More Thai Food

Uptown Dallas Thai restaurant curries new location in the great north

Crushcraft heads north.

An Uptown Dallas Thai restaurant that loves the late nights is opening a second location. CrushCraft Thai will spin off a baby brother at The Star in Frisco, with an opening date of August 22.

CrushCraft was founded in 2013 by Jack Nuchkasem, a former hospitality executive with experience at hotels such as the Omni, Renaissance, and Sheraton, in partnership with chef Paul Singhapong, as a fast-casual concept with a menu that's refined yet approachable and affordable. Entrees range from $7-$10, along with cocktails and local beer.

The current chef is Kay Ridgway, who completed culinary training at the Art Institute of Dallas and began working as a line cook at the Uptown CrushCraft location. She moved her way up and is now executive chef and partner.

CrushCraft Thai offers a fresh, made-from-scratch daily menu using ingredients in a creative way. Traditional dishes include kra pao – ground pork, jasmine rice, basil, bell pepper, onion, and fried egg.

There are coconut milk-based curries, wok-fired noodle dishes, and salads such as the "skinny b*tch" with wok-seared cashews, crispy tofu, red quinoa, kale, and red cabbage in Thai peanut vinaigrette.

"We take a handmade approach to our cooking and create Thai food with a twist," Ridgway says. "We feel as though some of the traditional techniques and methods to make great Thai food, while admittedly not the most efficient, are somewhat of a lost art that we feel is vital to our menu."

They take the same approach in cocktails such as the refreshing Strawberry Smash with Tito's vodka, St. Germaine, muddled basil & strawberries, and lime juice, poured over basil-strawberry infused ice cubes.

Designed by Jones Baker, who also designed the original in Dallas, the Frisco location has a patio and a vibrant open-air market feel.

"I like our format of casually coming in and out without having to go through the formal dining experience," Ridgway says. "Great food should be accessible to everyone, and I think this is such a big part of the culture we bring with CrushCraft. We really just want to be a part of the neighborhood and be the go-to place for simply great Thai food."

openings

Pie News

White Rhino Coffee acquires Dallas bakery chain Emporium Pies

Photo courtesy of Emporium Pies

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A Dallas pie company has a new boss: Emporium Pies, a small chain of pie shops founded in 2012, has been acquired by White Rhino Coffee, the Dallas-born coffee company known for its community-driven cafés and craft-focused approach.

Emporium Pie owners and sisters Landon Perdue, Jen Abohosh, and Addie Roberts say in a release that the transition reflects a natural alignment in values.

"Part of our shared mission is hospitality and giving people a reason to celebrate," Roberts says. "We love the team, who I’ll continue working alongside, and I’m excited for this next chapter together. There’s something about dessert that brings people joy in a way nothing else can, and we’re thrilled to see that legacy carried forward."

Emporium began as a small operation selling pies from a 1930s bungalow in Bishop Arts. A second location opened in McKinney in 2013, followed by Deep Ellum which opened in 2016, and Fort Worth which opened in 2021, for a total of four shops. This is the second time the chain has changed hands; the original founders sold the company in 2022.

White Rhino was founded in 2007 and currently has 12 locations, the most recent being a location at Cypress Waters, inside a conference room, which opened in 2025.

“Emporium Pies has built an extraordinary legacy,” said Sara Escamilla, CEO of White Rhino Coffee. “Their products are consistently excellent, impeccably crafted, and beloved. Every pie is made with the highest quality ingredients. To be able to support and grow a concept of this caliber is an honor.”

The bakers and Addie Roberts will remain on staff, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged. While the businesses will operate as usual for now, White Rhino Coffee plans to explore expanding Emporium Pies’ footprint across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

They'll also introduce collaborations and menu integrations such as signature pie-and-coffee pairings.

“For now, it simply means coffee and pie - two of life’s best comforts - can be enjoyed across both brands,” Escamilla says.

openings