Auction News

Someone got a real deal on the Dallas Spaghetti Warehouse trolley

This trolley turned out to be quite the bargain.

Courtesy photo

Someone got a real deal on the vintage trolley that once resided inside the Spaghetti Warehouse in Dallas' West End.

The restaurant shuttered in October after 47 years at that location, but offered most of its equipment, fixtures, and decorative items in a monster auction with 491 items or sale — including the trademark trolley, treasured by so many diners over the years.

Hosted by TAGeX Brands, the Spaghetti Warehouse auction began promptly on October 20, after the restaurant closed, and was online for nine days, ending on October 29.

The trolley auction, which ended at 10 am, scored 20 bids, for a final sale price of $3,125. It was sold to mysterious Bidder #23941 — bidders are identified by number only, no name — who came in at the last minute on the morning of October 29 with the winning bid. He overtook poor steadfast Bidder #25406, who was the first to make a bid and had been in it for the long haul.

Of course, the ticket price of the trolley doesn't represent a portion of what it will cost to actually get it. The winning bidder is required to remove the vehicle, which will entail removing a portion of a brick wall from the restaurant and rebuilding the wall. Which must be done by a contractor.

So the $3,125 is chump change compared to what the ultimate cost will be.

Shockingly, the trolley wasn't even the biggest ticket item.

The top earner was a dark-horse historical item: A hand-engraved plaque, made in 1892, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America displayed in the Columbia Exposition of 1893, which contains engraved portraits of all the deceased presidents at that time.

With 16 bids, it drew an impressive $8,026.

Other big sellers included the restaurant's vintage espresso machine, no brand name, but lots of pretty brass and hammered copper, which netted $4,775.

Spaghetti Warehouse branded items did well; for example, the Spaghetti Warehouse sign that hung over the door outside went for $1,800.

Antique niceties such as chandeliers and stained glass windows also fetched high prices. An elaborate wall mount mirror with carvings was a big seller at $2,326, snagged by Bidder #26044, an active player who also threw down a few bids for the trolley.

And some of the antique furniture performed well, including an ornate wooden hutch for $2,050.

A cool wooden phone booth went for an affordable $735. That's cheaper than a couch.

A very practical Hoshizaki ice machine with bin was bagged for a mere $710 after 26 bids. A mega-useful 80-liter Hobart floor mixer enjoyed a brisk flurry of last-minute bidding, climbing rapidly from $890 up to the winning bid of $2,001 in the final 5 minutes of the auction.

TAGeX Brands spokesman Josh Bowman says his company has done similar auctions for other Spaghetti Warehouse locations across the country, but this one was unique because it was the original location and had numerous vintage treasures.

All of the auctions started at $1 with no reserves, and it was free to bid. Winning bidders will have two days to pick up their acquisitions and take home a piece of Spaghetti Warehouse history.

The items can still be seen on the online auction but will eventually be pulled from the site.

city-news-roundup

Red letter opening

Dallas bar veterans open Italian speakeasy-restaurant in Denton

Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Exposed stone walls and a backlit glowing bar anchor the subterranean space at Red: Italian.

A new speakeasy lounge serving high-end Italian food has arrived at a cool historic building in Denton. Called Red: Italian, the subterranean restaurant opened in the basement of Ruby Rodeo, a bar and live music venue located at 122 N. Locust St. on Denton Square.

The concept comes from Victor García and Mike Church. García spent years at Truth & Alibi — the popular speakeasy lounge disguised behind the faux storefront of the Deep Ellum Candy Company — before acquiring the same space for Scarlett Lounge and Kitchen in Deep Ellum in 2024. Church, a commercial pilot, trained at The Culinary School in Fort Worth and the Ritz-Carlton to refine his passion for cooking.

The business partners say they fell in love with the historic nature of the 1877 building in Denton, which housed Andy’s Bar for 30 years.

“We have always loved the building — it is the oldest building on the square. We saw the vision and loved the aesthetics for both our Ruby Rodeo and Red: Italian concepts,” Church says.

After opening Ruby Rodeo, the duo launched Red: Italian this month. Church notes that the "red" naming convention across their concepts — Scarlett, Ruby, and now Red — nods to his favorite color, a symbol of passion, and the red wines and tomato sauces central to Italian dining.

Church’s passion for Italian cuisine defined the menu, which he created alongside executive chef Denise Gabrielle, his former culinary school instructor. Gabrielle brings decades of hospitality experience from the Westin Hotels, The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, and most recently, The Taste Project in Fort Worth and Arlington.

The 58-seat underground space — which includes 10 seats at the bar — serves elevated Italian classics. Entrees range from $25 to $40, with menu highlights including:

Spicy sausage lasagna with arrabbiata sauce
Cacio e pepe bucatini
Chicken piccata
Braised lamb leg
Mediterranean Sea bass
Shrimp diablo
Espresso-crusted filet mignon with Italian seasoning

Appetizers are priced under $15 and include house-made fried mozzarella, stuffed mushrooms, grilled artichokes, bruschetta, meatballs, and flatbreads. The kitchen also serves salads, featuring a classic Caesar and a house chopped salad with nine toppings.

Shrimp diablo served over pasta with toasted slices of bread at Red: Italian.Photo courtesy of Red: Italian

Desserts feature house-made panna cotta, ricotta-amaretto Italian cheesecake topped with drunken cherry sauce, and a table-side bananas Foster served with house-made amaretto gelato.

The bar program leans into Italian flavors with options like an Italian margarita made with house limoncello, tequila, amaretto, and simple syrup, alongside a peach Bellini and a smoky Godfather. The wine list spotlights Italian bottles and a selection of Napa Valley options.

“The place has the perfect intimate, upscale, fun Italian wine and food ambience,” Church says.

While entering Red doesn't require a password, it still has an off-the-beaten-path entry that is characteristic of speakeasies. Social media posts direct patrons to "look for the red awning" adjacent to Ruby Rodeo’s black awning. A set of red stairs leads guests downstairs to a door with a small sign reading "Red:".

To preserve the speakeasy atmosphere, cell phone use is discouraged. The space also features subtle Easter eggs for guests to discover, such as conversation starters tucked beneath the napkins.

Following a sold-out opening weekend, Red: Italian is now open, with an official ribbon cutting planned for September (exact date to be announced).

Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 pm, with last seating at 9 pm to wrap up dinner service before Ruby Rodeo’s live music starts upstairs at 10:30 pm.

speakeasy italian restaurant denton