Coronavirus News
These Dallas-area restaurants have shuttered in the wake of coronavirus
Fallout from the coronavirus pandemic continues, with another round of Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants closing down for good.
While many restaurants are making do with curbside and takeout, and others are opening under new reduced capacity guidelines from the state of Texas, more than a few are calling it quits.
Here's the latest bummer crop of closures:
Chicken Scratch/The Foundry
Joint restaurant-and-outdoor bar in West Dallas has closed, after nearly a decade. Owner Christopher Zielke said that the dual concepts would not be able to survive without the business they draw during the spring season, and that the space would be taken by another operator.
Chicken Scratch and the Foundry were pioneers in West Dallas, and pioneers in fried chicken, which went on to become a huge trend. Among the many notable moments: When Democratic Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg showed up there on March 3 and endorsed Joe Biden — earning it a mention on the Rachel Maddow show.
Da Mario
Upscale Italian restaurant at The Star in Frisco has closed. In a statement, the restaurant said that "Da Mario and its international family of restaurants have made the difficult decision to permanently close our doors at The Star in Frisco. We thank our loyal guests and friends for your patronage, and offer heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful team of talented and dedicated employees. We wish each of you good health and lasting happiness until we meet again. Ciao!"
Da Mario was a sibling to Zaytinya, which closed at The Star in November 2019.
Digg's Tacos
This taco concept featuring brisket tacos was founded by two members of the Cousin's BBQ chain, and had two locations: the original at 6309 Hillcrest Ave. in University Park, and a second in Lakewood. While the owners were unavailable for comment, the Park Cities location has been emptied, and there are "for lease" signs in the windows. The phone numbers at both locations have been disconnected. And the website has been taken down.
Eastside Social
Greenville Avenue bar with fried chicken and foosball was always challenged, and the coronavirus dealt it a final blow. It was the third concept from Laurel Concepts, a California-based company that also opened Laurel Tavern and Wah Wah Room, a retro-styled bar, all three along the same block, all three shuttered after coronavirus broke. The Eastside Social space was cleared out in April and the phone has since been disconnected.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar at Southlake Town Square, in Southlake
Austin-based burger chain has done what it says is unprecedented and closed a location, namely in Southlake. In a statement, the restaurant said, "We are bummed to share we've made the tough decision to permanently close our home in Southlake, something we've never done before. This was one of the most difficult decisions we've ever had to make, but we do it with hope to strengthen our ability to navigate forward after COVID-19. We look forward to continuing to serve burger lovers and our hard-working team at our remaining locations." Those remaining locations in Uptown, Preston Center, Addison, Fort Worth, and Euless are all still open.
Boi Na Braza at Toyota Music Factory
The Las Colinas location of this locally-owned Brazilian steakhouse has closed after two years. The location first opened in January 2018, then closed during the coronavirus shutdown, and evetually opted not to reopen. Another Brazilian steakhouse called Blaze Brazilian Steakhouse will take its place with an opening on May 22.
Meanwhile, the original Boi Na Braza location in Grapevine, which has been open for 20 years, is updating the Brazilian steakhouse experience by eliminating the salad bar and switching over to an a la carte style for salads and sides, delivered fresh from the kitchen.
Ross & Hall Kitchen & Beer Garten
Plucky bar on Ross Avenue called it quits, stating, "After much thought and deliberation we have decided to close down for good." The bar thanked its staff, regulars, friends, and customers. "This business is a weird one but every now and again you come across a place that is almost an instant family and that’s what this was for us! All different walks of life could come together on the daily and create such a cool atmosphere that we are so deeply gonna miss!"
Tomo Sushi
Doting little sushi restaurant in Frisco was the highly personal statement from owner Chih Liang, with only six tables and three stools at the sushi bar. Their original plan was to close temporarily in the hopes of reopening in April. But by the end of April, their signage had been removed and their phone number disconnected.
YaYa Best Tex Mex Yogurt
The Bishop Arts specialty self-service yogurt shop that served Tex-Mex inspired yogurts with various toppings has closed. Founder Ralph Isenberg, who was recently hospitalized with diabetes, says that, "given my age and and underlying medical conditions, I just do not feel safe opening back up." Isenberg says he'd like to find a buyer for the shop and pass on his unique recipes, and is appreciative of his landlord, the Jim Lake Company, for working with him during these difficult times.
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See also:
Dallas institution Highland Park Cafeteria closes due to coronavirus
Wolfgang Puck restaurant at Dallas' Reunion Tower gone for good
Second wave of COVID-19 openings and closings crosses Dallas restaurants
During coronavirus, some Dallas restaurants gotta win, some gotta lose