‘Pathetic BBQ’: N. Carolina food influencer causes uproar over his low rankings on popular Houston area restaurants

Only one Katy soul food restaurant saves the day

HOUSTON – Houston, we have a problem.

It seems like an “outsider” has come into our city and is giving his “not so kind” thoughts about some of our favorite and notable local restaurants.

North Carolina food influencer Rashad Mooreman, aka Mr. Chimetime, tried a long list of highly recommended food places and reviewed them on his platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, where he has huge audiences with well over 300,000 followers on each platform.

Some of his ratings and commentary stirred up mixed emotions from many Houstonians. He had many viewers on an emotional rollercoaster with his reviews.

“Just leave Houston, you’re embarrassing yourself and the people of the H,” one commenter said on Instagram.

His first couple of reviews started off pretty well -- but then it started to go downhill, especially when he tried out one of the city’s staple, family-owned barbecue restaurants.

“This brisket is what I like to call, pathetic,” he said about Burns Original BBQ. “Alright Burns, ya’ll burned through the mid game for sure.”

Top BBQ places in Houston

He ranked his Top 7 BBQ places in Houston:

1.) Triple J’s Smokehouse

2.) Killen’s Barbecue

3.) The Pit Room

4.) Gatlin’s BBQ

5.) Blood Bros. BBQ

6.) Burns Original BBQ

7.) Truth Barbeque

Food critic says he has received threats

In one post, Mooreman said he was posting a review about The Turkey Leg Hut. But before he could post the review, he said he received threats.

His Facebook post addressed the threats:

“Receiving Threats For A Video That HAS NOT Been Posted Is CRAZY. Homie Willing To Risk It ALL Over Turkey Legs SMH.. I Luh The Energy H-Tine.

“Still Posting That Video Doe.”

As Houstonians defended many of the badly reviewed restaurants, residents of Dallas fueled the fire, saying the Dallas food scene was better than Houston. As his comments sections filled with disappointment from Houston residents, things started to look up for the Bayou City as the ratings got better throughout his time in the city.

Hidden gems

Although he faced backlash, he has highlighted many “hidden gems” such as one Katy restaurant called Aunt Bill’s Soul Food Café, located at 22603 Morton Ranch Rd. Just from his review alone, the local restaurant went viral on social media and helped with exposure.

The restaurant even posted on its social media, stating it has sold out within two days after Mooreman’s post.

He also highlighted another restaurant, Glory Cuisines, located at 989 Ringold St., which he described as not having a name on the building but gave the business one of the highest ratings out of all the other Houston fooderies -- which was a 9.6/10. The Facebook post received over 55,000 likes and more than 7,000 shares.

Here’s a list of restaurants he reviewed and their ratings:

Frenchy’s Chicken, located at 3602 Scott St.

“The best fast food chicken I ever had in my life.”

Overall rating: 8.0/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Shipley’s Donuts, located at 3410 Ella Blvd.

“These donuts are legit!”

Overall rating: 8.4/ 10

Click here to watch full review

The Rice Box

“A tad bit overhyped.”

Overall rating: 7/ 10

Click here to watch full review

The Waffle Bus

“I like the concept, that’s not bad at all.”

Overall rating: 7.9/10

Click here to watch the full review

Bing Su - Korean hot dogs

“These are the best Korean corn dogs in Houston, Texas.”

Overall ranking: 9.3/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Nikko’s Cheesecake

“The worst Japanese cheesecake of all time.”

Overall rating: 4/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory

“This was awful.”

Overall rating: 4/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

The Gypsy Poet

“This is pretty good.”

Overall rating: 8.8/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Cream Burger in Third Ward

“Overall, it’s a hit.”

Overall rating: 7.4/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Lankford Grocery in Midtown

“I did catch them when they were about to close, which was like at 2:45 (p.m.) but that really shouldn’t be an excuse. A little disappointed but it’s alright.”

Ratings:
Houston Burger - 7.8/ 10
Rustic Fries - 5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Sukos Burgers

“This burger joint serves the best burgers in Houston, Texas.”

Overall rating: 9.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Jamaica Pondi Road

“All I really taste is spice.”

Overall rating: 7/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Micos Hot Chicken

“This place is severely overrated.”

Overall rating: 4/10

Click here to watch the full review

Brothers Taco House

“How can anyone hate this place?”

Overall rating: 8.8/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

** Trigger alert: Alright Houstonians, brace yourself ... this review may hurt. **

The Breakfast Klub

“I don’t quite get the hype of this place. I guess you’re paying for the ambiance. The ambiance seem to be legit.”

Overall rating: 7.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Dream wings

“I’m not sure whoever deemed this place as the best wings in Houston but I really hope that’s not the truth.”

Overall rating: 3/10

Click here to watch the full review

Mikkis Cafe - 10500 W. Bellfort Ave.

“They were not seasoned worth a d***.”

Overall rating: 7/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Stuffed wings

“These were not good! Houston, we have a problem.”

Overall rating: 4/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Burns Original BBQ

“Great customer service, pathetic BBQ.”

Overall rating: 5.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Gatlins BBQ

“It has a crazy, beautiful and addictive flavor.”

Overall rating: 6.8/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Blood Bros. BBQ

“I’m this close to saying Dallas has better BBQ than Houston .. this close.”

Overall rating: 6.6/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Truth Barbeque

“For this to be a popular BBQ joint, you most definitely missed the mark.”

Overall rating: 4.9/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

The Pit Room

“Houston yall slowly making a comeback -- slowly but surely.”

Overall rating: 8.9/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Killen’s BBQ

“Killen’s is definitely killing so far.”

Overall rating: 9.4/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Tripple J’s Smokehouse

“This place serves the best BBQ in Houston, hands down.”

Overall rating: 9.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Lien’s Viet Kitchen

“When I tell you my car is smelling about righteous right now.”

Ratings:
Build your own bowl: 9.1/ 10
Bahn Mi: 5.5/ 10
Chicken pho: 8/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Donaleti’s Restaurant & Bar Birriera

“Sweet Jesus, once was lost and now I’m found.”

Overall rating: 9.3/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

The Box Bakery & Kitchen

“This place serves the largest taco in Houston/ Pearland.”

Overall rating: 8.7/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Lost & Found Midtown

“Overall, it’s OK.”

Ratings:
Honey lemon pepper glaze thighs: 8.8/ 10
Waffle: 2/ 10
Collard greens: 5.5./ 10
Corn: 7.5/ 10
Curry shrimp and grits: 8.3/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Aunt Bill’s Soul Food Cafe

“The best soul food in Houston/ Katy, Texas.”

“This is mama’s kitchen right here.”

Overall rating: 9.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

The Turkey Leg Hut

“Is the Turkey Leg Hut overpriced? Yes. Is it overrated? I ain’t gone lie, yea. Are the turkey legs tender? Yes, but they are no where near as good as you guys make them out to be. They just do a great job at masking these tough flavorless a** turkey legs.”

Ratings:
Swamp fries: 8.3/ 10
Cajun bowl: 7.2/ 10
Alfredo shrimp stuffed turkey leg: 6.6/ 10
Famous original turkey leg: 3/10
Henny glaze turkey leg: 6.7/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Da Seafood Connection food truck

“The best food truck in Houston, Texas.”

Overall rating: 9.5/ 10

Click here to watch the full review

Glory Cuisine

“This is the biggest hidden gem in Houston, Texas. Insane.”

Overall rating: 9.6/ 10

Click here to watch the full review


About the Author

Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.

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