A Beloved Houston Restaurant Closes Its Doors
Houston is known for its diverse food scene, and one of its most popular casual restaurants, Good Dog Houston, will soon serve its final meal. After 15 years of serving the community, the restaurant will close its doors after dinner service on Sunday, April 27.
A Message to the Community
In a heartfelt message posted on Facebook, owners Amalia Pferd and Danny Caballero expressed their gratitude to the community for their support over the years. They acknowledged the ups and downs they faced, including hurricanes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, but emphasized that the community’s support kept them going. The message reads, in part: "Through the highs and the lows, you stood by us. You showed up during storms—both literal and figurative… Houston, TX, is made of heart and grit, and we’ve never been more proud to be a part of the best and most diverse food scene in the country."
The Good Dog Legacy
Good Dog Houston started as a food truck and eventually evolved into a restaurant with two locations, one in the Heights and another in Montrose. The restaurant was known for its unique hot dog offerings, such as the Ol’ Zapata and the Guac-A-Dog, which featured housemade garlic aioli. The restaurant also served non-hot dog options, including chicken wings and Gulf fish and chips, and had a well-curated tap wall featuring craft beers.
Challenges and Closure
According to Caballero, the decision to close the restaurant was due to a combination of factors. Pferd’s diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis presented new challenges, and the rising costs of property taxes and insurance led to an increase in rent. Although the landlord was understanding, the additional costs made it difficult to operate the restaurant. Caballero emphasized that he holds no grudge against the landlord, stating, "He’s actually been super gracious and allowed us lots of leeway… Since we were on a month-to-month basis and rent was already hard to keep up with, it made sense to just shut it down."
Looking to the Future
While the closure of Good Dog Houston is undoubtedly sad for the staff and fans, Caballero remains optimistic about the future. He expressed his gratitude to the community and hinted at the possibility of new ventures, saying, "Right now it’s hard to think about what’s next, but our entrepreneurial spirit lives on. Hopefully, once we grieve, maybe we can get back in the mix."
Conclusion
The closure of Good Dog Houston marks the end of an era for the Houston food scene. However, the legacy of the restaurant will live on, and the community will always remember the unique flavors and welcoming atmosphere it provided. As the owners look to the future, fans can only hope that they will once again bring their entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food to the city.
