Welcome to the LG brand. My name is Levi Goode, which (you guessed it) is the source for both the ‘L’ and the ‘G’ in the aforementioned moniker. As I release this brand into the wild, I’d like to take a moment both to introduce myself and to let you know what to expect.
I’m a fifth-generation Texan and also the president of Goode Company Restaurants, a business my dad started in 1977 that’s grown to 12 restaurants in Houston, with more to come. That’s taken up a good chunk of my time over the past 25 years or so since I took the helm, but I’ve still been able to make room for my passions—cooking, travel, dive-bar exploration, fishing, and hunting. You know, Texan stuff.
It’s not lost on me that I get to enjoy a lot of privileges. I’ve seen just about every corner of the state, soaked up the atmosphere, knocked a few back, and there’s been a twangy soundtrack behind just about all of it. And, as Texas grows larger every day, with new folks from around the world earning their honorary Texan status, it feels like a good time to set the record straight.
Ultimately, I want to help build a full picture of what Texas truly entails, and what it means to be a Texan. Of course, there’s no one answer, but that’s the beauty of it. I want to explore the state and beyond, to highlight the things that connect us and also make us unique. I want Texans, both new and old, to read these pages and come away with a deeper understanding of what they want Texas to be, not just what it’s going to be or what it’s been.
My job? I’m simply the conversation starter, and here are a few ways I plan to get things rolling.
“As Texas grows larger every day, with new folks from around the world earning their honorary Texan status, it feels like a good time to set the record straight.”
Food-forward
First and foremost, I’m a food man. Always have been. I firmly believe that the best way to get to know a place and the people who live there is to sample the local cuisine—whether that’s an roadside taco on the New Mexico border or a high-end exploration of South Texas flavors at Credence (my newest concept). Every dish has a story, and I love a good story—particularly one with some spice.
Food will be the foundation for much of what this site has to offer. You'll be able to test new recipes inspired by my personal history, learn hard-earned techniques, or get the lowdown on a place you should add to your culinary bucket list. Either way, come hungry.
“Every dish has a story, and I love a good story—particularly one with some spice.”
Texas in its natural state
Of course, you can’t have good food without nature, and I see the two as inextricably linked. I’m a hunter and angler, which means I’m also a foodie. I love to explore vibrant flavors at their source, to get the purest rendition of what Mother Nature has to offer and then put it on a plate. I have saltwater in my blood, so expect plenty of coastal excursions, along with forays into the woods for the tastiest game on four legs or flying through the air. On top of that, I’ll offer some tips and tricks to navigate the outdoors as a hunter and angler, drawing on my knowledge from more than a few decades of romping around the state’s wild places.
Lastly, I deeply believe that hunters and anglers are the best advocates for wild places, and also carry the heaviest responsibility to protect those places. I’m going to explore the successes, failures, obstacles, and opportunities I see across Texas and beyond, highlighting conservation efforts that are essential to what we do and the places we explore.
Your good-time guide
If I were to wrap my life with a tidy bow, I’d say that I was born to create a good time. It’s as simple as that. It’s why I’ve been in the restaurant business for so long, and it’s why I find myself seeking out any place with cold drinks and good tunes in tow. I’m naturally inclined toward hospitality, to make sure everyone has a smile on their face and, if not, to get them to one as soon as possible. Through this site, I want to accomplish that goal by letting Texans know about the sights and sounds that have certain significance to our state.
I want to seek out the music, history, and destinations that have helped shape an identity for the Lone Star State, so we can all continue to shape it for decades to come. I’ll help you plan road trips across the state, build your own bucket list, and shed some neon light on that undiscovered dive bar.
Editorial
Photo Essay
“If I were to wrap my life with a tidy bow, I’d say that I was born to create a good time. It’s as simple as that.”
You may notice that none of this lives in a silo. I’ve done my best to make my work a passion, and make my passions my work. I love it, and wouldn’t have it any other way. My goal for this brand is the same. I want the wild game to be a foundation for a recipe, and for that recipe to tell a story. I want the post-hunt celebration to just happen to swing by a dive bar that’s been slinging drinks for 100 years. I want the fishing to be as much about the conversation as the catching. I want all of this to show the world the value of wild places. And, ultimately, I want it all to point to a place unlike any other on the planet—hard to know, easy to love, and always ready for a party. It’s called Texas, and I can’t wait to show it to you.
Photography by Jody Horton.