Holiday News

Dallas restaurants use irresistible ploy for holiday brunches: Santa

Brunch with Santa at Electric Shuffle

Electric Shuffle

Dallas can't seem to get enough of Santa right now. It's not enough to have him for "Photos With," we want him on our train rides, we want him for breakfast, we want him for brunch.

"Brunch With Santa" (and its earlier "Breakfast With Santa" twin) have become a hot-hot holiday dining trend in 2023, with a host of places offering a perk to Dallas' favorite meal (brunch): the presence of Santa while you sip your mimosa and scarf French toast.

The uptick is part of a Santa boom that started last year, according to Santa-for-hire companies like RentSantaDFW and HireSanta.com, which is based in Southlake and is the largest Santa supplier in the world.

HireSanta.com owner Mitchell Allen, who rose to fame after appearing on Shark Tank in 2018, says that his company has added more than 1,100 new Santas this year to a database that already has thousands around the world. Everyone wants Santa, and it's not just the mall: for company parties, personal parties, bar events, and yes, brunch.

"It's part of the continuing move to get back to normal after COVID," Allen says. "We have Santas in every state, the middle east, China, Dubai, so we have a good perspective on Santa, and it has exploded, for the second year in a row. Bookings for 2023 have jumped by 155 percent from last year, and 2022 was a watershed."

During trying times, people often turn to traditions — which could help explain why we're seeing an almost frenetic embrace of holiday-themed festivities in 2023: more light shows, Hallmark Channel hotel rooms, more Christmas bar pop-ups, more holiday teas, more more more. Consider: An espresso martini toast to Santa might help you forget that you're deeply deeply in debt.

In prior years, Dallas may have seen one Brunch with Santa, maybe two. This year, we've counted nine places bringing in the jolly fellow to hang while you nosh on your hash:

Electric Shuffle: Santa Brunch, December 16 and December 17, 10 am-4 pm
Electric Shuffle was a Santa brunch pioneer - this is their third year hosting their annual Santa Brunch, and they do it up big, with prizes for the ugliest sweater, live DJs, and an appearance from the big man himself. "We think it’s a fun way for adults to get into the Christmas Spirit and feel like a kid again (only this time with booze)," a spokesperson says. Every guest receives a whole bottle of prosecco, with brunch boards and pizza served family-style. 90 minutes of shuffleboard are included in the $50 per person price with reservations open for groups of 4 to 20.

Epic Waters: Breakfast with SantaDecember 9 and December 16, 9 am
Breakfast with Santa features a two-hour magical Christmas Experience. You’ll get a complimentary souvenir photo with Santa, a breakfast buffet, holiday crafts, and all-day holiday splash and play privileges. Doors open at 8:30 am. Buy tickets online to guarantee admission. Tickets are $64 or $29 for kids under 3 years old.

The Finch: Breakfast With SantaDecember 10 and December 17, from 10 am-12 pm
The Finch is hosting its first annual Breakfast with Santa on the next two Sundays in December. Festive morning brunch with delightful surprises includes an Unlimited Hot Cocoa Bar where you can ⁠build-your-own hot cocoa with a variety of toppings. Diners will get a complimentary photo with Santa, but reservations are required.

Fowling Warehouse : Fowling Brunch With SantaDecember 10 from 11 am-1 pm
Have brunch and play at Fowling Warehouse in this family-friendly event. Fowling Warehouse DFW does not normally offer brunch, but they wanted to celebrate the seasonal Santa experience and offer something kid-friendly and new. $15 per child includes pictures with Santa, gingerbread cookie decorating, arts & crafts, a letter to Santa, pancakes, and Fowling play. Adults are $10 with pancakes and mimosas for $3, plus game contest and Fowling play.

Maguire's: Brunch With Santa, December 10, from 10 am-3 pm
Santa photos will be available from 10 am-12 pm. Enjoy dishes unique to Maguire's Bistro brunch menu like Quiche Du Jour, the Three Amigos (with 3 flour tortillas, scrambled eggs, jack & cheddar cheese & chorizo served with guacamole & pico de gallo), and Steak & Eggs with 6-oz filet mignon, two eggs, fruit, and breakfast potatoes. Reserve here.

Renny's: Brunch With Santa, December 9, from 10 am-3 pm
Santa will be available for photos from 10 am-12 pm. Renny's brunch menu features dishes like a Sticky Bun Skillet with three housemade rolls with cinnamon, pecans, and caramel; a Monte Cristo - beer battered stuffed with ham, Swiss cheese, and Dijonnaise, topped with raspberry sauce & powdered sugar; or Renny's Biscuits & Gravy. Renny's also offers cocktails and a Mimosa Mini Bar featuring a bottle of House Prosecco or Champagne + choice of two juices and berries for $29. Reserve here.

Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar: Breakfast with Santa, December 10 and December 17, from 10 am-3 pm
Harwood already has the holiday thing aced: They have one of the largest outdoor Christmas trees in Dallas which has become a destination during the holiday. They wanted to enhance their Christmas programming by adding a holiday event at the historic Saint Ann’s that is family- and kid-friendly. Thus: a lavish holiday breakfast buffet with spinach & sausage strata, sausage kolaches, potato hash, 4 cheese mac & cheese, French toast fingers, waffles, chicken tenders, salads, plus holiday music and a special visit & photos with Santa. $55 or $35 for 12 and under.

SĒR Steak + Spirits: Breakfast With Santa, December 16, December 17, December 23, December 24, from 9-11:30 am
Steakhouse on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole will be decked out with Christmas decor, and guests will overlook the Dallas skyline while enjoying breakfast buffet with gourmet breakfast favorites, including a doughnut wall, cookie decorating, photos with Santa, storybook readings, and activities. Each table gets two prints and one digital copy from the photo station with Santa. $55, or $25 for 10 and under. Reservations on OpenTable.

Stirr: Santa Brunch, December 9 and December 16, from 10 am-12 pm
Get ready for a ho-ho-whole lot of fun with the real Black Santa who is making Saturday morning stops in Dallas throughout December, bringing his merry vibes and soulful spirit. Festive Santa brunch will include free Santa portraits and a special brunch experience with classic chicken & grits and their giant cinnamon roll, plus holiday drinks like their maple bacon Old Fashioned or Rudolph's Spritzer, in a large format to share with friends. Reservations are required.

Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, Breakfast With Santa, December 9 and December 16 and December 23, from 10 am-12 pm
Frisco resort has been doing Breakfast with Santa for the past two years, as place where families could celebrate together and bring joy to kids' faces, both big and small. They're hosting three dates filled with activities for the kids and special visits from Santa. Indulge in a brunch spread while the kids dive into activity stations such as cookie decorating and crafting their own gingerbread masterpiece to take home, plus an opportunity to engage and take a photo with Santa. The December 23 brunch will feature a visit from Mrs. Claus in addition to Santa. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for 12 and under. Reservations: for December 9, for December 16, for December 23.

Eco Warrior News

Dallas restaurants doing amazing little things for the environment

Southwest Airlines

Cute bamboo cup from Southwest Airlines

One unfortunate legacy left by the pandemic has been a huge increase in the use of plastics — setting back progress that was being made pre-pandemic.

Plastics are bad. They harm everything they touch: the environment, health, food security, and economies. But they're convenient, subsidized, and in some cases necessary.

Before the pandemic, a growing awareness had started to snowball regarding the negative impact of plastics, particularly plastic straws and single-use plastic containers — and it was significant enough to make the plastics industry very nervous.

"In the two years leading up to the pandemic, the public backlash against plastic was a major concern for industry leaders," says a story about plastics and the pandemic in The Guardian. "As a corporate executive remarked during an industry event early in 2019: 'We need to get the image of plastic in oceans out of the public’s mind. Otherwise, we could lose our social license to operate.'"

But then the pandemic came along, igniting mass hysteria about contagion, and suddenly, bans on single-use plastics that had been in the works were reversed in countries around the world: North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

“Overnight, plastics went from public enemy No. 1 to consumers asking for everything to have as much packaging as possible and to be single use," said one gleeful analyst for Shell Oil, who are a major plastics player.

The urgency of the plastics situation remains invisible to most people, lined up at the drive-thru for their coffee or Chick-Fil-A, piling up nearly 250 pounds of plastic waste every year. (That's what the average American amasses — more than any other country.)

But there are brave, pro-environment efforts being made by Dallas companies and organizations, big and small.

La Casita Bakeshop cup Revolutionary compostable cup at La Casita Bakeshop.Facebook

Dallas efforts
The Dallas restaurants and organizations listed below have taken steps to fight waste, even though it costs them money.

Plastic Free Lunch Day is November 22
Dallas ISD’s Food and Child Nutrition Services will participate in Plastic Free Lunch Day on November 22, to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic in school cafeterias.

Plastic Free Lunch Day was started by middle school students in Brooklyn. The initiative was such a success that it was adopted by all New York City public schools in 2022. The concept has since spread to public schools across the country — including Dallas ISD, which was the first in Texas to participate, when it joined up in 2022.

It creates an opportunity to educate students and the community on ways to positively impact the environment, including skipping plastic. Dallas school cafeterias will replace the plastic items they regularly use during lunch with biodegradable alternatives. (Plastic cutlery, cups, and straws will be available upon request for the crybabies.)

Southwest Airlines bamboo cup
Southwest Airlines Co., the Dallas-based airline, has introduced a new bamboo cup for inflight cold beverages, and a wood stir stick in place of a plastic stick. The airline expects the new items to reduce its inflight single-use plastics by more than 1.5 million pounds annually.

In July 2024, Southwest transitioned to a paper overwrap for its napkins made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials — fully eliminating plastic from this service item. The airline is making an effort to eliminate single-use plastics from inflight service by 2030.

La Casita Bakeshop compostable cups
La Casita Bakeshop, the award-winning bakery and cafe operation, recently debuted fabulous new cups that are 100 percent compostable, soil- and marine-biodegradable, breaking down naturally after 90 days. and are made from natural materials.

"We are always trying to find ways to be more environmentally friendly and this is a big way we can," they said in their post announcing the new cups. "We just want to be proud of our paper trail and being a restaurant it's hard to do that."

Smoothie King biodegrable cups
Smoothie King, the Dallas-based smoothie chain, previously used styrofoam cups, but began testing a biodegradable cup in 2019. They now offer it as the default choice. They're using Vio Foam, specially made cups that biodegrade 92 percent in four years. They'll still accommodate whiny selfish customers who insist on getting a plastic cup instead, but their Vio foam cup not only helps the environment, it also keeps their smoothies cold a little longer.

Kate Weiser Recycle Box Program
Kate Weiser, the Dallas chocolatier, sells its gorgeous eye-catching bon-bons in a variety of boxes, from 4 pieces all the way up to 35 pieces. (OK, they'll sell them individually, too, but who goes to a chocolate shop and buys a single chocolate?) They have a program where you can bring your empty box to the store and get a refill and get 5 percent off. (Weiser amusingly calls it a "secret hack.")

Dude Sweet Chocolate freezer packaging
Dude Sweet Chocolate, the Oak Cliff chocolatier, has a next-level campaign in which they will accept cold-ship packaging you've received in the mail and re-use it. Say, for example, that you ordered an 8-pack of ice cream pints from Double Rainbow in San Francisco, and it arrived in a box with freezer packs and a foil liner. You can drop that packaging off at Dude Sweet's factory location at 1340 Inwood Rd., and they'll re-use it in one way or another when they're doing shipments of their chocolate.

Note: Whether you're putting it in the blue bin or the gray bin, your plastic is not being recycled. The best course when it comes to plastic, especially single-use plastic, is to not use it at all.

sustainability