Brooks’ Place BBQ Closes After 16 Years: A Goodbye Full of Gratitude, Smoke, and Soul
For the past 16 years, the scent of slow-smoked brisket and peach cobbler has meant more than just a good meal for Cypress and Katy locals—it’s meant home. Now, after a journey that started in front of Langham Creek Ace Hardware and wound through multiple locations, Brooks’ Place BBQ has officially served its last plate.
On August 28, 2025, pitmaster Trent Brooks—known simply to most as “Mr. Brooks”—turned off the smoker for the final time. The farewell was raw, real, and heartfelt.
“It’s hard to believe this chapter is ending,” he wrote in a message to his loyal followers earlier that month. “Customers became family. Shared joys and celebrated milestones are part of the memories.”
It was never just about the food. Yes, the beef ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and loaded baked potatoes were worth the drive and the wait. But what made Brooks’ Place truly unforgettable was the way it showed up for people—again and again. Whether through a quiet prayer on a Sunday morning during “The Closet at Brooks’ Place,” or a Friday "Group Therapy" session over ribs and reflection, the restaurant offered more than a meal. It offered community.
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What started in 2009 as a modest BBQ trailer in a hardware store parking lot became a Cypress institution, earning local and statewide recognition. In 2013, Texas Monthly named Brooks’ Place one of the Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas—a rare honor that cemented its place on the map for barbecue lovers across the state. Still, the fame never outshined the mission: serve great food, and serve people with heart.
“Your loyalty and support were a constant source of strength,” Brooks wrote. “Most of all, thank you for your grace through all the challenges.”
Those challenges included more than just rising food costs and an ever-changing restaurant landscape. In early 2024, Brooks’ Place left its longtime home in Cypress and relocated to The Wildcatter Saloon in Katy, a move announced with gratitude and optimism. While the new venue brought fresh opportunities, the pull of home was strong. Just a few months later, the pit made its way back to Cypress, reopening in August 2024 at Fry Road and Longenbaugh.
Coming back to the community where it all began felt like a homecoming—but not without hurdles. Around the same time, a hacking incident forced them to start over with a new Facebook page, cutting off communication with their loyal follower base and disrupting how Brooks’ Place connected with its devoted customers.
Trent Brooks, owner and pitmaster of Brooks’ Place BBQ, stands beside his smoker earlier this year in Cypress.Still, they pressed on. They kept the smoker hot. They welcomed familiar faces and made space for new ones. And in true Brooks’ Place fashion, they closed not with bitterness, but with grace.
Brooks did not publicly share the specific reason for the permanent closure, only expressing gratitude, emotion, and appreciation for the relationships built over nearly two decades.
“Nothing good lasts forever so... thank you for all the support,” Brooks posted on August 28. “The relationships, friends and acquaintances we've made over the years are greatly appreciated.”
And it’s not entirely over. In a follow-up message shared on September 7, Brooks confirmed that while the day-to-day setup is gone, they’re still accepting catering orders. The smoker may be quieter, but it’s not cold.
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For many Cypress residents, the closing feels personal. Brooks’ Place was the kind of place where you’d run into your neighbor, strike up a conversation with the owner, and leave full—in more ways than one. It fed people in body and spirit.
To say goodbye is hard. But the story of Brooks’ Place BBQ isn’t just about a food trailer. It’s about what happens when a family pours their heart into their craft, and their community shows up right back.
Stay with My Neighborhood News for more stories about the small businesses, big hearts, and everyday people who make Cypress special.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
