Golden Horseshoe Barbecue, a pop-up concept serving authentic wood-fired Texas barbecue, is getting ready to open its first brick-and-mortar in Toronto at 657 Dupont St.
The company’s first storefront will move into the former home of Popeyes on the corner of Dupont and Christie Streets. This is a massive accomplishment for owner Andrew Golden and his mentor-turned-business partner Kris Hansen, who plan to open Golden Horseshoe Barbecue in May 2025. When it opens, Golden tells What Now Toronto that customers can expect a variety of BBQ classics and slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, beef ribs, pulled pork, chicken, burnt ends, turkey, and a lot more.
In addition to the mouthwatering meat cooked using a wood-fired smoker, the concept will offer comfort sides, such as mac and cheese, cornbread, and the company’s highly desired Texas Twinkies. To finish the meal, customers can enjoy a few homemade desserts, such as pies, cakes, and banana pudding. The team is most excited about adding a new custom-made barbecue pit that will become a whole pig smoker, cooking the entire product with direct heat right over coals. Golden tells What Now Toronto that this cooking style is often seen in the Carolinas. While they are excited about potentially bringing in the only smoker of this kind to Toronto, he’s unsure how often they will use it. Additionally, the team is working on obtaining proper licensing to serve beer and wine at the restaurant, but not spirits or cocktails. The owners announced the news on social media earlier this year.
“It’s time yall! As many of you know, my dream for Golden Horseshoe Barbecue has always been to open a restaurant of my own,” according to the announcement. “Bringing the Texas barbecue that I fell in love with to all of you. Over the past year, the response to our pop-ups has been overwhelmingly positive, something I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams. There’s a historic building on the corner of Christie and Dupont that’s fixing to be our permanent home.”
Golden started Golden Horseshoe Barbecue in his backyard during the pandemic using a pellet smoker and the passion and knowledge he and his mother have for cooking. The young business owner spent some time in Texas while working at various barbecue restaurants. Eventually, he met Hansen while visiting The Carbon Bar in Toronto. After asking the waitress enough questions about their barbecue, he was ultimately introduced to Hansen, who answered all his questions, showed him the rights and wrongs of barbecue, and steered him in the right direction. Eventually, the two reconnected and agreed to become business partners. Golden tells What Now Toronto that the opportunity to partner with his mentor means a lot to him, and he is extremely grateful to bring Texas barbecue to Toronto.
“Over the last year, Chef Kris has been monumental to my growth and success, and I couldn’t be more happy to announce our partnership,” the announcement continues. “Chef Kris hired me a couple of years ago; I had no real culinary experience, no idea how to work a line, or really how to cook at all. He took me under his wing and taught me more then I thought I’d ever know. He was a pivotal player in giving me the confidence to start my own business. Kris is a classically trained chef with a studded career in fine dining as well as American classics. Not only does Chef Kris bring a ton of talent to Golden Horseshoe, but he brings a creative, positive, and upbeat attitude that ignited our relationship some years ago.”
