This place is a no-brainer stop if you're looking for good TX bbq in the Hempstead area. First, it's less than a minute off of the major highway, 290. I've had both the brisket plate and their pork rib sandwich. Is it the "world's best" brisket and ribs, no, but is it really good, yes. There are a lot of pretenders out there when it comes to brisket and ribs, and several in the Hempstead area. This place is not one of them. For a particularly picky Texan when it comes to authentic bbq, most places are doing well if they get a 5 out of 10, this place is close to an 8. Additionally, their prices are extremely fair, and they are very generous with the portions as well as the traditional TX bbq accompaniments of sliced white onion, sliced dill pickles and sliced jalepenos; as well as bread if you want it. Most places these days seem to skimp on the accompaniments, this place does not. Sometimes bbq places can be disappointing, I'd be shocked if this place ever is. A few other notes. Their menu is small which to me is good, they focus on a few things and do them well. On their menu are "stuffed" baked potatos, a small and a jumbo; when I was in recently someone ordered one and I asked what size it was, assuming it was the jumbo, it was the small; as mentioned, they are very fairly priced and do nice size portions. I hope they keep it up, if so, I've found a keeper of a bbq stop in that area. p.s. the picture I've posted of their bbq trailer is not the restaurant. The trailer is simply next to the brick & mortar establishment and has been used in several national competitions. As easy as this place is to find, nonetheless the trailer makes for an easy marker to see. read more

First Class Bbq - Barbeque Near Me - Hempstead, Texas

Best bar b q Eaten alot of bbq and this excellent Ribs fall off the bone dare yo to find better Brisket falls apart And the best sausage SEE WHY TEY HAVE ALL THE AWARDS. WELL DESERVED read more

Tried it out today and it was friendly service, I got a plate to go, brisket and coleslaw was not bad but brisket was a little dry. The BBQ sauce was delicious but they definitely skimped me on that since the sauce cup was not even half full, it's most likely due to being a to-go order read more

Their hours are wrong... drove a long way in traffic and through rain to eat here and found the place closed at 630... They are not open until 9 on Friday. Please fix this. read more

On Sunday, October 3, my family and I are here. We were very disappointed in the brisket. It wasn't fully chopped and it was hard to eat because there were huge chunks. The baked potato was overdone as it was mushy. Not at all like what I'm used to getting when we go there. read more

WOW... we had a great BBQ lunch here. Arrived by accident and were very happy that we stopped here. Food was amazing, shredded beef sandwich, meatloaf and sausage. Unfortunately when we arrive there was no more from the ribs or the brisket. The highlight was stuffed potatos with sour cream, cheese and meat. The best service we had so far in TX. Defenetly a place to stop and enjoy the food and service. read more

Traveling across the southwest we planned to stay away from chains and try small specialty restaurants. This place didn't disappoint. Really good southern BBQ. read more

My two meat one side "plate" was nothing to write home about. The brisket had very little flavor. The sausage as you can see in the picture was so dry it had to be drowned in sauce to eat it. Speaking of sauce, the sweet bbq sauce was inedible and Kraft makes better tangy sauce. This is even worse than Walmart brand. Notice in the picture it has potato salad rather than the mac n cheese listed on my receipt. The girl only gave us one mac n cheese. My husband pointed it out to her and she told him that he had only paid for one. I took the receipt back to the counter to show her that we had paid for TWO mac n cheese. She was annoyed that I pointed that out to her so she told me they ran out of it. She didn't offer a replacement side dish. I told her to give me a potato salad instead she got attitude. It was terrible potato salad but I ended up being happy that I didn't get the mac n cheese. The mac n cheese was refrigerator cold and also tasteless (I tasted my husbands). The other reviews on here made me think I was going to have a positive experience. All I can say about those reviews is that must be shills, friends and relatives of the owners. See my three pictures. Yuck in the salt shaker, 1/4 of the brisket was all fat. read more

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Great BBQ, nice place. A quick stop between Austin and Houston, very convenient. Fast service.

Went the other day and husband ordered the 2 meat plate (brisket and sausage) with mac n cheese, I ordered the 1 meat plate (brisket) with potato salad. We were impressed with the food and will definitely go back. read more

On my way to the Showboat Drive Inn I made the short drive to Hempstead and stopped off at 1st Class BBQ, for me knowing what these guys can do at competition I knew I was going to be getting some good food, I drove in and Rusty was in the back manning the pit as he always does and we talked Little about how things were. I had been in the place before and well I wasn't disappointed and the BBQ was just how I remembered it when I use to cook with the on the cooking team. Of course I went for the 3 meat plate with Brisket, Ribs, and changing things up a bit my 3rd choice was Smoked Meatloaf. beans and green beans being my sides. Anyone going to this place and saying this BBQ is bad dont know what real BBQ is you see there is a difference form going down the street to Hill County BBQ where the probably cook their BBQ one way where as here your getting BBQ with many flavors that won this place many awards, Yes there is a difference from regular BBQ and competition and to me i rather have BBQ with flavor then something that is over powered by smoke besides I dont want to eat BBQ that has raw chicken on top of pork like they have it posted at the Hill County Facebook page. The Brisket was great and I didn't need sauce the smoke ring was on point and the fat was rendered just right. The Ribs were also the best as I know what 1st place Ribs taste like seeing they hit with their Ribs many times on the BBQ circuit, Now the Smoked meatloaf was on point you see there is a story behind this meatloaf and I know it, but all I can say it its Cheesy GOOD!!!!! Over all this place dont disappoint and worth the drive I even had left overs to take with me to the Drive Inn for a late snack, As far as price I'll tell you one thing good BBQ is cheaper in the country as this whole meal you see in pictures set me back $34.00 and well worth every penny. Thanks Rusty and Karissa for the hospitality and see you guys soon the next time I hit up the Drive Inn.... read more

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1st class BBQ is my Wednesday stop for my lunch rotations when I'm working in the office. The fired up trio with an extra 1/4lb of sliced link sausage and a sweet tea hits the spot. Very satisfied and very full read more

So good! We split the "bobcat" sandwich (Mac and cheese and chop brisket) it was very good although next time I would try it without the bun (available by the pint). We also had the ribs, they were moist and fall off the bone tender. We will be back! read more

Man is this great barbecue! We travel all over the southwest trying top rated restaurants and barbecue, and wouldn't you know it, we stumble on this place by accident, coming back from Austin and it popped up on Yelp - 5 stars, let's try it. Wow! This is easily one of the best barbecue places I've ever been to, and I've been as far west as Cooper's, as far north as Dinosaur, and east all over the Gulf Coast. I put it ahead of Corkscrew and that is saying something. The ribs were perfect, and I don't ever say perfect. But these were - perfect, beautiful, right out of an award winning competition - which makes sense, since the owner travels all over competing - and winning. The brisket set a new standard for me - even the lean side was juicy, great smoke ring, fabulous flavor. Kudos on down the line to the sausage and sides. And not just for barbecue nuts like me. My wife had the chicken, my daughter the pulled pork, and it was all amazing. We just can't get over just how great this place is, and can't wait to come back as soon as we're anywhere near the NW side of Houston. Next time Texas Monthly does its list they need to give First Class a shot. One visit and it'll be on their list. Once again: wow!! read more

Great location right off the highway. Unbelievably tender meats great sides as well! No other place in town comes close to the quality of food an absolute must try! read more

Hey hey great service great chicken!! And the POTATO ohhhhhh myyyyyy. Crazy HUGE. Water was a little wonky but all in all great experience.

In Texas on Business and traveling from Austin to Houston. Looked around for something good and saw the 5 star reviews and thought I'd give it a try. I can say with complete honesty that the 5 stars are real!!! I've never had chicken melt in my mouth the way it did here! Best I've ever had. The brisket was delicious as well. Wonderfully moist and full of flavor. If your looking for good bbq and something filling, this is it!! Glad I stopped in!!! read more

Good BBQ and great portions. However, the map in Yelp is wrong. Give them a call for directions.

Family and I were in the area today and were pleasantly surprised by this great BBQ find! Ribs were spectacular, as was the chopped beef baked potato. I didn't get a chance to try the sausage because my husband ate every bite of his before I could snag one! read more

The BBQ here is amazing. We stopped by today on our way back to Austin and we're glad we did! I had the chopped BBQ sandwich and my husband had brisket and sausage. Everything really hit the spot. I highly recommend this place. read more

This is a great little bbq place! Drove from College Station for the (gigantic) loaded baked potato and was not disappointed! What you'd expect from a place off the highways like this but the food is well worth the drive. Water was weirdly salty (like too salty) so I'd get the bottled water but very good!! read more

We came as they were closing and the only thing they had left was their sausage and sides but, man was that all we needed. It was delicious! Hopefully we get a chance to come back before we head home. Staff and owner were extremely friendly as well. read more

I tell you what, if you're looking for prize quality brisket and chicken, this is the place. Tender, perfectly cooked, and not too smoky, you can eat the brisket without sauce. And the chicken has a garlic rub that fits precisely with the smokey exterior and the juicy inside. Give em a shot. You won't regret it. Just off 290 on Hwy 6 in Hempstead. read more

They have boiled crawfish on Friday and Saturday and Sunday!! Some of the best I've ever eaten!!

Outstanding, truly first class BBQ. While my favorite are the sausages and the chopped beef sandwiches, the ribs are the best I found within a hundred miles of Hempstead. They are moist, flavourful, and literally fall off the bone tender. On par with Uncle Mutt's in Victoria. Get there early, they close when they sell out and they sometimes sell out pretty quick. read more

The first thing you notice is the friendly greeting when you walk in the door. Then you will notice the trophies that line the walls and the pavilion outside- hundreds of them. Finally, you notice the ordering window flanked by massive statues for "Best Ribs" from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. You realize you may have stumbled into Bar B-Q that might just be the best in Texas. So here is my best advice ... bring a friend or two, don't order the same thing, and eat off of each other's plates so you'll know what to order next time you come back. Oh, yeah, you'll be back, guaranteed! read more

The bbq here is second to none with a family friendly atmosphere. Don't come at the last minute because they are great and will run out of what you want. read more

Great bbq! It's not a big sit down restaurant although it looked like they have a bunch of outdoor seating that wasn't open when we went. Kinda feels like a truck stop restaurant but the food is so good!! We had quick friendly service as well. The place is covered with all their awards which is pretty cool to look at. read more

Best ribs I have ever had! Everything I've had has been good, ribs, potato, brisket, sides. Great BBQ place!!!

The BBQ was good but was not the best and the place did not leave that great of an impression looked kind of dirty

Stop by today glad I did great food and service, plan to stop by again. Clean environment and price not bad.

This was excellent! Definitely recommend! I loved the chopped beef sandwich, potato salad, and beans. So good! We have needed this in this area! The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. read more

Awesome food, Awesome atmosphere, and great family owned business. Definitely gets 5 Stars from me. Would recommend it to all my friends and family!!! read more

First of all when you walk into a BBQ joint and you see trophies on every wall you just know you're in the right place for BBQ. My husband and I got the two meat plate with brisket and sausage and we enjoyed every bite. Not only did we enjoy the delicious food but the customer service was so friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of the menu. read more

The ribs! In 48 years of eating BBQ, these are the best ribs I've ever tasted. So tender, moist and delicious. The brisket and sides were excellent also. The staff was very hospitable, and the picnic tables under a covered shed were fun & casual. Worth driving from Houston just to eat these ribs. I'm taking a slab home for dinner. read more

Robert and crew finally brought world class BBQ to town with first class BBQ. The ribs here put the austin joints to shame and the brisket and chicken are as good as it gets. If you have ever wondered what the BBQ chefs on tv shows are capable of creating, look no further, this is the place to be. read more

I had the meatloaf and it was amazing! My husband had the 2 meat plate and could barely finish...the brisket was falling apart yumminess!

Great ribs. Have had Franklins and Truth BBQ ribs and they are on par. Sliced brisket is very thick sliced. Wish they had a better selection of sides like French fries or homemade chips. Would recommend to anyone living in the area or just passing through from Houston to Austin or College Station. read more

We SO needed a fantastic BBQ place in Hempstead, and I am so glad we finally got one! Don't show up too late, as they've been sold out of at least 1 meat each and every time we've stopped in. The only complaint I have is that they're closed during #rodeohouston. It is very apparent as to why they have so many trophies to show for their BBQ--and those accolades are absolutely well-deserved! Not cheap, but good meat cooked fantastically never is. Very worth stopping in, if you're passing through to Austin or College Station. read more

Definitely First Class!! I love the BBQ!! They are very involved in the community. They went above and beyond during Hurricane Harvey.