Deep Ellum Goes French

Deep Ellum kisses BBQ short-timer goodbye to welcome new French bistro

EZ Dude BBQ restaurant, which opened in a prime address at 2713 Elm St. in March, has closed. But these days, nothing sits empty in Deep Ellum, and so there is already a replacement, a French bistro called Cepage.

EZ Dude was shut down by owner Rob Eichelberger on October 31. A former caterer, he opened the restaurant in March as a way to expand his catering business. But he had no experience running a restaurant, and says he's returning to his previous business model of catering only.

"Restaurants and bars cost too much to own," he says.

Cepage comes from Jean-Michel Sakouhi, a familiar name to longtime Dallas diners, since he's been floating around the DFW restaurant scene for more than 20 years, dating back to his days as a server at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. You could say that he's been to Dallas and Fort Worth and back again, and you would not be wrong.

He had Tramontana in Preston Center. He had Le Paris Bistrot in Uptown, in the space on McKinney Avenue that went on to house the now-closed Sfuzzi; it will open in 2015 as Fat Rabbit.

He then moved his energies to Tarrant County, where he had numerous restaurants: Severine's in Southlake; the Vault in downtown Fort Worth; and So7 Bistro in Fort Worth, which got remade into So 7 Bar & Grill, then closed. It's currently home to Asian restaurant Pho District.

In 2009, Sakouhi was supposed to open a restaurant at Mercantile Place in downtown Dallas, until that concept got shifted to the Il Sole space at Travis Walk, before it got scuttled entirely. (Travis Walk got its French restaurant with Le Bilboquet.)

Sakouhi was drafted to run City Hall Restaurant at ArtHouse in Keller in 2011; that spot has since become FNG Eats. Sakouhi also ran a place in north Fort Worth called Cowboy Burger Taco Bar.

Does it seem tedious to list all of his many previous ventures? Perhaps they paint a portrait. But hope springs eternal. And on the plus side, none of the various openings in Deep Ellum so far is French.

This space at 2713 Elm is the one nestled next-door to the Green Room. This particular section of Deep Ellum has seen many recent or imminent openings: from the Green Room in June 2013, to Glazed Donuts, Three Links, Fuzzy's Taco and Off The Record, with Armory D.E. slated to open in early 2015.

Cepage is the French word for grape, and the restaurant will center on the foods of Sakouhi's homeland, which is to say French: rabbit, French onion soup and croque madame, the recently resurgent ham-and-cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce.

Cepage is slated to open "very soon," says a spokesperson for the landlord. "[Sakouhi] is aiming to be open by the holidays."

UPDATE: According to a post on the restaurant's Facebook page, Cepage hopes to be open by January 2015.

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Cool new hang

Rollin Joe's coffee shop to open in old New York Sub space by SMU Dallas

Rendering courtesy of Rollin Joes

Rollin Joe's is going into the old New York Sub space across from SMU.

The iconic former New York Sub space across from Southern Methodist University is being amped up as a cool new off-campus hang: Rollin Joe's, an all-day, music-driven, coffee and beverage shop, will open at 3411 Asbury St., Dallas.

It will debut in late summer or early fall 2026, says a release, in time to serve espresso drinks, matcha, smoothies, and teas to a new crop of undergrads who need caffeine.

Rollin Joe's comes from SMU alumnus (and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' nephew) Jerry W. Mooty, Jr. and hospitality veteran Kirk Thompson, who are transforming the longtime campus-area location into an all-day destination "pairing quality beverages with curated music, comfortable spaces and a community-focused atmosphere," the release says.

The location is notable for generations of SMU students and Park Cities residents who loved New York Sub, which had occupied the space since 1974, before closing earlier this year.

According to the release, Rollin Joe's will encompass 1,373 square feet with seating for 45 to 50. Features will include a covered patio, walk-up ordering, and a "Quick Sip" window for customers on the go.

The menu will focus on beverages, including coffee and espresso drinks, matcha beverages, specialty teas, smoothies, protein drinks, refreshers, energy beverages, grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks.

Notably, it will not sell alcohol. This is not a bar, frat boys.

Rollin Joe's will be an all-day coffee spot.Rendering courtesy of Rollin Joe's

Rollin Joe's will operate from morning through late evening, transitioning from coffee runs and study sessions to afternoon meetups and evening gatherings.

Music will also be a priority. According to the release, house music will be part of the daily soundtrack, with live DJs performing several nights per week and occasional guest DJs to help set the vibe.

For Mooty, the location was a key part of the project.

"The former New York Sub location holds a special place in the hearts of generations of SMU students and Park Cities residents," Mooty said in a statement. "When the opportunity arose to bring new life to the space, we saw a chance to honor that legacy while creating a new gathering place built around great drinks, music, community and meaningful connections."

Mooty is CEO and principal of Christie's International Real Estate @properties Lone Star. He says the idea for Rollin Joe's dates back more than a decade.

To clarify, the namesake "Joe" is not necessarily a person, but a concept, and what he's "rollin'" is, well, left to the imagination. As the release explains, "At the center of the brand is 'Joe' - a laid-back, music-loving personality who embodies the culture and spirit of Rollin Joe's. More than a host, Joe represents the welcoming, upbeat experience the founders hope to create for every guest who walks through the door."

Mooty explains, "The Rollin Joe's concept - and Joe's distinctive look and personality - has been a passion project of mine since I left the legal profession in 2012. I always believed in Joe as the focus of a beverage concept, but I knew bringing him to life would require operational expertise I didn't yet have."

Thompson joined the project after moving to Texas in 2024. His background includes owning and operating Panera Bread franchises in Kentucky and Florida, as well as Jimmy John's locations in Austin.

"When Jerry showed me what he had created, I immediately saw the potential," Thompson says. "The beverage category is evolving rapidly, and there was an opportunity to build something different - something that combines exceptional drinks, hospitality, music, and community."

The space was designed by Alexander Quintanilla of Q-ARC. According to the release, the design draws inspiration from music culture, vinyl listening lounges, and modern cafés, with comfortable seating, greenery, and lighting intended to complement the music-focused atmosphere.

coffee shop smu openings coffee