Houston’s Roegels Barbecue Co. a favorite of former president’s Secret Service detail
One of Houston’s most popular barbecue joints made a special delivery this week to Houston Methodist Hospital for a very important patient.
Russell Roegels of Roegels Barbecue Co. has served up food to President George H.W. Bush and his security detail at least three times, but on Thursday finally got a chance to meet the former commander in chief.
The pitmaster said that meeting him was a great honor and one of the biggest thrills of his life.
“When I joined the Air Force in 1990 he was my first commander in chief,” Roegels said.
Roegels said he and Bush had a cheerful conversation and shook hands. The former president had just finished up a physical therapy session and was ready to eat. A plate was being fixed for him when Roegels was leaving.
Roegels has been serving up brisket, beef ribs, sausage and pastrami to Bush and his security team while Bush has been hospitalized at Methodist. Roegels first served food to the detail in December 2015.
The barbecue connection was made through Roegels’ friend Dr. Patrick Reardon, who is a surgeon at Methodist and a fan of his barbecue. According to Roegels, the doctor makes his own barbecue in his backyard when he is not saving lives in scrubs.
Just after Roegels met the elder Bush on Thursday afternoon, former President George W. Bush was photographed at his father’s bedside.
“I think I just missed him,” Roegels said. “It would have been fun to have met him too.”
Roegels Barbecue Co. has been a mainstay on Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Alison Cook’s annual lists of the best eats in Houston.
“There is much to love about this personable momand-pop barbecue spot in suburban Briargrove,” she wrote in September 2016. “Pitmaster Russell Roegels uses oak and pecan to smoke destination-quality brisket and (on weekends) hulking, sumptuous beef ribs.”
Bush has been at Methodist for several days recuperating from a mild case of pneumonia. The 92-year-old, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, also spent 16 days in the hospital for treatment of pneumonia in January.