Steakhouse News

4 big Dallas restaurant names to open at hip McKinney development

You'd know that big carrot anywhere.

Photo courtesy of Bob's Steak & Chop House

A new development in McKinney will open with some big Dallas restaurant names. The development is District 121, a $250 million mixed-use development at the northeast corner of State Highway 121 and Alma Road, adjacent to Craig Ranch.

According to a release, the restaurants will include four restaurants featuring steak, Tex-Mex, pizza, and craft beer, as follows:

Bob's Steak & Chop House, which will occupy a 7,600-square-foot standalone building, which will also incorporate a cigar bar
Mi Cocina, which will occupy a 6,600-square-foot standalone location, which will also incorporate an upscale bar similar to the Monkey Bar at its Highland Park location
Common Table, a bar/eatery with a friendly neighborhood vibe
400 Gradi, the upscale Italian restaurant with Neapolitan pizza

Phase One of District 121, which will open this spring, will include Kaizen's office building with an 800-space parking garage. The first restaurants will open in spring 2023.

District 121 sits on 17.85 acres adjacent to Craig Ranch and is anchored by Kaizen Development’s 200,000 square-foot, Class A, eight-story office tower, which recently topped out.

The retail/corporate/restaurant development also includes 520,000 square feet of office, along with other uses such as a hotel. District 121 focuses on corporate headquarters and daytime employment. There's no residential component; according to the release, there's an unprecedented 6,500 residents living within a two-block radius.

How about some quotes.

"It is exciting to see the vision of District 121 coming to fruition," says David Craig, Chairman and CEO of Craig International, whose subsidiary, District 121 Retail, LLC , is developing the project along with Craig International's Miles Prestemon. "We are creating a unique ambiance that includes some of the most successful restaurants in the metroplex overlooking a magnificent park. It would not have happened if the City of McKinney did not share in this same vision. The City, along with the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) all played significant roles in making District 121 become a reality."

Bob's Steak & Chop House founder Bob Sambol says he's excited about being one of the first restaurants at District 121, and takes a delicious shot against chicken.

"Our restaurant has become part of the community and where people have dined and celebrated all their special occasions since 1993," Sambol says. "When it’s time to gather and celebrate you don’t say 'Let’s go out and have some chicken.' You go to Bob’s and have a great steak. Our District 121 location will look and feel like the original location on Lemmon Avenue and it will have the added attraction of a Cigar Lounge."

M Crowd Restaurant Group president/CEO Edgar Guevara says this will be the 23rd Mi Cocina. God bless him, he also mentions the Mambo Taxi.

Guests will enjoy Mi Cocina favorites like enchiladas, fajitas and of course, the legendary Mambo Taxi in the uniquely-designed restaurant," Guevara says. "This newest location will also feature an upscale, elevated bar on the second floor for adults to enjoy margaritas and cocktails, while overlooking the District 121 Park and Stage below."

Thomas Glendenning, partner with SHOP Companies, and the genius who is leasing these retail and restaurant spaces along with fellow SHOPper Landry Kemp, says more tenants are on the way.

"I’ve never been part of a more successful pre-leasing activity than what I’ve witnessed in District 121," Glendenning says. "We've had an overwhelming response to this project and expect to announce more tenants soon."

"These first restaurant tenants have set the stage for District 121 to be the new 'it' place to be in DFW," says Michael Jones, Senior VP at Texas Bank and Trust, which is the loan originator for the project. "The combination of restaurant favorites and new eateries will give this destination an unmatched energy and liveliness once it's complete."

openings

Global tastes

New botanería pairs drinks with free bites near Dallas Farmers Market

Chef Karla Soria Palomino's menu delivers authentic Mexican flavors and bold heat.

Photo credit: Paul Torres.

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There is a novel concept open in the Dallas Farmers Market district: Called Sor Juana, it's a botanería inspired by traditional Mexican establishments where drinks are served alongside complimentary snacks and bar bites.

Located at 1908 Canton St., the space provides an immersion into Mexican culture through its food, beverages, decor, and overall atmosphere.

Sor Juana comes from Alexandra Hernández and Karla Soria Palomino. Hernández brings a background in front-of-house hospitality, theatre, and events while Soria Palomino contributes extensive kitchen experience from restaurants across Mexico and Dallas.

The inspiration behind the name and concept comes from 17th-century nun and scholar Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Recognized as the "First Feminist of the Americas," she was a literary trailblazer who learned to read and write during an era when women were denied an education. Considered one of the greatest poets of the Baroque period in what is now Mexico, Sor Juana defied societal norms, stood up to the male-dominated clergy, and excelled in science, mathematics, music, and culinary arts.

“We wanted to pick a strong woman from Mexico as the emblematic figure of our botanería — traditionally run and frequented only by men,” Hernández says. “With our women-run botanería, which is a unique concept for Dallas, we are creating a space for everyone.”

The frame for their idea is a landmark Dallas building originally constructed over a century ago for the Desco Tile Company. Designed in a Venetian Gothic style with exterior arches and columns, the interior features original chandeliers alongside decorative, colorful tilework — including a wall fountain, a fireplace, and terrazzo floors — all preserved intact for Sor Juana, with a few new tile accents added to the bathrooms and bar backdrop.

Historic Dallas architecture meets traditional Mexican hospitality at Sor Juana.Photo credit: Paul Torres

“We tried to respect the architecture of the building by adjusting our concept to the space, rather than forcing the space to adjust to us,” Hernández says.

The duo worked with interior designer Callie Windle on the details, sourcing decorative pieces from artists both in Mexico and locally (many of which are available for purchase).

The 90-seat venue features comfortable seating centered around a dynamic bar program managed by Saúl Hernández (previously of Midnight Rambler, La Viuda Negra, and Las Almas Rotas).

True to the hospitality spirit of a traditional botanería, patrons receive a complimentary botana (bar bite) with every drink purchase. While the offerings rotate regularly to maintain an element of surprise, options range from spiced nuts, fresh fruit, and popcorn to more substantial plates like tacos and caldo de camarón.

The creative cocktail menu ranges from $12 to $16, anchored by their signature “La Nueva Sangre” — an orange blossom gin cocktail balanced with beet juice, lemon, passion fruit, and lavender bitters. Hernández notes the drink is “as complex and interesting, with a little bit of everything, just as Sor Juana was.”

The bar also pours Mexican imports alongside local favorites Shiner and Michelob for $7, wines, and zero-proof options including non-alcoholic champagne.

Happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm, featuring $6 beers, $8 wines, and $8 cocktails infused with house-made Mexican chili oil macha sauce.

Beyond the complimentary botanas, the venue offers a full food menu designed by Chef Soria Palomino. It comes with a playful warning: “Expect bold flavors and a little heat — that’s what the cerveza is for.” Signature items include ceviche, mezcal-glazed wings, tacos, and tostadas, all centered on authentic Mexican flavor profiles.

For dessert, they feature a ganzote crafted by Diana Zamora of Nena Postrería, inspired by the classic packaged Gansito sponge cake.

Community events play a major role in the space, including lotería nights, "Bring Your Own Vinyl" Sundays, and rotating local DJs every other Friday. The team is actively taking community feedback to build out future programming, including upcoming collaborative dinner series.

“Events are a way to build community and bring people together,” Hernández says. “When we started crafting this concept, we looked at every detail — from the playlist to the food and cocktails, as we wanted a total experience where every element comes together and complements the rest.”

Sor Juana is open 2-10 pm Wednesday-Thursday 12 pm-12 pm Friday-Saturday, 12-10 pm Sunday. Metered street parking is enforced until 6 pm, with free parking available afterward.