As participants in the Houston Rodeo cook-off for 32 years, Big Bertha Barbeque owners Abel Nuncio and Adriana Nuncio said anyone can smoke barbecue. However, their passion for cooking and commitment to quality ingredients, paired with their famous baked beans, sets the eatery apart from other barbecue joints.
From competing in rodeo cook-offs to being a Cy-Fair favorite, Big Bertha Barbeque started as a catering company in the early '90s and opened a brick-and-mortar location in the Cy-Fair area in 2019.
“Really, it comes from right here ... from your heart,” Abel Nuncio said. “I always look at it like this: If you're going to get into barbecue or even cook-off teams, if you're doing it for the money, you're in the wrong position.”
Staying local
Abel Nuncio said after several barbecue restaurants in the area closed down during COVID-19, he and his wife Adriana Nuncio took the opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant to share their famous barbecue with the community.
As the two prepared to open Big Bertha, several local friends pitched in, lending their expertise in air conditioning, carpentry and electrical work to help complete the renovations.
Today, Big Bertha Barbeque repays the community with quality, affordable barbecue offered Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Abel Nuncio and Adriana Nuncio opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant for Big Bertha Barbeque in 2019. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
A former Cypress-Fairbanks ISD teacher, Adriana Nuncio said she retired in 2021 to focus on Big Bertha Barbeque.
As one of the only Hispanic-owned barbecue joints in the Cy-Fair area, co-owner Abel Nuncio said his goal is to be as good as Aaron Franklin, a nationally recognized barbecue chef.
Big Bertha Barbeque serves pork ribs ($19.95-$36.95). (Courtesy Big Bertha Barbeque)
Craving barbecue?
Aside from a personalized customer service experience, at Big Bertha, the Nuncios said customers can expect fresh barbecue smoked daily.
With several smoked meats offered, Big Bertha serves:
Brisket
Housemade sausage
Pulled pork
Smoked turkey
Pork ribs
Smoked chicken
Abel Nuncio said the menu features several spicy options to cater to the Cy-Fair community, where diners often request bolder, spicier flavors. The eatery also offers a variety of sandwiches and sides including smoked mac and cheese, smoked baked beans and street corn.
While Big Bertha only operates during lunch hours, Abel Nuncio said he is open to expanding the eatery's hours to offer dinner if there is a community demand for it.
