If you watched Top Chef season 21, you know Danny Garcia. The Brooklyn native took home the top prize. He is also a James Beard Award semifinalist.
After his TV win, he had big plans for a Flatiron restaurant. Sadly, his mentor James Kent passed away. The seafood concept eventually closed.
Garcia took a step back to regroup. Now, he’s pivoting to something entirely his own. It’s a concept New York hasn’t quite seen before.
Enter Only Goods. It’s a brand, a pantry line, and a future physical restaurant. The concept pays homage to Garcia’s heritage. It also carves out a new lane for Latin American cuisine in NYC.
A New Take on the Classic NYC Bodega
Garcia envisions Only Goods as a hybrid space. He describes the vibe as “the spot.” It will feel immediate, familiar, and lived-in. Comfort is the absolute priority here.
Up front, it will run like a classic Puerto Rican bodega. Think of those beloved, slightly cramped neighborhood staples. In the back, it opens up into a cozy, casual dining room.
The goal? To spotlight Puerto Rican and Dominican food beyond fast-casual steam tables. “Latin-American food is not an influence I adopted, it is my inheritance,” Garcia shared.
He wants to elevate the cuisine and put it in the spotlight it deserves.
A Completely Pork-Free Menu
Only Goods will be completely halal. Garcia is Muslim, so pork is entirely off the table.
A Puerto Rican spot without pernil or lechon might raise a few eyebrows. But Garcia is ready for the challenge.
He’s experimenting with other rich, succulent meats. Think lamb ribs smothered in a tangy, spicy guava-tamarind barbecue glaze.
For Garcia, a halal restaurant is about community. He wants Muslim diners to walk in and order confidently. They can pick absolutely anything on the menu without a second thought.
Merch, Macha, and a May Launch
Garcia is currently hunting for the perfect permanent lease. But you don’t have to wait long to taste his food. Only Goods is officially launching as a pop-up series in early May 2026.
The very first NYC pop-up hits on May 16th at Martinez Grocery
In the meantime, he’s launched a line of jarred salsa macha. He also teamed up with Brooklyn-based Nash Studios to release a line of laidback streetwear. Expect hats, T-shirts, tote bags, matchbooks, and long candles.
We don’t have an official address for the physical bodega just yet. But we’ll be keeping a very close eye on this one. It’s safe to say we are ready for the OG era.
More Info: Keep up with pop-ups and merch drops via Instagram @onlygoods or at onlygoods.nyc.
📍 First pop-up hits NYC on May 16, 2026 (Martinez Grocery). 370 Court St #1, Brooklyn, NY 11231, United States
📍Permanent address TBD.
