Luling City Market was founded by the Craig family in 1981 and has been family owned and operated for over 30 years, bringing the distinct Central Texas Barbque style to the city. Luling City Market, not to be confused with the City Market in Luling, Texas is centrally located in the Galleria area of Houston. An easy and rustic, saloon styled joint serving brisket, house-made beef sausage links, pork ribs, smoked turkey and chicken.
I’m not ashamed to say that there is nothing fancy about Luling City Market. There’s a bar, a walk up service counter and a soda fountain. Though I’m no BBQ connoisseur I have come to believe that these are truly the three most essential components to any good que joint. The smell of smoked meats greet you at the door. Leading you to the small service counter lined with the basics: meats, sides and fixings.
THE GRUB
Being pregnant has made it hard for me to resist all things salty and spicy. When I heard that Luling makes their own beef sausage, I knew exactly what I was ordering. I happen to like sausage links more than ribs. We also ordered a 1/2 pound of their succulent and juicy beef brisket, pinto beans and Cole slaw. They offer both regular and spicy sausage, leaving me but one choice… spicy. It’s finger licking good. The brisket was on point too.
The restaurants down home vibe really made me fell like I was eating bbq back home in Arkansas. That’s where my love affair began. You have to appreciate good bbq and the time it takes to perfect a solid brisket. There’s no such thing as “fast food” bbq, and if there is…run! Additionally, the sauce MUST BE BANGING. Properly made BBQ sauce beats a dry rub any day. The house made, tangy, spicy mustard based sauce at Luling stole the show. It’s perfect in every way, and pairs well not only with the meat, but the basic ass Sunbeam white bread they offer at the counter. I use the phrase”basic ass” in the most loving and respectable way. You see, it takes a soft bread to soak up all the juices from the meat and the sauce. “Soping” is the only way to truly enjoy good bbq and sauce.
THE ART OF “SOPING”
“Soping” occurs when you soak your bread in a particular liquid. Leaving it saturated and soft. I’m curious if “soping” is a cultural thing? Check out some “soping” action as well as a bit more coverage of my visit to Luling city market.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Luling City Market and now have a second favorite spot to visit in Houston. Ray’s BBQ Shack still holds the title for No. 1 BBQ spot in Houston, but If you’ve never visited, make sure you add it to your list of best bbq joints in the Galleria area!
Luling City Market is located in the Houston Galleria area at :
4726 Richmond Avenue
Houston, Texas 77027
Phone : 713-871-1903
Fax : 713.871.0365
e-mail : [email protected]
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, & Sunday from 12 pm to 7 pm.