Coronavirus News

Cafe Express closes last Dallas location and exits market for now

Cafe Express is known for its upscale, fresh fare.

Photo courtesy of Cafe Express

In unfortunate news for Dallas diners, Cafe Express, the innovative chain founded in Houston in 1984, has closed its final restaurant in North Texas, representing a departure from the market after more than 25 years.

The restaurant was located in the Park Cities at 5600 Lovers Ln., by Inwood Village. It had initially closed due to the virus, but a marketing director for Cafe Express said that they decided to make it a permanent thing and will refocus all of their efforts on their Houston operation.

"Unfortunately, we recently decided to close our Lovers location after temporarily closing due to Covid-19," she said. "We operate five Houston restaurants and are actively working on a new Cafe Express remodel prototype in Houston. We plan to expand to 25 location in 10 years but are focusing on our core Houston market, where we were founded 35 years ago."

The company was founded by Houston chef Robert del Grande and restaurateur (and CultureMap co-founder) Lonnie Schiller, and was an early fast-casual concept at a time when fast-casual was still new. Over the years, it changed hands more than once including 2004 when Wendy's acquired the concept. Current owner M. Terry Enterprises took it over in 2016.

The Lovers Lane closure followed the closure of two other locations that were a major part of their neighborhoods: at Mockingbird Station, which closed in September 2018 after nearly 20 years; and the flagship on McKinney Avenue which had been a forever staple on the Uptown Dallas scene, with its expansive dining room, easygoing atmosphere, and sunny patio facing the street.

The Uptown location experienced upheaval after being forced to close in 2015 to make way for M Line Tower, the 20-story residential tower. It re-opened in January 2018 with an expensive makeover, then closed in less than a year.

With its modern atmosphere and easygoing attitude, Cafe Express was a trailblazer when it debuted. The menu boasted a decidedly gourmet touch, with expensive ingredients like pistachios sprinkled over the chef's salad, and a serve-yourself condiments bar where you could get unlimited quantities of top-quality items like roasted whole garlic and Kalamata olives.

They helped set the stage for the ensuing proliferation of concepts like Mixt, Cava, Original ChopShop, Modern Market, and even Panera. These days there is no shortage of healthy-leaning fast-casual restaurants serving fresh salads, sandwiches, and inexpensive casual food.

But loyalists should not put out the Cafe Express flame. According to the spokesperson, "We plan to be back in Dallas in the future with a new Cafe Express experience."

closings

Henderson Avenue News

Dallas bar High Fives will close on Henderson Avenue after 10 years

High Fives/Facebook

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A nightlife staple on Dallas' Henderson Avenue is closing: High Fives, the bar located at 1804 McMillan Ave., will close in early January, after more than 10 years.

According to a release, the actual closing date will be tied to the Texas Tech Red Raiders' game schedule in January.

"To all our neighbors, the Red Raider faithful, and everyone who has made High Fives their home—we are saying goodbye by raising our hands high for one last High Five," says owner Phil Schanbaum. "This establishment was built on community, spirited rivalry, and countless memories. We are deeply thankful to every single patron and, especially, to all of our incredible staff who were the heart and soul of this place."

High Fives opened in mid-2015, part of the portfolio of This & That Hospitality, the company Schanbaum founded with partner Brandon Hays, next door to its sibling bar The Whippersnapper (which was rebranded into a concept called Boogies in October 2025.)

Schanbaum says that they're unsure of what will go in the High Fives space after it closes — but that the closure "paves the way for the ongoing evolution of Henderson Avenue."

The property is owned by Acadia Realty, the New York-based company that is partnered with Dallas development firm Ignite-Rebees on a 161,000-square-foot, creative, mixed-use development currently underway on Henderson Avenue between Glencoe Street and McMillan Avenue at the eastern end of Henderson Avenue.

High Fives' closure is part of that plan to transform the quarter-mile stretch into a walkable destination featuring restaurants, retail, and office space.

"To Henderson Avenue, we look forward to further expansion and to making this street even better. We are excited for the neighborhood's renaissance, which will bring new experiences, retail, and dining concepts to the area," Schanbaum says.

Moving target
The actual closing date will depend on the outcome of the season for Texas Tech's football team the Red Raiders.

"The final chapter for High Fives will be written alongside the almighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. The bar's ultimate closure is tied directly to the team's success," the release says.

The next game day is on January 1, when doors open at 10 am.

If the Red Raiders advance past the game on January 1, High Fives will remain open for subsequent Texas Tech game days until the team's run ends. Meanwhile hours in December will be Thursdays & Fridays from 8 pm-2 am, and Saturdays: from 2 pm– 2 am.