Coffee News

Coffee shop with mission to Be Kinder to open on Dallas' Greenville Ave

Jane Gow, founder of Be Kinder Coffee

Jane Gow

A coffee shop with a charitable mission is opening in Dallas: Called Be Kinder Coffee, it will open its first shop at 6500 Greenville Ave. this summer.

The brand, which currently sells at Denton Farmers Market, is a nonprofit whose goal is to give underserved people, mostly refugee women from Afghanistan and Ukraine, the chance to get a job, good pay, and learn the language.

The organization empowers people with job opportunities and education outside of the shop as well, through classes to help them learn English as a Second Language.

Owner is Jane Huong Nguyen Gow, a refugee from Vietnam herself with an IT background, who wanted to give back.

"At this stage in my life I need to be where I have more purpose in life and be more creative and intentional," she says. "I know what it is like to carry the title of refugee, to come over and struggle and eventually make it to where I am today."

Their location is deliberate, as the building is home to two of their partners: Disciples of the Way Ministries and the International Rescue Committee. Both organizations help with legal services, medical, housing and employment services.

This means no commute will be required for the baristas, who do not likely have a means of transportation just yet. Be Kinder Coffee also partners with Catholic Charities on their mission to support refugees.

The menu will feature all the classic coffee drinks, with their star being their Vietnamese cold brew.

They plan to get breakfast items from acclaimed La Casita Bakery, plus granola bars and overnight oats, with sprouted gluten-free oats and coconut milk.

For lunch, they will offer sandwiches and salads, with vegan and gluten-free options.

They'll initially be open Monday-Friday, 7 am-3 pm, with plans to open at weekends in the future, as well as plans for more locations and a roasting facility down the road.

Gow says she also wants to be move involved with farmers in her native country of Vietnam.

"I want to go back to my country and build a relationship with the farmers - it will be a full circle," she says.

Stir Fry News

Mom-and-pop Asian chain from Austin makes Dallas debut in McKinney

Fire Bowl

A small Asian chain from Austin has entered the Dallas market: Called Fire Bowl Cafe, it's a small chain that has opened its first DFW location in McKinney, at 4060 W. University Dr. #300, in a new shopping center west of US-75.

Fire Bowl Cafe was founded by husband-and-wife Gigi Lee and Daniel Pao in 1996 with a focus on customizable bowls prepared in sizzling woks. They have four locations in Austin and one in Colorado.

Bringing the concept to McKinney is Dallas-based hospitality group DLC Restaurant Holdings (Firo Pizza, Craft Pies Pizza, Desperados), according to a release.

“We are thrilled to bring Fire Bowl Café to McKinney and introduce our unique dining experience to the wonderful community here,” says CEO Mike Daniel in a statement. “Our mission is to ensure that every customer leaves satisfied and happy, and we can’t wait to share our passion for fresh, customizable Asian cuisine with our new neighbors in North Texas."

To give it local flavor, they've partnered with Julian Rodarte, who co-founded Beto & Son, the Mexican restaurant at Trinity Groves in west Dallas, and also served as Trinity Groves' CEO. He was briefly executive chef at COSM at Grandscape and is currently culinary director for Dee Lincoln Concepts.

The menu has a Pei-Wei vibe, featuring a mashup of Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, with favorites like edamame, spring rolls, crab rangoon, pad Thai, pot stickers, and lettuce wraps.

There are noodle and rice bowls, topped with vegetables and choice of protein; and a make-it-your-way stir-fry where you choose from proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu, tossed in a wok with vegetables, then combine it with your choice of "carb" — noodles, brown or white rice — and a wide selection of sauces, from teriyaki to spicy peanut to classic Chinese.

Prices are $12-$14. They do not currently serve alcohol, but have plans for it at a future date.

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