Deep Ellum News

Longtime craft beer bar in Dallas' Deep Ellum to close after 10 years

Dot's Hop House duck fat fries.

Dot's

A venerable craft beer bar and restaurant in Dallas' Deep Ellum is closing: Dot's Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard, which had been open at 2645 Commerce St. for a decade, will turn out the lights on Sunday, February 1.

In a post announcing the closure, the owners said it had been "a fun run for the last 10 years," but that their "time in Deep Ellum is coming to an end."

Co-founder Jeff Brightwell was unavailable for comment, but shuttering the location after 10 years would suggest that the bar has reached the end of its lease. Asana Partners, one of the dominant landlords in Deep Ellum, has owned the property since 2017.

The neighborhood has changed significantly in the past decade, with other craft beer purveyors such as Braindead Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing having closed. There is also ongoing construction on Commerce Street — part of a two-year project to transform the street from one-way to two-way that has negatively impacted businesses, and which is not expected to be completed until late 2026.

Dot's opened in January 2016 from a team who'd had a hand in Denton craft beer spots such as Lucky Lou's and Oak Street Draft House. It featured 99 beers on tap, at a time when the craft beer trend was on the upswing — along with a full bar and a menu that surpassed regular bar food. Their signature dish became their duck fat cheese fries, an over-the-top rendition of loaded fries cooked in duck fat, smothered with smoked cheddar, queso blanco, candied bacon, and jalapenos.

They also had an extensive brunch offering, served both Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm that included migas, chicken biscuit sandwich, omelets, decadent stuffed French toast, and a "sandwich" made from two waffles filled with Brie cheese.

A key part of Dot's appeal was its a 10,000-square-foot beer garden, constructed within the building's footprint, creating a unique outdoor space that was ahead of its time, especially in Deep Ellum.

The bar was a personal expression for co-founder Jeff Brightwell, who visioned an urban oasis, and who named the bar for his mother (Dot was her nickname).

According to their post they'll be open this week from Thursday-Sunday or until the food is gone.

craft-beer deep-ellum closings

Pastries for Plano

Renowned San Martín Bakery brings sophisticated pastries to Plano

Courtesy photo

A self-serve area offersvbreads, cookies, and pastries.

San Martín Bakery, the Guatemalan-born bakery-café, will bring its renowned pastries to Plano this spring. The new shop — the chain's third in DFW — will be located at 5500 Preston Rd.

The family-owned company was founded in 1974 and has experienced tremendous success, with 68 stores in Guatemala; 11 in El Salvador; and, soon, three in Dallas-Fort Worth, its only U.S. presence so far.

They're known for high-quality, affordable food and drinks, served both in the bakery and onsite café.

“We don’t like to see ourselves as exclusive, but a neighborhood shop for everyone. We provide excellent quality, good prices, and great service, for multiple occasions,” says Santiago Castillo, country manager for the brand.

Their first foray into the U.S. was Uptown Dallas in 2018, followed by a second area location in Addison in 2024. The new Plano location will feature the same menu as the other local outposts, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Croissant at San Martin Bakery Photo by Marc Lee

Breakfast items include traditional oat and fruit plates, parfaits, omelets, pancakes, and French toast, as well as Latin-American classics such as chilaquiles, molletes, and huevos rancheros. Prices range from $5 to $15.

For lunch and dinner, they serve a variety of burgers; sandwiches; and pinsa, a light-dough flatbread, alongside soups, salads, pasta, and wraps. Castillo describes the menu as “hybrid Latin European,” given the assortment of Latin-American dishes as well as traditional European ones.

The bakery is the heart of San Martín, with a self-serve area offering breads, cookies, and pastries, as well as a counter with specialty desserts such as eclairs, cupcakes, fruit tarts, and beautifully designed cakes. The baked goods are made fresh daily, using onsite proofers and ovens. Coffee, sourced from San Martín's own roaster in Guatemala City, is featured in the café and available to purchase for home brewing.

“First visits are at the restaurant, but we love to see the bakery growing and customers becoming regulars at the bakery too,” Castillo says.

The Plano location will be similar to the others in Dallas, with a front bakery and a dining area overlooking an open kitchen, but outfitted with distinct finishes and unique decor.

It will be open seven days a week and on holidays, from 7 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

plano bakeries openings