Wings News

Live music bar with killer wings opens in ex-Pete's Dueling Piano in Addison

Mmmm wings. At Alley Music House.

Alley Music House

There's a new restaurant-speakeasy-bar-live music venue now open in Addison: Called The Alley Music House, it's in the former Pete's Dueling Piano Bar at 4980 Belt Line Rd., where it's hosting live music, sports viewing, and some innovative wings.

The concept is from Sean Cooper, a food & beverage veteran who previously worked in the franchise world. His goal with The Alley was to create a space supporting live music, with great food and a craft cocktail bar, in a contemporary elegant space.

"Music is a passion of mine," Cooper says. "I was a violinist in high school, I've done some performing on stage, and I wanted to provide a live music venue for musicians of all genres to have a place to play, rehearse, or host a listening party. On top of that, we want to serve some good food. I was previously in the wing business so I know how to do good wings, plus burgers — just an American bar."

Cooper grew up in DeSoto, graduated from UNT, and was a franchisee of Wing Zone, the second-largest chain in the U.S. At Alley, he's doing wings with an unusual twist.

"We're baking our wings — nothing fried," he says. "Everything's roasted or baked. We don't deal with grease, it's not good for you, we wanted to take a healthier route, and you can still get amazing wings without frying them."

The menu also includes smoked meats, tacos, quesadillas, a bistro sandwich, and a baked potato.

At the center lies their craft bar, overseen by skilled mixologist Alaria Waddle, who previously worked at Roots Southern Table. Waddle's bar program includes cocktails with house-made infusions and fresh ingredients.

"Everything is fresh, with syrups made in house, with a mission to 'drink clean,'" she says. "It syncs with the healthful approach of our kitchen, with everything grilled, baked, or air-fried. We're striving for a fresh health-conscious approach to regular bar food."

They have 16 TV's, plus a music video wall, and in addition to live music, they'll host karaoke, trivia, plus beer and wine tasting events.

They've been softly open for a couple of weeks in the former Pete's (which relocated to Frisco in 2023) and will begin hosting live music acts on May 16, starting out Thursdays-Sundays, and adding more days down the road.

"We're right across from the Improv, and would like to make the area a destination for fun entertainment," Cooper says.

openings

Shawarma News

Kebab concept Doner Shack comes to Texas with location in Prosper

Doner Shack

A new doner kebab chain is coming to town: Called Doner Shack, it's a quick-service restaurant concept based in the U.K. which is opening its first location in Texas in Prosper. The restaurant has yet to be built, so the opening date is still TBA. But according to a release, it will open in a shopping center at the intersection of Teel Parkway and University Drive, on the northwest corner, kitty corner from the PGA Golf Resort.

Doner Shack says it was built with one goal: to become the world’s leading kebab brand. No mention of the food, but what they're really pushing is franchising. Founders are chef Sanjeev Sanghera and Laura Bruce, who own three stores in the U.K., and who were inspired after an "epic 48-hour trip to Berlin" where the culture and kebabs blew their minds "in the best way possible." Hopefully that means the food is good.

Doner kebab is the dish of Turkish origin made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It's popular in Germany because there's a large Turkish population there. Competitors — many of whom have expanded to DFW — include Halal Guys, Nick the Greek, The Great Greek, Spitz Mediterranean Grill, Soulard Gyro, and German Doner Kebab.

Doner Shack's menu features the original doner kebab with beef on Turkish bread and salad, and then varieties such as chicken, or beef with chili sauce, or a vegetarian with fried halloumi cheese.

In addition to doner kebabs, there are also chicken tenders served with crinkle cut fries; slider-size sandwiches with fried chicken or with shaved beef; and loaded fries, topped with the same assortment of meats.

Bringing it to Texas is franchisee group Gyro N Philly LLC, led by Hassan Zaman who says in a statement that they're delighted to bring Doner Shack to Prosper.

"With the new PGA headquarters across the street, a high school with over 30,000 students, and the upcoming Universal Kids Theme Park just minutes away, we believe this is a home run location," he says. For good food, one hopes.

openings