Old Bucs Barbecue - Manvel

I visited this restaurant for the first time after seeing all the positive reviews, and I wasn't disappointed. The BBQ was excellent. I ordered brisket, pork ribs, and sausage, along with potato salad and beans. The prices are comparable to other quality BBQ spots, and it's a buy-by-the-pound establishment. The meat was juicy and tender, though I personally prefer a smokier flavor. The beans were delicious, while the potato salad was a bit sweeter than I like, but still enjoyable. The service was great; the staff at the counter were friendly and made us feel welcome. I definitely recommend Old Bucs if you’re in the mood for some good BBQ!

While we were deciding what to order, we knew we had to try the brisket, and they kindly offered us a sample, which was delightful. We usually order sausage as well, but after reading some reviews, we opted for the pork ribs instead. Meats are sold by the pound, so we ordered a pound of brisket but were happy to learn that we could get just one rib per person. For sides, we chose a personal-sized pinto bean and potato salad based on previous reviews. When asked if we wanted all the trimmings, we gladly said yes. The drink selection is somewhat limited, consisting mainly of bottled drinks and water, but I was pleased to find that their Dr. Pepper is the cane sugar/glass bottle version. Everything we tried was delicious, and the price was much better than many other BBQ spots—we spent just over $20 each, including a tip. The brisket was wonderfully tender and smoky, and the ribs might have even stolen the show—they were incredibly tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. I started my meal with one of their pickles because they looked so appetizing. I was pleasantly surprised that it had a sweet and spicy flavor, and I wished I had known how good they were beforehand so I could have asked for extras (though I’m sure I could have just gone to the counter to request more). The potato salad was creamy and well-seasoned, arguably the best I’ve had with BBQ. The pinto beans were even better. Typically, pinto beans can be quite bland, but these were anything but. They were nicely spiced, without being overwhelming, and had a great blend of spices and bacon. At first glance, this place may not seem like a top-notch BBQ joint when you drive by, and it might feel like it's in the wrong direction from Houston, but if you’re looking for some excellent barbecue at a great price, I highly recommend heading south on Highway 6. Parking is plentiful, far exceeding the number of seats inside, and they also offer drive-through service.

As for parking, there's enough space for the mostly takeout business. It might become a bit tighter if they gain more popularity, which I genuinely hope they do!

Stopped in yesterday after work and got some moist brisket and pork ribs. I’ve eaten here before and the food was great, but yesterday not so much. The brisket was good but the pork ribs were almost inedible. They were dry, and tasted like they had been in the warmer for too long. I decided to get the ribs based on the lady in front of me got some and they looked delicious. Sorry guys, but it was a real letdown.

Old Bucs BBQ is the best BBQ in the Manvel/West Pearland area. The restaurant itself is a very small shack with a drive-thru. I always go for the brisket, which is always mouthwatering and tender. They also have links, burnt ends (both beef or pork belly) which are amazing. The only gripe about this place is that it's only opened on the weekend. Hopefully they could be open everyday sometime in the future