This Week in Gluttony

These are the 9 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

The week's events include a margarita festival.

Courtesy of H-Town Restaurant Group

What a festive week it is in Dallas dining, with anniversary parties, grand openings, and one event that is a little of both. There's also corny dogs, margaritas, and yummy salads. Salads can be festive, too.

Here's the best food and dining events in Dallas this week:

Tuesday June 22

Grand Opening of Haywire Uptown
Haywire is celebrating the grand opening of its Uptown location with a patio party featuring complimentary Balcones whiskey tastings, appetizers, live music, and hand-rolled cigars for purchase. 4-7 p.m. Bites, whiskey, and cigar stations are available from 4-6 pm. wth live music until 7 pm. They recommend coming early due to limited capacity.

Wednesday June 23

Norma's Cafe Anniversary Celebration
Iconic dining institution founded in 1956 with five area locations celebrates its 65th anniversary on June 23 with throwback prices on three of its famous Blue Plate Specials. Dine-in guests can order Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken & Dressing, or Meatloaf, including mashed potatoes and green beans, for $1.79, while supplies last. "Norma's has been serving up fresh, homemade favorites to its hometown fans for 65 years, and we want to thank our guests by offering old-time pricing for the day on some of our most popular dishes," says Ed Murph. It's dine-in only, 7 am-8 pm, and there are no tickets or reservations. Don't forget to tip your server! A portion of sales will go to the Birthday Party Project, which hosts birthday celebrations for homeless children.

Thursday June 24

White Rock Coffee: Sweet 16 Anniversary Party
Dallas coffee roaster and coffee shop mini-chain throws a dual celebration that marks both its 16th anniversary as well as the opening of its newest shop White Rock Coffee Preston Center, at 8333 Douglas Ave., on the lobby level of an office building. At this event, they'll host baristas from around Dallas-Fort Worth for a Latte Art throwdown, plus sensory competition, live music, handmade treats from their bakery, and raffle prizes. It goes from 7-10 pm, and it's a free event that's open to all.

Friday, June 25

Salad and Go Dallas Grand Opening
Popular healthy chain Salad and Go will host a grand opening event at its new location in Dallas at 5101 Ross Ave. on Friday, with giveaways for the first 100 guests, complimentary breakfast burrito vouchers for a future visit, and a social media contest where one winner will win Salad and Go for a year (a $350 value) and five winners will receive $20 gift cards. It begins when they open at 6:30 am.

Fletcher's Corny Dogs at Chuckwagon Park
Corny dog kings will be at Chuckwagon Park, a new food truck park at 1716 N. Hall St. in Old East Dallas on Friday from 5-9 pm. There'll be live music by Justin Tipton and Fletcher's will have its mobile trailer onsite serving Corny Dogs, Funnel Cakes, Curly Fries, and more.

Grand Opening of The Exchange in the AT&T Discovery District
The Exchange in the AT&T Discovery District will hold their Grand Opening celebrations from June 25-27. It will include three days of live music, DJs, entertainment, experiential performances, 16 culinary experiences, and immersive light shows, starting after 5 pm on Friday and throughout the weekend. Parking is available in 1212 Jackson St. in the AT&T Parking Garage. After 5 pm on Friday-Saturday, valet will available at 208 S. Akard St. Both parking garage and valet are complimentary with validation, please tip valet accordingly. Details are on the website at theexchangehall.com/grand-opening.

Saturday June 26

Dallas Margarita Festival at Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ
Sample the best margaritas in Dallas and vote for your favorite. Sample 10+ two-ounce samples of margaritas from Dallas bars and restaurants. Ticket gets you a sampling card and voting chip. Drop your chip in your favorite margarita's voting jar. The most chips will be crowned Best Margarita in Dallas. Winner gets $1000. Food from Best Damn BBQ in Dallas, street tacos, and food trucks on-site, plus frozen drinks, beer garden, and 50-foot Ferris wheel. 12-6 pm. Tickets $5-$40.

Garland Food Fest at Revolving Kitchen
Come shop small, eat local, and support 20-plus Garland-based restaurants, food trucks, and businesses at the inaugural Garland Food Fest. Admission is free and so is parking. Garland Food Fest is brought to you Revolving Kitchen + Garland Foodies with the support of Visit Garland. Special thanks to Ben E. Keith, Sysco & Intrinsic Brewing. Donations accepted for water and drinks through Revolving Kitchen will benefit Good Samaritans of Garland. 12-5 pm.

DFW Myanmar Food Fair
This is the second food fair from the DFW Myanmar Ethnic community, taking place at Dallas Chin Baptist Church, 9850 Walnut St., Dallas. They'll have more than 30 foods/drink items including fried spring rolls, seafood fried rice, steamed clams with lemongrass, chicken biryani, fish cake curry, papaya salad, and wrapped sticky rice. The DFW Myanmar Ethnic community raises awareness about what is happening in Myanmar and the Burmese community in DFW. It runs from 4-7 pm and tickets can be purchased at Papawady Store, 11277 Northwest Hwy in Dallas; Papawady Asian Mart, 1161 E Seminary Dr #2831 in Fort Worth; Inlay Mart, 5332 Trail Lake Dr, Fort Worth.

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a family friendly destination

Family-owned whiskey distillery opening in the Texas Hill Country

Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling Co. will open its doors on October 17.

A new family-owned distillery is joining the vast landscape of breweries, wineries, and other spirit-makers in the Texas Hill Country. Briggs Distilling Co. will start serving cocktails, mocktails, and more at its spacious facility at 121 Brownson Ln. in Driftwood on Saturday, October 17.

The 9,000-square-foot distillery is owned and operated by the Briggs family. It was founded by R.S. Briggs with longtime family friend Davis Tucker serving as its president. Master distiller Colton Weinstein is in charge of production and distilling operations.

The distillery has developed three expressions for whiskey drinkers to try neat or in a cocktail. Each is made with Texas rainwater and bottled on-site. From a press release, look out for the following flavor profiles:

Straight Rye Whiskey: spice and bright herbs with lingering sherry notes to finish
Heritage Reserve Bourbon: caramel, candy, and leather notes with hints of spice and cherry and a medium finish
Wheated Bourbon: described as "sweet and fruity, with tobacco notes that coat the mouth and a medium-short finish"

Briggs Distilling Co. whiskey and bourbon products Patrons can buy a bottle of Briggs whiskey or bourbon on-site to take home. Photo by Hayden Walker

The spirits will be available to try in individual tastings ($10 each) and flights ($15), as well as draft, frozen, and house cocktails priced from $10-$14 each.

Briggs Distilling will also serve mocktails, a frozen Texas Two-Step (lime, orange, and house cane syrup with a choice of strawberry, mango, coconut, or passion fruit), and other non-alcoholic options like soda, ginger beer, and coffee from neighboring Driftwood café Sonder Coffee Lounge.

Beyond the whiskey-making operations and the tasting room, the property will feature a treehouse-inspired children's area, family- and dog-friendly amenities, and an on-site food truck. Live music from local musicians will also be a regular occurrence on Fridays and Saturdays.

Above all, the Hill Country distillery is envisioned as a "community gathering place" that aims to make all visitors feel at home.

"For generations, this part of Texas has brought people together around good food and conversation under wide-open skies," R.S. Briggs said in the release. "We wanted Briggs Distilling to carry that spirit forward while adding one crucial component: good whiskey."

Briggs Distilling Co. interior The distillery was designed by Texas-based M. Elliott Studio with contemporary furniture that visitors can rearrange as they see fit for their gatherings.Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling will host community events throughout the year, engage in sustainability initiatives such as recycling bottles through local businesses, and pursue additional giveback opportunities to demonstrate a commitment to the Hill Country area.

Bailey Briggs, R.S.'s daughter and vice president of marketing, said the land the distillery stands on has been in their family for generations, and their "family-first philosophy" is the heart of their business.

"Briggs Distilling was born from family and built for families," Bailey said in a release. "For more than twenty years, our family has called the Texas Hill Country home, spending holidays, birthdays, and long summer days on the river together. Those memories shaped our lives and inspired us to create a place where other families could make their own."

Following the grand opening on October 17, Briggs Distilling Co. will be open from 4-10 pm Wednesdays through Thursdays, 11 am-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 am-7 pm Sundays. Happy hour will run from 3-6 pm Wednesdays through Fridays. Kid-friendly specials will also be offered on Sundays.

Photo by Hayden Walker

Briggs Distilling Co. will open its doors on October 17.

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