Today, Goode Co. Barbeque is one of the pillars of the BBQ Houston scene. Owned and operated by Levi Goode and his family, it’s a beloved icon of the city and the go-to place for authentic Texan barbeque.

From laidback barbecue lunches to birthday parties, weddings, and hot summer nights, we’ve seen generations of Houston families grow up with us. 

But that reputation wasn’t born overnight. In fact, it’s the result of decades of smoking meat pits and warm Texan hospitality. 

Here, we’re going to take a look back at where it all began, our secrets, and explain how we got to opening multiple restaurants across Houston. 

The Goode Co. Barbeque Origin Story: The Legendary Kirby Drive Location

‘The Original’ at 5109 Kirby Drive is, as the name suggests, where it all began! 

Back in 1977, Jim Goode, our founder, opened this little barbeque place in the heart of Houston, at an old barn-style warehouse. 

With no restaurant experience and very little money, he had one motivation: to serve Texan barbecue the way it ought to be: fresh food at an honest price. It was made to please and made to order. 

There were some rules in place, though. The meat had to be prepared the true Texan way. The way Jim Goode knew was right. 

So, most nights, Jim and his uncle Joe Dixie slept at the restaurant, waking up every hour to check on the brisket as it smoked low and slow. One slept inside, one outside, with a shotgun nearby to protect the meat, equipment, and themselves (in that order). Those were the days! 

They were humble beginnings, so Jim would spread the word by heading out onto Kirby Drive, sandwiches in hand, and invite people in to sit for a while. Before long, the flavor and welcoming hospitality were traveling fast around town! The standards had been set. Something was born. It was food that was damn Goode!

Over the years, we’ve also preserved one critical ingredient in every dish: time. From slow-smoking the meats to the care we put into stuffing sausages, we’ve realized nothing should be rushed. We believe that with that extra level of care, our food tastes better, feels better, and is served better. 

Building our Legacy of Houston BBQs

So, as we soon found our feet, we started to grow, first, at home. Generations of the Goode family were born and took the reins. While we’ve never strayed from those founding principles, each generation expanded our recipes and knowledge. 

Our smoking techniques remained untouched, with mesquite wood pits burning from dawn till dusk. But we also perfected the art of brisket, sausage, turkey, chicken, and true Texan pork ribs (they’ve got to slide right off the bone). 

But best of all, we have an immense pride in our hospitality. 

We may have started in a barn, but today that barn is a friendly, warm, comfortable place that knows how to serve in style. From the moment you set foot on our property, you’ll be greeted with a smile and an atmosphere that hints you’re in the right place for a great barbecue. Oh, and don’t forget the sides. Our ability to increase our kitchen staff has meant we’ve got a never-ending supply of irresistible mac and cheese, authentic potato salads, Austin baked beans, and so much more. 

As the years went on, we also leaned hard into the true blend of Southern flavors. We’re proud of Texas’s cultural influence from across the border and have started serving Jalapeño cheese bread and Jalapeño sausages alongside jalapeño pinto beans and jambalaya texana.

How We Expanded The Goode Co. Barbeque Story

As our demand and reputation grew, so too did our ambition to provide extra convenience to the people of Houston. Our patrons could reduce their commute to their favorite barbeque spot with our expansion to the growing Katy area out along the I-10 corridor. 

Yes, at 8911 Katy Freeway, we opened ‘The Memorial. ’ This old school-looking honky joint is a snapshot of 20th-century Texas, and one we’re proud to say is alive and thriving in today’s world. With more space across two floors, the antebellum boasts a real Texan sparkle, from its pretty chandeliers to its porch for live music.

It’s become a community landmark and a lunch staple for Energy Corridor professionals, family weekend meals, dates, and celebrations. It even inspired us to expand out to Highway 290, allowing our barbeque presence and aromas to drift far across the city.

Both these locations may have unique visual differences from The Original. Still, the principles and standards are the same: the same pits, the same Texan-centric approach, and the commitment to hand-craft sides and desserts. 

The Privilege of Trust. 

Jim Goode wearing a Stetson and sunglasses, watching a hog being grilled on a BBQ spit.

In 2026, Goode Co. is owned by our Master of Mesquite, Levi Goode. His easy confidence and love for barbeque traditions all stem from being around his father when Goode Company launched back in ‘77, since he’s had his hand in every pit, pecan pie, and process. 

His creative vision has seen us open an online store, host events, cater, and take us to new levels (even with our seafood and taqueria locations)!

Despite our growth, we also see it as a matter of trust. Our patrons who bring their kids, their friends, and partners trust us with moments; moments to make memories. That’s why we won’t let our charm and food standards slip or go astray. 

And finally, we’re still proudly Texan. More than ever. The traditions that make us unique are found from the plate to the walls, with cowboys, leather saddles, hand-painted signs, and so much more adorning our walls. 

Oh, and still to this day, you won’t ever find a gas or electric grill at our locations. It’s all mesquite-smoked pits here. That distinct wood flavor has been our calling card for decades and will greet your senses upon arrival. 

The Flavors That Define Us

Enough story time for a minute. What about the food? Here’s a look at our best BBQ dishes that keep people coming back for more:

Beef brisket

Carved from the finest USDA beef, our brisket is tender, irresistible, and rich in flavor. That’s all thanks to our low-and-slow over mesquite wood smoking techniques, which, after around 15 hours, provide an utterly incredible ‘bark’ that oozes into the inner soft beef. 

Served up with some original Goode Co. BBQ sauce, in a sandwich, or alongside potato salad and mac and cheese is always the way to go. I need a lunch break, pronto!

Pork Ribs

Pork ribs are served worldwide. But, they’re only correct here in Texas. They need to be slowly cooked until they literally slide off the bone on the first bite. If you’re tearing away at them or using a knife, then they’re not good enough. Dripping in barbeque sauce is also the way to go. 

Czech Sausage

Our sausages are also unique and uniquely Texan. First, meet our Czech sausages. 

We use a handcrafted recipe given to our founder, Jim Goode, back in the 70s by an old Czech sausage maker who retired in Weimar. His Czech classic recipe has been passed down through the generations, using a wonderful blend of pork, beef, and spices. It’s an unbeatable use of 1800s techniques, with modern-day USDA meat quality. 

Jalapeno Sausages

As previously mentioned, we also love the southern spice side of our menu. You can find it best in our Jalapeno Pork Sausages, which give a real kick to any spice fan. 

Pecan Pie

The exclamation point to any barbeque is the dessert. Our Pecan Pies are our famous finale. 

Simple ingredients and no shortcuts are found here. It’s incredibly gooey, with a rich, buttery filling, soft crust, and of course, features the very best Brazos Bottom Pecans. 

We’ll never reveal our closely guarded family secret, but we can tell you that nothing is frozen or factory-produced. 

Our Homemade Sides 

Is a barbeque really complete without an assortment of sides? Not here. 

We knock it out of the park with our stuffed or loaded potatoes, coleslaw, jalapeño pinto beans, jambalaya texana, potato salad, Austin baked beans, macaroni & cheese, and jalapeño cheese bread. 

Visit Goode Co. Barbeque at Kirby Drive, Katy Freeway & Beyond

Want to enjoy that authentic Texan barbeque all over again? Or maybe, for the very first time? Then head on down to one of our restaurants to get treated with our famous hospitality and incredible barbeque food. 

While we think you could just follow your nose from the whiffs of mesquite-smoked brisket, here are our Houston BBQ addresses to help you out: