Houston's Armadillo Palace to expand to three times its current size off Kirby

Armadillo Palace, a live music venue and chicken-fried steak restaurant, opened in 2005 across from the original restaurant. Armadillo Palace, a live music venue and chicken-fried steak restaurant, opened in 2005 across from the original restaurant. Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Houston's Armadillo Palace to expand to three times its current size off Kirby 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

Armadillo Palace, Goode Co.’s famous Kirby Drive country music venue and eatery that’s been thriving since 2005, has big plans for 2016.

Armadillo Palace is hoping to triple its footprint off Kirby. The project has been years in development, Goode Co. President Levi Goode told the Houston Business Journal this week.

The expansion will include a cocktail bar (The Orange Blossom), an indoor concert venue, an extra stage, and a beer garden outdoors.

The cocktail bar’s moniker is a tribute to the classic tune "The Orange Blossom Special” which was recorded by Goode family friend Leon "Pappy" Selph. Selph is known as one of the kings of Texas swing.

The city of Houston proclaimed June 9, 1991, as “Leon Pappy Selph Appreciation Day,” according to Texas history books.

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“We want the theme of the space to be food, drink and music, and celebrating the culture of Texas and the region,” Goode told the Houston Business Journal.

Meat fans will likely enjoy the outdoor fire pit where they will be able to watch meat smoke. A planned Texas music walk of fame will surely bring out star-studded events.

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According to release from Goode Co. brass, the Armadillo Palace will actually remain open during construction, with the new space set to open in early 2016.

The expansion will also come with a new menu for the attached restaurant too. Fan favorites aren’t going anywhere, they say.

Over the next month and half the location will become a buzzing hub of activity as people bust their hatches for their signature holiday pecan pies in that unique wooden box to take to family gatherings.

The original Goode Co. BBQ was opened by Jim Goode in 1977 across the street from what would become Armadillo Palace decades later.

The Goode Co. brand has of course expanded into catering, seafood, burgers, and even tacos since 1977.