Spring, Texas, Is a Houston Suburb With Michelin-starred Barbecue and Movie star Ties

After twenty years in San Antonio, I used to be positive the greatest Texas barbecue may very well be present in my metropolis—till a go to to Spring, a quiet Houston suburb, challenged all the things I believed I knew in regards to the Lone Star State’s meals scene.

Regardless of making the roughly 3.5-hour drive to Houston incessantly, Spring had by no means been on my radar. However when the first-ever Texas Michelin Information declared the city’s sole barbecue joint, CorkScrew BBQ, worthy of 1 Michelin star, I used to be intrigued.

With roughly 63,000 residents—a marked distinction to Houston’s inhabitants of two.4 million—Spring has counted a number of celebrities amongst its numbers. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, The Large Bang Principle’s Jim Parsons, and Lee Tempo (Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings) all grew up within the Texas vacation spot.

The place to Eat and Drink

CorkScrew BBQ sits in Previous City Spring, a historic, lower than one-square-mile patch that was as soon as the unique city itself. At this time, it’s the suburb’s bustling downtown, full of greater than 100 retailers, bars, eating places—and one Michelin-starred love letter to smoked meat.

Based by husband-and-wife workforce Will and Nichole Buckman, CorkScrew BBQ is Southern hospitality in motion—from workers taking drink orders for company nonetheless in line to a message on the chalkboard inside that captures the spirit of the place: “Brisket > Heaven.”

Order the pulled pork and a aspect of pit smoked beans—typically second fiddles on many BBQ menus, these under-appreciated meals objects steal the highlight at CorkScrew due to an ideal mix of seasoning and sauce. I simply regretted not buying further to take dwelling to San Antonio.

There are two speakeasy lounges situated inside strolling distance of CorkScrew. Hidden inside a nondescript white home, the aptly named Prohibition Texas is ideal for an expertly crafted quaint or a Texas Warmth Wave with Hellfire bitters.

Additionally in an unassuming house, MB Speakeasy focuses on acquainted handcrafted cocktails with a aspect of rotating reside musical acts. The lounge additionally has a wide range of refreshing mocktails so each visitor feels at dwelling.

Save your urge for food for Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon. One other nod to Previous City Spring’s storied previous, the saloon pays tribute to Spring locals Charlie and Dell Wunsche—the brothers utilized the house as a resort, brothel, and tavern within the early twentieth century. Legend has it, Charlie and Dell by no means closed their tab. Query is, do they hang-out the cafe for the chicken-fried steak, the Spring membership sandwich, a chilly beer, or all the above?

CorkScrew BBQ isn’t the one Michelin-recognized spot right here. Only a 15-minute drive from Previous City Spring, Stomach of the Beast showcases chef Thomas Bille’s first-generation Mexican-American heritage by way of a menu of elevated Mexican delicacies. Highlights embody ceviche de pescado with coconut leche de tigre (a tangy broth from the fish marinade), scallops on the half shell with peach aguachile, and Texas wagyu carne asada, together with a wide range of different refined dishes. Along with a Bib Gourmand recognition from the inaugural Texas Michelin Information, chef Bille was awarded the 2025 James Beard Award for Finest Chef: Texas.

Issues to Do

Nature lovers can get their repair on the Spring Creek Greenway or Pundt Park. The latter is a 380-acre out of doors recreation house with two lakes, a playground, a canoe launch, multiuse trails, two pavilions, and bicycle racks.

Households exploring the world can quiet down at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. The Spring space water park is open seven days every week.

Situated a couple of half-hour drive away in Humble, Texas, the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is one other family-friendly choice. Free and open to the general public, it options as much as 300 acres of greenery, strolling trails, a number of gardens, ponds, a courtyard plaza, picnic areas, and a maple assortment.