Photo by by Connor HydeDripping slabs of pork loin and smoked brisket are the order of the day at Old Hickory Inn Bar-B-Que where customers are welcomed by employees on a first-name basis. The traditional, friendly atmosphere of Thomas Karnezis's restaurant is what has kept Old Hickory Inn in Missouri City booming for the past three decades.
Serving East Texas barbecue with a Greek twist, Thomas incorporated his culinary training from college to establish a local barbecue destination in Missouri City about 30 years ago.
Leaving a hint of Greek oregano sprinkled on pork, steak and the in-house dressings, Thomas tinkered with traditional barbecue recipes to bring a distinctive depth to the menu. About 10 years ago, the gyro was introduced to the restaurant's traditional barbecue menu as a nod to the Karnezis' Greek roots.
"[Thomas] definitely perfected barbecue when he got a hold of it," said Ted Karnezis, Thomas's son. "He is my dad, my business partner and my friend, so it really works out."
