Neapolitan Pizza Craze Continues

Firecrust to fire up fast food-style Neapolitan pizza in Dallas

Thanks to Cane Rosso, Dallas is currently cray-cray about Neapolitan-style pizza. Soon we'll get Neapolitan-style pizza, the fast-food version, with the arrival of new chain called Firecrust Neapolitan Pizzeria, which has plans to open two locations in Dallas.

One is going into at Knox Promenade, at the northwest corner of Knox Street and US 75. The second will be at Prestonwood Park, on the northeast corner of Midway Road and West Park Boulevard in Plano.

According to a release, Firecrust's "unique" service line allows diners to create Neapolitan pizza customized to their tastes. Two wood-fired pizza ovens cook the pizzas at 900 degrees in 90 seconds. Just like the real thing! Almost.

The pizzas are "hand-crafted" and honor "the tradition of Neapolitan pizza." (Honoring the tradition, so that probably means they won't bother with an official certification from Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Meow.)

Customers watch as the trained pizzaiolos hand-toss their dough, then choose from numerous "chef-prepared" toppings. Firecrust's menu also features "made-to-order" salads — nothing from a bag, not in this place — with house-made dressings, craft beer and wine.

The originator of this build-your-own Neapolitan pizza concept is Los Angeles-based 800 Degrees. So think of Firecrust as a sort of Pie Five of the Neapolitan pizza world.

Firecrust founder is Scott Bender, CEO of Wok Box, a Canadian-based fast-food Asian chain that has opened a branch in Portland, Oregon, and is targeting Dallas, as well. He was not reachable by phone, but it looks like he was able to snap up a company logo at a discount.

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Quonset Hut News

Familiar names take over Quonset hut for new Far-Out Dallas bar

Yelp

Wriggly Tin is now Far-Out Dallas

There's a new Dallas restaurant and bar coming to everyone's favorite Quonset hut: Called Far-Out, it'll take over the space at 1906 E. Haskell Ave. in East Dallas that was previously home to Wriggly Tin, with a grand opening slated for 2025.

Founders Caroline and James Lee are calling it Far-Out & La Hermana Cerveceria and promise that a culinary adventure awaits.

"After months of creative brainstorming and a bit of furniture rearranging, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new pioneering concept that will open its doors in 2025," the duo says. "Introducing Far-Out & La Hermana Cerveceria, a dynamic new restaurant and brewery born from the collaboration of industry veterans."

The team includes some beloved East Dallas names:

Marc Cassel of The Green Room and 20 Feet Seafood Joint
Christopher Jeffers of Bolsa and Smoke
Stephanie Houston, the trailblazing first Latina Production distillery owner in America

Also joining the team is Bar Director Adam Mercado, whose resume includes stints at Billy Can Can and Brass Ram.

Marcado will crafting a unique beverage program, with support from mixologist Brian McCullough. Together, they will create what the founders call "unforgettable drink experiences to complement our delicious culinary offerings."

Wriggly Tin opened in November 2023 as an ultra-hip pizza and craft beer spot inside a renovated Quonset hut near Dallas' Fair Park — a former Cajun fried turkey place which they gave doting makeover with custom plaster walls and art objects from around the world. They replaced one whole side of the hut with glass for sunsets and created a spacious outdoor patio in front.

They earned two nomination in CultureMap's 2024 Tastemaker Awards, one for Best Bar and another for Best Patio.

Alas, the original founders, who'd previously owned Small Brewpub in Oak Cliff, parted ways shortly after it opened. And the bar closed down in September 2024, for what they called "internal changes."

Now the hut is back: The new Far-Out bar is already up and running a few days a week. In the coming days, they will offer updates and sneak peeks as they gear up for the opening of their kitchen.

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