Stick To Your Ribs

Cajun fare leads off this hearty ration of Dallas restaurant news

Razzoo's jalapeno pork chops with moonshine apples.

Photo courtesy of Razzoo's

This chapter of Dallas restaurant news is a real stick-to-your-ribs kind of deal. There's barbecue news, pimento cheese fritters, prix fixe meals, and sweet potato desserts. In between the lines here, you can feel the fall in the air.

Here's the latest in dining news:

Jalisco Norte, the new authentic Mexican restaurant opening at Turtle Creek Village, has an opening date: November 2. Chef Jose Meza's resume includes stints at Rene Redzepi's NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark; Enrique Olvera's Pujol in Mexico City; and acclaimed Hotel Nizuc. Dishes include tuna tartare tostada, a rice tostada with tuna tartare, avocado, alfalfa, and a macha salsa; nachos Norte, with refried beans, guacamole, cheese, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips; and arroz con leche, a classic Mexican dish with vanilla ice cream, tequila raisins, and walnuts. Cocktails by beverage director Trevor Landry and bar manager Ravinder Singh, will focus on agave-distilled spirits including tequila and mezcal, as well as sotol and bacanora. The restaurant will initially open for dinner only; coming soon will be lunch, weekend brunch, and Lonchería, a walk-up market window.

18th & Vine, the barbecue restaurant in Uptown Dallas, is now being managed day to day by chef Scott Gottlich and his wife Gina, leaving pitmaster and co-owner Matt Dallman in charge of anything to do with "smoked" or "meat." In addition to streamlining the experience, service, and hospitality, the Gottliches have buttressed the barbecue with salads, pastas, salmon, and smoked lobster thermidor. They've also added a family-style dining option called "The Whole Sha-Bang," with starters, barbecue, sides, and desserts that serves 4-6 people for $135.

Water Grill has a new three-course prix fixe menu for those seeking a quick meal before shows in the Arts District or games at American Airlines Center. Starters include New England-style clam chowder or mixed greens. Entrees include blackened Texas redfish with braised red cabbage and roasted fingerlings; mahi mahi caponata; an 8-ounce filet mignon with a watercress salad; and chicken with couscous. Dessert options include bread pudding, pot de crème with chocolate sorbet and biscotti, or maple cheesecake with sour cream ice cream. The menu runs from 4-7 pm and is $48 per person.

Knife has launched a new menu of fall-inspired desserts and cocktails using sweet potato, pecan, cherries, and lavender. Sweet potato tart comes with whipped sorghum sream, milk chocolate pecan crumble, and sorghum ice cream. Brie cheesecake comes with cherry sorbet, Marcona almond sponge, and compressed cherries. Pear confit comes with mascarpone ice cream, pork fluid gel — wait what? — and whipped walnut cream. Cocktails include the chameleon with suerte, chamomile syrup, lime juice, and lavender bitters; and the hummingbird with Roxor gin, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, and grapefruit juice.

Mirador, the restaurant atop Forty Five Ten in downtown Dallas, is now doing a special three-course menu for Thursday nights, with choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $45. Appetizers include choice of cod cake, summer squash, or curly endive Caesar. Entrees include choice of red snapper, chicken paillard, or braised beef with rice grits and kale. You can also order from the regular menu, and no reservations are required.

Main Event Entertainment, the Dallas-based fun-and-eating destination, is launching a new menu of chef-driven sandwiches and specialty margaritas at all of its 38 locations. Three new sandwiches include chicken breast with caramelized onion-bacon jam ranch dressing; roast beef dip sandwich with horseradish mayonnaise on a buttery garlic knot bun with a side of au jus; and ham and cheese with Virginia ham, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard. Three new margaritas include one with prickly pear, another with strawberry puree and strawberry slices, and a spicy jalapeño mango 'rita with mango puree and fresh jalapeño slices.

Hide in Deep Ellum has a winter menu with 7 new dishes and 10 new cocktails. Drinks first: One combines bourbon with fig, chipotle, and clarified lemon. Another combines rum, plum, vermouth, and oloroso sherry. One stars tequila blanco, with cardamaro, lemon, earl grey, egg white, and mole bitters. Bougie Sips – vodka, crème de cacao, calvados, clarified lemon, and mole bitters. Food offerings sound really good. They include pimento cheese fritters, warm pretzels and queso, hot spiced nuts medley, and a chicken club sandwich with seasoned hand-cut fries. Sweet and salty popcorn has bacon and candied pecans. Grilled cheese sandwich comes on Parmesan crusted sourdough, with triple cream brie, white American, provolone, green apples, bacon, and fries.

Razzoo's Cajun Café, known for their Cajun specialties and unique ingredients like alligator, enters its second quarter century with a new menu, available at all 19 locations. New menu items include peel & eat shrimp, chips with a loaded cheese dip, blackened shrimp over cheddar corn grits, shrimp salad lettuce wraps, and Andouille po'boy sliders with cole slaw. A pimento cheese burger has bacon and fried onion strings. Jalapeno pork chops come with moonshine apples.

Zoës Kitchen has some menu items, including bowls with choice of "power grains" or oh-so-trendy cauliflower "rice." Thre are also pita sandwiches featuring two of their new proteins, lamb kafta and harissa salmon.

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is celebrating the 10th offering of its Private Reserve wines with two new vintages, hailing from vineyards in Sonoma County: 2016 Chardonnay and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. Perry's has also debuted magnum and larger format bottle sizes in addition to its elegant and original new bottle design.

Tillman's Roadhouse has a new executive chef. Gerald Smith comes to Dallas from Hogsalt Hospitality in Chicago, Illinois, and is described in a release as a "dynamic modern American chef" who borrows from French techniques, Asian boldness, and Italian richness. Smith is expected to bring innovative changes to the menu of the long-standing Oak Cliff restaurant which takes a modern spin on the classic roadhouse. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Smith has studied under and worked with celebuchefs such as Jean George Vongerichten, Mario Batali, Stephen Starr, Rich Melman, and Brendan Sodikoff.

City Hall Bistro at The Adolphus hotel has hired Jeramie Robison as executive chef, who will oversee its Southern Europe-themed menu. Robison has worked at a number of restaurants including Shinsei, Uchi, Oak, and HoYa Korean Kitchen. He'll lead the kitchen serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

Holiday Dining News

These Dallas restaurants are open on Christmas Day 2025

Lake Lawn

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Dallas restaurants are almost always open and ready to serve, with one exception: Christmas Day, a day that sees most close. But the restaurants on this list are the exception: Dallas restaurants that are open on Christmas Day — a true blessing for diners seeking a festive meal.

Here's all the restaurants across Dallas (and Fort Worth) that are open for dining on Christmas Day: (This list does not include Christmas Eve or Christmas to-go.)

Brio Italian. Italian chain will be open lunch and dinner on Christmas Day with an array of classic comfort dishes, signature Italian cuisine, from savory starters to salads, main courses, to delectable desserts. 11 am-9 pm. Allen 214-884-3920. Southlake 817-310-3136.

Buca de Beppo. Italian restaurant will be open lunch and dinner on Christmas Day with full menu plus three limited-time winter menu specials: pappardelle with Spicy Italian sausage, garlic, & spinach; pappardelle Bolognese with beef ragu, carrots, celery, onions, and tomatoes; and pork osso buco in a puttanesca sauce over polenta. Prices a la carte. 11 am-8 pm. 214-361-8462.

Carbone Dallas. Italian restaurant will have a menu of appetizers, pastas, veal, chicken, pork chop, and seafood. Prices a la carte. 4-10 pm. 469-290-6009.

Catch Dallas. Uptown seafood and steakhouse will offer full menu plus holiday specials including $42 toro crudo, 20-oz Texas Wagyu ribeye for $130, and the holiday "Hit Me" cake with candy cane Klondike, white chocolate ice cream, brownie, and chocolate stout cake for $26. 4-9 pm. 214-983-1440.

The Crescent Club. Hotel Crescent Court restaurant will host Christmas brunch with omelet station, benedict station, crepes station, chilaquiles station, hot cocoa station, sushi rolls, lobster tail, crab claws, oysters, charcuterie, salads, salads, holiday sides, Yule log, gingerbread scones, cheesecake, macarons, and more. $150, or $60 for 11 and under. 10:30 am-2 pm. 214-871-3200.

Cut & Bourbon. Live! by Loews Arlington restaurant is hosting Christmas dinner with chef Robert Carr's holiday special, beef Wellington with whipped Yukon gold potatoes & glazed root vegetables wine demi-glace, in addition to traditional menu options including crab legs, Prime NY strip, and salmon. Advance reservations strongly encouraged. Prices a la carte. 5 pm-10 pm. 682-277-4950.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle. Christmas feast for four, served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, features winter green salad, veal & wagyu meatballs with tomato fondue, 40-oz Wagyu bone-in ribeye, sweet potato casserole with marshmallow & pecan crumble, Brussels sprouts, gingerbread butter cake with apple compote, chocolate mousse cake with peppermint crumble, $395 for four people. Dinner 2-8 pm. Dallas 972-490-9000, Plano 972-312-9115, Fort Worth 817-877-3999.

Del Frisco's Grille. The Holly Jolly Feast for 3-4 people, served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, features winter greens, New England clam chowder, 40-oz prime rib roast, green beans, scalloped Yukon gold & sweet potato gratin, red velvet cheesecake with cream cheese frosting, or apple cobbler. $295 for 3-4 people. 12-8 pm. Plano 469-661-8012, Fort Worth 817-887-9900, Southlake 817-410-3777.

Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet. Exceptional family-owned Texas chain will be open for Christmas Day, offering their full Mediterranean buffet for holiday dining, featuring falafel, chicken & rice, hummus, grape leaves, Italian green beans with tomato, eggplant in pomegranate molasses, tabouli, kale Caesar, and more. $24. Served at all seven DFW locations: Allen, Richardson, Plano, Mesquite, Irving, Grapevine, and Fort Worth.

Dolce Riviera. Brunch buffet includes omelet bar, bruschetta bar, carving station, and dessert station. $95, or $35 for 12 and under. All reservations require a $50 deposit. 10 am-4 pm. 469-458-6623.

Eataly — La Pizza & La Pasta. Three-course Italian prix-fixe menu includes roasted beets with whipped ricotta & truffle honey, burrata with Tuscan tomato bread compote, mushroom lasagna, butternut squash gnocchi with black truffle, tagliatelle with Tuscan ragù, lobster linguine, insalata di mare, tagliolini with white truffle, and panettone. Starts at $55. 10:30 am-9 pm. (The market is open from 9 am-9 pm.) 469-759-2800.

Ebb & Flow. Plano restaurant is open with regular menu featuring toasted ravioli, Cubano egg rolls, salmon piccata, and a brown sugar soy-glazed porterhouse pork chop with mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach. 11 am-2 am. 972-483-2266.

Ellie's Dallas. Three-course prix fixe menu for dinner at Hall Arts Hotel features winter greens salad, chestnut gnocchi, choice of beef picanha or sea bass, and buche de noel sponge cake, plus a la carte selections and festive cocktails. $95. 5-9 pm. 972-629-0924.

Farena. Loews Arlington Hotel restaurant is offering an Italian Continental breakfast buffet featuring baked pastries, seasonal fruits, and traditional breakfast dishes. The traditional dinner menu includes a classic Margherita pizza, veal milanese, prime 10-ounce filet mignon, and Executive Chef Tony France's Christmas special, herb crusted osso buco. $35 breakfast buffet; a la carte dinner pricing. Breakfast buffet 7 am - 12 pm, dinner 5-10 pm. 682-318-2810.

Fearing's. Christmas brunch features seafood raw bar, kale & spinach sesame salad, fruit & berries, bagels & spreads, smoked salmon, and meat carving stations. Note: Only limited seats remain. $165. 11 am-3 pm. 214-922-4848.

Knife Italian. Ritz Carlton-Las Colinas restaurant is hosting a grand buffet inspired by the elegance of New York’s iconic Rainbow Room, with chef stations, live entertainment, and a Champagne and Bloody Mary bar. $159. 11 am-3 pm. 972-717-2420.

Kona Grill. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with special menu including 10-oz prime rib with half lobster tail & Yukon Gold mash; turkey breast with sage stuffing, green beans, & gravy; salmon stuffed with crab & brie; and pumpkin pie 10 am-10 pm. 214-369-7600.

Kyuramen. Japanese ramen spot in Frisco will serve its full menu plus a special "endless ramen" — unlimited noodle refills with any ramen order (dine-in only) — on Christmas Day, part of a limited-time promotion from December 22–28. If you leave any in the bowl, you pay an extra $2. 11 am-10 pm. 469-200-5252.

Le Bilboquet. Prix fixe menu offered on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes mushroom soup with black Périgord truffle, escargot in garlic butter, petite filet with spicy shrimp diablo and pommes purée, lobster risotto with Hackleback caviar, halibut with Dungeness crab, and choice of chocolate mousse or lemon tart. $125. 4:15-10 pm. Reservations on Resy.

Lombardi Cucina Italiana. Frisco restaurant will serve regular menu and chef specials including Feast of the Seven Fishes for two, halibut with cacio e pepe risotto, lobster ravioli, beef tenderloin with potato puree, Wagyu tomahawk ribeye, and salt-crusted whole branzino. Prices a la carte. 4-9 pm. 469-200-5677.

Maison Chinoise. Asian restaurant will serve regular menu with signatures like Peking duck plus chef specials including crab dumplings, dan dan noodles, pork belly char-siu puff, wok-seared filet mignon, and Shanghai tiramisu dome. Prices a la carte. 1-9 pm. 469-949-2991.

The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Rosewood Mansion restaurant features three-course prix-fixe dinner with tuna & salmon carpaccio, roasted chestnut velouté, endive celery salad, roasted cauliflower, baked salmon, tenderloin & short rib beef duo, potato puree, winter vegetables, vanilla cremeux, dark-chocolate mousse, or eggnog tiramisu. $165, plus $110 for wine pairing, or $70 for 12 and under. 11 am-7 pm. 214-559-2100.

Monarch. Three-course holiday menu served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day features prosciutto, focaccia with dip, squash caponata, radicchio watercress salad, tuna crudo with blood orange, beef tenderloin with horseradish crema, branzino with fennel confit, whipped potatoes, chestnut agnolotti, Brussels sprouts, orange chocolate cake, and gingerbread cookie. Extras include 45-day dry aged tomahawk ($210), Périgord black truffles ($45), alba white truffles ($80), Island Creek oysters ($24/$48) osetra caviar ($180). $175. 4–9 pm. Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. 214-945-2222.

Montage. JW Marriott Dallas Arts District hotel restaurant is hosting holiday brunch including charcuterie station, rustic breads, oysters, yogurt parfait, avocado toast bites, mini lobster rolls, omelet station, crepe station, Parmesan wheel pasta station, salad bar, carving stations, sweet potato casserole, squash soup, and dessert station. $105, or $45 for 12 and under. 10:30 am-2 pm. 214-736-7760.

MiYa Chinese. East Dallas restaurant will be open and serving handmade dumplings, noodles, dim sum, crispy duck, and orange chicken. Prices are a la carte. 1-8 pm. 214-484-1175.

Nobu Dallas. Sushi restaurant will feature a special brunch buffet with an expansive selection of Japanese and Western dishes, sushi, salads, pastries, desserts, and chef stations, and carving station on display. Note, no à la carte menu will be available. $90. 11 am-2:30 pm. Reservations can be made via OpenTable. 214-252-7000.

Open Palette. Sheraton Hotel restaurant is offering a prix-fixe Christmas menu featuring choice of either holiday salad or lobster bisque, the pork chop, served with roasted butternut squash, sauteed green beans, and tangy pomegranate sauce. Dessert includes Open Palette’s Black Forest yule log. $65. 4-10 pm. 214-777-6574.

Pyramid. Fairmont Hotel restaurant is hosting Christmas brunch featuring made-to-order omelets, Viennoiseries, avocado toast, lobster roll, smash burger, braised short rib, and smoked prime rib. Prices a la carte. 10 am-3 pm. 214-720-2020.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West. Holiday brunch features pepper-crusted roast beef, pesto chicken, truffle & English pea orzotto, 5-spice sweet potatoes, sesame Brussels sprouts, butternut squash bisque, pear pecan tart, bourbon cherry bread pudding. $45. 10 am-1 pm. 469-925-1800.

Reserve at the Highland. Three-course dinner served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day includes mushroom tart, lobster bisque, winter green & pear salad, maple-glazed duck breast with wild rice pilaf, halibut with parsnip puree, beef Wellington, eggnog creme brulee, or Yule log. $95, plus $5 for wine pairing. 5-9 pm. 214-443-9339.

Sadelle’s. Full regular menu will be available for Christmas, including eggs, caviar, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards. Prices a la carte. 9 am-6 pm. Highland Park 469-290-6009.

Saint Valentine. Old East Dallas pub will be open with steamed bun boxes by Rainbowcat, the resident pop-up by chef Misti Norris, available in four varieties: sausage, egg, & cheese; black curry; meatloaf & mashed potato; and spiced apple pie. $60 for two, served with sauce and fermented pickles. 5-12 pm.

Saltgrass Steakhouse. Reasonably priced steakhouse chain will be open on Christmas Day with a full menu of Angus beef steaks, seafood, desserts, and plus a featured special: center-cut top sirloin steak with grilled or fried shrimp. All locations in Bedford, The Colony, Denton, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Irving, Lewisville, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, North Arlington, North Dallas, Plano, and Rockwall.

Sanjh Restaurant & Bar. Indian restaurant is hosting a Christmas buffet with live stations, made-to-order dosas, omelet station, and a roasted counter with turkey and assorted breads, plus desserts, stollen, and a chocolate and candy station. $65, or $32.50 for 12 and under. 11 am-3 pm. 972-239-1800.

SER Steak + Spirits. Holiday specials available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day include oysters Rockefeller, branzino, duck breast with duck confit, Akaushi prime rib, and a Santa's Gift Box dessert trio with dark chocolate gingerbread mousse, orange financier, baileys mascarpone. Regular dining menu also available. 3:30-10 pm. 214-761-7479.

Starship Bagel. Artisanal Dallas bagel chain will be open for Christmas at all three locations — Lewisville, North Dallas, and downtown Dallas. 7 am-1 pm.

Stillwell’s. Hotel Swexan steakhouse will offer a Christmas dinner including regular a la carte menu plus beef Wellington with potato puree, roasted carrots, and truffle bordelaise.classic. $95. 469-405-1911.

STK Steakhouse. Uptown steakhouse is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with regular menu plus holiday cocktails and features including turkey dinner with sage stuffing, parmesan-crusted Yukon mashed, sweet potatoes, and cranberry-orange chutney ($64; $29 for 12 and under), or prime rib with confit fingerling potatoes and green beans, $69. 11 am-10 pm. 972-842-9450.

Tantra Modern Indian Bistro. Fine-dining Indian restaurant in McKinney will be open with butter chicken, chili shrimp, kebabs, skewers, fried rice, naan, vegetable curry, and more, plus a full bar with beer, martinis, and margaritas. 11 am-11 pm. 972-363-7727.

12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse. AYCE fire-roasted picanha, filet mignon, ribs, lamb, and full salad bar. $66. 11 am-10 pm. 972-779-7012.

Wicked Butcher. Steakhouse is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with an à la carte special menu featuring butternut squash soup, white truffle caesar, seafood tower, steak tartare, duck à l ’orange with orange marmalade & parsnip purée, rigatoni Bolognese, ginger miso Chilean sea bass with basmati rice, rack of lamb, prime rib, dry-aged bone-in filet, corn crème brûlée, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato mash, robuchon mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, gnocchi with black truffle & butternut squash purée, Valrhona chocolate souffle, and chocolate tart. Christmas Day: 11 am-9 pm. Dallas 214-444-7740, Fort Worth 682-231-8214.

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