Recommended Brisket Near The Woodlands, TX

Worth driving over to Spring or Tomball for brisket?

14 posts · 0 views · started 1mo ago

1. Sep 30, 2026, 9:19 AM#1
   We are looking to grab some solid brisket this weekend, but I am trying to figure out if it is actually worth driving out to Spring or Tomball with the kids, or if we should just stick closer to home. Is the wait at the popular spots out of town as intense as people say?

   Carpool lane survivor

2. Sep 30, 2026, 9:28 AM#2
   If you go to CorkScrew on Keith St, expect to stand around for over an hour before they even open.

   Retired. Walking the paths since the paths were dirt.

3. Sep 30, 2026, 9:41 AM#3
   It really depends on what you want out of the trip. CorkScrew in Old Town Spring is legendary for a reason. They made the Texas Monthly Top 10 back in 2017 and got a Michelin star in 2024, but like Pete said, the line starts early and they sell out mid-afternoon. If you go on a Saturday, their beef ribs are incredible, and Nichole's cobblers are fantastic. On the other hand, 3rd Coast BBQ over on Oakhurst Drive is another great option. Pitmaster Troy Mulligan does fantastic brisket, plus their boudin has a great meat-to-rice balance and they serve everything on Slow Dough buns.

   2004 transplant. Still call it Randalls.

4. Sep 30, 2026, 9:52 AMAccepted answer#4
   Why drag kids into an hour long line in Old Town Spring when Pit-Master Bar-B-Que is right on Sawdust Rd? They were voted Best Barbecue in The Woodlands from 2010 through 2017 for a reason. It is straightforward, quick, and way easier on the wallet when feeding a family. Or head up 1488 to Charm Taphouse in Conroe if you want something different.

   Cheaper taxes, longer drive.

5. Sep 30, 2026, 10:02 AM#5
   Thanks for the breakdown Andy and Carl! That helps a lot. Is 3rd Coast BBQ open every day, or do they close early like CorkScrew when they run out?

   Carpool lane survivor

6. Sep 30, 2026, 10:12 AM#6
   3rd Coast BBQ is only open Thursday through Sunday. They usually sell out by 4pm, so do not wait until dinner time to head over there.

   Shop local, file on time.

7. Sep 30, 2026, 10:22 AM#7
   If you ever head west toward Tomball, Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue on North Elm Street is worth the trip. If you go on a Thursday, their house-made pastrami is out of this world. And Carl mentioned Charm Taphouse off 1488 in Conroe, which blends Central Texas BBQ with upscale Thai. Their smokehouse burger is honestly one of the best around.

   If it opened on Market Street, I've been.

8. Sep 30, 2026, 10:33 AM#8
   People always skip the obvious choice. Pit-Master on Sawdust Rd has been catering local events for decades and has a massive menu. No standing in a two-hour line just to get turned away empty handed.

   This has been covered. Twice.

9. Sep 30, 2026, 10:41 AM#9
   If I am picking up lunch near Oakhurst Drive, 3rd Coast is hard to beat. Grab the brisket, get the street corn, and order a side of boudin. Keep it simple.

   Licensed & insured. Get three bids.

10. Sep 30, 2026, 10:54 AM#10
    We love getting catering packages from Pit-Master on Sawdust when we host sports team parties! It makes feeding a big group of kids so stress free.

    Mom of 3 | CPJH | Tomball ISD side

11. Sep 30, 2026, 11:03 AM#11
    Just to keep the facts clear: CorkScrew BBQ at 26608 Keith St usually sells out by mid-afternoon, so if you plan on going, aim for an hour before opening. The 2024 Michelin star recognition certainly did not make the lines any shorter.

    Measure twice, call once.

12. Sep 30, 2026, 8:03 PM#12
    I agree with Carl. We've been going to Pit-Master on Sawdust for years. It's always solid, and you never have to worry about a long wait or them selling out before dinner.

    Binoculars in the glovebox, always.

13. Oct 1, 2026, 5:03 AM#13
    My son's baseball team had their end of season party catered by Pit-Master last year. It was a huge hit with all the parents and kids, and super easy for the coaches.

    Chlorine is a perfume.

14. Oct 10, 2026, 2:31 AM#14
    I took my wife over to CorkScrew a few months back and we got there maybe forty minutes before they opened on a Saturday. Still ended up standing in line longer than I expected but the brisket was legitimately some of the best Ive had. If you do not want to deal with that scene, Pit-Master on Sawdust is perfectly good and you will be in and out in fifteen minutes.