Chuck Charnichart of Barbs B Q and Jonny White of Goldee’s Bar-B-Q are launching Kirbee’s, a new Texas-style barbecue restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The venue will feature distinct smoked meats from both chefs and operate as a casual lunch spot. It is set to open in mid-to-late summer at 55 McGuinness Boulevard South.
Two acclaimed Texas pitmasters, Chuck Charnichart from Barbs B Q in Lockhart and Jonny White from Goldee’s Bar-B-Q in Fort Worth, are bringing their barbecue expertise to New York City with Kirbee’s. The restaurant will occupy a 20-to-24-seat space at 55 McGuinness Boulevard South, between Engert Avenue and Newton Street, in the former Peeps Kitchen location, which closed last fall. Situated between McCarron and McGolrick parks, the spot is somewhat out of the way in Greenpoint but expected to draw lines similar to those at the chefs’ Texas outposts.
Kirbee’s, named after White’s dog and a pink video game character, will offer cafeteria-style ordering with meats cut to order and served on red trays lined with butcher paper. It will be open for lunch on Fridays through Sundays. The menu divides into sections inspired by Barbs B Q and Goldee’s: Barbs plates include pork ribs with lime zest, brisket with Mexican spices, pork stew, and green spaghett; Goldee’s features smoked turkey, properly seasoned brisket, coleslaw, and potato salad. Desserts will mash up chocolate pudding from Barbs and banana pudding from Goldee’s.
Charnichart’s style incorporates South Texan and Mexican flavors, while White’s takes a modern approach with a brisket rub of turmeric and paprika. The team will use smoker ovens and post oak wood chips for consistency. “We’re actually going to be using smoker ovens,” White says. “It’ll taste exactly like Texas, it’s just going to be one of those things where the purists are going to be upset.” But “our food here should be more consistent,” he adds.
Barbs B Q opened in 2023 in Lockhart, Texas’s barbecue capital, earning Eater’s best new restaurant nod that year, a James Beard finalist spot in 2024, a three-star New York Times review this week, and Charnichart’s Michelin Young Chef award in 2025. Goldee’s launched in 2020 in Fort Worth, topping Texas Monthly’s list in 2021, expanding with Ribbee’s in 2024, and seeing its founders named Food & Wine’s best new chefs that year; they released a cookbook in October 2025. White sold his ownership share to Zain Shafi in December 2025.
The design, by Bolt, includes checkerboard floors, wood-paneled walls, a red-and-white exterior, and a simple barbecue sign. While free beer for lines isn’t allowed, dollar beers like Lone Stars and Shiners will be sold. Future plans include a possible dinner menu with burgers and avocado margaritas.