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Can brussels sprouts be the star of a barbecue joint? Blasphemy you say, but they may be favorite item on the menu aside from the king of Texas BBQ, brisket.

Truth Barbecue has been on my list for years, but living in South Texas means Houston trips are rare. This year’s Rodeo gave me a second visit in just over a month. We joined the queue at 10:20am — 20 people deep with 40 minutes until opening. Worth it. Once inside, You Say You’re Leaving by Fenton Robinson set the mood immediately. Total wait was under an hour for a #9 spot on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ of 2025 — a bargain by any measure.

What makes Truth BBQ stand out is they have what I consider the total package — meats, sides, desserts, and vibe. The meats are what you would expect from a top tier Texas BBQ joint, succulent and delicious, but not overpowering in their rub. Throw a slice of brisket on bread with their pickled onions and the acidity cuts through the rich fat in a way that makes the whole thing sing. They have mac and cheese along with the usual suspect of sides, but the brussels sprouts are mind blowing good. Don’t kid yourself, you haven’t tried brussels sprouts until you taste the beef tallow-soaked sweet bites that are easily my favorite side. And if the brussels sprouts didn’t convince you, try one of their homemade carrot cake slices or seasonal olive oil cake with berry compote. Consider yourself warned.