Swinging Door
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Message from the Business
Established in 1973 by Steve and Ward Onstad. The restaurant had seating for 12 and Bar-B-Q on weekends. The "original" burns to the ground in 1974...
1974 -- The "New Original" was rebuild, bigger, better, seating expands to 75 or so. In 1979, we entered the Bar-B-Q cook-off at The Houston Live Stock and Rodeo Show. We Won!! The rest is history. People started coming to us from all over the whole wide world to taste our wonderful Texas Bar-B-Q. Now people ask us to ship our great-tasting BBQ all over. And you know what, we ship it to them! The Swinging Door is a family owned restaurant serving the finest quality 100%, pecan smoked Bar-B-Q at reasonable prices in a pleasant, rural, family atmosphere.
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Customer Reviews (48 reviews)
VonHall1
on Citysearch Jul 29, 2008Well, 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... (more)
digzy
on Citysearch Jun 13, 2008I 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... (more)
vanamm
on Citysearch May 31, 2008Years 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... (more)
mtwa
on Citysearch May 30, 2008I 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... (more)
days_crazed
on Citysearch May 07, 2008I 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... (more)
txbbqman
on Citysearch Jan 25, 2008The Swinging Door serves very good smoked meats out of Richmond. The smokey brisket was moist and very tender, it was well above average and the best meat that I was served. The sausage was pretty good, nothing... (more)
Contributor
on Citysearch Jul 01, 2007<b>The Scene</b><br>Smart city slickers steer to Richmond to escape the grind and chew on some of the best 'cue in the county. Creaky, country and family-friendly, the Door is the quintessential Texas barbecue... (more)
lovesbbq
on Citysearch Jun 09, 2007THE GREAT BBQ IS WORTH THE DRIVE. I WORKED THERE FOR 3 AND HALF YEARS, ATE IT EVERYDAY, AND I STILL LOVE IT!!!!! (more)
mherrold
on Citysearch May 31, 2007This is what a BBQ reataurant should look like and the food is as good as any other BBQ in Houston. I wish they had more sides, but you really don't go to a BBQ restaurant to eat the sides. The meat on the ribs fall off the... (more)
thebestcritic
on Citysearch May 24, 2007I've been eating at The Swinging Door for 25 years, and it's good, really good, but certainly not the best around. The prices have gotten out of line over the years. Average prices are 25-30% higher than average.... (more)
joeandamy
on Citysearch May 09, 2007The food was great especially the ribs. The atmosphere was unique with Willie Nelson singing Georgia. What the south is all about. (more)
mbetzkin
on Citysearch Mar 23, 2006I eat there all the time and the service is great. And yes, the wait staff is incredibly hot. I love all the food there. I usually dont eat potatoe salad but i love theirs. Prices are pretty cheap considering all the food... (more)
quiicksilver
on Citysearch Mar 17, 2006WOW! all i can say is THE BEST BBQ EVER! The all you can eat buffet is well worth the money because dessert is included. The waitresses are gorgeous and always seem to have a beautiful smile for you as soon as you enter the... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Nov 23, 2005We just discovered this quaint little BQ restaurant last month. It is probably the best BBQ I have had since moving to Texas. To start you get a basket of sliced white bread, pickles and BBQ sauce. For some that may sound... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Sep 09, 2005A very good Bar B Q place with lots of atmosphere. It is very inviting and clean restaurant. The food is very good and fast. The service is good and you don't have to wait too long. Come hungry.... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Sep 02, 2005This restaurant is highly praised as the place to go for BBQ. We decided to give them a try one night and did not see the attraction. The food was not bad-we had BBQ chicken/potato salad and a plate with 3 meat... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Aug 08, 2005This is a great BBQ atmosphere and the service is good. They have a great Turkey sandwich and the prices are very reasonable. It is worth the drive to the country! (more)
bkberk
on Citysearch Jul 24, 2005Recently moved out of Texas. Boy, do I miss the Swingin Door! Best BBQ around! Sure which I could get it in So. Cal! (more)
ninbud
on Citysearch Mar 13, 2005Have been here a couple of times and while the food is always great the service can be lacking. Waitstaff seems to have no clue and the next time around they are on top of everything. Order up and enjoy the q.... (more)