Big Horn BBQ in Pearland has the look and feel of a homey cabin in the countryside. About 25 years ago, the restaurant’s location off busy Hwy. 288 fit a similar, rural description. Brothers Britt and Darren Dixon co-own the barbecue establishment, which sits on land their family purchased in 1991 for their mobile home dealership. The two managed the mobile home business—the family’s industry for about 40 years—for 20 years before a shift in the market’s landscape influenced their move into food service. Big Horn offers meat, including brisket, sausage and chicken, by the pound.[/caption] “The world started changing, and we ended up getting out of the [mobile home] business,” Britt said. “Crazy enough, we decided to go into the restaurant business.” After the mobile home dealership was completely phased out in 2009, the Dixon brothers began pursuing their longtime desire to open a restaurant. Prior to opening in February 2012, Britt and Darren journeyed across Texas to gather inspiration for their new venture. “Britt and I spent about a year, just the two of us, traveling around the state [and] picking out parts of other barbecue restaurants that we liked and didn’t like,” Darren said. “We spent a lot of time and effort planning [Big Horn].” The duo said they wanted to produce a welcoming environment adorned with hunting and fishing decor, an ode to some of the family’s favorite pastimes. Much of the wood that makes up the interior was personally removed from old cabins on the family’s property on the Brazos River, Darren said. “We believe in atmosphere and creating a place where people can go and enjoy it,” Britt said. “That’s as important to us as anything.” Hunting and the outdoors also inspired the restaurant’s name. “Britt threw out ‘Big Horn’ one day and everybody said, ‘Oh, that’s catchy,’” Darren said. “We all took a family vote, and that was it.” Big Horn’s most popular items include pork ribs, beef brisket and homemade jalapeno cheese bread, the brothers said. The restaurant’s burgers are becoming customer favorites as well, Britt said. The menu also features chicken fried steak and loaded baked potatoes in addition to 15 side items. It is that array of options that makes Big Horn stand out, the brothers said. “It gives you a reason to come back here more often,” Darren said. “We have many customers who come two or three times a week because they can get a variety of [food].” Big Horn BBQ 2300 Smith Ranch Road, Pearland 281-741-3289 www.bighorn-bbq.com Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.