Tex-Mex News

Dallas Tex-Mex master to open Eddie's Cocina & Cantina in El Fenix space

Tacos from Tex-Mex king Eddie Cervantes

Yelp

A much-respected Dallas Tex-Mex restaurant is expanding: Eddie’s Cocina & Cantina, the popular eatery from legendary restaurateur Eddie Cervantes, is opening at 5622 Lemmon Ave., in the Lemmonwood Shopping Center at the corner of Inwood Road.

Eddie's will go into the space probably best known as the former El Fenix, but briefly home to Tex-Mex restaurant Casa Rosa, which closed after two years in May. Construction is underway, with an opening targeted for early fall.

Dallas insiders know Cervantes as the original owner of famed Tex-Mex watering hole Primo's on McKinney Avenue, which he opened in 1986 — a spot so beloved, he still has devout fans dating back to those days.

They followed him to Eddie's Tex-Mex Cocina, a cozy restaurant in East Dallas, which he opened at 2018 Greenville Ave. in 2021.

Among those fans was Dean Flowers, who has experience in real estate and restaurants, and is now partnered with Cervantes.

"I lost a few brain cells back in the day at Primo's," Flowers says, joking. "Eddie and I have been friends for a long time. I help out on the business side so he can focus on running the restaurant. He's the best at what he does. He cares deeply about his food, his staff, and his customers."

It's a formula that draws crowds: good-quality Tex-Mex — enchiladas, nachos, tacos, and award-winning queso, plus strong margaritas and attentive service — that stands out in an increasingly watered-down Tex-Mex scene.

Eddie's also goes a little beyond Tex-Mex with entrees such as steak and seafood, and a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

The new location will take all that to another level, Flowers says.

"We're still in the middle of making plans, but given that it's a bigger space, we hope to add a nice high-end bar," he says. "I'm pretty sure we're planning on a tequila bar with 100 different tequilas and mezcals. There's so many tequilas now, nobody knows what to drink anymore, so we'll have a program to help clarify the different kinds."

"But really, it's going to be a second Eddie's — just bigger," he says.

It'll also bring great Tex-Mex to a neighborhood — adjacent to Park Cities, Preston Hollow, and the Medical District — that wants it desperately. Especially in that storied location, home to El Fenix for 60 years before it closed in 2020.

"I live in the area, and people were screaming about the loss of a Mexican restaurant," Flowers says.

Downtown Dining

Indian restaurant Gymkhana adds urban touch to downtown Dallas

Gymkhana

A plush new Indian restaurant is now open in the heart of downtown Dallas: Called Gymkhana, it's located at 1408-1410 Main St., in the former Which Wich Sandwich/Birdguesa space, where it's serving a wide range of Indian dishes in an upscale setting.

Gymkhana is from prolific restaurateur Praveen Prasannan, an industry veteran with international experience working at hotels and on cruise ships. Prasannan is also the owner of Shivas Bar and Grill, an elevated Indian concept he owns with his brother Prinu, with outlets in downtown Dallas and in Allen; and Elephant Bar & Grill, another upscale Indian brand with locations in East Dallas and Bishop Arts.

Gymkhana — which is no relation to a London-based concept with the same name — is Prasannan's latest creation, and furthers his mission to champion authentic Indian food — from all parts of India, including Mumbai, where he's from — in a nicer environment than other Indian restaurants in the area.

The menu features traditional Indian dishes but with an occasional contemporary flair. Soups, for example, include a traditional madras tomato soup next to a lobster bisque. There are classics like samosas but also fusion items like hummus with garlic naan, or mussels "Indian style" with velvet tikka sauce.

They offer a number of dishes baked tandoori-style in a clay oven that imparts an irresistible smokiness, in dishes such as lamb and chicken kebabs.

Like most Indian restaurants, Gymkhana is vegetarian-friendly, even offering vegan dishes such as chana masala — chickpeas in a spicy tomato-onion sauce. Prices are relatively low, with entrees averaging about $21.

"I wanted to make sure it was affordable — that was important," Prasannan says.

GymkhanaGymkhana

Decor
The restaurant is inspired by the traditional social clubs of India, celebrating the spirit of togetherness and conversation, designed with intricate details, Prasannan says.

"I brought in antiques from India to create a distinctive atmosphere, to give the restaurant a strong identity," he says.

The facade features centuries-old hand-carved wooden doors, with a row of lights across the top that reflect down on the sidewalk and give the entry a big-city feel.

The interior boasts royal blue banquettes, sparkling chandeliers, and hand-painted murals depicting regal figures, elephants, and intricate patterns — a combination of modern and traditional.

The space combines what was previously two storefronts with seating for up to 150, and that was intentional, Prasannan says.

"One of my priorities was to be able to offer a place for private parties and events — we receive so many requests," he says.

He's also a big believer in bringing Indian food to the center of Dallas. The majority of Indian restaurants are in suburbs like Irving, Plano, Richardson, Frisco — but Prasannan's restaurants are all in inner city areas like East Dallas, Bishop Arts, and downtown Dallas.

Their presence lends a cosmopolitan urban touch to their neighborhoods — and Gymkhana does it one better with late-night hours, staying open until 11 pm on weeknights and 1 am on weekends.

downtown openings