Brunch News

Oak Cliff-style brunch headed to old Kel's space in North Dallas

Chicken and waffles at Jonathon's Oak Cliff restaurant

Chicken and waffles and cream gravy.

North Dallas is set to get the brunch it deserves with the opening of Jonathon's, an Oak Cliff breakfast and brunch institution which will relocate to 5337 Forest Ln., AKA the former home to Kel's Restaurant.

Officially called Jonathon's Oak Cliff, the restaurant opened at 1111 N. Beckley Ave., next to Spiral Diner in 2011. It soon drew a following for down-home dishes such as chicken-fried steak & eggs, and biscuits & gravy.

Christine Erdeljac, who owns the restaurant with her husband Jonathon, says they were facing a rent increase.

"It was an unfortunate situation where we couldn't come to a lease agreement," she says. "There's been a lot of change in the neighborhood. There are new apartment complexes that are charging $1500 for rent, and I think our landlord hopes to get more rent for the space."

The couple also owns a spinoff a few blocks down the road, at 1619 N. Beckley Ave., which was originally called Kessler Eating House, before they rebranded it as Jonathon's Diner in 2016. That location will stay open in Oak Cliff.

The rent climb proved fortuitous, because they ended up getting a space Christine had eyed for many years: the former Kel's Restaurant at Forest Lane and Inwood Road, a beloved dive with its own breakfast following that had been in business since 1963 before closing in 2014.

"I've always thought it would be so cool if we could open a restaurant in that space," she says. "I have a personal attachment. I went to Ursuline and was a Jesuit cheerleader, and we would go to Kel's all the time."

Christine would drive by and also tried unsuccessfully to reach the landlord.

"The space was sitting there vacant," she says. "I tried to get ahold of someone for years but could never track anyone down. One day I was driving through the parking lot and saw a for lease sign. I couldn't dial fast enough."

The space is gutted right now and she says it will probably be late fall before they can open.

Oak Cliff will still be able to get its Jonathon's-style brunch at the Jonathon's at 1619 N. Beckley Ave. Meanwhile, their last day at 1111 N. Beckley Ave. is Sunday August 29.

brunch breakfast oak-cliff

Taco News

Award-winning Dallas chef launches taquito concept at Oomi Kitchen

Yelp

Revolver Taco Lounge is known for its tacos.

An award-winning Dallas chef is taking on taquitos: Called Taquitos Ross, it's a new brand from award-winning chef Regino Rojas, owner of Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum, who will bring his celebrated flavors and techniques to Oomi Kitchen, the digital food hall on 3510 Ross Ave.

Taquitos Ross will be available through the oomi ordering platform and will make its debut on November 19 — bringing a fresh addition to Oomi’s diverse lineup of food concepts.

The focus will be on taquitos filled with premium carefully-prepared ingredients. The opening menu will feature:

Carnitas taquitos
Chicken Tinga taquitos
inventive nachos

Rojas opened Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum in 2017.

Taquitos consist of a rolled-up tortilla filled with ingredients and deep-fried until crisp. So far, they have not been "elevated." The partnership with Oomi promises not only to elevate the taquito experience — taking it from crunchy snack to refined, flavorful dish — it will also bring Rojas' food to a wider audience.

Oomi founder Markus Pineyro says in a statement that "We’re incredibly honored to work with chef Rojas on Taquitos Ross. His passion for quality and tradition aligns perfectly with our mission to bring exceptional, creative food to our customers. Taquitos Ross is a brand that we believe will not only bring people together but also spark a love for taquitos like never before.”

Pineyro founded Oomi, a digital food hall just outside downtown Dallas in WHEN, as a one-stop shop for bold and innovative concepts, with a focus on delivery and take out. Customers can order from multiple concepts at once — providing a solution for groups with varying tastes — with $2 delivery.

Oomi house brands include: include Bodega Sandwiches & Wraps, Okie Dokie Smash Burgers, Love Bowls, Clucky’s Damn Good Chicken (fried chicken & wings), Savage Rabbit (salads), Hot Lips (Asian-inspired dishes) and Bowlrito (bowls and burritos). Partner brands currently offered include Urban Taco, Pacuigo, and Tribal Juices.

trends tacos