Well, I've grown up in Houston and now live in Katy, Texas. We eat at the Swinging Door atleast once a month. The "Q" is good but my favorite on the menu are the RIBS. Here's a little secret you all should know if you're worried about price. If two of you are dining, order the 3 meat plate and get what you want. My wife and I usually order this and get all ribs or two ribs (6 large ribs) and a quarter chicken. Order two extra sides and you're in business for under $20.00! They will bring fresh bread, pickles, and sauce before the meal. I've never experienced bad service here and the food is prompt and fresh. I prefer my BBQ to be smoked in Pecan Wood and this is what the Swinging Door is known for. It's a keeper in my book.

I have been there three times and I am dissappointed everytime.Owner is rude,plates are dirty,menus stained.The wait staff is friendly though and it it is not their fault the food comes out of kitchen slow.Chicken is very good but sausage is poor and brisket is average at best. If you want good Q go to Fulsher or Hilje .

Years ago this place was be pretty good, not as good as Bakers Ribs or Shepherd Drive B-B-Q in Houston, but fairly good. Now the brisket is tough and stringy, the service is slow and it's a lot more expensive than better bar-b-q places that charge less. Don't waste your time or money on this place. Twenty years ago it was fairly good but not any more. I considered giving it an "average" rating but in good conscience a "poor" rating is really all it deserves.

I am a Q connoisseur. I know that is sort of an oxymoron, but don't get me wrong. I don't like it fancy 'cause that is not what good BBQ is all about. I have been smoking whole animals for years, toured the country experiencing regional differences from FL to KC to Memphis, SE Ohio to Carolina, and now TX. I justify this as field training...learning the way of the pit-master. Overall, this is the best I have had in Houston so far and I would rate this as worth the drive. What I like about the Swinging Door is that it captures the local style, specific points below.
1) It is not in town (+),
2) they use pecan for wood (+++ ) high marks for using the local fuel
3) their meat can satisfy without sauce (++)
Brisket-- good rub, moist, good flavor, a bit soft, not like competition standards, but appeals to me.
Ribs--pork, this is beef country, but ribs really should be pork, firm meat competition style, mild rub, great pink color, mild pecan infused smoke throughout
4) Sauce--they have a decent sauce (+) if you want it, although it is a bit vinegary a la southeast style (- - 'cause it is not typical of the region)
5)sides were good--small but adequate portions on the 2 meat plate
Potato--good size cooked well
green beans were outstanding (crisp and well seasoned herb salt), slaw had raisins, odd, but good. German style potato salad was good.
Drinks--sweeten your own tea (was pretty good), did have lemonade and Dr. Pepper (required in my book)
6) Desserts were good
Cobblers--not as good as Mom's, but passable, nice selection of berries. No banana pudding?
7) I know others have complained about the price, but I will pay for good Q and this is not out of line with other houses offering good Q around the country.

I can't believe people think this could be anything even close to the best BBQ.

The sausage seems nothing greater than some Eckridge sausage thrown on the grill. I would rather go home and make some Chapel Hill rather than eat this sausage. The brisket was okay - no complaints I guess, but also no raves.

The sides were PATHETIC.

The prices were ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!!! This place is so overpriced its not even funny!!!!!!

1 meat plate was somewhere around $10.00-$12.00
2 meat plate was somewhere around $15.00
3 meat plate was near $20.00

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!

And the bbq baked potatoes were nothing beyond good. Not great but not bad. Nothing to rave over. The service is decent (had better but had worse).

Sorry, but this is nothing more than an overpriced, below average bbq joint.