No Passport Needed

Dallas Farmers Market conveniently gathers exotic eats in one place

The opening of Indian restaurant 8 Cloves reinforces what devoted diners have always known about the Dallas Farmers Market: you can sample everything the world has to offer, all in one place.

The newest addition to the foodie wonderland inside The Market comes from one of the chefs behind Laili, Afifa Nayeb. She's put her own creative twist on the Indian spice world, developing recipes with spices from north and south India.

Traditional korma, tikka, biryani, and curry dishes populate the menu, but with thali platters (a sampling of several different meals), a lamb boti skillet (tender lamb pieces marinated in ginger and caramelized onions with a light curry yogurt), and salads (one has diced fresh vegetables and feta with dried mint in a lime vinaigrette) furthering the offerings. There's even brunch, with a spicy take on omelets and a "chef's specialty" roasted tomato and egg sandwich. Desserts run the gamut from a tres leches cheesecake to kheer rice pudding and mango crème brûlée.

8 Cloves joins an array of Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Cajun, Caribbean, Mexican, Italian, and regional favorites, all in The Market.

Chef Afifa's Laili is known for its dumplings and turnovers, cooked with spices and flavors from regions along the Silk Road trade routes.

BellaTrino’s Neapolitan Pizzeria at the Market boasts Italian sandwiches, pastas, and salads in addition to its delicious pizzas. Palmieri Cafe brings a Southern Italian flair to its coffee and baked goods, while Chelles Macarons offers a literal rainbow of choices for the delicate French dessert.

Enjoy a taste of island paradise at Caribbean Cabana, or explore Vietnamese fusion at Nammi Truck. Rex's Seafood and Market has some of the freshest ocean fare you'll find in Dallas, with Cajun Tailgators serving up a different sort of aquatic resident: fried gator.

People make pilgrimages for El Mero Mero's tamales and Taqueria La Ventana handmade Mexican street tacos, but there are also gourmet tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, elotes, and churros, not to mention the all-important beers and margaritas. And for more beer, Noble Rey Brewing Co. has got you covered.

On the weekends, the international options expand even further in The Shed.

You could get a taste of traditional Asian flavors at Wu Dujour, or munch on Cuban favorites at Mi Habana. Proper Baking Company makes traditional British foods from scratch, while Brother Products brings light Mediterranean flair with fresh hummus, pita chips, and an array of vegan and vegetarian products.

And because vendors at The Shed are continually rotating, there's always a chance that you'll uncover more new and interesting flavors with each visit.

8 Cloves is the latest addition to The Market.

Photo by Ashley Tobar

8 Cloves is the latest addition to The Market.

WHATANEWS

Whataburger revives iconic A-frame design at new Texas restaurants

Rendering courtesy of Whataburger

Whataburger's "Legacy" restaurant design brings back the iconic A-frame.

Aiming for a modern-yet-retro look, Whataburger is reviving its iconic A-frame. Sort of.

The Texas burger chain is introducing two new prototype store designs, each of which is “grounded in the brand’s heritage but built for how [customers] experience Whataburger today,” the company says. The designs will be incorporated into newly built locations.

One of the prototypes, called The Legacy, reintroduces the classic A-frame shape, but with a modern twist, on the exterior of a 3,000-square-foot store and enlarges the dining room, the company says. The new A-frame treatment maintains “the unmistakable Whataburger look with bold architectural updates,” says the burger chain, but it takes up far less space than the original version.

The other prototype, called The Essential, leans into the iconic orange-and-white striped scheme on the exterior of a 2,000-square-foot restaurant.

The Essential design features the iconic orange-and-white striped scheme.Rendering courtesy of Whataburger

In 2020, Whataburger debuted its first refreshed store in South San Antonio, de-emphasizing the familiar A-frame, adding more glass around the front of the building, updating the décor, and retooling the kitchen. In the six years since, most of Whataburger’s original A-frame-adorned “flying W” stores have switched to new formats, and all newly built locations have incorporated modern designs.

Among other changes coming to new Whataburger restaurants are:

Warmer spaces featuring natural wood tones, more glass, and modern materials to “create a more open, welcoming environment.”
Updated layouts with flexible seating and dedicated areas for mobile orders and third-party order pickups.

“The result is a space that feels like Whataburger from the moment you pull in, with a few thoughtful updates to make every visit even better. It’s all about honoring the brand’s roots while making room for what’s next,” the company says.

The new prototypes will debut in Texas and then be rolled out in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Construction is set to start later this year, and store openings are expected in early 2027.

Whataburger, founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, operates more than 1,100 restaurants in 17 states, with the bulk of them in Texas.

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