Step Inside All Three of Chef Tim Love’s New Levy Park Restaurants

In the works since 2018, celebrity chef Tim Love is officially ready to debut three brand new restaurants in Houston, bringing his distinct take on barbecue, burgers, and breakfast tacos to Levy Park.

Based in Fort Worth, Love will kick open the doors to barbecue joint Woodshed Smokehouse, a burger spot called the Love Shack, and a quick-serve eatery called Side Dough for lunch service on Thursday, according to a rep for the chef. Each of the restaurants first opened in Love’s home base of Dallas-Fort Worth, and mark the chef’s first official foray into Houston’s massive restaurant scene.

For those who are unfamiliar with chef Tim Love, he’s earned celebrity on food TV thanks to multiple appearances on shows like Food Network’s Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef, and formerly served as co-host of CNBC’s Restaurant Startup.

“Houston has an unimpeachable food scene and some of the most curious and welcoming diners my team and I have had the pleasure of serving,” Love said in a statement. “A sprawling space with an outdoor element is hard to come by, so when the opportunity came to be considered for Levy Park, I jumped at the chance. It’s really the perfect fit with a laid-back, ‘oasis-in-the-city’ vibe that I’m excited to be a part of.”

Before heading to check out Love’s Levy Park eateries, take a walk through all three courtesy of Eater photographer Caroline Fontenot.

Woodshed Smokehouse

Houston is home to the second outpost of Woodshed Smokehouse, joining the Fort Worth original that made its debut in 2012. Diners can look forward to a variety of proteins, including lamb brisket and bulgogi-style salmon, that are smoked at the restaurant over pecan, oak, hickory, and mesquite wood. Houston-exclusive dishes include a smoky riff on Peking duck, and smoke-kissed banana cream pie.

The Love Shack

Also a Fort Worth original that’s been open since 2007, the Love Shack has earned a solid reputation for its burgers, hot dogs, and freshly made lemonades. Located next to the dog park at Levy Park, diners can also score treats for Fido on the menu of this walk-up kiosk, including freshly made rawhide bones. Highlights on the menu include the Dirty Love burger, topped with a fried quail egg, bacon, and cheese, crunchy onion rings, and frothy root beer on tap.

Side Dough

Located inside a 1972 double-decker Bristol Lodekka bus, Side Dough will sling breakfast tacos, coffee, and pastries all day long. It’s similar to the Back Dough, a pastry-and-coffee spot operated by Love outside of his Denton steakhouse Queenie’s.

Woodshed Smokehouse, the Love Shack, and Side Dough will swing their doors open on Thursday, March 12. Woodshed Smokehouse and the Love Shack will be open from 11 a.m. until “close” seven days a week, and Side Dough will operate from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday.