Good Company: Burgers, Brew and BBQ

Good Company is the American-style burger and BBQ joint at 25 Paul Street in Croydon, built around low-and-slow smoked meats, loaded burgers and a serious craft beer list. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor alfresco seating, which the venue actively promotes, so a smoked-brisket dinner can include the dog without anyone eating in the car park.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the alfresco courtyard out front, kept on a leash and settled beside the table; the indoor dining room is off-limits, so plan to sit outside in all weather the alfresco can handle. Visitors consistently describe staff as welcoming to dogs, and a water bowl is a fair ask on request, though packing your own covers a busy evening. The alfresco area suits a settled dog; if yours is restless around dinner crowds, a weekend lunch is the calmer slot.

The vibe

The smoker does the heavy lifting: 350 grams of slow-smoked beef brisket served with chips and house BBQ sauce, brisket and pulled pork burgers in the $20 to $24 range, dino ribs, southern fried chicken and loaded fries. Corn bread and mozzarella sticks cover the sides and a strong craft beer list runs behind it all, with weekday and weekend happy hours. It is an evening-first venue, opening 4:30pm Wednesday to Friday and from midday on weekends, closed Monday and Tuesday.

Getting there and parking

Paul Street sits just off the Croydon main strip, with street parking on Paul Street and nearby blocks and Croydon Station within a short walk for rail arrivals. The kitchen winds down before close each night, so earlier is safer for a full menu.

While you're out there

Town Park Dog Off Leash Area is close by for a pre-dinner run, and Eastfield Fenced Dog Park gives a fully fenced option a short drive away. The main shopping strip just off Paul Street covers an on-leash wander, and Croydon Brew is the dog-friendly daytime coffee stop in the same neighbourhood.

Pepsi: a brisket run at the dog park first, then an alfresco table and a tap beer while the smoker pays off.

More eastern-suburbs tables are on the Victorian dog friendly restaurants guide, or browse Croydon for the suburb round-up.