Houston Chronicle food writer and critic Alison Cook names Harlem Road Texas BBQ as one of Houston’s 10 best dishes of the year in this article. Alison focuses on Chef Ara’s smoked-meat platter. Photo by Greg Morago.
Houston Chronicle barbecue columnist J.C. Reid says there’s much to love about the new frontier of smoked meat that he’s calling a “capital of creative cue”, referring to the Katy and Richmond area that has quickly grown into a new hotbed of inventive Texas craft barbecue.
A half-hour away, in Richmond, chef-owner Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ delves into his Armenian background (not to mention his experience working in the fine-dining scene in Switzerland) for inspiration. Barbecue sauce spiked with Armenian coffee accompanies a litany of smoked meats (lamb chops, duck, even quail) slow-cooked over aged wine-barrel staves.
There has never been a simple definition of Texas barbecue. Cooking methods, wood types, and seasonings vary across the state. And now things are getting even more complex. Motivated by the competitive barbecue scene and inspired by the foods they eat out or at home, pitmasters are enlivening their menus with ingredients and cooking styles from all over the world. New spots in the Austin area are serving brisket banh mi, barbecue gumbo, and kimchi instead of pickles. A single joint in Houston does all those and more. Even in Waco you can find a bowl of brisket ramen. Moroccan-style carrots and Armenian coffee share the stage with Tex-Mex touches like pico de gallo sausage, barbacoa, and elotes. But don’t worry. The chopped-beef sandwich isn’t going anywhere.
Ara Malekian’s first cooking job was in a fancy French kitchen in Switzerland, his first bite of Texas-style barbecue was in California, and his first drink in the morning, an Armenian coffee, reflects his birthplace. He has come a long way to cook Texas barbecue, and Houstonians require a bit of a trek to try it at the tiny Harlem Road Texas BBQ in Richmond, which opened earlier this year.
It's been a long time coming, but the new restaurant is finally open! Yes, we've been open for a while, but we're so busy making great BBQ that there's little time to update our website. Click through to view update and hours.
Houstonia writer Mai Pham of Houstonia Magazine conveys her first impression after visiting Harlem Road Texas BBQ, and shares her experience in this in depth article.
Houston is geared up to host the “Big Game” in just a few days, and events are popping up all over the city that feature some of the best barbecue in the city. We’ve assembled a list of the notable happenings, plus a couple of game-day options as well.
And the finalists for your favorite CHEF are Ara Malekian, Antoine Ware and Anisha Anand - all dedicated to incorporating fresh, real ingredients in their dishes and supporting our local growers! Read about each one then CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite.
The Houston Barbecue Festival announced Monday that it will hold its fourth annual Super Beef Sunday on Feb. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. The event, always held the morning of the Super Bowl, features beer and unlimited samples of barbecue. The hours of the event give smoked meat fans the chance to feast on barbecue and even take a nap before commencing Super Bowl snacking and drinking.
While the city has been in a frenzy these last three months filling potholes, completing downtown construction and repairing lights in preparation for the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 5, 2017. The Super Bowl committee has done a great job readying HTX for the biggest football event of the year. But, let’s be realistic: Houstonians can expect over-booked restaurants, immense traffic, the possibility of TMZ coverage, a hike in Uber rates and a 1000% increase in celebrity sightings. For one week, Houston will have a taste of what Los Angelians live with regularly. What a time to be alive!
Residents of Briargrove, Tanglewood, and Memorial, rejoice. Your new Beaver’s has arrived. After a quiet soft opening last week, the second location of the Washington Avenue Texas comfort food restaurant made its official debut Monday night.