The Houston Press Food Blog

Luling Bar-B-Q and Bar Opens in Midtown

Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:06:03 AM

Tom Craig, who's used to run his dad's place, Luling City Market, has opened his own barbecue place, Luling Bar-B-Q and Bar (138 West Gray).

"Over here, we're going to be doing the same thing," he says, "only catering more to the younger, Midtown crowd." The place used to be called Brisket Bar-B-Q. "We took over a historic barbecue place that dates back to the '30s, I think. It was originally Matt Garner's place, so we inherited a pit with a lot of history."

Craig intends to use Post oak wood for his pit, just like at Luling City Market; he also plans on offering the same homemade sausage that made the Luling City Market famous. "We're going to be open late, and we have a great bar upstairs with a terrific view of the Houston skyline. But we'll also be serving salads and burgers.One very important thing is that we actually have parking, and a lot of it. That's real important in Midtown." -- Paul Galvani

Category: Leftovers

24 Comments:

Howard says:

So are they using just wood? Or wood and gas?

Maggie says:

Best B B Q and Bar with view of the skyline in town. If you havent visited Luling Midtown yet, your missing out.

Maggie says:

Best BBQ in Texas. If you havent visted Luling Midtown yet, your missing out. Be sure and visit the bar in the evening for new talent. Great place to hang out and enjoy the greatest view of the Houston skyline.

Lisa says:

AWESOME BBQ and an incredible view of Downtown! They have live music most nights of the week! Really cool bar with the best darn bartender in Houston! GO RICH!! YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!

Susan says:

BEST BBQ in Midtown! Their GRAND OPENING is Saturday, May 17th. I know I'll be there! They say there will be live music all day!
I'll meet YOU there!

Stacey says:

The BBQ is so good at this joint, we drive all the way from Fort Worth to get our BBQ. Cant wait for the owner to move north and open one closer to us.

RealtorRobof Texas says:

This is BBQ is so good you will slap your Mammy! Tom does a great job and has great folks working with him, to give you an at home feel. They feed you, food and drink and then sing to you, you can't get that in New York city....

kristin says:

I am so excited about the grand opening on Saturday, May 17, 2008!! Best barbeque in a great location! Great crowd of people going to be there and looking forward to rockin out with the band!

SAVE US A TABLE!! BRING ON THE BEER AND BBQ!!

david bryant says:

Now that friends and family of the owner have had there say,
let me add this. After tasting my brisket sandwich and store bought slaw I left that splendid view to go find the guy in charge. I told him his food was sub standard and that I was very disappointed. He told me to get out and threatened to call the police. Maybe things have improved since last sunday.

Carter B says:

Wasn't there a City Market close to the Galleria area (but inside the loop) in the late 90s? Is this midtown one related? The original in Luling is in my top 5 in Texas though...

Lisa Emmet says:

Nifty new spot with good food and ambiance. Nice visit with friends during twilight hours and sighing over the upstairs patio view.

kevin whited says:

I'll stick to Baker's Ribs, thanks.

Tom says:

Ok, to Mr Bryant, who left that comment about being threatened. I am the guy in charge and never have I nor anyone in my establishment ever treated a customer with anything but total respect. ALL of our sides are hand made in house...NEVER store bought. If there was ANY problem with your food we would have fixed it...bottom line.

caztx says:

The Luling's on Richmond is by far the best BBQ in the city, but this new location isn't anywhere up to par at this time. Food is cold and dry.

I hope it gets better, but I've been twice now and I prefer the terrible drive to the Galleria.

Best of luck. Hope it improves because I want the downtown lunch crowd to support this business.

How about selling the BBQ sauce like the other location?

caztx says:

The Luling's on Richmond is by far the best BBQ in the city, but this new location isn't anywhere up to par at this time. Food is cold and dry.

I hope it gets better, but I've been twice now and I prefer the terrible drive to the Galleria.

Best of luck. Hope it improves because I want the downtown lunch crowd to support this business.

How about selling the BBQ sauce like the other location?

caztx says:

The Luling's on Richmond is by far the best BBQ in the city, but this new location isn't anywhere up to par at this time. Food is cold and dry.

I hope it gets better, but I've been twice now and I prefer the terrible drive to the Galleria.

Best of luck. Hope it improves because I want the downtown lunch crowd to support this business.

How about selling the BBQ sauce like the other location?

caztx says:

Sorry for the repeat.

Vox says:

Folks--
My experience from opening day Saturday--

MERITS-
BBQ Sauce on table - first class
BBQ Chicken - Outstanding
BBQ Sausage - Outstanding—just like country German variety
Cold Beer on ice
Extremely helpful and friendly staff
The Luling Lounge upstairs--fab views
Enjoyed the Romeo Dogs set
Photo tribute to Matt Garner on the wall

DEMERITS-
BBQ Brisket – mine was REALLY dry
BBQ ribs – again, mine was real dry, not much taste
Potato Salad and Slaw – tasteless glop
No desserts on menu – I asked about them and the said they were “sold out” (at 11:30AM on opening day)

In my estimation, any BBQ joint that can’t serve decent ribs should just lie down and cover itself with dirt—BUT I’ll try them in a month or so to see if they improve after opening day shakedown. The Richmond Ave location made pretty fair BBQ, so I have every reason to hope and believe that the Midtown location will get things right.

BTW--for my money, the best BBQ in town is still at Pizzatolas and/or the couple who cook BBQ for the shows at the Continental Club

David Bryant says:

Hey Tom, I hope thing are going better for you. I support
good food when I find it. I didn't sample your full menu so
I only commented on what I had. I see that you have many fans already. Good for you. I also see that there are others
who, like myself, mentioned that food wasn't all that.

And Tom, I'm not from around here but, when a customer is asked to leave a restaurant for commenting about lousy food. That's being rude !!! Or maybe it's O.K. to treat
black people that way. Thanks for not tying me to the back of your F-150.


Robb Walsh says:
Scott says:

I'm wondering if several of these posts are from employees or persons with interest in this BBQ joint. I ate there yesterday and was extremely disappointed. My tea was watered down, the briskett was dry, beans were bland and the sauce was runny. Also it is a bit on the pricey side. I was excited to have this place open so close to home. Hopefully they will work out the kinks. For now I will have to agree with the David Bryant post. However, the manager and employees were quite cordial.

E. Gilbert says:

After regularly driving past this Midtown barbecue establishment many times my husband and I finally decided to pull in for lunch. The young lady taking our order was quite pleasant and cordial. I was suprised and delighted when I heard that they also featured sweet potato fries, though I did not see them on the menu. My husband ordered a link po-boy but was told they did not carry po-boy buns, so instead we both ordered link sandwiches, which come dry. It was nice having BBQ sauce on the table, though I wasn't really sure that's what was featured in the squirt bottle amoung the other condiments. It was thin, and for a moment I thought it might be a mild hot sauce because it lacked the flavor and consistency of what many would consider barbecue sauce.

Now, as for the sweet potato fries,*sigh* what a total let-down :(. Being a huge fan of the orange tuber, I have experimented quite a bit with making sweet potato fries and chips at home. They are a challenging persuit, though very much a worthwile effort. Luling BBQ and Bar's results were limp, oily, and though browned on the outside, they were undercooked on the inside. After I disposed of the dripping basket the young lady who took my order was kind enought to ask how things were. The advice I asked her to pass on to the chef was to slice the potatoes thinner, and cook fewer of them together at a time to maintain a consistent high oil temperature. If this can be achieved there is hope for the Luling BBQ sweet potato fries. A little dash of cajun seasoning sure wouln't hurt either.

I doubt that either of us will return to the restaurant, though I am glad to hear that the music and view are among the top features of this restaurant. Perhaps they will keep this joint afloat.

Texas Steve says:

This place is nothing like the real City Market in Lulling. Naming it Lulling City Market is the worst attempt at false advertising I have ever seen. My wife's family has land in the Texas Hill Country and we often stop for B-B-Q on the way to the family spread and this place is not up to par. If all you have is name recognition you aren't going to make it. Immediately head for any Big Daddy's location if you want good B-B-Q without the atmosphere. Should you decide to rock your hat and boots Gabby's in the Heights is far more authentic! If you really want the country feel without the 3 1/2 hour drive to Lulling head for the Swingin' Door in Richomnd.

Mr. Bryant - There is nothing wrong with people that drive F-150's... Just that particular person.

Tom - I was in there today (7/8/08) and my wife hated the sweet potato fries; they did not offer to replace them when she mentioned her disappointment. Place more emphasis on the bar because your B-B-Q is far from award-winning. Your sausage is weak and I'm afraid to try your brisket.

Bill says:

Is this place still open? I havent seen a car outside for days. I guess Daddy's name will get people in the door but sub-par food wont get 'em back.

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