairs suitable for up to four people. Once you step outside, there is a long bar with seating in a row that lets you sit comfortably by yourself or with a group of friends. Past the bar, there is a large outdoor seating area with many amenities including a bar and a dart board.

As I got there, I were immediately dismayed by the long line at the door, and expected to be spending at least the next ten minutes waiting. I was then pleasantly surprised after being served in just under five minutes. Servers were fast and friendly. They served cafeteria-style with multiple people in a line that would help you with your meal.

The outdoor bar that our group sat at

After ordering the Three Meat Dinner with cheese pork sausage, pork ribs, and beef brisket, I went and used the outdoor seating at the bar. The Three Meat Dinner is served with two sides. I got mac and cheese, and potato salad. The mac and cheese has a rich creamy cheese that is almost perfect except for the runnieness. The potato salad has a thick consistency and enough potatoes to fill it up unlike many potato salads that load you up on the mustard outside.

With the meat itself, the brisket is very fatty but not chewy, instead it is moist and flavorful. The barbecue sauce that the meal comes with is very light and runny, but I was thrilled by the sweetness of the sauce and how it sticks to the meat with ease becoming a personal favorite of mine.

Mac and Cheese with a brisket sandwich and a side of barbecue sauce

While the cheesy jalapeno sausage is spiced well, there is a lack of cheese. While still tasty it was not what I was expecting. The sausage is made better with the fluffy bread that comes with the meal. This bread is soft and doughy and has an effect of absorbing the sauce and blending the three flavors together well and makes for an appetizing meal. While enjoyable I found myself wishing the bread was warmer as it is sold room temperature too cold, however when eaten in combination with something hot, the bread’s temperature was overlooked. The last thing we ate was the pork ribs which are very fatty and flavorful, but are lacking in meat under the fat.

A Texas Monthly issue discussing the pit room

The Pit Room satisfies everything I look for in a restaurant, the service was fast and willing to help, the food was good and filling, yet left me wanting more, and the atmosphere was open and comfortable. The Pit Room is an appealing addition to the Houston barbecue game and I will be returning often.

Price: $$

Wheelchair Accessible: yes

Atmosphere: 5/5

Service: 4/5

Food and Drinks: 4/5