Fort Worth's buzziest name in barbecue is launching a spinoff: Goldee's BBQ, ranked as the top barbecue joint in Texas, is opening a sibling restaurant on the east side of Fort Worth.

Called Ribbee's, it’ll be located at 923 E. Seminary Dr., in a building that was originally a Sonic, where it will spotlight baby back ribs, along with sides like mac & cheese and French fries.

Partner Jonny White will be running the day-to-day. He says they've talked about this idea for a long time, and were able to set it in motion once they secured the location, which they happened to spot for rent on Facebook marketplace.

The building was once home to a Himalayan/Nepalese restaurant called Namaste, and this past year, to another barbecue spot called Bonefire Grill, run by building owners Sonya and George Bell.

It has since been painted bright red, with an offset smoker emblazoned with the word "Goldee's" - similar to smokers that are for sale on Goldee’s website - in front of the entrance.

"It’s an old Sonic and we thought it would fit the vibe with the menu we want to do, which is basically baby back ribs in different flavors," White says. "Obviously brisket is the king in Texas, but ribs are the No. 2 most popular item. And a rib-only place, we've never seen anyone do it."

"It wouldn’t work with one flavor, but we really like making rubs and sauces - it's like a ribs version of Wing Stop or Raising Cane’s," he says.

For now they'll be doing pork ribs, smoked on a giant rotisserie, although they're still plotting the menu and are not ruling out other ribs, as well.

"We’re kitchen guys, we really like food and like to try to get to the bottom of how to serve good food efficiently, that’s our thing," White says.

The space will accommodate dine-in seating with 44 seats inside and a couple picnic tables outside. They're hoping to be open by late November.

Goldee's was opened in February 2020 by friends White, Lane Milne, Dylan Taylor, Nupohn Inthanousay, and Jalen Heard, and has received local, regional and national accolades for its craft barbecue. The restaurant became a major sensation in 2021 when it was crowned the No. 1 barbecue joint in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine, and more recently made a NY Times list of “The 20 Best Texas Barbecue Restaurants From the New Generation."

"We’re in a good spot with Goldee’s right now," White says. "We have a team with five employees who've been with us for more than a year, and like working there - they’re making it easy for us to break off and work on another restaurant."