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Forbes
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Houston's Truth BBQ Still Among The Best In Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ
Leonard Botello IV and Abbie Byrom-Botello have lifted Truth BBQ to Texas barbecue royalty in just ... More four years. Ten years ago, Leonard Botello IV stoked the fire for his first paying customer at a modest shack off a rural highway in Brenham, Texas, just hoping they'd like his food and that he'd break even. This year, as the original Truth BBQ marks its 10-year anniversary, Botello is celebrating with another Top 10 place in Texas Monthly's coveted list. This comes in the wake of a Bib Gourmand designation in the inaugural Michelin Guide for Texas, a rare honor in the world of barbecue. Recently, the brand landed a concession at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. Clearly Botello is doing something right. With no formal training or restaurant experience, the 26-year-old idealist embarked on a smoky journey armed with raw passion, relentless determination, and a clear vision of the barbecue experience he wanted to create. That unassuming shack, wedged between the smoked meat empires of Austin and Houston, quickly became a dining destination. Word of Botello's supple brisket and meticulous approach spread like wildfire. In less than two years, Truth BBQ cracked the top 10 on Texas Monthly's vaunted list of best barbecue joints, which is considered the definitive ranking of Lone Star State barbecue. By 2021, it surged to the No. 3 spot, making Botello the youngest pitmaster and fastest riser ever on the list. Once word got out, lines started forming outside Truth's original Brenham location. What followed was a full-blown barbecue phenomenon. The Texas barbecue community is still talking about the unprecedented manner in which Botello ripped through the smoke ceiling. And how, from out of nowhere, Truth landed in the stratosphere, a smoked meats supernova among barbecue royalty. Ever since Aaron Franklin propelled barbecue into the spotlight by winning the first James Beard Award ever given to a pitmaster in 2015, Texas barbecue has undergone a seismic shift. Botello was among the young guns who contributed to the 'cuequake, blending tradition with ambition, craft with creativity. His philosophy is as straightforward as he is: keep it simple. But, as any great pitmaster knows, simplicity is deceptively difficult. He went from smoking three briskets a day to more than 700 a week, and from a two-person team to a staff of roughly 65 across three locations: the original Truth in Brenham, a second one in Houston, and Merritt Meat Company in Round Top. Botello and his wife Abbie reopened the latter — formerly Round Top Smokehouse — as a tribute to their late friend and restaurateur Lee Merritt Ellis. At Truth BBQ, you will find all the classic meats and trimmings, elevated to a gourmet standard. Once a self-described 'barbecue nobody,' Botello is now an internationally recognized pitmaster and respected business owner navigating the realities of running a modern restaurant empire: supply chain headaches, employee retention, healthcare, and growth strategy, all while preserving the soul of Truth. Helping steer the mission is his wife and business partner, Abbie Byrom-Botello, whom he met in New York in 2014. A former marketing executive for Samsung, Abbie brought media savvy and a strategic vision that elevated Truth from a beloved joint to a powerful brand. The couple married in 2021 and now run operations together, working tirelessly to create a company that fosters growth, gives back, and creates meaningful experiences for employees and customers alike. Together, they've made Truth more than a restaurant. From second-chance hiring —including formerly incarcerated individuals — to supporting local nonprofits like The Beacon, Sky High for Kids, and the Southern Smoke Foundation, they've built a company grounded in inclusion, impact, and community. While all locations of Truth BBQ still retain that classic barbecue joint vibe, the food is ... More definitely above average. 'It cost me a lot. I missed weddings, holidays, trips with family and friends. There were years I barely slept,' he says. 'People think life is in the bag once you get noticed, but the grass isn't always greener. You have to be ready to give everything to get here. There were days in the beginning when I lost faith and thought we'd have to shut down. Nobody knew who we were and the whole thing seemed like a complete gamble. But I had a very clear vision of the barbecue experience I wanted to create. And I was stubborn enough not to give up.' That unshakable persistence not only changed his life; it changed Texas barbecue. 'We don't thump our chest but there's a reason people keep coming back to Truth,' Botello says. 'It's in the details, in the effort we put into the food we make, and in the way we treat every person stepping through the door.' The modern landscape of Central Texas style barbecue burns brighter than ever, and Truth BBQ stands as one of its most important, game-changing luminaries.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brenham community supporting family of 10-year-old Devah Woods, found days after drowning
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief The community in Brenham is coming together to support the family of 10-year-old Devah Woods. A bank account is being opened at Brenham National Bank for Devah Woods so the community can donate Members of the community have also set up a "Meal Train" for the Woods family. BRENHAM, TX - Roughly 24 hours after 10-year-old Devah Wood's passing, the Brenham community is coming together to support her family. The family's pastor, Kevin Mitchell at Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, says many people in Brenham are hurting, but he wanted to empower people quickly to help their family. 'A joy to see' What they're saying Lead pastor Kevin Mitchell says he met with Devah's mom, and she is doing the best she possibly can at this time. He adds the community is also grief-stricken by what happened to Devah. Pastor Mitchell says many members of his church were close to Devah and her family. He remembered when she came to his church in 2024 during vacation bible school, adding she was like any other kid who would run and play with friends at church. "Fun to see. Actually, just on Sunday, she was running around playing, and we were watching her, and we had her some cupcakes and nachos after church," said Pastor Mitchell. "A joy to see. She was a part of our praise dance team with our girls, and I think she enjoyed that." At this time, Pastor Mitchell says he asks people to continue to pray for her family and support them. You can help Devah Woods' family What you can do Pastor Mitchell actually worked in a matter of 24 hours to empower people to get an account set up for her family at Brenham National Bank. "We have opened a fund account through Brenham National Bank. One that's local in town, there is one in Chappel Hill, and two are in Bryan, Texas. We're still trying to set up a way to give so you don't have to go directly into the bank," said Pastor Mitchell. "Our main focus is to help the family and meet whatever needs in longevity and in recent now immediately." Make checks payable to: The Devah Woods Benefit Branch Locations: Brenham Branch : 2211 South Day Street, Brenham, TX 77833 College Station – Southwest Parkway: 2470 Earl Rudder Fwy South, College Station, TX 77840 College Station – Caprock : 4466 State Highway 6 South, College Station, TX 77845 Chappell Hill Branch: 9005 U.S. Highway 290 East, Chappell Hill, TX 77426 Pastor Mitchell says others have worked to put together a meal train. "So the meal train is an online meal page or hub where people can go and sign up saying I'm going to bring this item, these foods this day and this schedules, so people are not doubling up on things and coming at the same time," said Pastor Mitchell. The Source FOX 26 reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke to Pastor Kevin Mitchell with Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Neighbors recall final moments trying to save 10-year-old Brenham girl swept away by flood waters
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief 10-year-old Devah Woods was found Tuesday morning after being swept away by flood waters One neighbor shared the moments he saw the 10-year-old and her sister being swept by the rushing water A second neighbor recalled moments he jumped into rushing waters to try and save the 10-year-old, but could only save her sister. BRENHAM, Texas - Neighbors in a small Brenham neighborhood say they witnessed and tried to save 10-year-old Devah Woods, who was swept away by floodwaters. Joe Grant retraced his steps and says he did everything he could to save 10-year-old Devah Woods. He says the water swept Devah and her sister away in the blink of an eye. Timeline Neighbors recall the moment a 10-year-old "slipped" and was swept away by rushing water Joe Grant says he was standing at his doorstep when he noticed 10-year-old Devah Woods and her sister walking home with their backpacks on. "I was standing at my door right across the street over there and this is where she fell. Right here. They was coming up from walking down from there. Her and her siblings, the two little girls, and right about here, they were stomping and going on. Next thing I know, I seen one of them she slipped and fell," Grant said. "The current here was real powerful going down here. They had backpacks on them and I guess by them having their backpacks on them, it made them float." Grant took video and posted it to his Facebook page. He says this video is from the moments before the girls were walking, slipped, and fell into the water. "She was floating right here on her back, and I'm still thinking she could get up out of this," Grant said. "The other one she saw her fall and she was hollering at her little sister at the time," Grant added. Grant said, although it took him a few minutes to recount what happened, it only took a few seconds for the little girls to be swept away. He says he wishes he would have reacted sooner, but it all happened so fast. "The water was going in a circle and woosh and just took them," said Grant. "One of them hit right here first and then the other one went on around that way. She hit up against this car and that's when I came down right here, and I thought maybe I could get them." Second neighbor recalls the moment he jumped into the bayou with rushing water and tried to save both girls Another neighbor recalls the moment he jumped in the rushing water to save both girls. Charles Rogers says he jumped in rushing water to try and save both Devah and her sister, but unfortunately was only able to save one. "The water was flowing very hard. That's when I got down there and that's when I lost track of one of them," Rogers said. "The water was pushing them hard." Rogers walked us down the bayou where there is a drop with a bridge over it. That's where he said he lost 10-year-old Devah out of his arms due to the force of the water. "We got to the other side. I was able to grab her, hold her up, and pull her to safety," said Rogers, "They were screaming and crying, and one girl was saying, please save me, and I was doing the best I could." Rogers says it breaks his heart he could not save both of the girls. "I just lost her going that way, during the current, I had both of them, but I lost one," Rogers said. "I went down in the ditch, I was able to grab her to safety and throw her up on land, and then I wanted to go try and see if I can rescue the other one, but it was too late," Rogers says processing what happened to 10-year-old Devah was tough for him, but he prayed about it. "I just prayed on it. I prayed hard last night on it, and I prayed hard this morning, but thankful that we found the other one," said Rogers. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Leslie DelasBour spoke with neighbors about what happened.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Girl, 10, Found Dead After Being Swept Away by Floodwaters While Walking Home from School with Sister
Devah Woods was swept up by flash floods on her walk home from school and was found deceased the next day Devah Woods, 10, went missing amid flooding in Brenham, Texas, due to severe storms on Monday, May 5 Following an intensive search, she was found dead the following morning "We ask everyone to continue thinking and praying for Devah's family during this unimaginable time," read a statement from city officials A 10-year-old girl who was swept away by floodwaters in Texas has been found dead, according to authorities. "With profound sadness, the City of Brenham confirms that at approximately 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 10-year-old Devah Woods, a third-grade student at Brenham Elementary, was found deceased following a two-day intensive search," officials wrote in a news release. "Our hearts are with the Woods family as they navigate this devastating loss," they added. ADVERTISEMENT Woods went missing on Monday, May 5, after severe storms caused fast-rising floodwaters to move through Brenham, according to the Brenham Fire Department. Related: Search Underway for Missing 10-Year-Old Girl Swept Away by 'Rapidly Rising Floodwaters' in Texas Around 4:30 p.m. local time that day, Woods and her sister were walking home from school when the floods swept her up, according to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV and local Fox station KDFW. Her sister was able to find help and is safe. "This is normal behavior for her to walk home and walk by the creek and get to her house. This was nothing unusual," Melinda Gordon, with the City of Brenham, told KTRK-TV. "This was a quickly rising creek that nobody could have seen coming." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Several bystanders and police officers attempted to rescue Woods, but the flood took her away. One officer was also swept away by the water during the rescue attempt but was located downstream and treated by EMS. ADVERTISEMENT Rescue efforts utilized land-based search teams as well as drones equipped with thermal imaging and specially trained canines, officials said, noting that a total of 24 local agencies joined in the search to find her. Brenham Fire Department/Facebook Brenham Fire Department truck At a press conference, Lieutenant Steven Tyler said their hearts went out to Devah's mother, Veronica Williams, as well as the girl's entire family, according to local station KBTX-TV. In their statement, officials wrote that the girl's death "has deeply affected our community." "We ask everyone to continue thinking and praying for Devah's family during this unimaginable time," they continued. "In the face of heartache, Brenham has shown what it means to come together — with strength, compassion, and unity." Read the original article on People
Fox News
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Fox News
Texas student, 10, vanishes after being 'swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters'
A desperate search is underway in Texas for a 10-year-old girl who was "swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters," officials said. The student was last seen around 4:25 p.m. on Monday in Brenham, a city located halfway between Austin and Houston, according to the Brenham Fire Department. The agency said "Search operations continued through the night, utilizing land-based crews, drones with thermal imaging technology, and canine units." "We remain deeply committed to finding this child and bringing her home. We ask the community to continue praying for the child, her family, and all the first responders," it added. POPULAR NORTH CAROLINA DESTINATIONS STILL WORKING TO RECOVER FROM HURRICANE HELENE'S IMPACT The Brenham Independent School District said Tuesday that it is "deeply grateful for the continued efforts of local law enforcement, fire, EMS, specialized rescue teams, and the many community members who have offered their support" in the search for the missing student. "Yesterday, during the severe weather that impacted our area, a student from Brenham Elementary was caught in floodwaters and is currently missing," the district continued. HERO COP RESCUED FROM HURRICANE HELENE FLASH FLOOD, IMMEDIATELY HELPS INJURED MAN "Our hearts are with the student's family, and we ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," it also said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Brenham Fire Department said more than a dozen agencies are participating in the search.
