The Sides at Truth BBQ Are Just as Good as the Brisket. Here Is What to Order.

When you visit Truth BBQ for the first time, you probably already know what meat you want to try. Brisket tends to get top billing, and ribs and sausage aren’t far behind.

But don’t make the mistake of treating the sides as an afterthought.

At Truth, our sides are made from scratch and given the same attention as the rest of the menu. Some are Texas BBQ staples, while others have become Truth favorites in their own right. More importantly, they each bring something different to the tray, whether that’s the richness of mac and cheese, the sweetness of creamed corn or the crunch of coleslaw alongside fatty brisket.

Here’s what to know before you order.

What Makes a Great BBQ Side?

 

There’s a reason a traditional BBQ plate usually comes with more than meat. Brisket, ribs and sausage bring plenty of smoke, salt and richness, so the right sides help round out the meal.

That doesn’t necessarily mean every side needs to be light. Mac and cheese next to brisket is rich on rich, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. But add something crisp or tangy to the same tray, and suddenly every bite tastes a little different.

That’s how we think about the sides at Truth. Rather than filling out the menu with the expected options, we make them from scratch and give each one a reason to be there.

If you’re ordering several meats, the sides also give you an easy way to change up the plate as you go.

 

The BBQ Sides to Order at Truth

 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of our different sides:

 

Mac and Cheese

 

Mac and cheese is a BBQ staple for good reason. Creamy, rich and familiar, it works with nearly everything on the menu.

It’s especially good alongside brisket, where the creamy texture plays against the bark on the outside of each slice. It also pairs well with sausage or ribs if you’re putting together a heavier plate.

If it’s your first time at Truth and you only recognize one side immediately, there’s nothing wrong with starting here. There’s a reason mac and cheese keeps showing up on BBQ trays.

 

Tater Tot Casserole

 

Tater tot casserole is where the side menu gets a little less traditional.

It’s hearty and unapologetically rich, making it a natural choice if you’re already leaning toward brisket or ribs. It also brings a different texture to the plate than mac and cheese or creamed corn.

You won’t find tater tot casserole at every Texas BBQ joint, which is part of the reason it’s worth trying here. If you’re ordering several sides for the table, this should be one of them.

 

Creamed Corn

 

Creamed corn is another rich side, but it serves a different purpose on the tray.

The natural sweetness of the corn works particularly well with the smoke and salt of barbecue, especially brisket and ribs. It’s also a good option if you want something creamy but don’t necessarily want to double down on cheese or potatoes.

For a first visit, creamed corn is an easy side to pair with almost any combination of meats.

 

Pinto Beans

 

Pinto beans are about as classic as Texas BBQ sides get.

They’re a particularly natural fit with brisket and sausage, and they bring plenty of savory flavor without competing with the meat. If your ideal BBQ tray leans more traditional, beans deserve a spot on it.

They also work well when you’re ordering one of the richer sides. Pair pinto beans with mac and cheese or tater tot casserole, and you get two very different sides without straying too far from a classic Texas BBQ plate.

 

Coleslaw

 

Coleslaw may not be the first thing you notice on a BBQ menu, but it can be one of the most useful things on the tray.

Cold, crisp slaw gives you contrast against hot, smoked meat and richer sides. That makes it particularly good with fatty brisket, sausage or a tray where you’re sampling several meats at once.

If you’re already ordering mac and cheese, creamed corn or tater tot casserole, adding coleslaw gives the meal some balance. Alternate between the two, and you’ll understand why a good slaw has been a BBQ staple for so long.

 

How to Build a Full Truth BBQ Tray

 

There’s no formula for building the perfect BBQ tray, but it helps to think about how everything works together.

If it’s your first visit, start with brisket and sausage, then add mac and cheese and coleslaw. That gives you two very different meats and two sides that cover both ends of the spectrum: rich and creamy on one side, cool and crisp on the other.

If you’re in the mood for something heavier, try ribs with tater tot casserole and creamed corn. For a more traditional Texas BBQ plate, brisket, sausage, pinto beans and coleslaw is hard to argue with.

And if you’re eating with a group, ordering sides to share is the easiest way to explore the menu. Instead of everyone choosing the same one or two things, get several for the table and try a little of each.

The point isn’t to find one perfect combination. It’s to build a tray where the sides are doing as much work as the meat.

 

First Time at Truth? Don't Skip the Sides

 

We know plenty of people come to Truth specifically for the brisket. If that’s you, brisket should absolutely be on your tray.

Just leave room next to it.

The sides are part of the experience, particularly if it’s your first visit and you want to get a better sense of the menu as a whole. Even adding two gives you more variety and lets you move between different flavors and textures as you eat.

If you’re having trouble narrowing things down, choose one richer side and one that offers some contrast. Mac and cheese with coleslaw is an easy place to start. So is creamed corn with pinto beans.

If you’re sharing with a group, even better. Order a few and figure out your favorite.

 

Bring the Truth BBQ Experience Home

 

You don’t have to be in Houston to get Truth BBQ on the table. We ship our smoked meats and other favorites nationwide, including brisket, sausage and sauces.

That means you can start with the barbecue and build the rest of the plate at home. Add your favorite sides, put out the sauces and serve everything family-style for an easy BBQ spread.

And if you’ve already visited us in Houston, ordering online is also a good way to revisit the meats you didn’t have room to try the first time.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What sides does Truth BBQ have?

Truth BBQ’s scratch-made sides include mac and cheese, tater tot casserole, creamed corn, pinto beans and coleslaw. Each offers something different to pair with brisket, ribs, sausage and other smoked meats.

What are the best sides to order at Truth BBQ?

For a first visit, mac and cheese and coleslaw make a good combination: one is rich and creamy, while the other is cool and crisp. Tater tot casserole is another standout if you want something hearty, while pinto beans are a classic Texas BBQ choice.

What sides go best with brisket?

Brisket pairs well with both rich and lighter sides. Try mac and cheese or creamed corn for something creamy, pinto beans for a classic Texas BBQ pairing or coleslaw for a crisp contrast to fattier brisket.

What are traditional Texas BBQ sides?

Traditional Texas BBQ sides often include beans, coleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese and other simple dishes served alongside smoked meats. At Truth BBQ, classics like pinto beans and coleslaw share the menu with options like creamed corn and tater tot casserole.

What should I order on my first visit to Truth BBQ?

Start with brisket and sausage, then add two contrasting sides, such as mac and cheese and coleslaw. If you’re visiting with a group, ordering several sides to share is an easy way to try more of the Truth BBQ menu.