Margarita Crisis

Family Tex-Mex shutters and more Dallas restaurant news

Fernando's

This roundup of Dallas restaurant news has one tragic closure, but also some upbeat reopenings and relocations. There are also new sandwiches and lots of new lunch action, from expansions to great new deals.

Here's what's happening in Dallas restaurant news this week:

Fernando's Mexican Cuisine is closing both locations in Preston Hollow and Richardson after 20 years on May 18. The restaurant was founded by Fernando Padilla and his wife, Anna, who first opened the restaurant on Midway Road in Preston Hollow in 2005, serving enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas. According to a post, the owners couldn’t reach an agreement with the landlord at the original location and the Richardson location lease is expiring soon.

Van Leeuwen, the gourmet ice cream chain, will open a new location at 8061 Walnut Hill Lane #C-928 in North Dallas on May 1. Van Leeuwen ice cream is inventive, with flavors such as Hidden Valley Ranch and Honeycomb, and they also do excellent vegan options. This is their fifth location in Dallas-Fort Worth, and their eighth store in Texas. Their pints are also sold at upscale grocers such as Sprouts.

Dog Haus, the hot dog restaurant and biergarten, has reopened its Richardson location under new ownership at 744 S. Central Expy. #210. The California-based restaurant made its DFW debut at this location when it opened in 2017, bit closed in 2024. Aside from hot dogs, they're also known for burgers and sausages, all served on Hawaiian rolls.

Moriya Shokudo, a Japanese ramen shop in Richardson, relocated to a new address — a brick and mortar — at 1920 N. Coit Rd. #250. Owner Tadashi Nakazawa first opened the restaurant as a food stand inside a Korean grocery store at 11422 Harry Hines Blvd. in 2023. They serve small plates, like seaweed salad and pork gyoza, and a range of curries, ramen, and rice bowls.

Dee Lincoln Concepts, the Dallas-based hospitality group behind Dee Lincoln Prime and Dee’s Table Burgers & More, has appointed Julian Rodarte as culinary director. Rodarte co-founded Trinity Groves restaurant Beto & Son and was also CEO of Trinity Groves. He most recently served as executive chef at COSM at Grandscape. Rodarte aims to introduce immersive programming at Dee Lincoln Prime, including an exclusive chef’s table experience and an omakase experience led by Dee Lincoln’s sushi chef.

Nikki Greek Bistro is launching a new "six under $20" lunch menu featuring seasonal dishes such as meze combo platter with hummus, beet-whipped feta, tiropita, dolmas and a Greek salad, chicken souvlaki, Greek meatball, and chef’s daily pasta. Available Tuesday-Friday from 11 am-3 pm.

Rose Cafe at LePasSage has expanded to lunch and patio dining including papaya salad with peanuts and tamarind sauce, coconut rice noodle bowl with fried spring rolls, pork shoulder bao buns, summer rolls, and Cambodian lemongrass beef skewers. Lunch is Monday-Friday from 11 am-3 pm.

North Italia has a spring and summer menu available featuring garlic knot sliders, chicken scarpariello, and brunch items like strawberries & cream French toast and poached eggs & polenta. They've also added cocktails such as Cacio E Pepe Dirty Martini and Alta Rossa.

Corner Bakery Cafe has three new sandwiches on the menu: roast beef bleu, DC chicken salad, pretzel with turkey or ham, and ham or turkey and Swiss and croissant. Sandwiches range from $8-$13.

Bourbon & Banter, the underground speakeasy at The Statler, has a new menu featuring charcuterie board, pretzel sticks wrapped in prosciutto, Knob Creek bread pudding, and ice cream with a choice of vanilla bean, salted chocolate chunk, caramel, or raspberry sorbet. Additionally, new cocktails include Cold Brew Martini and The Pompadour.

Socorro Tequila, the Dallas-based liquor brand, has a limited-edition release of Reserva de Pablo, a five-year Extra Añejo tequila made from forgotten barrels. It features agave notes followed by notes of oak aged maple, prunes, and smoked spices.

Tom Thumb stores now have strawberry madeleines, the French-inspired shell-shaped soft cookie, from Sugar Bowl Bakery, a San Francisco-based company that supplies hotels, cafes, restaurants, convention centers, and colleges. They're made without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and contain no high-fructose corn syrup.

FB Society, the Dallas hospitality group, is opening a food hall in the historic Lord & Taylor building at 424 Fifth Ave. in New York City. Called Shaver Hall, it features 11 food stalls including an omakase concept, wine and cheese bar, steakhouse, and bodega.

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News you can eat

Spring menus have sprung in this edition of Dallas restaurant news

Photo courtesy of Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen

Elaine's Cocktail Kitchen is adding brunch service.

Like the Dallas weather lately, this restaurant news roundup keeps us on our toes. New menus and dishes are popping up for spring, but they'll be gone soon - they're extremely limited-time offerings, or "LTO" as the kids say. We've also got a few restaurant openings, some chef news, new brunch, and new drinks.

Here's what's happening in Dallas dining right now:

Palladino’s Steak & Seafood, the buzzy restaurant that's the toast of NYC, has hired Henry Johnson as chef de cuisine for the forthcoming Preston Royal location. He’ll oversee daily kitchen operations and execute the menu from executive chef and partner Sam Hazen. A veteran Dallas chef, Johnson previously led kitchens at Bistro 31 and Evelyn and competed on Season 24 of Hell’s Kitchen. The "modern steakhouse," from founder Joseph Palladino, will feature prime steaks and seafood; an opening date has not yet been announced.

Grandma’s Country Kitchen, a Southern-inspired, family-style restaurant, is opening March 23 in Southern Dallas, at the corner of Camp Wisdom Road and Highway 67 (aka the former South Dallas Cafe space). The menu features comfort classics like fried chicken, catfish, mashed potatoes, green beans, and desserts such as peach cobbler and banana pudding. Guests can also take advantage of catering services and events at the attached sister venue, The Reserve at Redbird, which accommodates up to 330 guests for all types of celebrations.

West Village in Uptown Dallas has seen a flurry of new openings lately: healthy restaurant Toastique; Chicago-inspired tavern D.L. Mack's; and martini hot spot Hudson House.

A few more new openings:

Texas Roadhouse, home of the hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and famous rolls with cinnamon butter, has opened a new location in West Dallas, at 3620 Dallas-Ft. Worth Turnpike.
Stop-N-Go Gyros, the fast-casual Mediterranean shop that's popular for takeout, opened 17421 Preston Rd. in North Dallas.
Bojangles, the cult-favorite fried chicken spot, has opened at 210 S. Central Expressway in McKinney.

Elaine’s Cocktail Kitchen in downtown Frisco has expanded its brunch to both Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am-3 pm, featuring European-inspired, shareable dishes paired with craft cocktails. Highlights include horchata French toast, Elaine’s Benedict with short rib or blue crab, smoked salmon tartine, potato-rosemary frittata, and cannoli cream crepes, along with lighter options like overnight oats and seasonal parfaits.

Nobu Dallas will celebrate cherry blossom season with two limited-time offerings - a drink and a dessert - March 23-April 12. The Sakura Negroni ($22) combines Awayuki Strawberry Gin, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, and Sakura Blossom Tea for a floral, strawberry-forward twist on the classic cocktail. The Strawberry-Elderflower Sorbet ($19) features meringue blossoms, white chocolate-honey namelaka, and cookie crumbs for a spring-inspired sweet treat.

Nobu sorbet Strawberry-Elderflower Sorbet at Nobu.Photo courtesy of Nobu

Black Sheep Coffee is debuting a limited-time “Banana Arcade” menu for spring, featuring banana-flavored drinks including iced and hot lattes, matcha lattes, frappes, and a cold brew topped with salted caramel foam.

Buzz and Bustle coffee shop at The Village on March 23 is launching a limited-time spring menu, featuring four seasonal drinks: the Black & White with matcha or cold brew and white chocolate foam; a cucumber-mint “Green Daydream;” a carrot cake latte; and a banana fosters-inspired nitro cold brew.

Apothecary Bar and Flamant Bar & Bistro have teamed up for "Martini Madness," a bracket-style competition running March 18-April 5, on Wednesdays through Sundays, whereby guests can sip and vote for their favorite pours. The tournament features rotating matchups of classic and signature martinis, aka $10 “Tiny-Tinis,” with winners determined by a combination of in-person orders and social media votes. Prizes include complimentary drinks for correct picks on a bracket and a $200 gift card for a perfect bracket.

Torchy’s Tacos is introducing a whole new menu category: nachos, available for a limited time this spring. The nachos layer crispy tortilla chips with Torchy's signature green chile queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream, with optional additions like fajita chicken, steak, pork, or brisket. A smaller version of the nacho plate is also available during weekday “Hooky Hour” from 2-5 pm, alongside half-price beer and house margaritas.

Torchy's nachos.Photo courtesy of Torchy's

Smalls Sliders is adding its first new slider flavor: the BBQ Bacon Jalapeño Slider, available now for a limited time. The new burger puts a smoky-spicy twist on the signature cheeseburger, with BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and pickled jalapeños.

HTeaO is adding trendy, buzzy matcha drinks to the menu, starting March 20. They'll debut three flavors — churro, strawberry, and lemon lavender — all topped with new cold foam. Cold foam is also being added as a permanent topper for any drink; there are also now churro bites offered as a sweet pairing.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has introduced a new Anniversary Celebration Menu, a $90-per-person prix-fixe meal designed for milestone events. The menu includes champagne and rose-petal table accents, shared starters like a cold seafood tower or filet bites, a choice of soup or salad, a shared entrée such as Chateaubriand or Beef Wellington, and a dramatic flaming dessert finale. Available by request at all locations.

Barrel & Bones is jumping on the bandwagon of a viral cocktail trend: the soft-serve margarita. Now available at its Inwood Road location, soft-serve frozen 'ritas are priced at $8 and come in flavors such as passion fruit, strawberry, peach, and mango. They tout them as the the first offering of their kind in North Texas inspired by the current TikTok craze.

Soft-serve frozen margarita at Barrel & Bones.Photo courtesy of Barrel & Bones

Puerto Cocina & Bar, the Baja-inspired spot from the team behind Xaman Café, Ayahuasca Cantina, and Señor Oink, has launched a seasonal menu featuring fresh seafood, coastal Baja flavors, and Mexican wines. The Dallas Design District restaurant now also offers lunch, in addition to dinner service.

Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has brought back its fan-favorite Boss Hog sandwich, through May 20 only. The gut buster features four slow-smoked meats - sausage, pulled pork, hickory-smoked ham, and crispy bacon - stacked on a sweet King’s Hawaiian bun. Available as a sandwich ($9.99) or combo with a side and drink ($14.99).

Maple Street Biscuit Company is marking spring with a limited-time menu featuring fresh berries, available through May 19. Highlights include Double Berry Waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream; Bonuts with berry icing; Very Berry Lemonade; and an Iced Berry Latte.

Rowdy Cowboy in The Colony and Grapevine are adding some hearty new dishes, including steak frites, quesabirria tacos, a 9-oz choice filet, and Cowboy Parmesan chicken Milanese. They still offer handcrafted cocktails with a 40-foot oak bar, 70 large-screen TVs, 32 ice-cold beer taps, and more than 35 bourbons and whiskeys.

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