Food & Beverage

For barbecue lovers in New Caney and surrounding East Montgomery County communities, the return of The Rusty Buckle Craft BBQ & Texas Cuisine is about more than finding a familiar place to enjoy smoked brisket. It's the comeback of a locally owned restaurant that nearly lost everything in a fire, along with a gathering place where the area's history is preserved and shared.

Following a devastating Thanksgiving Day fire in 2023 that destroyed most of its cooking areas, The Rusty Buckle reopened in a larger location behind its original site on September 25, 2026. The rebuilding effort was supported by the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID), which provided financial assistance to help the restaurant recover, retain employees and expand.

The new restaurant offers additional seating, an expanded menu and live music, giving longtime customers and newcomers from Porter, Splendora and neighboring communities another reason to visit.

From Backyard Cook-Offs to a New Caney Barbecue Restaurant

For owner Allen Rhoden, The Rusty Buckle has always been a personal undertaking rooted in his hometown.

“I grew up in New Caney and moved back here in 2008 from Huntsville after Hurricane Ike,” said Rhoden. “My wife and I started going to cook-offs, and I enjoyed every part of it. So, I decided to open my own barbecue restaurant. This dream started in 2014, and we opened our doors in 2018, and then, we had the fire.”

What began with a shared interest in barbecue competitions eventually became a local business serving Texas-style smoked meats and other dishes.

According to the restaurant's official website, The Rusty Buckle specializes in slow-smoked barbecue prepared with real wood smoke, custom seasonings and house-made sauces. Its menu features traditional smoked brisket alongside more unusual offerings, including bacon-wrapped ribs and a signature dish called Redneck Sushi, made with sausage, peppers, shrimp, cheese, bacon and pepper jelly.

The business also emphasizes sourcing ingredients from Texas companies when possible and supporting local farmers, community events, youth programs and charitable organizations.

But the restaurant's future became uncertain when the 2023 fire left much of its cooking operation unusable.

How EMCID Helped The Rusty Buckle Rebuild After the Fire

Rather than closing permanently, the Rhoden family found ways to keep serving customers while working toward a more lasting recovery.

Following the fire, Rhoden operated from a food trailer and later resumed restaurant service on the other side of the building. Meanwhile, plans began taking shape for a larger, more permanent space.

The EMCID Board of Directors approved a grant and low-interest loan to assist with rebuilding, employee retention and expansion. The assistance allowed the locally owned business to move forward while navigating the financial and operational challenges of recovering from the fire.

The family began working on the new restaurant in December, preparing a space that would accommodate more customers and provide additional dining options.

For EMCID, the project represents one way economic development resources can support businesses already established in East Montgomery County, not just attract new investment.

“Rusty Buckle is a great example of the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit we see throughout East Montgomery County,” said Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID. “Our investment in Rusty Buckle was about more than helping a restaurant rebuild—it was about supporting its employees, preserving a locally owned business and helping ensure this East Montgomery County gathering place could continue to be part of our community.”

More Than Barbecue: A Restaurant That Preserves East Montgomery County History

One of The Rusty Buckle's more distinctive features has little to do with what's coming out of the smoker.

Throughout the restaurant, Rhoden has collected artifacts, furniture and memorabilia connected to the history of East Montgomery County. Together, the displays give customers a glimpse into the people, places and stories that helped shape New Caney and the surrounding area.

Among the pieces is a table that once belonged to Mr. Lary Lawrence, Rhoden's former FFA teacher. The table now features the FFA emblem, connecting the restaurant to the agricultural education traditions that have influenced generations of local students.

Another table bears the autograph of actor John Schneider, known for portraying Bo Duke on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard.

Perhaps one of the more unusual displays is a mounted bear believed to be the last recorded bear shot in East Montgomery County.

Even Rhoden's office contains a piece of local history. Its walls are lined with wood salvaged from the county's first civic center, built in 1944.

For residents whose families have lived in the area for decades, these artifacts offer reminders of an earlier New Caney. For newer families moving into the growing community, they provide an opportunity to learn about the area's roots while enjoying a meal.

What Customers Can Expect at The Rusty Buckle's New Location

The expanded Rusty Buckle restaurant is designed to offer more than its original barbecue-focused experience.

In addition to increased seating and live music, the restaurant is broadening its food offerings. Its website describes plans to add dishes such as country-fried steak and fresh, hand-cut steaks, complementing the smoked meats that helped establish its reputation.

The restaurant continues to serve customers from New Caney, Porter, Splendora and surrounding Montgomery County communities, with an emphasis on Texas barbecue and locally inspired cuisine.

For Rhoden, however, one of the most anticipated parts of reopening was something considerably simpler.

“I’m looking forward to being open. I just want to hear that bell on the door ring as our customers come in to eat and cut whatever meats we have ready for that day,” said Rhoden.

After years of rebuilding and temporary arrangements, the sound of customers returning represents a return to the everyday routine that first made the restaurant part of the community.

Where Is The Rusty Buckle BBQ in New Caney? Location and Hours

For residents looking to visit the newly reopened restaurant, The Rusty Buckle's website lists the following information:

• Address: 22664 Community Drive, New Caney, TX 77357
• Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Phone: 346-423-7444
• Website: therustybuckle.com

Hours and menu availability may change as the restaurant settles into its expanded operation. Customers can check the website or social media for updates before visiting.

A New Chapter for a Locally Owned New Caney Business

As New Caney and East Montgomery County continue to grow, The Rusty Buckle's return offers an example of how established small businesses can remain part of a changing community.

The restaurant's recovery involved more than replacing damaged equipment or constructing a larger building. It required the Rhoden family to keep the business operating through difficult circumstances, employees to navigate the transition and local economic development support to help make rebuilding possible.

Now, with its doors open again, The Rusty Buckle has an opportunity to welcome longtime regulars and introduce new residents to a restaurant that reflects both the food and history of East Montgomery County.

For the Rhoden family, it's a chance to continue a dream that began more than a decade ago. For the community, it's the return of a familiar local business that found a way to keep going.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more updates on New Caney restaurant openings, local businesses and community developments throughout East Montgomery County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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