I needed to work quicky to cram in lunch today. Trying to juggle laundry, lunch, and a few errands in 60 minutes or less takes some serious multi-tasking.
It also takes some cooperation and quick service. That being said, I have zero desire for drive-thru, fast-food options.
Then the light bulb popped on. There’s a place close by that I’ve always wanted to try, but never either had the time for, or didn’t have money on me when I stopped by.
Today, being my pay day, was not one of those days. So headed west out U.S. 40 to area surrounding the Flushing exit to pay a visit to Houston’s Smoked Chicken.
Located at 67770 Airport Road in St. Clairsville, Houston’s is directly behind the Sunoco and Wally’s Pizza.
There’s not official brick and mortar location. There’s a food trailer, and a number of large smokers underneath an open-air structure, perfect for smoking.
At first glance, it may appear a weekly, or even monthly operation, but Houston’s is far from that.
It’s been delighting both locals and passers-by with qualify smoked BBQ for years, returning once the weather breaks and the smell of the smoked ribs wafts throughout the Flushing exit.
I’ve seen it numerous times and decided this was my chance to sample. I was not disappointed.
The smoked half rack of ribs 
The smoked half-a-chicken
The Food
I was flying solo today as my daughter had put in a different request. No matter, I opted to get a few different items to get a better sampling of what Houston’s had to offer.
I opted to get a half-rack of the smoked ribs AND a half chicken. Might as well keep it diversified.
Being that the ribs are smoked, they aren’t slathered in a wet BBQ sauce. They have a nice smokey taste, naturally, and you can taste the hints of rosemary.
I prefer a wet rub sauce on my ribs, but given this is the second time having smoked ribs, they are starting to grow on me. The ribs at Houston’s are certainly fine quality. I wasn’t the only one that thinks so either as a number of guys from the gas and oil industry were pulling in to pick up their lunches.
Then, I moved onto the chicken.
Personal preference, but I believe for BBQ chicken to truly shine, it needs a wet, tangy sauce. That being said, this smoked half-a-bird was quite tasty. The skin had an excellent flavor profile which extended far deeper into the meat.
The next time I roll through I’ll need to try the pulled pork, another feature item on the menu which also features side dishes like baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, and cole slaw. Baked potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, and also the pork tater.
Service
The speed and friendliness of service is one of the reasons I’ll be returning to try that pulled pork.
Being in a hurry, I was hoping it wouldn’t take too long to get the meal prepared. But no sooner had I paid did the friendly woman working the trailer counter alert me that my meal was ready. The chicken and ribs each came in their own individually wrapped bag with lining designed to keep the food hot.
I drove back home to eat as my time was running low, but the food not only was tasty, but ready fast. I ate on the way home, hence the photos.
There are a few picnic tables around the food trailer for patrons who have the time to relax and enjoy, but you get this sense that Houston’s is a major hit for lunch goers.
Houston’s is only open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until they sell out for the day. If you want to sample, I suggest calling ahead to make sure, or stopping by early.
Houston’s Smoked Chicken can be found on Facebook here.
