Hot Dog News

Hot dogs are in the haus with restaurant opening in Dallas suburb

Gourmet hot dogs are on the way.

Photo courtesy of Dog Haus

Hot dogs are coming soon, as in this summer, when Dallas-Fort Worth sees the debut of Dog Haus, the California gourmet hot dog chain that will open its first branch in Richardson. It's going into the same complex as New York import Halal Guys and Wokk Asian Cookhouse.

Dallas franchisee Ron Ryan, a veteran restaurateur and former Brinker executive, confirms that the restaurant will open in July.

Dog Haus debuted in Pasadena, California, in 2010. It has expanded to other cities, including Las Vegas and Denver. In addition to hot dogs, it also offers burgers, both served on a unique bread: King's Hawaiian rolls.

Hot dogs come nestled in a grilled bun that is actually composed of three pull-apart Hawaiian rolls, still loosely attached. The burger comes on a square made of four rolls. Aside from the novelty, the rolls also provide an intriguing juxtaposition of sweet and savory.

The menu includes jumbo hot dogs, veggie dogs, and two vegan sausages, plus beer and margaritas. More than 40 toppings include some you might not expect on a hot dog, such as arugula. One hot dog is a spicy Thai red curry wurst with peanut sauce and Asian slaw. Another is a smoked bacon-wrapped dog with onions, jalapeños, chipotle aioli, and coteja cheese.

In addition to all-beef skinless hot dogs and sausages, they also offer Black Angus burgers.

Ryan initially targeted Dallas, in the space on Lemmon Avenue that was previously Top Cat, as the chain's local debut, but the date on that location is still TBD.

openings burgers

RIP Al

Beloved Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat dies at 69 after ALS battle

Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat, RIP

Beloved Dallas restaurateur Al Biernat, founder of the acclaimed local steakhouse Al Biernat's, passed away on November 13, following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease; he was 69.

Biernat was one of Dallas' all-time great hospitality figures, dating back to his days at The Palm steakhouse, for whom he worked in Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas.

Biernat founded his namesake restaurant in 1998 on Oak Lawn Avenue, where his standard of excellence and doting charm made it a destination for special occasions, Park Cities swells, and celebrities in town.

His sense of hospitality had little competition in Dallas. He was a charming and personable host who genuinely liked people, and it didn't matter whether you were Conan O'Brien, David Crosby, or one of the other high-profile diners that visited his restaurants — or else just a regular schlub: He had a knack for making everyone feel special and remembered.

Biernat was born on August 20, 1955 and grew up in Michigan, then lived in Colorado, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston, before moving to Dallas to work at The Palm in the West End, where his dynamic presence gave the restaurant an incomparable vitality; it closed in 2017.

He opened Al Biernat's at 4217 Oak Lawn Ave. in 1998, followed by a second location in North Dallas at 5251 Spring Valley Rd. in 2017.

He began to experience ALS symptoms in May 2023, was diagnosed in December, and revealed his condition in February 2024. The revelation was met with an outpouring of sympathy and well wishes from the hospitality industry — a sign of the high regard in which he was held.

The average life expectancy for people with ALS is two to five years after diagnosis. Symptoms can begin in the muscles that control speech and swallowing, or in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. He began to have difficulty communicating in September, and spent his last days in a hospice.

On September 18, he broached the topic of dying, before ending on a note of gratitude to friends and family.

"Having Bulbar ALS I am realistic about my future," he said. "Friends and family have asked me if I’m afraid of dying, and this is what I say to them. Because of the salvation of Jesus, I will be rejoicing in my spirit to see him in all of his glory. Since we are all flesh, soul, and spirit, only my flesh is being left behind. But don’t get me wrong, I have a blessed life in this world, with a loving wife, and a beautiful family and many wonderful and caring friends. I am grateful!"

Both Al Biernat's locations will continue to remain open under the management of Biernat's nephew Brad Fuller, as they have for nearly the past two years.

Biernat is survived by Fuller, as well as his wife Jeannie and three daughters: Angelica Saylor, Kaitlin Biernat Connell, and Jess Biernat and grandchildren. According to family members, details regarding a celebration of his life will be announced soon.

deaths