Eating Well

Where Dallas busy bodies go for healthy and tasty pre-made meals

Pick up your meals at My Private Chef's Deep Ellum location or have themdelivered to your house.

Photo courtesy of My Private Chef
Fullosophie offers "farm to fork" meals that you can purchase ready-made or haveall the ingredients prepped to make the meal yourself.

Photo courtesy of Fullosophie
TruMeals makes fresh, calorie-portioned meals such as turkey sliders, availablefor pickup or delivery.

Photo courtesy of TruMeals
My Fit foods follows the 40-40-20 rule for a daily average balanced meal plan.

Photo courtesy of My Fit Foods

When it comes to eating right, we need (at least) a few hours to prepare — from grocery shopping to chopping the ingredients. Regretfully, we don't have enough time to cook for ourselves every day, but we still manage to nourish our bodies — with help from these services that prepare calorie- and portion-controlled meals using fresh, delicious ingredients.

My Fit Foods
Founded in Houston by personal trainer Mario Mendias, My Fit Foods offers healthy meals on the run. The menu focuses on lean protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates and healthy fats and follows the 40-40-20 rule — 40 percent protein, 40 percent carbs, 20 percent fat — for a daily average meal plan.

You can do a three- or 21-day challenge, order online, or simply stop by one of the Dallas locations and pull a few meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks — from the well-stocked fridge. Options include Greek goddess salad, zesty shrimp and scallops, and flat iron tacos.

My Private Chef
Chef Holly Muller takes healthy eating to a new level with My Private Chef. You can start with the basic package, in which you receive three meals — high in protein and fiber, low in sodium and sugar — per day for five days.

Meals are prepared fresh and frozen prior to delivery or pickup at Muller's Deep Ellum location. Some of her clients' favorite dishes include spinach and Asiago quiche with truffle oil, tilapia cakes with mango relish and snap peas, and Tuscan chicken with great northern beans.

Simply Fit Meals
Simply Fit Meals makes all meals in-house, with low-glycemic carbs; lean meats; and 100 percent natural, local and organic ingredients. There are no added preservatives or sweeteners, and everything is sized just right in dishes such as cinnamon French toast, sesame teriyaki salmon, and turkey mac and cheese.

Stop by the Plano location and pick up as many portions as you like; just refrigerate and reheat when you're ready to eat. Simply Fit Meals offers delivery within 10 miles of its store, and a new location on Hillcrest Road in Dallas opens in February. Sign up for a house account and build up rewards.

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Brewery closure

Dallas Design District brewery Texas Ale Project taps out after 12 years

Facebook/Texas Ale Project

Texas Ale Project attracted crowds to its patio for events, including recent World Cup watch parties.

A pioneering Dallas brewery is calling it quits: Texas Ale Project, the craft brewery at 1001 N. Riverfront Blvd. in the Design District, announced it will close after more than a decade in business.

The brewery shared the news in a Facebook post, and said its taproom will serve its final customers on Sunday, August 9.

"After more than a decade of brewing beer, building community, and creating memories, we have decided to close Texas Ale Project," the closure post said, without giving specific reasons why.

The brewery said private events will continue to be hosted at the property through a separate entity, with event inquiries still being accepted.

Texas Ale Project, or "T.A.P.," opened in 2014 as a family venture founded by husband-and-wife team Brent Thompson and Kat Stevens, who began brewing beer together in 2003. At the time, the brewery described itself as the first Dallas brewery built from the ground up since Prohibition, constructing a new facility in the Design District rather than converting an existing building.

Its original lineup included Fire Ant Funeral Amber Ale, Naked Truth American Wheat, Somethin' Shady Porter, and 50 FT Jackrabbit IPA. The brewery quickly became part of the Design District's growing craft beer scene that included breweries such as Community Beer Co., Peticolas Brewing Co., and Noble Rey Brewing Co.

100 Million Angels Singing is Texas Ale Project's popular Double IPA.Facebook/Texas Ale Project

The brewery hosted regular events on its dog-friendly patio and beer garden, including recent FIFA World Cup watch parties.

A nomination for Brewery of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards heralded it as a hot spot, saying, "Veteran- and family-owned and operated craft brewery project in the Design District is a fun hangout with a beer garden, trivia nights, sports watching, parties, and food trucks."

In its farewell message, Texas Ale Project reflected on its original mission.

"Since opening our doors in 2014, our mission has always been about more than beer. It has been about bringing people together and building enjoyment," the owners say. "What started as a dream became a gathering place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, ideas were shared, and countless pints were raised among family, neighbors, and strangers who quickly became friends."

The brewery thanked customers, distributors, retailers, vendors, musicians, food trucks, and employees for their support over the past 12 years.

"We are especially thankful for the friendships and connections we've made along the way," the owners say. "While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re embarking on new ones, and the memories we've created together will last far beyond our final pour. We look back in awe of the support we had and with sincere appreciation for everyone who helped make Texas Ale Project what it became."

Fans took to the comments to share memories of parties and gatherings at the brewery, along with laments for their favorite beer and requests for recipes.

Due to an outpouring of support after their original announcement, in fact, the owners moved closing day from Saturday to Sunday. Taproom hours in the final days will be 1-9 pm Wednesday-Thursday, 1-1- pm Friday, 12-10 pm Saturday, and 1-8 pm Sunday.

They invite fans to stop by to raise one last pint.

"Please gather your friends and come see us this weekend," they say. "Have a beer, fill a growler, grab a 6 pack and a t-shirt for the memories."

brewery beer craft beer design district closure