Casa Linda News

Highland Park Cafeteria space in East Dallas finally has a new tenant

Hint hint: It's a burger place.

Photo courtesy of Rodeo Goat

One of the hottest vacancies in Dallas has a new tenant: The space in East Dallas shopping center Casa Linda Plaza that was formerly home to dining institution Highland Park Cafeteria will soon be serving up burgers and craft beer.

The space will become the newest location of Rodeo Goat, the burger-and-beer chain from Dallas restaurateur Shannon Wynne.

According to a representative from the EDENS, the landlord at Casa Linda Plaza, the restaurant is scheduled to open in spring 2022.

Highland Park Cafeteria closed in May 2020 due to hardships caused by the pandemic. The iconic cafeteria had been operating at Casa Linda Plaza since 2007, but its roots dated back to 1925.

HPC was hit particularly hard because of its cafeteria model, a style that became completely non-viable in the height of the virus.

Rodeo Goat will not face those issues, and Wynne has planned a number of changes that will make the location friendly in the post-pandemic world, says EDENS spokesman Michael Hale.

The location's original footprint was 12,000 square feet, which EDENS has split into two. Rodeo Goat will occupy the outer space on the corner, facing the side street, Losa Drive.

"Shannon has some exciting plans that include the creation of an indoor-outdoor space with a big patio," Hale says. "He's going to put in trees so it's shaded, and will transform that spot — creating an outdoor hangout you can go to after a baseball game or a visit to the Arboretum."

It's Wynne's first foray into East Dallas (Rockwall doesn't count). "Going through this process, I think he started to get the funky east Dallas vibe," Hale says.

It's a great voucher for the shopping center, which has undergone a makeover and signed a number of interesting restaurant concepts including Ellen's, Chiloso, Zaap Kitchen, Maya's Modern Mediterranean, El Porton Coffee, and most recently, Baldo's Ice Cream.

EDENS received many inquiries about the space. "We did have a lot of interest, although surprisingly, a lot were not restaurant-related," Hale says. "But we really wanted to provide a restaurant in that space."

For those retailers who were knocking, there's hope: The other half of the original cafeteria space, which will be snuggled between Rodeo Goat and Albertsons, is still up for rent.

preservation openings burgers

Fiesta time

Build-your-own tacos restaurant Barrio makes Texas debut in McKinney

Barrio

undefined

An Ohio-based taco chain is ready to debut its first restaurant in Texas: Barrio, known for build-your-own tacos, along with signature margaritas and a tequila selections, will open a highly anticipated location in McKinney on Thursday, March 5.

According to the owners, the restaurant, at 9401 W. University Dr. #150, McKinney, will open to the public at 3 pm. The first 50 people in line will receive free queso for a year to celebrate the grand opening.

Barrio is a casual, table-service restaurant with a bar and to-go options. Diners can build their own taco from tortilla to protein to sauces and toppings, or choose from a selection of specials and seasonal options.

“Barrio means neighborhood, and [the brand] truly believes in that,” says franchisee Wissam Saliba.

Each location is intricately decorated with custom metal work, vibrant murals, skeletal figures, sugars skulls and other common symbols from The Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday in which families celebrate the souls of their deceased relatives. Muralist Mike Kotlarek handpainted the artwork at the McKinney location, which incorporates Texas symbols including the longhorn.

Barrio Tacos McKinney A mural on the outside of the building includes Texas symbolism, like a longhorn.Photo by Rhema Joy Bell

McKinney franchisee Saliba is a first-time restaurateur based in Cleveland who’s been a fan of Barrio since the first location opened in 2012, he says. Saliba has partnered with Brian Kegley, who previously worked at Melting Pot Restaurants Inc., The Cheesecake Factory, and Restaurants Unlimited and will serve as Barrio’s local operator.

Based on a preview, diners in McKinney can expect warm, salted house chips and taco options like chicken bacon ranch, loaded with spice-rubbed chicken, Monterey jack, lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado ranch.

Guests can build-their-own taco, nachos, or bowl, choosing from more than a dozen protein offerings such as barbacoa beef, chorizo, chicken, pulled pork, cola-marinated steak, spicy blackened cod, jalapeno lime shrimp, chili tofu, beer-braised black beans, and vegan Impossible chorizo; then add ingredients like Napa slaw, caramelized onions & poblanos, cheese, guacamole, salsa, sauces, and pickled jalapenos.

Notably, the restaurant is accommodating to vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan diets.

Prices range from $5 to $15.

Barrio McKinney’s patio, which boasts a view of a colorful, Instagrammable mural, is dog friendly. (Dog owners can ask their servers about complimentary “taco” dog treats, which are hand made by local small business Pea’s Peanut Butter Dog Treats.)

Barrio, which has 23 locations across the United States, will be open in McKinney for dinner service only, from 3-11 pm weekdays and 3 pm-12 midnight Friday-Saturday. Plans to expand for brunch are in the works, the owners say.

openings mckinney tex-mex tacos