There are certain debates that people will die on their own hill supporting what they deem is correct. Is LeBron James better at basketball than Michael Jordan? Is the superior soccer team and fan base Real Madrid or Barcelona? Or just go ahead and divide your family and friend groups over certain political parties. In the end, the court of opinions will stay undefeated until the end of time. If you live in the southern United States, then there is one cultural debate that has sparked everything from Netflix documentaries to Food Network TV shows, and that’s “Who has the best BBQ?”
Regional bias has led to many styles and techniques when it comes to BBQ. The East Coast focuses on pork and full hogs, and pairs them up with vinegar-based sauces. The Central areas also do pork, but love using ribs, dry rubs, and tomato-based sauces. It is no secret, nor stranger, that beef is king when it comes to Texas style BBQ where we pair our meats with simple seasonings and let the smoke do its thing. Regardless of your preferences, they are all good in their respective flavors and treatment of the animals.
Within the Houston area, there is a new contender thrown into the BBQ fraternity. While many BBQ joints have branched from the OGs around the state, this place has thrown themselves into the fire by adding a different flare. Levant BBQ, located in the Greater Uptown of Westheimer, backs up the hype with their unique flavor twists. With many local BBQ joints no longer serving Halal meats, Levant is here to cater to the once missing clientele. For those unfamiliar with Halal, it is when the animal lives its fullest life with the most natural of substances entering its body. It is also important that the animal experiences no harm when it comes to slaughter, for it is believed less stress contributes to a better product and flavor. Another difference is that Halal meats have had the blood drained from the animal, leaving a different, perhaps cleaner, taste and texture when it compares to non-halal practices.
The ever busy Westheimer road is not your typical location for a BBQ place. Wooden shacks off a beaten path with gravel and dirt parking lots sound more ideal. Here Levant BBQ takes over an old Chase bank building in a shopping center. Unlike other traditional BBQ places where the cooking is normally done outside of the building, the cooking of Levant’s meats are done within eye shot. The owners wanted to create a more transparent and open concept so that the customers can truly see what goes on with their meats. Think of it as if you’re ordering at your local Chipotle, or even Subway, but instead of asking for tortillas and veggies, you order massive Flintstone-esque beef ribs, lamb (which is a must have, as it is one of their specialties) and humus.
Yes, humus, you read that correctly. The standard Texas flavors you know and crave blend in seamlessly with the brightness of the Mediterranean here at Levant BBQ. Traditional Texas BBQ is normally heavy and savory, which is great and all, but there’s something to be said about the freshness of Mediterranean spices and flavors fusing with Levant’s uses of hickory and post oak woods. Normal meats may be paired with bread and beans with the brisket drippings, yet are replaced with sides such as quinoa and fresh veggies to cut through the fattiness of the meats. And speaking of the meats, Levant BBQ strictly only buys their meats from overseas businesses that guarantee they are Halal certified.
The beauty of BBQ is that it is ever growing, that there are endless possibilities to this style. Slow cooking meats over smoke and fire is a staple in many regions all over the world, and it is amazing how delicious they all are when cultures imprint their flavors. What makes the opening of Levant BBQ so important is that Houston is home to many Muslims and other groups that incorporate Halal not only in their diet, but their lifestyle. The owners at Levant BBQ want to grow their Mediterranean fusion and hopefully open a couple more locations within the Houston area to appeal to traditional BBQ enthusiasts as well as other cultures.
Writer: @datfoodporn
Restaurant: @levantbbq
