Ara Malekian - Harlem Road Texas BBQ
11/12/25, 10:00 PM
Chef Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ brings world-class culinary training to true Texas smoke. Known for his bold flavors, clean-burning pits, and unforgettable personality, Ara blends old-world technique with Texas grit
Fine dining trained in Europe, and battle-tested in the kitchens of Wolfgang Puck, Chef Ara Malekian brings a global experience to Texas barbecue that you simply can’t replicate. His story is as bold as his brisket, a journey across continents that somehow led him to a quiet stretch of West Houston where he built Harlem Road Texas BBQ, a place that feels equal parts smokehouse, workshop, and culinary dojo.
With his signature cigar in hand, Ara has become a cult figure in the BBQ world. His pits burn clean, his seasonings are old-world precise, and his proteins hit the table with the swagger of a chef who’s mastered fire in multiple languages. Every bite carries a little bit of Texas, a little bit of Europe, and a whole lot of Ara.
Harlem Road has become a pilgrimage site for those who want their barbecue crafted by a chef who approaches the pit with both discipline and mischief. Ara’s flavors are soulful, unexpected, and unforgettable, the kind that stick with you long after the smoke clears.
We’re honored to feature Chef Ara in the Pitmaster Shirt Club.
Welcome to the Wall of Flame, Chef.
Where only the legends live.
Address: 9823 Harlem Rd, Richmond, TX 77407
www.harlemroadtexasbbq.com