Taco News

Velvet Taco finds perfect home in Uptown Dallas taqueria location

Urban out, Velvet in.

Photo courtesy of Velvet Taco

There's a major taco hand-off happening in Uptown Dallas, as one gourmet taqueria leaves to be replaced by another: Dallas taqueria chain Velvet Taco will open a new location at 3411 McKinney Ave. in late summer 2018.

That's currently a location of Urban Taco, which has been at that address for nine years. It will close on March 31, following dinner service.

Founder Markus Pineyro says in a release that his restaurant has outgrown the location, and he chose to not renew the lease.

"We've been discussing moving the Uptown restaurant to a location that is better suited for our clientele," Pineyro says.

Del Sur Restaurant Group, which is Urban Taco's parent organization, intends to use its Mockingbird Station location, which was revamped in 2017, as the platform and model for all future Urban Taco branded restaurants.

"We are very much alive and well at the Mockingbird Station restaurant," Pineyro says. "We look forward to taking the newly designed and branded concept to other areas. Uptown is no longer in our business plan but we know Velvet Taco will do very well there."

Velvet Taco president Clay Dover reciprocates with nice comments about Urban Taco, as well.

"We appreciate the support of the Urban Taco team in this transition and we have already begun plans for the new location on McKinney Avenue," Dover says. "We are excited to continue our strategic growth in Dallas and to provide Uptown patrons with Velvet Taco and look forward to the continued success of Urban Taco at Mockingbird Station and their new planned areas of growth."

Unfortunately for gourmet taco fans along this strip of McKinney Avenue, it's going to be a long, dry summer.

"We want to provide guests the complete Velvet Taco experience and that includes remodeling," Dover says. "We anticipate a late summer to early fall opening."

Velvet Taco is in expansion mode, with the most recent addition being a location coming to the intersection of Preston Road and Forest Lane, with an opening penciled in for July. Velvet Taco opened its first location on Henderson Avenue in 2011.

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Pie News

White Rhino Coffee acquires Dallas bakery chain Emporium Pies

Photo courtesy of Emporium Pies

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A Dallas pie company has a new boss: Emporium Pies, a small chain of pie shops founded in 2012, has been acquired by White Rhino Coffee, the Dallas-born coffee company known for its community-driven cafés and craft-focused approach.

Emporium Pie owners and sisters Landon Perdue, Jen Abohosh, and Addie Roberts say in a release that the transition reflects a natural alignment in values.

"Part of our shared mission is hospitality and giving people a reason to celebrate," Roberts says. "We love the team, who I’ll continue working alongside, and I’m excited for this next chapter together. There’s something about dessert that brings people joy in a way nothing else can, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward."

Emporium began as a small operation selling pies from a 1930s bungalow in Bishop Arts. A second location opened in McKinney in 2013, followed by Deep Ellum which opened in 2016, and Fort Worth which opened in 2021, for a total of four shops. This is the second time the chain has changed hands; the original founders sold the company in 2022.

White Rhino was founded in 2007 and currently has 12 locations, the most recent being a location at Cypress Waters, inside a conference room, which opened in 2025.

“Emporium Pies has built an extraordinary legacy,” said Sara Escamilla, CEO of White Rhino Coffee. “Their products are consistently excellent, impeccably crafted, and beloved. Every pie is made with the highest quality ingredients. To be able to support and grow a concept of this caliber is an honor.”

The bakers and Addie Roberts will remain on staff, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged. While the businesses will operate as usual for now, White Rhino Coffee plans to explore expanding Emporium Pies’ footprint across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

They'll also introduce collaborations and menu integrations such as signature pie-and-coffee pairings.

“For now, it simply means coffee and pie - two of life’s best comforts - can be enjoyed across both brands,” Escamilla says.

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