Cancel

Open app

Search

Killen's Barbecue

3.7 (189 reviews)
ModerateBarbeque, Southern
Loading...

Order Killen's Barbecue Takeout or Delivery

Killen's Barbecue Photos

KILLEN'S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Killen's Barbecue

Recommended Reviews - Killen's Barbecue

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Bread Pudding = Amazing!
Kerry M.

Whenever I get a chance to visit The Woodlands Area, Texas BBQ is a must! The famed BBQ joint in Spring TX was the initial choice on a Saturday for lunch. I arrived about 15 minutes prior to opening, and the line wrapped around the building and through the back parking lot. I was meeting my stepdaughter and her 2 year old for lunch - she asked to change locations due to the extreme wait time. She suggested Killen's in The Woodlands as it was less than 15 minute drive from where we were in Spring. Killen's was not busy at all, so went went directly to the counter to order. I am a suckered for brisket and ribs, so that is what I ordered. It didn't take long before our food was ready. Portion size was not too bad according to the price point. Brisket was decent tasking and had a nice smoke ring. Just a bit dryer than I was anticipating. I had much the same experience with the pork ribs. Food was good, but just not on the same level of excellence as the go-to BBQ joint in Spring. Killen's was a very clean, seemed on the newer end, if not recently renovated, so that was a bonus. Outdoor seating was also available.

Baked Potato W/ Meat (Brisket)
Liz C.

Always get the loaded baked potato here! It is fully loaded with brisket and toppings and huge. It will really fill you up because it's a whole meal. The brisket is soft and tasty. The potato is perfectly cooked all the time.

Pork Ribs
Maritza R.

Got take our from here today. It was my first time trying Killen's. Can't wait to come back with family and friends. I got the one meat plate with Ribs, Mac N Cheese, and creamed corn. Everything was delicious and flavorful! Big portions and I had leftovers that I ended up having for dinner. The ribs were juicy and huge. See photo for comparison with the "silverware" lol. Excited to go back soon! If you have tried this place, I highly recommend you do!

Ida B.

Our cousin took us to Killen's for dinner. Plenty of parking and the place was empty for a weeknight. You place your order at the counter and they serve the food to your table. Our cousin ordered about 6 pounds of BBQ; beef and pork ribs, brisket, and sausage. Several sides ordered; collard greens, mac n cheese, and potatoes, which were served in tall plastic containers. For dessert, we had peach cobbler and bread pudding, also served in plastic containers. I had the brisket. It was very moist and super tender. Perfectly smoked and seasoned!! Wanted to try their sauces, so I chose the tangy sauce and it was really good. Paired well with the brisket. The beef and pork ribs were fall off the bone good!! Again, very tender and seasoned well. The collard greens were smokey in flavor and a tad too salty for my taste. Loved the potatoes and mac n cheese!! I did not have any room for dessert but my family unanimously preferred the bread pudding over the peach cobbler. Great restaurant for Texas BBQ!!

Sandwich menu
Cat N.

Thank god for Killen's in Woodland! No need to drive over an hour at their other location and wait in line to get some delicious BBQ. I came here with one other person for lunch. We ended up just sharing a 3 meat plate of brisket, pulled pork, and sausage. It came with two sides so we got coleslaw and Mac n cheese. Everything was good. I love that they gave you two thick slices of brisket. I wish they gave us more pulled pork though. But everything was delicious, cooked perfectly, and had lots of flavor. Our meal also came with pickles, onions, jalapeños and two slices of toast. For sauces, they offer their tangy, sweet, and coffee BBQ sauce. My favorites are the tangy and coffee, but tangy is the best one in my opinion. Our 3 meat plate with 2 sides was around $25. I'm not sure why some people on here complaining about price. I didn't think that was bad at all. If you want a full rack of ribs its $43. But lots of meats. The inside of this place is super casual but clean. You can see what you are ordering and you pay first. They will bring it out to you when it is ready. Parking is easy since they have their own private lot. I cannot wait to come back when we are visiting.

Brussel sprouts, BBQ elotes, and banana pudding
Jessica G.

Every time I come here I try something different on the menu and it never disappoints. Today I got their BBQ elote which is their creamed corn and chopped brisket with cilantro and lime - it's so flavorful and filling! Also got a side of brussel sprouts which always is delicious. Their banana pudding is so hard to avoid when I come here so of course I got an order of it. It's so creamy and flavorful - not too sweet and lots of bananas! The food was out super fast and there was plenty of seating during lunch. I love that this place is in our neck of the woods! Definitely give this place two thumbs

Esosa O.

I needed some good Texas barbecue to-go and this place definitely rose to the occasion. I got a three meat plate with ribs, brisket, and jalapeño sausage with potato salad and pinto beans as sides. I would've preferred if the meat was more tender but it definitely wasn't dry (far from actually). The ribs were pretty skinny but there I liked them and the sausage was delicious, there was more cheesy flavor than what I was expecting. The brisket wasn't the most tender I've ever had but it was still really good and pretty thick with a good amount of fat (if you're into that). Lastly I loved the beans and potato salad, I might go back just for that. Overall I'd recommend Kileen's, they make pretty solid barbecue. Also my gripes with tenderness might be due to having to drive 20-ish minutes home with my order.

Outdoor seatings
Scott L.

I rarely visit Bbq places because I find their fare inconsistent, expensive, and often disappointing. EXCEPT Killen's which I've visited as a rule, whenever I've been in PEARLAND on the other side of the Houston Metropolitan area. Now Killens has a Woodlands location and the experience is even better! Huge seating area, wonderful music, friendly service and mouthwatering Bbq with delicious sides. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

Peach cobbler.
Barbara P.

I had my mouth all tuned up for Killens. I had my wife go pick it up since I was sick. We ordered the pork ribs, Mac and cheese, potato salad, and peach cobbler. The ribs were tough and hard to chew. They had none of the tenderness I expected from Killens. The Mac and cheese and potato salad were good, but the peach cobbler was a disappointment. It was a container of mush. It was riddled with too much cinnamon and the crust was non existent. I assume it's prepared with a crumble topping and not a traditional crust. For $50 this was not a meal I would eat again.

Wagyu Burnt Ends and Wagyu Brisket with creamed corn and Brussels sprouts
Brett N.

Why 5 stars? Because I'm so glad there's a 2nd Killen's up here. --- --- --- One of my favorite restaurants to go to when I was in town visiting my parent's in Friendswood was Killen's. It's among the best BBQ restaurants I've ever been to and the line of people constantly out the door is for good reason. We recently moved back to the Houston area and are not far from the Woodlands. One day I was driving around and couldn't believe a sign for Killen's BBQ across the way. I had no idea there was a 2nd location, but it really worked out to be so close to our new place. My wife recently went without me and sent me about 10 things from the menu that she really wanted to try. A couple of weeks later, we went and even took the toddler. I had a horrible time trying to decide what to get, but I ultimately landed on wagyu burnt ends and wagyu brisket. For sides, I ordered ol' reliable mac-n-cheese and brussel sprouts. We also shared some chips and brisket queso, while my wife ordered chicken fried steak. Brisket Queso (with pico de gallo) - Awesome. Would order this 10/10 visits. The only knock is that the chips were so frail that they would often break when trying to pick up a chunk of brisket. 5 stars. Burnt Ends - A little bit tough, but really flavorful. A place in Tampa made burnt ends into a similar texture as pulled pork, which I prefer, but these were solid. 4.5 stars. Brisket - Very enjoyable. 4.5 stars Mac-n-cheese - Always a hit. 5 stars. Brussel sprouts - I don't recall seeing brussel sprouts as an option during my trips to Pearland, but these were great. 5 stars. Chicken Fried Steak - One of the best we've had since moving back to Texas. And definitely the largest. Comically big. 5 stars. Creamed Corn - The best side dish they serve and possibly the best I've ever had at any BBQ restaurant. 5 stars. We will definitely be back! In addition to many of the classics, I really want to try their take on Birria Tacos and Quesadillas!

BBQ Chicken Plate with Two Sides.
Darrell C.

Lucked out today when we went to Killen's for an early dinner. The chicken I ordered went well with the mustard greens and the mac n cheese. Ample size on the protein... two meals worth. Will go back ... soon.

Bbq sauce options

See all

Photo of Sameer R.
55
37
11

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Beverly F.
63
124
82

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Amanda S.
131
49
5

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Alex ..
3
208
84

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Ingo S.
1
126
5

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mark R.
31
30
5

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Chad W.
3
51
149

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of H S.
0
14
0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Joe F.
0
15
0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Dan B.
0
16
0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

I don't know how I've been sleeping on this place. Great bbq, tasty sides and service was friendly.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of C G.
0
107
18

2 years ago

Food was really good, could have been hotter, but yet again the difference dining room was very chilly

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Excellent is brisket! The bread pudding melts in your mouth! Timing is everything, there was no line when we arrived!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Brian G.
234
10
0

4 years ago

Good brisket and solid ribs. Only negative were the prices..slightly high but everything is going up.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Joe M.
0
30
0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 3 of 5

Ask the Community - Killen's Barbecue

When does Killen's BBQ open in Cypress?

According to their website, the Cypress location is open now

Do you offer any Lenten specials on Friday?

They do! Fried fish and shrimp platter with sides on Friday's.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

The Republic Grille - Classic Wedge

The Republic Grille

4.2(1.1k reviews)
2.7 mi
•$$
Happy hour specials
Outdoor seating

My wife and I ate here before the Cynthia Woods Pavillion concert in the Woodlands, and it was a…read moregreat experience. There was live music playing outside, but we chose to sit indoors that day. The hostess opened the front door right away to show us inside. My wife ordered the blackened flounder with two sides, southern green beans and the sweet potato cakes, because the server recommended it. I also went with the server's suggestions and ordered the Wagyu chicken fried steak with bacon jalapeno mac-n-cheese and jalapeno cream corn. It might not have been the healthiest choice, but I wanted to enjoy the evening. lol My wife really liked the blackened flounder. The green beans were a bit more overcooked than she liked, though. The chicken fried steak was outstanding and very tender. I liked that the delicious gravy came on the side so the steak stayed crispy. The sides were also outstanding. The GM (Glen, sp?) came to say hello because it was our first time there. I told him everything was wonderful and that we would come back. When we left, the hostess opened the door for us again without missing a beat. Great food, great service, and a lively atmosphere.

The tres leches was $14 and was extremely underwhelming. Honestly, it tasted like something…read morestraight out of a grocery store bakery, and I'd put the HEB tres leches above this one. For the price, I expected something significantly better. Charging $14 for a slice of cake that tastes this average feels like a complete ripoff. I left disappointed and frustrated with the purchase and will not be returning. To make matters worse, they don't even accept tap-to-pay or Apple Pay. In 2026, that's an unnecessary inconvenience and shows a lack of investment in the customer experience. Between the overpriced, mediocre dessert and the outdated payment options, this was a thoroughly disappointing visit.

Photos
The Republic Grille - Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake

The Republic Grille - Caprese

Caprese

The Republic Grille - Shrimp Scampi

See all

Shrimp Scampi

Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar - Whiskey Cake:
sticky toffee cake, bourbon anglaise, spiced pecans, house made vanilla whipped cream

Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar

4.2(550 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

VIRGILIO APPROVED. I only do reviews of places I love. From service to food to ambiance. Watch my…read morevideo. I want to thank Manager Todd Kunz, our server, Jessica, Chef Arthur for a great conversation and Chef Javier for the amazing food. Server Travis and Admin. Shelby. Menu changes during the season, chicken looked and waffles amazing. I had the burgers fries were brined and ketchup is home made with spice. Candied bacon appetizers were beyond tasty but that desert CAKE OF THE DAY was amazing. I ATE IT AND DIDNT ASK THE NAME of it. WOW. Open room concept with outside seating. Cloth napkin style with flip flop relaxed atmosphere. AMAZINGLY LARGE BAR AND IN HOUSE BAKERY. Strong chairs for people my me and booths for the inner THIN in you. Lastly the he bathroom review; CLEAN AND FRAGRANT. Neat and in order. This one is VIRGILIO APPROVED

The crab cake is just ok. I prefer lump crab in a crab cake. The sauce served with the crab cake is…read moredill based which is my least favorite herb complement for crab. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my preference. I would not get it again. The service at this location was poor today. Since it was pretty empty and all the staff members were surrounding the bar, I sat at the bar. The team was more engaged with their interactions between one another than checking on my party. Each request I made was unnecessarily delayed. When I requested a container which was within eyesight and reach of the staff, I watched the employee stop and check on 2 other guests and make them drinks BEFORE handing me the container. I asked a 2nd person behind the bar and they did a similar thing before passing a container to me. There were 4 people behind the bar and maybe 5 guests, but each time I needed assistance, I had to ask more than once. Also, I could see my food items sitting in the kitchen while the team was continually chatting in the bar. This is my 3rd time at this location, and it will be my last. Although I like some of the menu items, the service today has depleted my tolerance for this location.

Photos
Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar - Another angle of the bar!

Another angle of the bar!

Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar
Whiskey Cake Kitchen Bar - Front entrance

See all

Front entrance

Mel's Country Cafe - Mel's Catfish

Mel's Country Cafe

4.3(785 reviews)
9.0 mi
•$$

I had a great experience at Mel's country cafe! I love coming here for a traditional and delicious…read moresouthern style dinner. I stopped in on a Thursday evening & it was busy. No wait for seating, but plenty of full tables. However - they came and got our drink orders quickly & the service was great. Our food came out quickly too. I got the chicken fried chicken and the ice tea. For my sides I got butter beans and French fries. The fries were a little dry, but that was my only complaint about the meal. The chicken fried chicken was really great, it was nice and tender & the breading was flavorful without being too oily or too much breading. The gravy was good and pretty creamy. The beans were good, nothing special but nice. The ice tea was great & perfectly sweet. The interior is pretty simple but does the job. It was pretty clean & the bathrooms were nice too. No complaints! Will be back again

If you want some Texas Country Cooking like your Grandmother used to make, head to Mel's. I've been…read morecoming for over 25 years and watched this Tomball Gem expand several times and being rebuilt from the ashes of a fire. Their atmosphere makes you feel welcome and at home. From the checkered tablecloths and energetic staff you will be able to find something for everyone. They have everything want for some good Texas grub. Start with: CSF, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Aguacate, and Friday night all you can eat catfish. Definitely give Mel's a try you won't be disappointed or leave hungry...

Photos
Mel's Country Cafe - No nice, and remodeled.

No nice, and remodeled.

Mel's Country Cafe
Mel's Country Cafe

See all

Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen

Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen

4.4(1.1k reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$$

Schilleci's is one of my local favorite seafood restaurants in the Woodlands area. This is my first…read moretime visiting their new location, and the ambiance is nothing short of spectacular. The waitstaff is always polite, helpful, and attentive at just the right times. The food is consistently top-tier--my absolute favorite meal is the Argentine Ribeye. If you're looking for a great meal or a fantastic after-work drink, look no further. Peace! Ask for Hannah Marie or Zach.

Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen definitely gives date-night vibes. The dim lighting, cozy seating…read moreand intimate atmosphere set the mood nicely. The menu was also a good size not overwhelming, but still enough variety to choose from. We made reservations and, although there appeared to be open seating toward the front, we were taken to the back. We ordered Hurricanes, lamb chops and the fried sampler, and I can honestly say the food was delicious. Our waiter was also kind, attentive and took great care of us. Unfortunately, something about the seating began to make me uncomfortable as the evening went on. While we were waiting for our food, I noticed that the fairer-skinned patrons coming in appeared to be seated toward the front, while guests who looked more like us were being seated toward the back. I obviously can't speak to the restaurant's reasoning or whether there were other factors involved, but once I noticed the pattern, it was difficult for me to ignore. It made me uncomfortable enough that I eventually lost my appetite and couldn't finish my meal. That's unfortunate because the food itself was genuinely good and our waiter did nothing wrong. But the overall experience matters just as much to me as what's on the plate, and I left feeling uneasy about what I observed. Because of that, I personally don't see myself returning to this location.

Photos
Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen
Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen
Schilleci's New Orleans Kitchen - Wall to the left of our table

See all

Wall to the left of our table

Killen's Barbecue - bbq - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...