Icehouse has been a Montreal institution for over a decade, serving up Texas-sized portions of ribs, fried chicken, and tacos to anyone who loves their food bold, messy, and packed with flavour. Originally launched by Texas native Nick Hodges in 2011, the no-frills spot at Roy and Saint-Dominique has always leaned into the spirit of a proper Southern backyard feast—food served straight on paper, buckets of fried chicken landing on tables, and pitchers of bourbon lemonade that go down a little too easy.

Now under new ownership—Zack Cutrona, his father Salvatore, and hospitality veteran Lawrence Picard (Boba Boba)—Icehouse isn’t changing what made it a staple. The classics are staying put: brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, steak and BBQ chicken burritos, and wings that locals swear are some of the city’s best. Even the house sauces are still made by Hodges himself, now bottled on his farm. But there’s a renewed energy behind the place, with plans to fine-tune the menu and crank up the summer vibes with DJs and events on the patio.

Casual, loud, and as welcoming as ever, Icehouse is the kind of spot where everyone—students, families, date-night duos—digs in elbow-deep. No plates, no pretension, just damn good Tex-Mex done right.