Corkscrew BBQ – One Michelin Star – Concord Culinary Lyceum

Mixed Link Plate with Pit Smoked Beans
Jalapeño-Cheese and Garlic

1/2 lb Moist Brisket, 1/2 lb Pulled Pork

House Tacos
chopped brisket, cabbage, green chile ranch, fresh pico

Corkscrew BBQ
November 14, 2024
26608 Keith Street
Spring, TX
One Michelin Star

In November of 2024, Michelin awarded its first stars to Texas restaurants. Four barbecue joints made the cut including three in Austin and Corkscrew BBQ in Spring, Texas, north of Houston. What started as catering and a food truck is not a pilgrimage site for lovers of smoked meat.

There is only one thing that must be ordered, moist brisket. It is absolutely perfect with rich flavor and a beautiful smoke ring. Their beef is sourced from Creekstone Farms which provides Corkscrew with Prime brisket. Ribs are outstanding, pulling away from the bone with just a slight tug. The jalapeño-cheese sausage is stuffed with cheese and the pulled pork is delicious with a vinegar-based bbq sauce. For dessert, there’s cobbler of the day which might be as essential as the brisket.

Meat and plates are served with pickles, onions, jalapeños, bread, and sauce, but there are several unconventional menu items to try including house tacos with cabbage, green chile ranch, fresh pico and choice of meat. The Whole Hog sandwich is 1/4 lb pulled pork, 1/4 lb link sausage, and 1 fat rib on a bun. Or try the Stuffed Potato Salad which tops warm potato salad with queso, green onions, and a choice of meat along with a side of their green chile ranch.

It’s a lot of work to eat at Corkscrew. Diners line up more than an hour before they open. Arriving at 10:35 meant a wait of an hour and ten minutes just to order, but only another ten before the order was ready. While it isn’t common for a counter service restaurant to earn a Michelin Star, the dedicated service at Corkscrew combined with exceptional food makes it deserving. Servers make their way through both the inside and outside dining areas checking on diners and bringing drinks, extra napkins, more sauce, or whatever else they might require.

Corkscrew BBQ might be one of the most affordable Michelin Stars. An enormous feast for three was under $100, but it’s possible to get a filling meal for under $20.

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