By Eric Sandler | Houston Culture Map
Amalia Pferd and Daniel Caballero have opened the brick and mortar version of their popular Good Dog food truck on Studewood. Whenthey announced the move in July, the duo anticipated being open for the beginning of the football season, but, like expectations that the Houston Texans would contend for a Super Bowl title, those hopes proved unrealistic.
Thankfully, unlike the city’s surprisingly terrible football team, Good Dog is ready to exceed its fans’ expectations.
With the crew busily finalizing preparations for service for this Thursday opening, there was no time for a formal interview, but Caballero did highlight a few of the new items on the menu and unique aspects of the space. He and Pferd have gone to great lengths to preserve the truck’s ethos while expanding their offerings.
First, as promised, soups, salads and sandwiches have joined hot dogs on the menu. They include a Vietnamese-inspired chicken soup with lemongrass and ginger, a Black Hill ranch-sourced thin-sliced roast beef sandwich and a taqueria Cobb salad. All of the draft beer and wine options come from Texas. Fat Cat Creamery supplies the Vietnamese iced coffee ice cream for the housemade cajeta milkshake.
Fans of the hot dogs shouldn’t worry. All of the old favorites from the truck, including the Ol’ Zapata, Corny Dog and Chi-Town Dog, are available.
Want to try making them at home? A new retail section includes Good Dog-branded hot dogs, plain and poppy Slow Dough split-top buns and all of the restaurant’s housemade condiments.
Paintings by local graffiti artist Wiley Robertson adorn the walls, and he contributed a drawing that children can color while they wait for their food.
Good Dogs is now open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
