Is this a barbecue competition/cookoff?
No. The goal of the festival is to celebrate and recognize Houston barbecue and the people who make it. There will not be any kind of competition or rankings.
Is parking free?
Yes. There is a large surface parking lot available free-of-charge.
Why isn’t my favorite BBQ joint included?
Unfortunately, due to physical and logistical considerations, we had to limit the number of BBQ joints invited, at least for the first year. In a small number of cases, some BBQ joints we invited declined to attend. If you have a suggestion or question about a BBQ joint, please email: bbq@houbbq.com.
How did you pick the participating BBQ joints?
Based on the organizers’ experience visiting 90+ barbecue joints in and around Houston, we believe that these invited BBQ joints represent the quality, diversity, and history that best tells the story of Houston barbecue.
What is a “sample portion?”
All of the participating BBQ joints will provide an approximately 2 ounce serving of their barbecue to each guest that comes to their booth. As an example, that’s about a slice or half-slice of brisket and one rib.
Can I go back more than once to any or all participating BBQ joints?
Yes.
Will you have enough food for everyone? Will you run out?
We are working closely with the BBQ joints to make sure their is plenty of food for everyone. Taken as a whole, all of the food brought by all the BBQ joints should provide plenty of food for everyone. However it is possible that some very popular BBQ joints may individually run out before the end of the festival. We encourage you to arrive early, or purchase a VIP ticket, to ensure you get a taste of your favorite BBQ joint.
How do I know you are not going to oversell the event?
The organizers are well aware that there have been some festivals in Houston that have oversold the number of tickets, causing a poor experience for the festival goers and vendors alike. We are strictly limiting the number of tickets sold to correspond with the size of the venue and the number of BBQ vendors. With that in mind, we encourage you to purchase tickets as early as possible to avoid missing your chance due to a sell out.
Shouldn’t I just wait to buy tickets the week before the event when you offer discounts to sell more tickets?
We will not be offering discount tickets to the general public at any time. We believe that the full price is a fair price and will be applied toward creating a great festival for both guests and BBQ vendors alike. We believe that those guests who purchased early at full price should not be “punished” for their commitment to helping make this a great festival.
Can I bring my children?
Yes. However, ONLY CHILDREN FIVE AND UNDER WILL BE ADMITTED FREE. CHILDREN 6 AND OLDER MUST HAVE A PURCHASED TICKET. This is simply to ensure there is enough food for everyone.
Is the venue stroller-friendly?
Yes. All of it is paved and ramps are available at grade changes.
Can I bring my own beer/wine/drinks?
No. You must purchase all drinks at the festival.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed at the festival, with the exception of service dogs. (PS. We love dogs, we just can’t have them at the festival).
More questions? Contact festival@houbbq.com.
