Killen's BBQ Review (Pearland, TX)  

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While Killen’s has long lines much like Franklin’s, they do drop in the afternoon. I decided to pick up dinner about 3pm on my trip to Pearland to stay with friends. The line was much shorter and I only waited about 20 minutes.  

For those not in the know (and if your dedicated enough to follow this blog you probably know), Killen’s is the Pearland answer to Franklin. 2 hour long lines with people lining up well before opening. They are counter order but have a pretty big dining area inside. I order brisket, pork ribs, turkey, a beef rib, and sausage (all they have left is a turkey sausage).  

Sausage: I’m starting with the turkey sausage because it’s the hardest to judge. I’ve never had a turkey sausage like this before so I’m not sure what to expect. The flavor was excellent, with some pepper and spices. The texture was a lot softer than I would expect from regular sausage. The casing didn’t snap the same, and it was a lot chewier. I honestly don’t know if this was normal or not. I’m calling it 8.0/10, because the flavor leads me to believe it is done right (also, see the other items).

Turkey: The turkey has a nice peppery and smoky flavor. It is moist and tender. This is good stuff. Call it 9.0/10.  

Pork Rib: The rib is tender, juicy, and has a nice crust. There’s a good ratio of meat to bone. It has a heavy black pepper flavor, and there’s a touch of sweetness. Call it 9.0/10.  

Beef Rib: The beef rib has a nice bark, and is tender and moist. It has an excellent smoke flavor, combined with lots of pepper. Call it 9.5/10.  

Brisket: The brisket has a nice bark, and a good smoke flavor. There’s lots of that pepper again, and it is moist and tender. I’ll give it 9.5/10. 

 

There have been those who have compared Killen’s to Franklin and some of the other top BBQ joints in Central Texas. All I can say is: The comparison is justified. They are definitely turning out top notch product. How good? Well, I did have the leftovers for breakfast the day of the Houston BBQ festival.

Is it worth a visit? Yes. 

Is it worth a trip? Absolutely! They may not have the fan base of Franklin, but they have shown they are just as good. 

Tom