Fort Worth restaurant Ribbee’s, now open, comes from Texas’ No. 1 barbecue spot, Goldee’s

Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth has spawned a second restaurant, Ribbee’s, which opens March 7, 2024.

The three owners of Ribbee’s have worked at some of Texas’ most prominent barbecue joints, like La Barbecue, Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, Micklethwait Craft Meats and Franklin Barbecue. Their new ribs restaurant in a former Sonic is nothing fancy, and the Ribbee’s guys like it that way. Whereas some restaurateurs spend millions renovating second-gen spaces, this spruced-up Sonic cost $70,000 and a few coats of red paint.

The smoker features the Ribbee’s logo as seen from the outside of the restaurant on March 6, 2024 in Fort Worth.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)

Ribbee’s serves ribs only, smoked slow on an M&M rotisserie installed in the back of the kitchen. It’s painted red to match the exterior of the restaurant. Customers can choose from four options of pork ribs: original dry rub; sweet ribs mopped with sauce; a spicy option with cayenne, red pepper flakes and chili powder; and hot honey.

Every box of ribs comes with crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, a house-made yeast roll and a can of soda. No substitutions.

Ribbee’s aims to be the “barbecue [version of] Raising Cane’s,” said Jonny White, one of three co-owners. He’s been buddies with Lane Milne and Jalen Heard, the other co-owners, since third grade at Wood Elementary in Arlington.

The three have been unassumingly making excellent barbecue at Goldee’s since just before the pandemic. We took notice, as did Texas Monthly, which named it the best in Texas. Even a year and a half after that accolade, barbecue fans might wait several hours at Goldee’s to get a plate of brisket, turkey and sausage. Smart ones show up at 8 a.m. for an 11 a.m. opening, to be sure they get their pick of the best proteins.

At Ribbee’s, White is hoping customers can get in and out much more quickly.

Ribbee’s “is not going to be like Goldee’s in any way, besides that the food will be really good,” he said.

Ribbee's opens March 7, 2024 in Fort Worth

The no-nonsense dining room seats 40 people inside and a dozen more outside on picnic tables. Many customers will skip both options and take their barbecue boxes to their cars.

Ribbee’s co-owner Jonny White stands in front of dozens of racks of ribs cooking in an M&M... — Ribbee’s co-owner Jonny White stands in front of dozens of racks of ribs cooking in an M&M smoker at Ribbee’s in Fort Worth. Ribs will go on several times a day, meaning Ribbee's doesn't intend to sell out of meat like many barbecue joints do.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)

Although the owners are the biggest thing in barbecue in years, they did much of the handiwork at Ribbee’s themselves. White built the plywood tables, then stained them. The concrete floors inside the old Sonic were painted fire engine red, by hand. The four TVs in the small dining room will be tuned to whatever sports event is happening that day.

Ribbee’s was created out of a desire to offer barbecue fans a smoked-meat heaven without the lines and hefty beef prices. The four pork ribs boxes cost $19.99 each. A fifth, made with beef back ribs, costs $22.99.

For now, Ribbee’s is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (The co-owners like to give their workers three consecutive days off each week, a rare standard in restaurants.) If demand is there, the restaurant might eventually open for lunch a few more days, White said.

He also bought a soft-serve ice cream machine with the sole purpose of serving root beer floats and Big Red floats for $5 each. These, like much of the rest of Ribbee’s, are uncomplicated yet satisfying additions to the menu.

“I love root beer floats,” White said. “It’s just kinda classic.”

Ribbee’s is at 923 E. Seminary Drive, Fort Worth. It opens March 7, 2024. Hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.