Hummus News

California Mediterranean restaurant chain rides into Dallas on white horse

Mediterranean food is good by any name.

A Mediterranean chain with two locations in Dallas will soon be rescued by a dashing Greek savior from Los Angeles. The restaurants previously known as Noon Mediterranean will become Daphne's Mediterranean, a California-based concept known for fresh and wholesome Greek cuisine.

Noon was based in Austin and was acquired by Daphne's in October.

As part of the acquisition, both Noon locations in Dallas — at 7949 Walnut Hill Ln. and 8449 North Beltline Rd. — will reopen as Daphne's, with a celebratory event offering the first look and taste of Daphne's Mediterranean.

Strangely, this is not the first name change for this little chain. They started out as the horribly-named Vert's Kabap, before graduating to the slightly less horribly-named Noon Mediterranean.

Daphne's is a 30-year-old brand whose offerings range from traditional entrees like gyro, seafood, and falafel to more modern offerings like gyro fries and kale quinoa tabbouleh.

The restaurants will feature a hybrid menu with favorites from both concepts. That means maintaining an abbreviated version of Noon's assembly line format, while adding plated entrees and signature bowls from Daphne's, such as hummus, tzatziki, pita, grilled meats, and basmati rice.

Michael Nakhleh, president of Daphne's parent company, Elite Restaurant Group, says they're excited about introducing Daphne's to Dallas.

"We're looking forward to completing the store conversions in a swift, timely manner so the community can soon stop by, pull up a chair, and experience a sense of Greek hospitality at Daphne's," Nakhleh says.

The staff will be the same, but the stores will be updated inside and out with Daphne's branding and logos and invigorate each location with a sense of Greek hospitality and a return to Mediterranean roots.

The menu at the newly converted Noon locations will feature Daphne’s fan favorite items alongside an abbreviated version of Noon’s build-your-own entrees. This hybrid-style menu will incorporate the best of both worlds from the two concepts, all the while rooting itself in fresh, flavorful Mediterranean ingredients prepared in a way that fuels the guests’ active lifestyle.

Daphne’s currently operates 21 locations in California, and will soon have a total of 32 outposts nationwide once the Noon conversions are completed in Texas and Massachusetts.

Daphne's parent Elite Restaurant Group also owns Slater's 50/50 — which has a location in Dallas — and Patxi's Pizza — which does not.

openings

Grocery News

Urban grocery market will join scene in historic downtown Carrollton

Street Corner Urban Market

A new grocery store brand is making its Texas debut in Carrollton: Called Street Corner Urban Market, it's a small chain from Kansas that will go into a former vintage store at 1105 South Broadway St., across from the historic downtown square, with an opening slated for spring 2026.

The Street Corner brand is headquartered in Topeka, and comprises several concepts, from express kiosks to gas station companions. The urban market concept has 47 locations across the United States as of early 2025, in cities such as Fresno, California and Rochester, New York.

Carrollton will be a 2,500 square-foot store — bigger than a convenience store but smaller than a large-scale grocery store.

Bringing the concept to Carrollton is franchisee Leon Smith, a longtime downtown Carrollton resident looking to fill a gap in the neighborhood's retail lineup.

“I've lived in the downtown Carrollton area probably for about seven, eight years,” Smith says. “I've always noticed the need for some type of grocery chain down here. There's just nothing down here for the residents — nowhere for them to go grab something quick.”

The historic downtown area nearly has it all: family housing, four luxury apartment complexes, a townhome development in the works, a DART station, dining, parks, entertainment, and locally-owned retail and beauty services.

The missing link: a place to grab groceries, beer & wine, flowers, produce, and ready-to-eat meals without hopping on a train or driving.

Smith, an HR professional at Baylor Scott & White venturing into franchising, says the Street Corner Market shopping experience is reminiscent of Trader Joe’s, including stocking many of the same vendors, but on a smaller scale.

Catering to the community is a priority, and they'll be open to product recommendations so that the store’s offerings reflect residents’ needs.

“It's not cookie cutter ‘this is the only way that it’s going to go,’” Smith says. “I'm here to try to make it welcoming for everybody that's around here. I'm a part of this community, so this is important to me, because I know the need for it.”

supermarkets openings