In the Bag

Peek inside the Dallas-Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards exclusive Tasting Totes

This year, the biggest party of the Dallas and Fort Worth food and beverage scenes came right to your living room. CultureMap's Tastemaker Awards — Virtual Edition brought all the delicious and innovative ideas from our cities' best chefs and bartenders straight to you, courtesy of Tasting Totes that were brimming with goodies.

If you purchased a ticket to the online awards show, hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, then you also got to indulge in generous samples from nominees. Missed out this year? When you see what you could have enjoyed, you'll be first in line to purchase in 2021, whether the party is virtual or in-person.

VIP ticket-holders had their Tasting Totes delivered right to their door via swanky ride service Alto, while general admission attendees swung by the West Village to pick up their swag bags.

Once home, a feast awaited, complete with a bottle of Grandes Vinos Monasteria Reserva or Old Vine Garnacha (read more about their history here), a six-pack of Topo Chico, and cans of Dallas Blonde and Blind Lemon hard seltzer from Deep Ellum Brewing Co (plus a can of Easy Peasy IPA for VIP attendees).

The next best thing to having 2019 Bartender of the Year winner Chris Unruh make you a drink in person is to have him show you how to do it yourself, step by step onscreen. Equipped with two great Texas spirits, Dripping Springs Vodka and Desert Door Texas Sotol, along with Topo Chico, lime juice, and a to-die-for lavender lemonade mix, guests learned how to mix two signature cocktails to get the party started.

Guests could also shake things up with the first edition of the Tastemakers Cocktail Book, filled with exclusive recipes by Bartender of the Year nominees from across the state.

As for delicious bites from the nominees, VIP guests could dig into a noodle salad from Asian Mint, cacio e pepe pasta from The Charles, smoked salmon from Hugo's Invitados, a shrimp cocktail and concha pastry from Casa Jacaranda, and vegan barbacoa bowls from Toluca.

A salted hazelnut spice mix from chef Toby Archibald and chili condiments and house furikake from Salaryman will surely come in handy during future cooking adventures.

For dessert, you could take your pick from Texas Dugout Pie from Gold Ribbon Confections, bonbons from Kate Weiser Chocolate, spiced dark chocolate from Gemelle, sweets from Better Than Sex, and "baby trops" from La Tarte Tropézienne.

GA diners certainly weren't left out in the cold. Chips and queso from Meso Maya and chili Parmesan potato chips from Love Shack kicked things off, with Archibald's spice mix and a whole bottle of Norma's Cafe ketchup earning spots of honor in pantries all around DFW.

The Charles' pasta made another appearance, this time accompanied by Toluca's vegan elotes, Casa Jacaranda's shrimp empanada, and an assortment of savory nibbles from Little Lilly Sushi. Dessert here included a double-stuffed Oreo bread pudding from Better Than Sex, mini banana pudding from Lucky's Hot Chicken, and Micah cookies from Gold Ribbon Confections.

You can relive the virtual awards ceremony all over again here, as well as toast to all the 2020 Texas Tastemaker winners here. See you next year!

Delicious bites from nominated restaurants filled the bags.

Photo by @eleven11design

Delicious bites from nominated restaurants filled the bags.

recipes promoted chefs drinks awards desserts tastemakers craft-beer wine cocktails

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