The Swinging Door
Take a short road trip to Fort Bend County for Texas-famous barbecue with deep smoke flavor.
What People Are Saying About The Swinging Door
The Owner
The Swinging Door
Owner
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.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
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 experience and it's been that way since 1973. The aroma of pecan wood smoking from the pit, Southern-sweet service and funky cowboy decor keep it genuine.
The Food
Thick slabs of pink, vigilantly smoked turkey breast and moist chicken with peppery burnished skin make patrons cheer. Pork ribs are also gnaw-worthy, with the necessary gilding of fat--flavorful and meaty. The only downer: Brisket is occasionally chewy. Saddle up to sides like egg-packed potato salad, a baker with real bacon bits and all the fixings or crunchy coleslaw fortified with raisins. Don't pass up warm blackberry cobbler topped with ice cream.
User Reviews
VonHall1
July 30, 2008
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.
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digzy
June 14, 2008
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 .
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vanamm
June 01, 2008
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.
read full reviewThe Details on The Swinging Door
The Extras:
Live country-western music on Saturdays from 8:30pm to 12:30am invites two-stepping in the back room. Newcomers are welcome to take lessons. Cover is $4 per person.
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
Message from The Swinging Door
- Award winning Bar-B-Q
- Dance Hall
- Catering
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.
