This Week's Hot Headlines

Death of famed Texas BBQ pitmaster leads this week's 5 most-read Dallas stories

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Want a list of best things to do this weekend? Find that here. Looking for spectacular Christmas lights around town? That list is here (with top Christmas light neighborhoods here).

1. Legendary Texas BBQ pitmaster John Mueller dies at age 52 in Frisco. The Texas barbecue community has lost a legend. Barbecue pitmaster John Mueller, a member of the Mueller barbecue dynasty, died at his home in Frisco at age 52. Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor at Texas Monthly, broke the news December 16 on Twitter, reporting that Mueller died after a long illness.

2. 2 sort of famous comedians open restaurant-comedy club in Dallas. There's a new restaurant opening in Dallas which will combine food, drink, and comedy. Called TK's, it's from a comedic husband-and-wife duo and will open at 14854 Montfort Dr. in Addison, also known as the space that previously housed Public 972, which closed very quietly in November. According to a release, TK's will open on New Year's Eve.

3. Master list of Dallas restaurants that are open on Christmas 2021. Christmas Day (and Christmas Eve) are often not big days for dining at restaurants, and most restaurants close down for the day. But some restaurants recognize that there will always be diners in need. These Dallas restaurants are open on the Christmas holiday.

4. Big freeway ramp from 635 to 30 gets relocated and more Dallas news. This roundup of Dallas news included items about an impending new freeway switch-up (date: TBA), an apartment community being planned on the site of a popular thrift store, and a community park being built at Fair Park.

5. Texas population is barreling toward eye-popping milestone in 2022. Texas is edging closer to a milestone — a population of 30 million. Estimates released December 21 by the U.S. Census Bureau show the population of Texas grew 1.1 percent between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2021. If Texas maintains a year-to-year growth rate of at least 1.1 percent, the state might break the 30 million mark sometime in 2022.

Pitmaster John Mueller was well-known throughout Texas for his mastery of meats.

Austin Photo Set: News_Adam Sparks_John Mueller BBQ_jan 2012_john2

Photo by Adam Sparks

Pitmaster John Mueller was well-known throughout Texas for his mastery of meats.

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In This Week's Top Stories

Global ice cream chain tops this week's most popular stories in Dallas

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Ice cream from Dumont Creamery & Cafe

Editor's note: A global ice cream chain from India that opened two DFW locations was the hottest topic this week in Dallas. Also of note: A buzzy burger restaurant, the death of a beloved Dallas musician-DJ, and an impressive ranking for Flower Mound. Here are the most-read stories of the week. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, we got you: That list is here.

1. Global gourmet ice cream chain debuts in U.S. with 2 Dallas-area shops. An ice cream concept from India has made its U.S. debut, right here in Texas: Dumont Creamery & Cafe was founded in Hyderabad and now has two locations in the Dallas area. Ice cream is the centerpiece with more than two dozen flavors, ranging from Italian-inspired sorbet to a New Zealand-inspired honey ice cream called "hokey pokey."

2. Acclaimed Burger Schmurger pop-up finds permanent space in East Dallas. A buzzy burger pop-up is graduating to brick-and-mortar status: Burger Schmurger, which has earned oodles of acclaim for its smash burger style of burgers, is moving into a permanent home at 718 N Buckner Blvd., the space previously occupied by Bar None which closed in August..

3. Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65. A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65. As a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

4. Fill up on the festive fare in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news. This roundup of restaurant news around Dallas is all about new menus, with lots of festive-themed dishes and menu additions. There's a new brunch at a surprising destination, new cocktails, and lots of hot chocolate, fitting for the season..

5. Well-to-do Dallas suburb lands on top-10 list of holiday big spenders. It looks like Santa Claus is going to be competing with residents in Flower Mound to see who brings the most lavish holiday gifts this year. Festive Flo-Mo ranked No. 7 in WalletHub's annual report on U.S. cities with the biggest holiday budgets in 2024.