Ta Ta Tupy's

Tupinamba Tex-Mex departs Inwood for new digs at hot Dallas intersection

After 18 years at its current address, veteran Tex-Mex restaurant Tupinamba is moving to a new location. Owner Eddie Dominguez confirms that the restaurant will be moving east, from Inwood Road at the Dallas North Tollway to a frontage-road location at the very hot intersection of US 75 at Walnut Hill Lane.

"We are moving to Walnut Hill and 75, but not until November or maybe December," he says. "We found a spot there. We worked out a deal for a better location that we think will be good for us."

That intersection would definitely be good for Tupinamba and just about any other business. Across 75 sits Spec's, as well as Total Wine & More. And at the northwest corner of Walnut Hill and 75 is the new Preston Hollow Village complex — home to Trader Joe's as well as the recently revealed Dallas location of Modmarket, the Colorado-based healthy-restaurant chain that is opening four branches around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Tupinamba will go into Lakeside Village at the southwest corner of 75 and Walnut Hill, in the space that used to be the Performance Bike Shop. "The new space is a little smaller, but the benefit is that we're going to add a patio," Dominguez says.

Tupinamba is noted for its house-made flour tortillas and reliable Tex-Mex standards such as fajitas and cheese enchiladas. And this isn't the first time it has moved. "Tupy's" first opened in 1947, and its Northwest Highway location was the go-to for many Dallasites in the '60s.

"We've been on Inwood Road for 18 years, but we've moved around," Dominguez says. "Prior to that, we were at Midway and 635. Inwood has been great, but I think it's time to move on."

Tupinamba will relocate to Walnut Hill and 75.

Photo by Teresa Gubbins

Tupinamba will relocate to Walnut Hill and 75.

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Chino-Mex News

Fun festive Dragon Casa restaurant in north Dallas combines Chino-Mex

Yelp

Tacos at Dragon Casa

A new restaurant has opened in North Dallas with a pretty uncommon fusion: Called Dragon Casa, it's open at 3355 E. Trinity Mills Rd. #213, in what used to be a Chinese restaurant called Chef Chu, with a menu that combines Chinese and Mexican flavors — tacos with Peking duck, for example.

The restaurant is a spinoff of Dragon House, a Chinese concept founded in Southlake that's acclaimed for its dumplings. It's from JJ Food and Beverages, who took over Dragon House in 2020, after the original owner was arrested on a prostitution ring charge.

JJ kept the original recipes including the signature dumplings, and opened a second location in Highland Village in 2024. They also own Japanese restaurant Nikko in Southlake.

Dragon Casa dumplingsYelp

Co-owner Chris Choi says that the menu and concept behind Dragon Casa — whose subhead is "Chino Mex Kitchen" — was inspired by their own team.

"Many of the people who work in our kitchen are Hispanic," he says. "We work as a family behind the kitchen and we share culture."

The menu spans more than 200 dishes, including customer favorites from Dragon House, from dim sum to house-made noodles to fried rice.

But Dragon Casa also has a separate "Chino Mex" section with dishes such as calamari with jalapeno and taco seasoning; and pork bun fajita, with pan-fried pork buns served in a fajita skillet.

There are six tacos, but with clever Chinese-inspired fillings such as kung pao chicken and Mongolian beef. They're served in the same slatted wooden bowls that are used to steam dumplings.

Meals begin with "chips and salsa" — but instead of tortilla chips, it's crispy wonton chips with sweet and sour sauce. Even their beverage menu is a culinary mixup with Jarritos, Mexican Coke, Chinese and Mexican beers, margaritas, micheladas, and hot tea.

Dragon Casa "chips & salsa"Yelp

One amusing section on the menu summons Chipotle: Called "Chinopotle," it has three burritos, but with Chinese fillings: Orange chicken burrito, Mongolian beef, and honey walnut shrimp.

The decor is a festive fusion of Chinese and Mexican cultures, including neon chile peppers and colorful lights. An Instagram nook features the classic wall of greenery but with a stack of sombreros on a chair. It's a little retro and a lot of fun, although the authentic Chinese roots remain thanks to a large see-through window that allows diners to see the dim sum and noodles being prepared.

Choi says they love the neighborhood, which has come out to support them.

"The demographic in this area is so diverse, and we see families coming to visit from all backgrounds," he says. "We do well in suburban areas because we are very family friendly."

tex-mex openings