Newsy News

5 hot end-of-the-summer news tidbits happening in Dallas restaurant news

Fajitas have landed in Lakewood.

Courtesy of Fajita Pete's

Summer is generally a sleepy time for Dallas restaurant news, what with many people vacationing in Aspen or hopping to Montana or other parts of the American West. But Labor Day has come and gone, and we're gifted with a bounty of short news bits, so many that they call for a roundup.

Here's 5 new hot news items just in:

Fajita Pete's Lakewood
Houston-based Tex-Mex chain has just opened its newest location here in Dallas in the historic Lakewood Shopping Center at 1920 Abrams Pkwy. This is their 23rd location overall.

Fajita options include beef, shrimp, chicken, and veggie. Other menu items include quesadillas, burritos, tostadas, guacamole, and queso.

Fajita Pete's was founded by Pete Mora in 2008 as a traditional eatery, but with a clairvoyant focus on catering and delivery. The Lakewood location is from husband-and-wife Hugh and Rebekah Guill of Smith Restaurant Group, who've been actively involved in Fajita Pete's since 2018; Hugh currently serves as their Chief Brand Officer.

Suburban Yacht Club Plano
A new restaurant-bar serving tiki drinks and Calif-style tacos is opening in Plano. Called Suburban Yacht Club, it's a new concept from 33 Restaurant Group, which owns a growing portfolio of places, dedicated mostly to pizza and beer, including Union Bear Brewing Co., Cadillac Pizza Pub, Taverna Rossa, Heritage Pizza and Taproom in The Colony, and The Yard in McKinney.

Crafted by 33RG's culinary director Brian C. Luscher, the menu is inspired by Southern California's food-truck scene, and includes quesabirria, Baja-style fish tacos, burger, Flamin' Hot Cheetos elote, and ceviche.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit chili
Dallas barbecue chain celebrates its 80th anniversary with the launch of several limited-time items:

Sweet & Smoky Pit-Smoked Wings with Dr Pepper Barbecue Sauce
Brisket Chili, a Texas-style chili that can be ordered as a side or as a topper on Mac Stacks, Bakers, or Frito Pie

The items are available through September.

El Pollo Loco nachos
Fire-grilled chicken chain has two new Nachos, piled higher than usual with toppings, introduced with a dumb marketing campaign about denouncing the indecency of naked chips.

Moving on from that, here's the two options:

Double Chicken Nachos come topped with El Pollo Loco's citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken, guacamole, queso blanco, smashed pinto beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and fried serrano peppers.
Double Crunch Taquito Nachos are topped with four chicken taquitos, chopped chicken breast, queso blanco, pico de gallo, and creamy cilantro dressing.

The nachos are available through November 2.

Pizza Inn pan pizza
Pizza chain has launched new House Pan Pizza made with fresh frozen pizza dough, topped with whole milk mozzarella cheese, pan-fried until crispy, brushed with "a proprietary blend of buttery garlic, Parmesan, and Romano cheeses," and topped with veggies, signature sauce, and more mozzarella cheese.

Pizza Inn could leave it there but instead the release takes a swipe at a competitor: "Unfortunately, over the years pizza brands like Pizza Hut have cut costs and corners, which created a sub-par product made with frozen dough and frozen cheese that diminished consumer expectations of what quality pan pizza should be."

Are you really in a superior position when you're brushing your crust with proprietary buttery garlic? Anyway, it's available on the All You Can Eat Buffet and for delivery or carryout.

openings trends

Henderson Avenue News

Dallas bar High Fives will close on Henderson Avenue after 10 years

High Fives/Facebook

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A nightlife staple on Dallas' Henderson Avenue is closing: High Fives, the bar located at 1804 McMillan Ave., will close in early January, after more than 10 years.

According to a release, the actual closing date will be tied to the Texas Tech Red Raiders' game schedule in January.

"To all our neighbors, the Red Raider faithful, and everyone who has made High Fives their home—we are saying goodbye by raising our hands high for one last High Five," says owner Phil Schanbaum. "This establishment was built on community, spirited rivalry, and countless memories. We are deeply thankful to every single patron and, especially, to all of our incredible staff who were the heart and soul of this place."

High Fives opened in mid-2015, part of the portfolio of This & That Hospitality, the company Schanbaum founded with partner Brandon Hays, next door to its sibling bar The Whippersnapper (which was rebranded into a concept called Boogies in October 2025.)

Schanbaum says that they're unsure of what will go in the High Fives space after it closes — but that the closure "paves the way for the ongoing evolution of Henderson Avenue."

The property is owned by Acadia Realty, the New York-based company that is partnered with Dallas development firm Ignite-Rebees on a 161,000-square-foot, creative, mixed-use development currently underway on Henderson Avenue between Glencoe Street and McMillan Avenue at the eastern end of Henderson Avenue.

High Fives' closure is part of that plan to transform the quarter-mile stretch into a walkable destination featuring restaurants, retail, and office space.

"To Henderson Avenue, we look forward to further expansion and to making this street even better. We are excited for the neighborhood's renaissance, which will bring new experiences, retail, and dining concepts to the area," Schanbaum says.

Moving target
The actual closing date will depend on the outcome of the season for Texas Tech's football team the Red Raiders.

"The final chapter for High Fives will be written alongside the almighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. The bar's ultimate closure is tied directly to the team's success," the release says.

The next game day is on January 1, when doors open at 10 am.

If the Red Raiders advance past the game on January 1, High Fives will remain open for subsequent Texas Tech game days until the team's run ends. Meanwhile hours in December will be Thursdays & Fridays from 8 pm-2 am, and Saturdays: from 2 pm– 2 am.