Lenox Barbecue & Catering - Houston

Lenox Barbecue and Catering may take the title of the most bizarre BBQ experience ever.

We entered through the front door and immediately found ourselves standing confused in a puddle of water in the kitchen of the joint.  Our confusion seemed to be routine as a man at the end of the hall beckoned us through the chaos.  We squeezed between workers boxing up food in the kitchen and those tending the large Oyler smokers toward the business office.  I placed my order with the owner in the cluttered office and waited.  As we waited, more patrons suspiciously took the same path we did through the kitchen, down the hall and into the business office.  I was unsure where to wait as the narrow hall was full of catering supplies and bustling workers so I continued my nervous wait at the cluttered desk of the woman doing payroll.  Thankfully after about 10 minutes, I was handed a box, which I immediately took to the parking lot.

THE MEATS

My order was simple – just half a pound of brisket and a couple of pork ribs.  I unboxed my order on the trunk of my car.

The brisket was fine.  It was a very lean cut of meat.  It had the right consistency but did not carry much smoke or any other flavor for that matter.  Not bad but utterly unremarkable.

I just did not like the ribs.  They were simply limp, lifeless pieces of meat.  The ribs carried no flavor whatsoever and were a chore to eat.  The chewy meat clung to the bone with absolutely no give.  After a few bites, I gave up on this meat.

THE REST

The sauce was a good combination of sweet and tangy.  It also had some definite lemon flavor in it.  I just sampled the sauce with bread but it could have been paired with the brisket if I was desperate to finish the meat.  This was my third stop of the day so I did not need to muscle any more meat down.

As evidenced by their awkward setup for take-out service, Lenox's primary business is catering.  This may be a result of them having to remove their dining area in 2009 to accommodate the new metro rail line.  They do give you the option to dine at Medel’s, about a mile and a half down the road if you prefer.  If this meat was worth a second chance, that would be the route I’d take.

THE VERDICT

Lenox was a total disappointment for me as they carry a fairly well-known name in the Houston area and a history that spans more than 65 years.  The meat just was not good.  Thankfully the comical experience could help me laugh off the poor brisket and ribs.
  

Address: 5420 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston, TX 77011

Phone: 713-926-2649

Hours: Monday – Friday: 11AM – 2PM
http://www.lenoxbbq.com/