the tendies are back

Houston restaurant group flies into Upper Kirby with fried chicken pop-up

Goode Bird will serve chicken tender sandwiches.

Courtesy of Goode Bird

Houston restaurant group Goode Company is bringing back its Goode Bird fried chicken concept. Now a food truck, the restaurant will make its debut on Thursday, October 16 at Goode Co. Armadillo Palace.

Described as a fast casual concept, Goode Bird will serve chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, and chicken sandwiches along with sides and desserts. Options include a Raising Cane’s-style chicken tender sandwich on Texas toast, buttermilk chicken tenders, and, for dessert, chocolate peanut butter pretzel bars.

The new iteration of Goode Bird is a change from the original pop-up version that operated at Armadillo Palace from July 2020 until July 2021. It served both bone-in chicken along with chicken tenders.

For now, Goode Bird will operate at Armadillo Palace Thursday through Saturday from 11 am until 6 pm (or sold out). Eventually, it will rotate to other Goode Company locations across the Houston area. Follow Goode Bird on Instagram for its upcoming schedule.

To celebrate the re-opening, the first 50 guests on October 16 will receive a free chocolate chip cookie.

Founded by legendary Houston restaurateur Jim Goode in 1977, Goode Company operates several restaurants across the Houston-area, including barbecue, two seafood concepts, a fast casual taqueria, and a growing group of Tex-Mex restaurants. Levi Goode, Jim’s son, now leads the company. Last year, he opened Credence, a Texas-inspired live fire restaurant, as a separate entity from Goode Company.

news-you-can-eat openings

here comes the breeze

Veteran French chef blows into Bellaire with a new neighborhood bistro

Courtesy of Bistro Mistral

Bistro Mistral serves classic fare like French onion soup.

One of Houston’s most well-regarded French chefs has opened a new restaurant in Bellaire. Bistro Mistral is the latest project from chef David Denis.

Located in the former P King Chinese Food space at 5313 Bellaire Blvd, Bistro Mistral continues the legacy of Le Mistral, chef Denis’ celebrated French restaurant in the Energy Corridor that closed in 2019. In 2023, Denis opened Cocody, a fine dining French restaurant in the River Oaks Shopping Center, but he parted ways with that restaurant in October 2025. Denis also recently rebranded Memorial’s Bistro 555 as Bistro Mistral, giving the restaurant two locations.

At Bistro Mistral, Denis is serving classic French fare such as French onion soup, escargot, beef bourguignon, duck cassoulet, and more. The dessert menu features staples such as profiteroles, tarte tatin, and creme brulee. An extensive selection of French wines can be paired with the restaurant’s dishes.

Bistro Mistral is open for lunch and dinner service Wednesday through Friday, brunch and dinner on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

“Bistro Mistral represents my lifelong passion for French cuisine and hospitality,” chef Denis said in a statement. “My goal has always been to share the artistry I’ve built over the years by blending tradition with refinement and elegance. It is truly an honor to bring this experience to the Bellaire community.”