Houston barbecue veterans Willow Villarreal and Jasmine Barela launched their new barbecue joint Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern on August 13, 2026, bringing their longtime barbecue operation to a permanent home in Houston’s East End.
Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern is housed at 4109 McKinney St. in Eastwood, where Villarreal and Barela transformed a historic neighborhood building into a laid-back barbecue joint and tavern. The new restaurant provides a brick-and-mortar home after years of building a following through barbecue pop-ups and restaurant kitchens.
The location is steeped in history, with the building dating back to 1922. It originally housed the Eastwood Community Market, a neighborhood grocery store. During renovation, an old sign for Eastwood Barbecue Café was discovered inside the property, providing an unexpected link between the building’s past and its new life as a smokehouse.
Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern is next door to Eastwood Station, the train-car pizzeria that recently opened. The businesses will share a patio along with the upstairs dining room.
At Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern, barbecue will remain at the center of the menu. Diners can expect Central Texas-style smoked meats alongside burgers, sandwiches, wings, and other dishes. Customers can order brisket, pork ribs, sausage, turkey, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. Don’t forget to try some delicious sides like marinated tomatoes, coleslaw, mac and cheese, cornbread, and potato salad.
The bar side of the operation will include cocktails, craft beer, micheladas and spirits, creating a place where customers can settle in rather than simply grab a barbecue tray and leave.
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Villarreal and Barela are already familiar names in Houston barbecue circles. The pair previously helped launch J-Bar-M Barbecue in EaDo, and Villarreal gained national attention through an appearance on Bravo’s Top Chef Season 19, filmed in Houston. Featured in Episode 5, he helped guide contestants through the art of preparing and smoking Texas brisket using J-Bar-M’s smokers. After departing J-Bar-M, Villarreal joined Ronnie Killen’s Killen’s Barbecue group in early 2024 while continuing to work toward opening his own restaurant in Houston’s East End.
That neighborhood feel appears to be an important part of this new concept. Villarreal and Barela are working hard to create a casual gathering place where locals can visit for barbecue, drinks, and an easy and fun night out.
Vitals
- Address: 4109 McKinney St., Houston
- Website: https://willowssmokehouse.com/
Map to Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern
Featured image from Willow’s Smokehouse & Tavern Instagram page
