North of the (Houston) Border

First Bite: Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina

The Goode family's latest endeavor hits The Woodlands.

By Alice Levitt September 14, 2017

Goode conceived of the restaurant's designed and worked with designer Gin Braverman to make it a reality.

The bar, with its 19th century map of tequila smuggling routes, is unsurprisingly devoted to margaritas. The menu is divided into "rocks" and "frozen" versions. They range from fruity (watermelon or strawberry) to spicy (roasted poblano or strawberry-habanero). There are Palomas, sangrias and micheladas, too.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Our server recommended the Taquitos Dorados. The Mexican-style egg rolls are indeed golden, and filled with smoked chicken and cheese. But the best part is the cool avocado crema for dipping.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Both guacamole and chile con queso can be adjusted to fit your gustatory desires. Order the Bob Armstrong queso, and your melted cheese and spiced beef will come with ultra-fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and pickled jalapeños.

Photography by Alice Levitt

The five styles of enchilada include cheese with homemade chile gravy and crab in smoked tomato cream sauce. We tried the chicken in spicy salsa verde, rich with queso fresco and topped with avocado slices.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Redfish on the halfshell is basted in chile-lime butter and served with a green chile pork empanada, rice and beans and papas con chorizo.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Carnitas are marinated, braised then crisped in a three-day process. They taste of cinnamon and come with a side of salsa verde ready to add zip when you roll them into homemade flour or corn tortillas.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Churros are fried to order and served with dark chocolate sauce and cajeta funky enough to doubt that it's made from goat milk.

Photography by Alice Levitt

How to make tres leches cake impossible not to finish? Add a layer of meringue, then brulée it.

Photography by Alice Levitt

Fans of Goode Co. Taqueria & Hamburgers may need to make a drive to The Woodlands. Until September 5, the casual Upper Kirby joint was the only way to taste the Goode family's Mexican heritage. But that was before the birth of Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina. In a 7,400-square-foot space that shares a patio (complete with Goode-branded cornhole game) with The Woodlands' own Goode Co. Barbeque, this is co. president Levi Goode's paean to his Mexican grandmother and those that came before her.

Once you're there, how to order? Follow our guide.

The Woodlands, Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, Mexican Culture, Mexican Food, Tex Mex Food

Show Comments

Houstonia Magazine

First Bite: Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina

Related Content

Ninfa's Uptown Now Open for Business

Things Have Gotten More Delicious at an Expanded Armadillo Palace

First Bite: Helen in the Heights

Make Your Brunch Reservations at Xochi Now