Downtown News

Big big burritos are coming to downtown Dallas thanks to Freebirds

Their burritos come in four sizes.

Freebirds

Downtown Dallas is poised to get some big ol' burritos: Freebirds World Burrito, the Austin-based chain, is opening its first location downtown, in the Arts District at 2000 Ross Ave., #190, below the JW Marriott Arts District Hotel, and across from Trammell Crow Center.

According to a release, it's slated to open in 2022.

Freebirds is a build-your-own burrito concept, with burritos available in four sizes and four tortilla flavors, then assembled to your order with ingredients such as beef, chicken, pork, veggies, salsas, queso, and guacamole. Burritos range in size from a normal-ish size to the signature Super Monster which can weigh in at seven pounds.

It has also expanded its menu to include salads, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, meal kits, bowls, and low-carb bowls.

They're strongly identified as a Texas company, but the concept was originally founded in California in 1987 by by Mark Orfalea, who opened the first location across from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

They expanded into Texas in 1992 with a location in College Station, becoming a growing chain that was acquired by Tavistock Restaurants LLC in 2007. There are currently 55 locations, including 16 across North Texas, in Allen, Arlington, Dallas/Greenville Avenue, Fort Worth, Addison, Richardson, Lewisville, Plano, Frisco, Grapevine, Denton, and Irving.

Freebirds recently announced its intention to double its total number of locations over the next five years across Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. That is four of the five cities where a CultureMap bureau is located, so we not only clap at their wisdom but also look forward to documenting every last one of those 50-or-so store openings with pithy stories such as this.

Freebirds hopes to solidify its position as the second largest burrito chain in Texas (Chipotle is the biggest with 260 locations), meanwhile CultureMap hopes to solidify its position as the state's best online media site. Forget second, we're going for #1.

downtown

Opening News

Mexican seafood restaurant with flash to debut at The Colony

Jako

Ceviche at Jako

A flashy yet authentic Mexican restaurant is coming to The Colony: Called Jākö Cocina Y Agave, it's from a partnership between two veteran hospitality groups and will open at The Grotto at The Grandscape at 5754 Grandscape Blvd. #110, directly below Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill (which was previously two-level).

According to a release, it'll open on October 31.

Jākö Cocina Y Agave is from 3ntourage Hospitality, which the release says has collaborated with brands such as Virgin Hotels, Harwood International, and Montage Hotels & Resorts. Wonderland Hospitality is the team behind venues such as Snowbird Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen and Tipsy Alchemist Austin. General managere Enrique Jurado has worked at New York restaurants such as Lupa Osteria Romana, Bar Verde, and Giorgio’s of Gramercy.

Food
The food and drink will consist of authentic Mexican flavors paired with avant-garde mixology. Executive Chef José Caballero is a native of Venezuela who discovered his passion for gastronomy in Ecuador and continued his culinary training in Spain, working at Michelin-starred restaurants and establishing himself as a versatile and innovative chef.

The menu combines familiar dishes such as birria and enchiladas with a modern take on Mexican gastronomy. Such as:

Campechana de Mariscos — Mexican seafood cocktail, served in a frozen molcajete using liquid nitrogen, with ceviche surrounded by a cold mist that envelops the plate
Langoustines cooked tableside with an innovative salt crust technique

Cocktails will feature a striking visual presentation, with an emphasis on tequila and mezcal, including a menu of margaritas in many varieties headlined by the Elegancía Mexicana, which merges a traditional margarita with the sophistication of a martini.

Setting
Look for an atmosphere that transitions from dinner to an energetic late-night lounge featuring live music, combining dining and entertainment. They'll be open 4-10 pm on weekdays but until 1 am on weekends. The 6,800-square-foot space will accentuate Aztec culture but with a modern aesthetic. The space includes an additional 1,700-square-foot patio that overlooks The Grotto.

openings