The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) today announced that its support has helped The Rusty Buckle Craft BBQ and Texas Cuisine rebuild and prepare to reopen in a larger New Caney location following a 2023 Thanksgiving Day fire that destroyed most of the restaurant’s cooking areas.
The EMCID Board of Directors approved a grant and low-interest loan to help the local restaurant rebuild, retain its employees through the transition and ultimately expand into a new, larger space. The Rusty Buckle is preparing to reopen on Friday, Sept. 25, behind its original site with expanded seating, food options and live music, offering a fresh experience to long-time customers.
“I grew up in New Caney and moved back here in 2008 from Huntsville after Hurricane Ike,” said Allen Rhoden, owner of The Rusty Buckle. “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.”
After the fire, and with EMCID’s assistance, Rhoden used a food trailer to serve guests and reopened the restaurant on the other side of the building before deciding to construct the new larger space. The Rhoden family has worked since December to bring the new restaurant to life and looks forward to showing the community why The Rusty Buckle preserves East Montgomery County’s history while serving barbecue and cuisine from the Lone Star State.
“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.
For EMCID, supporting businesses such as The Rusty Buckle reflects its commitment to strengthening the local economy, encouraging growth and helping businesses remain a vital part of the community.
Beyond the food, The Rusty Buckle doubles as a living museum of East Montgomery County history, with artifacts and memorabilia throughout the restaurant that tell the story of the community and the people who helped shape it. Among the displays is a table from the home of Mr. Lary Lawrence, Rhoden’s former FFA teacher, now adorned with the FFA emblem. The restaurant also features an autographed table signed by John Schneider, who played Bo Duke, in The Dukes of Hazzard and a mounted bear believed to be the last recorded bear shot in East Montgomery County. History continues into Rhoden’s office, where wood from the County’s first civic center, built in 1944, lines the walls.
“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.”
With EMCID’s support and the Rhoden family’s determination, this East Montgomery County business is ready for its next chapter.