Chicken News

Innovative restaurant starring chicken sandwiches glides into Dallas

Fried chicken sandwich at Birdcall is crrrrispy.

Birdcall

A Denver restaurant concept known for its all-natural crispy chicken sandwich is coming to Dallas: Birdcall, a small chain founded in 2016 that serves chicken sandwiches and salads, will make its Texas debut in Carrollton, in a former Taco Cabana at 3232 E. Hebron Pkwy., with an opening slated for late spring.

Birdcall was created in 2016 by Peter Newlin and Jean-Philippe Failyau, two industry veterans who previously founded Denver-based concepts such as Park Burger and Homegrown Tap & Dough.

Their goal with Birdcall was to not only offer a "better" chicken sandwich, but also to improve the way fast-food restaurants operate. In addition, they're heavy into supporting the local communities where they operate, and forging relationships with local vendors.

Their menu features eight sandwiches:

Original with crispy chicken and dill pickles
Deluxe, with crispy chicken, bacon, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and lettuce
Nashville with Nashville hot sauce and sweet pickles
Southern with crispy chicken, pimento cheese spread, and slaw
Buffalo with crispy chicken, buffalo sauce, blue cheese slaw, and tomato
Rancher with crispy chicken white cheddar cheese, bacon red onion jam, and BBQ sauce
Grilled chicken Caesar with grilled chicken, a Parmesan cheese crisp, lettuce, tomato, & Caesar dressing
Veggie with crispy tofu, peanut slaw, cilantro, and sriracha aioli

They also do chicken tenders and five salads: Buffalo chicken, Asian salad, chicken Caesar, Cobb (which they call "chop"), and a kale-quinoa. Sandwiches are $7 to $9, and salads range from $9.25 to $11.25.

"Peter saw this gap in the market for higher quality ingredients," says spokesperson Sarah Shepard.

Technology is also a big part of their DNA. "We developed our own system to streamline ordering — we're a tech-driven company," she says.

You order from a screen, sort of like an ATM, and a leaderboard on the wall shows the status of your order.

In addition to Carrollton, they're also opening a location in Garland. Keeping with their community-driven spirit, every location is slightly different, but all share a modern/modular-looking design, with kid-friendly entertainment options such as free arcade games.

"We're planning on a handful of locations in the Dallas area," Shepard says. "Texas was a natural step, as we looked at expanding outside Colorado. Many of our team members grew up in Texas. And we saw the demand for a great-quality chicken sandwich."

openings

Ramen News

Dallas' acclaimed Ten Ramen to open in Cru Wine spot in West Village

Ten Ramen

A highly acclaimed ramen spot is coming to Dallas' West Village: Ten Ramen, one of Dallas' most celebrated ramen spots, will open a location in the former Cru Food & Wine Bar space at 3699 McKinney Ave. #107.

According to a release, Ten Ramen will open in spring 2026.

In related news, the concept was acquired by Vandelay Companies (Hudson House, Jack & Harry's, East Hamption Sandwich Co., El Molino), led by CEO Hunter Pond, who counts himself a big Ten Ramen fan.

“I’ve been a longtime fan of who is arguably one of Texas’ most respected chefs — founder and creator Teiichi Sakurai — and what Ten Ramen embodies,” says Pond.

Vandelay also owns Tei An, the award-winning authentic Japanese restaurant and Ten Ramen sibling which Sakurai opened at One Arts Plaza in 2008.

Ten Ramen debuted in March 2015 at the Sylvan | Thirty mixed-use project in West Dallas — a pioneering concept at the time, and one that quickly earned a devoted following with its tiny 10-seat setup and uncompromisingly authentic flavors.

Back then, it was a ground-breaking concept for Dallas and is still one of the most beloved ramen spots in the city. Diners flocked to wait in long lines for its menu of Mazemen, Shoyu, Tonkotsu, and Lobster Ramen — recipes that will remain intact, Pond says.

“We haven’t touched the recipes, they’re perfect just as they are,” he says. “After many months under our ownership already, it remains clear that the magic is in the food, the service, and the experience. Our goal with this new location is simple: bring what we feel is the best ramen in Dallas to more people, in a space that feels both fresh and familiar.”

Ooooooh, so Vandelay has owned it for many months. Well well well.

“When the opportunity came to bring this incredible concept into our family of restaurants, I jumped at it," Pond says.

He's the one shepherding it into the West Village — a location he says will give more diners the chance to experience the concept.

The location has an impressive track record: Cru Wine Bar closed in August 2025 after an unparalleled 23 years at that address.

The new 1,480-square-foot space will be a fresh take on the Ten Ramen experience, with a full-service bar that seats 7, and an intimate dining room seating 28 — versus the impromptu stand-up situation at Sylvan Thirty.

Their goal is to make a space that feels approachable and lively while staying true to the dishes that made Ten Ramen a local favorite.

openings