Ray’s BBQ Shack

Ray's BBQ Shack
In his off duty hours as a deputy sheriff, Ray Busch started cooking barbecue out of a trailer in nightclub parking lots, eventually graduating to a hugely successful brick-and-mortar joint in 2011.

Busch teamed up with Maxine Davis and Herb Taylor to open the original Ray’s BBQ Shack location, in a small corner of a gas station near the U. of Houston. The joint became a neighborhood favorite and picked up the mantle of the surrounding Third Ward being one of Houston’s traditional “barbecue wards.”

Busch created a crowd-pleasing menu of old-school ETX-style favorites (housemade boudin, rib tips and smoked oxtails) and combined that with expertly-crafted CTX-style brisket. The ETX barbecue tradition of fried catfish and shrimp is well-represented here, with both items available daily.

PHOTO GALLERY

MAP

LOCATION DETAILS

Building: Located in the endcap of a new shopping center on a bustling strecth of OST, there is a big dining room as well as some counter seats.
Parking: There is a paved parking lot adjacent to the shopping center.
Ordering: Order at the counter, get a receipt and wait for your name/number to be called.
Catering: Pickup, delivery and full service available.
Pit(s): Vault-style smoker from Pits by JJ.

VIDEO TOUR

VITAL INFO

Owner(s): Ray Busch, Maxine Davis, Herb Taylor
Pitmaster(s): Ray Busch
Established: 2011
Address: 3929 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021
Hours: Mon-Tue 11AM-6PM, Wed-Sat 11AM-8PM, Closed Sun.
Phone: (713) 748-4227
Known for: ETX-style favorites including smoked boudin and oxtails (Thursday only) and excellent fried catfish and shrimp. And the fried corn-on-the-cob is addictive.
Pro-tip: Make a special trip just to try the excellent seafood gumbo as well as the Texas red-style chili, both made in-house.
Brisket price/lb: $21.95
Price Date: 2021-05-02

FEATURES

Neighborhood(s): South, Central, Third Ward
Building Type: Shopping Center
Primary Wood(s): Oak
Primary Pit Type(s): Cabinet/Upright
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Drinks: Beer, Wine

MEDIA COVERAGE

Ray's BBQ Shack continues Third Ward traditions
Houston Chronicle
Old-School Houston Barbecue Thrives at Ray’s BBQ Shack
Texas Monthly
Ray's BBQ Shack serving up smokin' good barbecue made with love
ABC 13
Eat of the Week: Smoked oxtails served only on Thursdays
Chron.com
Burning Questions With Ray’s BBQ Shack
Texas Monthly
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