Glenna Bell

Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue joint over on Shepherd near I-10 is the kind of place that goes way back in Houston, just like the family who owns it.  The neighborhood's certainly changed in the many decades since Pizzitola's opened, but its 70 year old smoker is still spreading the attractive smells of meats cooked over East Texas hickory.  With the rampage take over of townhome complexes, chain restaurants and bars on the "new" Washington strip nearby, Pizzitola's is a welcomed reminder of "THE REAL HOUSTON"--the kind of spot to take folks from out of town, one of the last places in Houston that actually feels like Houston.  I find myself making my way to Pizzitola's just about every week when I'm in town, so Jimmy and I decided to make it official, and I'll be sitting in regularly this summer.  A variety of good players from bands around town often show up and accompany Jimmy, and local songwriters like Matt Harlan who was recently on the Billboard chart also perform when they're not on the road.  I'm really enjoying doing these family shows, and I hope that you will join us for lunch on a Saturday.  There is plenty of parking, and the bar-b-cue is THE BEST.  In May 2010, the New York Times said that Pizzitola's is THE place to go for the real deal in Houston.  See for yourself at http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/travel/09hours.html?hpw Now, you can't beat THAT.   Y'all come!   Check out the Pizzitola's Web site at http://www.pizzitolas.com Hear tracks from Jimmy Pizzitola's new release at http://www.poetontherun.net