BBQ News

New barbecue-plus-patio restaurant will grace Dallas' Greenville Avenue

Check out them pickles.

Photo courtesy of Oak'd

There's a fancy new barbecue restaurant with an emphasis on craft, coming to Dallas' Greenville Avenue. Called Oak'd BBQ, it's opening in the Old Town Shopping Center, at 5500 Greenville Ave. #1300. This is the space once occupied by Bonchon, the Korean chicken restaurant, but more recently a location of Mediterranean buffet chain DiMassi's, which is sad, since DiMassi's is really good.

A representative from the restaurant said that more information would be forthcoming, but that the location is currently under construction, and is slated to open in the spring. A Facebook page has been created to chart its progress.

Oak'd BBQ describes itself as a chef-driven, hand-crafted barbecue restaurant featuring locally sourced meats and sides. The owners include a small group, and the chef is a Culinary Institute of America grad with 30-plus years of experience.

They'll specialize in brisket, "infused with the vanilla-tinged flavor of Texas Post oak smoke and cradled in a peppery bark." They'll also offer a variety of Central-Texas-style smoked meats, plus gourmet sides, desserts made in house.

There'll be an in-house pastry chef, an unusual extravagance for a barbecue joint, who will bake items daily including pies, seasonal cobblers, bread pudding, ice cream, and artisan breads.

There'll be oak-smoked Waygu and prime briskets; pastrami, and salads.

In addition to some classic sides, they'll do seasonal items as well, such as balsamic-roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked almonds, caramelized shallots, and dried cherries.

They've also consulted with radio power couple Allen and Kellie Rasberry-Evans to create a signature menu item: It's a pulled pork sandwich with sausage, bacon, coleslaw, and a slightly spicy Carolina sauce, since Kellie is from South Carolina. It'll be served on a white-and-black seeded bun and topped with pickles. Great-looking pickles, if you judge by the photo.

The couple will also host a podcast at the restaurant called "240 Degrees in the Pit."

The restaurant promises to be an oasis in a fairly urban area, thanks to a full bar and a tree-covered patio featuring two mighty oaks, where they'll also host live music. The patio will also be home to outdoor smokers - each of which has its own name. Aww.

greenville-avenue barbecue

Coffee News

Italian brand Lavazza Coffee opens training facility in Dallas

Lavazza

Lavazza Coffee

A coffee brand from Italy has planted a stake in Dallas: Lavazza, founded in the northern Italian city of Turin in 1895, has opened a state-of-the-art training center in Dallas, at 1722 Routh St. #960, where it will serve as a hub for coffee enthusiasts throughout the Southwest.

Dallas is the newest outlet in Lavazza's coffee training network, joining locations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, West Chester Pennsylvania, and Toronto — part of their expansion across high-growth markets in the U.S., and its mission to elevate coffee culture globally. (They're also doling out endorsement dollars in commercials featuring Steve Carell and John Krasinski.)

The facility is equipped with espresso, brewing, and coffee innovation equipment, and will serve Lavazza partners, industry professionals, baristas, and distributors. They'll offer hands-on training, SCA certification, menu development, and emerging coffee trends.

Lavazza already partners with many respected hospitality groups and culinary destinations in Dallas including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Coury Hospitality Group, Al Biernat's Steakhouse, and Vandelay Hospitality.

In October 2025, Lavazza also began serving coffee on flights by Fort Worth-based American Airlines — further strengthening their connection to the North Texas market. The facility will enable Lavazza to provide closer, more consistent support to these partners and help elevate their coffee programs through continued training and collaboration.

Lavazza has been owned by the Lavazza family for four generations. Today they're one of the leading players on the global coffee scene, with a portfolio of top brands that lead their respective markets, such as Lavazza, Carte Noire, Merrild, and Kicking Horse.

In a statement, Lavazza North America president Hossam Ashraf says that "Dallas has an incredible energy and an ever evolving coffee scene," while Lavazza North America Marketing VP Daniele Foti says that Dallas is great, and we must concur.

"As one of the fastest growing hospitality and culinary markets in the country, Dallas represents a tremendous opportunity for Lavazza," Foti says. "Our investment in this new Training Center demonstrates our commitment to the region and to the partners who bring the Lavazza experience to life every day. Dallas is a city of innovation and high standards, and we are excited to deepen our roots here."

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