Farmers Market News

Dallas Farmers Market ushers in trendy new food hall

Big doings start May 6 at the Dallas Farmers Market.

The Dallas Farmers Market is taking a big step on May 6 with the grand opening of The Market, which is being dubbed a "food hall." Formerly known as Shed 2, The Market is a fully renovated indoor space featuring local merchants, artisanal food vendors, and restaurants.

Friday’s celebration kicks off at 2:30 pm with an appearance by Mayor Mike Rawlings and continues into the afternoon with speakers, live music, vendor samples, prizes, and giveaways.

The Market follows the 2014 opening of The Shed, now dedicated to local farmers, and the January 2016 opening of Mudhen, the freestanding restaurant and beer garden from restaurateur Shannon Wynne. Mudhen chef Suki Otsuki's healthful menu highlights fresh, local ingredients from the city and The Shed — exactly the kind of relationship envisioned by operations director Amanda Vanhoozier.

"Our ultimate vision is for The Market and The Shed to have a symbiotic relationship in which The Market's restaurants and food vendors source local produce and artisanal ingredients from farmers in The Shed, much like Mudhen does currently," she says.

Tenant selection was overseen by Jack Gosnell and Sasha Levine of Dallas-based commercial real estate firm CBRE. DF Market Holdings LLC is leading the redevelopment and revitalization efforts.

The Market’s current 21 restaurants, food vendors, and merchants include:

Abundantly Aromatic: Bath and body soaps, sprays, scrubs, and candles.
Betty’s Blue Ribbon Fare: State Fair of Texas-winning jams, preserves, and marmalades.
Bullzerk: Quirky Dallas-themed apparel, posters, art, and gifts, expanding from first location on Lower Greenville.
Cajun Tailgators: Crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, gumbo, and red beans and rice.
Caribbean Cabana: Cuisine from different islands in the Caribbean.
Chelles Macarons: French macarons in assorted flavors.
Dallas Antique Company: One-of-a-kind antiques, vintage items, and reproductions from European markets.
Doc Popcorn: National concept offers more than a dozen flavors of popcorn, kettle corn, and caramel corn using non-GMO corn and 100 percent corn oil.
El Mero Mero Tamalero (formerly La Popular): Tamale house with breakfast tacos and other Mexican favorites.
Laili: Fast-casual Asian and Mediterranean fare inspired by flavors from the Silk Road.
Lone Chimney Mercantile (formerly Pop-Up 214): Texas-inspired photography, wooden wall art, handmade jewelry, and furniture.
Market Provisions Co.: Organic produce and artisanal goods not available at The Shed or only available on weekends from pop-up vendors as well as standard commodity items for nearby neighbors.
Nammi/Coolhaus: Vietnamese fusion fare and gourmet ice cream sandwiches.
Palmieri Cafe: Italian coffee shop with sweet and savory pastries, gelato, and Italian coffees.
Rex’s Seafood at The Market: Fresh seafood, shellfish, oysters, and more for dining in, and a market selling fresh fish and seafood to take home.
San Miguel Exporta: Mexican imports including tapestries, pottery, and gift items from San Miguel de Allende.
Scardello Artisan Cheese: Cheese shop focused on local, handcrafted cheeses and tasty accompaniments.
Si Tapas: Hot and cold tapas, Spanish cheese plates, cured meats, soups, and paellas.
Stocks & Bondy: Fresh stocks and signature sauces for home cooks, chefs, and caterers, as well as a seasonal menu featuring gourmet soups for diners.
Taqueria La Ventana: Gourmet tacos, burritos, salads, churros, beers, and margaritas.

Five more tenants are expected to open this summer:

920 Bakery: Breads, pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches and salads.
BellaTrino Neapolitan Pizzeria & Cucina: Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian dishes.
Chombos: Southern comfort food.
Noble Rey Brewing Co.: Taproom from local craft brewer, expanding from its Design District location.
Sno: Gourmet shaved ice.

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Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings