Coronavirus News

New mega COVID-19 vaccination site opens in Dallas' Fair Park

Photo courtesy of Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin

Two new COVID-19 facilities open in Dallas on January 11: One is for vaccinations, the other is for testing.

Vaccinations
The City of Dallas and Dallas County have partnered up to open the first "mega" public COVID-19 vaccination site. It's located at Fair Park and opens on January 11.

According to a release, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) estimates up to 2,000 people will be vaccinated by appointment each day.

DallasCounty Judge Clay Jenkins says in a statement that there's already a big waiting list.

"We will get thousands of our most vulnerable residents vaccinated at Fair Park this next week with well over 100,000 people on the list, the list growing daily, and the State giving us enough vaccines to vaccinate six to seven thousand people this week," Jenkins says. "We obviously won’t get to everyone, so I appreciate your patience and grace as we work through the task of mass vaccination for North Texas."

Jenkins predicts that January and February will be the toughest months for COVID-19 spread and hospitalizations, and encourages residents to continue to avoid crowds, wash hands, and wear a mask.

"If we are successful in vaccinating a large amount of our population, things will get brighter in March and with its successive months," Jenkins says.

Currently, only residents in north Texas in Phase 1A or Phase 1B, as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services, can register at this time. As additional supply of the vaccine becomes available, DCHHS will open up the registration form to additional groups, as directed by the state.

Hours will be Monday-Saturday, 8 am-5 pm, pending vaccine availability. Vaccinations will be available by appointment only. Register online at www.dallascounty.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination.php. You'll get a confirmation email notifying you that you have successfully pre-registered and what the next steps are.

Those with an appointment should arrive alone, unless you need assistance to walk to the vaccination station, in which case you can bring one additional person. Prepare to wait for a mandatory period of 15-30 minutes after the vaccination in order to be observed for any adverse medical reaction.

Registration is open to Dallas County and non-Dallas County residents in Phase 1A or Phase 1B; residents must provide a photo ID on site, such as a driver’s license, work ID, parish ID, library card, or other form of photo ID.

City of Dallas residents may visit dallascityhall.com/covid19 or call 214.670.INFO (4636) to get current information about COVID-19.

New free testing site
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and MCI Diagnostic Center will provide free COVID-19 testing beginning January 11 at the MCI Diagnostic Center, at 9728 Greenville Ave.

"We thank the State of Texas and the Texas Division of Emergency Management for opening an additional testing site in Dallas," says Rocky Vaz, Director of the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management in a statement. "This testing site will give our residents more accessibility to know their COVID-19 status."

Testing is open to all; there is no residency or COVID-19 symptoms requirement to be tested and all screenings are free. Bring proof of address and photo ID in order to receive results; non-state issued IDs accepted. Test results should be received in two to four days.

Hours are Monday-Saturday 8 am-6 pm through January 31.

This testing site is operating separately from the mobile, in-home testing services MCI Diagnostic Center provides for the City of Dallas.

For a list of testing locations and how to request in-home testing services, visit dallascityhall.com/Pages/Coronavirus-Testing-Sites.aspx or call 214-670-INFO.

health

Vegan News

Meat palace Fogo de Chao expands its menu with new plant-based options

Fogo de Chao

Fogo tofu

Well, here's a twist: Fogo de Chão, the churrascuria-style restaurant concept from Brazil known for its dedication to meat, is expanding its menu in an unprecedented new direction:

They're adding tofu.

Effective immediately, the restaurant will offer new plant-based and nutrient-dense dishes, alongside an enhanced Bar Fogo beverage list that has new non-alcoholic craft cocktails made with low-proof spirits (less than 0.5% alcohol).

Fogo CEO Barry McGowan says in a release that they're responding to demand from their younger, more health-conscious customers.

"Our young and dynamic guests consider themselves food explorers who seek new culinary discoveries with each visit,” McGowan says. “For nearly 45 years we’ve had nutrient-dense and plant-forward dining options for every occasion and dietary tribe throughour Market Table. With the rollout of our new dining choices and clean cocktails, we continue to offer our guests the variety and discoveries they crave while doing it in a wholesome and flavorful way.”

The Market Table is their famed salad bar, which has sated many a vegetarian diner or else those just not up for the whole skewered meat thing that is a trademark of Fogo and other churrascuria-style places.

Entrees
Two new plant-based innovations will join Fogo's existing Vegetarian and Pescatarian dishes such as the Cauliflower Steak, and will be available on the main dining menu available for lunch, brunch, and dinner as an alternative to the Full Churrasco Experience, as follows:

Seared Tofu with Miso Black Bean Pasta - Chimichurri-marinated tofu served atop black bean pasta sautéed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing. Vegan and gluten-free.
Roasted Power Vegetable Bowl - Roasted eggplant, marinated mushrooms, roasted zucchini, asparagus, and baby peppers served with chimichurri spinach rice. Vegan and gluten-free.

togo power bowl Roasted Power Vegetable Bowl at Fogo de Chao.Fogo de Chao

They're also rolling out new dishes on the Market Table which for the past 45 years has showcased nutrient-dense and flavorful choices including seasonal salads, micro greens, natural and plant-based proteins, imported charcuterie, and more.

New items on the Market Table are as follows:

Spring Hummus - Fresh hummus blended with herbs, roasted garlic and citrus, topped with radish, fresh mint, edamame, and olive oil.
Baby Kale & Mango Salad - Fresh baby kale, Napa cabbage, red radish and mango, tossed in a lime honey dressing.
Miso Black Bean Pasta - Gluten-free black bean pasta tossed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing.
Apple Manchego Salad - Granny Smith apples and Manchego cheese tossed with honey, cracked pepper and black mission figs.
Power Greens - A seasonal mix of vitamin-rich greens, fresh herbs and micro-shoots

The Bar
The Bar Fogo menu now features five new cocktails, including three made with Clean Co’s non-alcoholic spirits with less than 0.5% alcohol, as follows:

Yellowbird - Desolas Mezcal, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Cointreau, La Marca Prosecco
Espresso Martini - Diplomatico Reserva Rum, Caffe Borghetti and Licor 43
Clean Cosmo - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cranberry, Fresh Lemon
CleanR Sour - CleanCo R (Rum), Passionfruit, Pineapple, Aquafaba, Bitters
Clean Cucumber Martini - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cucumber, Basil, Lemon Twist

Founded in southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo has eight locations across Texas including Addison, Uptown Dallas, Plano, Austin, Friendswood, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands.

openings vegan