Pop-culture convention Comicpalooza just wrapped up this past weekend, and a featured celebrity graced a Houston barbecue joint with his presence the next day. Comedy legend and actor Cheech Marin visited J-Bar-M BBQ at 2201 Leeland the following Monday. Marin is perhaps best known as one half of the duo Cheech & Chong. 

Marin is an avid collector of Chicano art and was at the restaurant to attend a lunch along with a dozen local artists hosted by Houston City Council representative Joaquín Martinez. The group had the restaurant all to themselves for the two-hour meeting, as J-Bar-M is typically closed on Mondays. 

Owner John Toomey was there to greet Marin and the rest of the group. Newly hired pitmaster and longtime hospitality professional Arash Karat, general manager Hoffie Ferreira and chefs Jaime Valencia and Chuy Cazares also got to meet Marin and gave him a tour of the pit room. 

“They came out there to talk about the community, and it’s cool that EaDo was in the conversation for a meeting like this,” said Ferreira via a press release. “It’s phenomenal to know that Houston and East Downtown is on the map. Mr. Cheech was super nice and friendly with our entire staff, and you could tell he loves barbecue.”

According to Houston First Corporation, the East End, the neighborhood adjacent to EaDo, “boasts one of the largest collections of outdoor murals in the city of Houston and is home to more than 30 arts and culture institutions, artist studios, showrooms and design and fabrication shops.” J-Bar-M sports some art, too, as the outdoor patio is decorated with murals by well-known Houston artists such as Donkeeboy, Jesse de Leon and David Maldonado.

J-Bar-M served the group the sumptuous Cow Puncher BBQ Board loaded with more than 10 pounds of ribeyes, pulled pork, turkey, brisket, pork ribs, chicken, sausage and jalapeño sausage, as well as French fries and side dishes. The board, meant to serve from 10 to 15 people, is $425, but there are smaller versions. The Ranch Hand costs $225 and serves from six to eight, and The Lil Pony is $125 and for two to four people. 

Marin is not the first celebrity to visit J-Bar-M after Comicpalooza. Last year, actor Christopher Lloyd who is legendary for his performance as Doc Brown in the “Back to the Future” movie series also stopped in to enjoy some barbecue. 

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.