Goldee's BBQ alumni take Texas barbecue to Brooklyn

Two former Goldee's employees are opening a new Texas barbecue restaurant in New York City.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Jonny White, a co-founder of the award-winning Goldee's BBQ near Fort Worth, Texas, and Chuck Charnichart, a former pitmaster at Goldee's and owner of Barbs Bar-B-Q in Lockhart, Texas, are teaming up to open a new Texas barbecue restaurant called Kirbee's in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Kirbee's will serve Texas and Mexican-spiced briskets, pork ribs, and Barbs' 'green spaghett' (poblano spaghetti), and is expected to open in the summer with a similar long line as the original Goldee's location.

Why it matters

The opening of Kirbee's in Brooklyn represents the expansion of acclaimed Texas barbecue to the East Coast, introducing New Yorkers to the flavors and techniques that have made Goldee's and Barbs Bar-B-Q standouts in the Lone Star State. It also highlights the growing popularity and reputation of Texas barbecue on a national scale.

The details

Jonny White, a co-founder of Goldee's BBQ, and Chuck Charnichart, a former pitmaster at Goldee's who now owns Barbs Bar-B-Q in Lockhart, are teaming up to open a new Texas barbecue restaurant called Kirbee's in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Kirbee's will serve Texas and Mexican-spiced briskets, pork ribs, and Barbs' 'green spaghett' (poblano spaghetti), and will only be open for lunch on Fridays through Sundays, similar to the model at Goldee's. The 20-24 seat restaurant is expected to open in the summer and White expects it will have a line similar to the one at the original Goldee's location.

  • Goldee's BBQ opened in 2020.
  • Barbs Bar-B-Q opened in Lockhart, Texas in 2023.
  • Kirbee's is expected to open in the summer of 2026.

The players

Jonny White

A co-founder of the award-winning Goldee's BBQ near Fort Worth, Texas.

Chuck Charnichart

A former pitmaster at Goldee's BBQ who now owns Barbs Bar-B-Q in Lockhart, Texas.

Goldee's BBQ

An award-winning barbecue restaurant near Fort Worth, Texas that was formerly rated the No. 1 barbecue restaurant in the state by Texas Monthly magazine.

Barbs Bar-B-Q

A barbecue restaurant in Lockhart, Texas owned by Chuck Charnichart, a former pitmaster at Goldee's BBQ.

Kirbee's

A new Texas barbecue restaurant opening in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, founded by Jonny White and Chuck Charnichart.

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What they’re saying

“The purists are going to be upset that I'm not using an offset smoker.”

— Jonny White, Co-founder, Kirbee's (Eater New York)

What’s next

Kirbee's is expected to open in the summer of 2026 in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

The takeaway

The expansion of acclaimed Texas barbecue to the East Coast with the opening of Kirbee's in Brooklyn highlights the growing national reputation and popularity of this regional cuisine, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit of the Goldee's BBQ alumni who are bringing their expertise to a new market.