Sandwich News

Marijuana-themed sub shop chain to light up a location in Arlington

Many sandwiches from Cheba Hut.

Cheba Hut

A fun stoner-themed sandwich shop that made its DFW debut in Deep Ellum is expanding: Cheba Hut, the Colorado-based sub shop chain, is opening a location in Arlington at 504 E. Abram St., in a former Jimmy John's, across the street from Division Brewing.

Cheba Hut is the concept that boasts a marijuana theme, with winking stoner names for menu items (although there is no marijuana in the products). The quality of their sub sandwiches earns high marks.

The chain was founded in 1998 and now has more than 50 locations across the country, including four around DFW: Deep Ellum, where it debuted in 2020, Denton, Preston Trail Plaza, and Fort Worth. Arlington will be the fifth, and is set to open in the fall.

The menu has about 30 signature sandwiches, including Jamaican Red (buffalo chicken, jalapeño, and hot sauce) and Acapulco Gold (chicken with BBQ sauce and Swiss cheese), plus salads and a selection of "munchies" such as Rice Krispy treats, loaded nachos, pretzel nuggets, and soups.

Customers can specify bread from a choice of white, wheat, or garlic herb; and can also order their sandwich in different sizes: from a 4-inch nug to an 8-inch pinner to a 12-inch blunt. Prices start at $7 for a small nug and top out at $15 for a large.

In a rare stroke, Cheba boasts a full-service bar with beer and cocktails, such as the signature Dirty Hippie combining cucumber, lemonade, and Deep Eddy Vodka, or the Hash Can with rum, tequila, gin, vodka, Blue Curacao, sour mix, and Red Bull. This amenity is unusual for a sandwich shop.

Most Cheba Hut locations are in hip neighborhoods or near colleges. Arlington, for example, will be right around the corner from the University of Texas at Arlington. The owner is Eddie White, a multi-franchise owner who also owns the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop right next door at 510 E. Abram St. (He also owns a Fuzzy's in Fort Worth and previously owned Harry's at the Harbor in McKinney, now closed.)

This will be his first Cheba Hut franchise, which he considers a significant upgrade from the Jimmy John's that was there before, and he's looking at opening another Cheba Hut in Mansfield.

"I would say it's almost a cultural experience that makes you want to come back," White says. "It's not going to be your standard, white box sandwich shop. Usually with a sandwich shop, it's people coming in and getting a sandwich to go, but with Cheba Hut, you're walking into an environment that's fun, and you want to hang around for a little bit. Plus the sandwiches are off-the-charts good."

Fiesta time

Build-your-own tacos restaurant Barrio makes Texas debut in McKinney

Barrio

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An Ohio-based taco chain is ready to debut its first restaurant in Texas: Barrio, known for build-your-own tacos, along with signature margaritas and a tequila selections, will open a highly anticipated location in McKinney on Thursday, March 5.

According to the owners, the restaurant, at 9401 W. University Dr. #150, McKinney, will open to the public at 3 pm. The first 50 people in line will receive free queso for a year to celebrate the grand opening.

Barrio is a casual, table-service restaurant with a bar and to-go options. Diners can build their own taco from tortilla to protein to sauces and toppings, or choose from a selection of specials and seasonal options.

“Barrio means neighborhood, and [the brand] truly believes in that,” says franchisee Wissam Saliba.

Each location is intricately decorated with custom metal work, vibrant murals, skeletal figures, sugars skulls and other common symbols from The Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday in which families celebrate the souls of their deceased relatives. Muralist Mike Kotlarek handpainted the artwork at the McKinney location, which incorporates Texas symbols including the longhorn.

Barrio Tacos McKinney A mural on the outside of the building includes Texas symbolism, like a longhorn.Photo by Rhema Joy Bell

McKinney franchisee Saliba is a first-time restaurateur based in Cleveland who’s been a fan of Barrio since the first location opened in 2012, he says. Saliba has partnered with Brian Kegley, who previously worked at Melting Pot Restaurants Inc., The Cheesecake Factory, and Restaurants Unlimited and will serve as Barrio’s local operator.

Based on a preview, diners in McKinney can expect warm, salted house chips and taco options like chicken bacon ranch, loaded with spice-rubbed chicken, Monterey jack, lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado ranch.

Guests can build-their-own taco, nachos, or bowl, choosing from more than a dozen protein offerings such as barbacoa beef, chorizo, chicken, pulled pork, cola-marinated steak, spicy blackened cod, jalapeno lime shrimp, chili tofu, beer-braised black beans, and vegan Impossible chorizo; then add ingredients like Napa slaw, caramelized onions & poblanos, cheese, guacamole, salsa, sauces, and pickled jalapenos.

Notably, the restaurant is accommodating to vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan diets.

Prices range from $5 to $15.

Barrio McKinney’s patio, which boasts a view of a colorful, Instagrammable mural, is dog friendly. (Dog owners can ask their servers about complimentary “taco” dog treats, which are hand made by local small business Pea’s Peanut Butter Dog Treats.)

Barrio, which has 23 locations across the United States, will be open in McKinney for dinner service only, from 3-11 pm weekdays and 3 pm-12 midnight Friday-Saturday. Plans to expand for brunch are in the works, the owners say.

openings mckinney tex-mex tacos