Dumpling News

Dallas Farmers Market dishes divine steamed dumplings at new stand

Dumplings are at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Photo courtesy of Momo Shack

Dallas loves its dumplings and here comes what is sure to be a new crush: Momo Shack Himalayan Dumplings, a new dumpling stand at the Dallas Farmers Market that adds a new rendition to the local dumpling scene.

"Momos" are the Nepalese version of dumplings. They boast a unique flavor profile that incorporates influences from both India and Asia, including garlic, ginger, cilantro, and green onions. They are also accompanied by a spicy chutney-style sauce — a departure from the rice vinegar-soy sauce you get with Chinese dumplings.

Momo Shack was founded by Leezen Amatya, 24, a native of Nepal who runs the stand with his mother and executive chef, Minu Amatya, and his friend, Daniel Flores.

"I really wanted to share this part of my culture," Amatya says. "Momos look like soup dumplings, but the filling is what makes it Himalayan."

Their menu is tightly focused, with momos in three flavors: chicken, pork, or veggie, filled with cabbage, carrots, and onion. They have two sauces: a spicy tomato-based sauce and a milder cilantro chutney.

For now, the dumplings are steamed, but they'll soon offer them in a fried version, as well.

Their hours are also limited. Since they all have full-time jobs, and since the process of making the dumplings is time-consuming, they are open every other Saturday for now, with their next date being February 17; find schedule updates on their Instagram.

They'll also participate in Lunar New Year Specialty Market, a special popup event on February 18 being organized by Sandwich Hag restaurant at 1902 S. Lamar St., with food vendors and guests specializing in Asian cuisine.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've been in love with momos," Amatya says. "I was born and raised in Nepal, where these are from, but we moved to Texas when I was 10 years old. There was no Nepalese presence when I was in school — I was the only Nepalese person — and I learned to quickly assimilate to the culture here. But I strayed away from my foundation and roots."

In 2017, he took his first solo trip to Nepal after 12 years. "It was a spiritual trip where I re-connected with that part of myself," he says. "After my trip, I said, let's do it. What better way is there to share your culture than food?"

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Burger News

Fun family-owned Big Mike's Bar and Grill from TV star debuts in Plano

Tommy LeBeouf

Big burger from Big Mike's in Plano

A charming family-owned restaurant with TV star ties has debuted in Plano. Called Big Mike’s Bar and Grill, it's an elevated sports bar that just opened at 3200 Alma Dr., in a former Pancho's Mexican Buffet where it's serving tasty Angus burgers and beer-battered onion rings, hand-battered in-house.

Big Mike's is from husband-and-wife Mike Cancelmi and Jennie Marie; she gained fame as the star of the 2018 TLC show Mama Medium. The couple is from Rochester, New York, but fell in love with the Dallas area with their four sons after visiting a friend in 2021.

Their signature Big Mike's burger is a biggie: a half-pound patty with cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a fried egg on a brioche bun, served with choice of hand-cut fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries, for $18.

They bring their Northeast influence with dishes such as a Reuben sandwich with corned beef on marble rye, and their own version of poutine, the Canadian specialty, which they make with fries, cheese curds, brown gravy, and thick-cut crumbled bacon.

One dish reflects their hometown roots: Called the Trash Plate, it's inspired by the Garbage Plate, a sloppy comfort food dish that's the unofficial signature dish of the city of Rochester.

Big Mike's version combines macaroni salad, home fries, and choice of hot dogs from Rochester-based Zweigle’s (which they fly in from New York), or two smash burger patties with hot sauce, mustard, and onions.

Their menu also features a few entree items like NY strip steak, their priciest item at $35, served with garlic mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts; and chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and green beans for $24. Portions are abundant.

Big Mike's family: Mike and Jennie Marie and their four sons.Big Mike's

“I created the menu based on things I like to eat," Mike says. "Everything we make is made from scratch, the way I would do it if I was cooking for my friends."

They host weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday until 2 pm with a cinnamon roll skillet, frittatas, avocado toast, and a hash version of the Garbage Plate with home fries, mac salad, onions, diced Zweigle's hot dogs, eggs, and meat hot sauce. There are mimosas — they have a full bar — and they also do a daily happy hour from 3-6 pm with appetizer specials and domestic beers for $3.50.

Mike's background as a former contractor can be seen in the restaurant's spiffy remodel. The space sits 270, with enough room to host events that include karaoke every Wednesday, live music during brunch, and a ticketed group psychic event where Jennie Marie draws from her TV show days, performing readings and mediumship, with food and drink.

The restaurant has a wonderful family-oriented atmosphere. Many of their employees are friends of their sons from school or ice hockey, giving the restaurant a comfortable, homey vibe.

“We try to visit every table — that personal touch is important to us," Jennie Marie says. "We want that hometown feel, get people what they want so they come back."

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