This week in gluttony

$2 meals top the 7 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

The iconic chicken fried steak at Norma's Cafe.

Norma's Cafe/Facebook

An Oak Cliff-based institution for home cooking will mark 70 years in business with $2 meals (you read that right) served all day at all five dine-in locations this week. With all that extra money saved, make plans for a Napa wine dinner, Sunday crawfish boil, and summer solstice brunch, too.

Wednesday, June 24

Norma’s Café 70th Anniversary Community Celebration
All Norma's Cafe locations (Oak Cliff, North Dallas, Frisco, Park Lane, and Plano) will celebrate 70 years in business with all-day $2 meal deals. The specials include chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and dressing, biscuits and gravy, and “Mile High Pie.” The deals are good for dine-in only, from 10:30 am-8 pm. A portion of proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Dallas, honoring the legacy of the restaurant's beloved former owner, the late Ed Murph.

Sadelle's Highland Park x The Mahjong Line
Sadelle’s has partnered with The Mahjong Line and The Marvelous Mrs. Mahjong for an afternoon of tiles and good times. The $75 ticket includes one player seat, a Spritz (Aperol, Hugo or N/A Coastal Spritz), and Sadelle's light bites served tableside. The event runs from 3-5 pm. (Skilled players only.)

Thursday, June 25

Duckhorn Vineyards Wine Dinner at Princi Italia
The Plano outlet of the authentic Italian restaurant will host a four-course dinner featuring Duckhorn wines from Napa Valley. Menu highlights include ahi tuna and salmon tartare, Chianti braised short rib ravioli, cherry wood smoked pork loin, and a peaches-and-cream dessert. The price is $85, and the dinner begins at 6:30 pm. Call 972-378-9463 for reservations.

World Cup Pizza Experience with Mister O1 & Quarter Acre
In honor of New Zealand’s current run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New Zealand-native chef Toby Archibald of Quarter Acre will partner with chef Renato Viola of Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza for a worldly dinner experience. Guests will enjoy a new signature pizza inspired by Archibald’s New Zealand roots along with other exclusive off-menu pizzas, beer, wine, and beverages. The $100 tickets are going fast. The dinner will take place at Mister O1’s Turtle Creek location from 7-9 pm.

Saturday, June 27

Summer Solstice Brunch at Sixty Vines
Partake in this all-day brunch experience inspired by the longest day of the year at both locations of Sixty Vines (Dallas and Plano). Reyka Vodka reps will be on-site with specialty drink tastings, and there’ll be live DJ music all afternoon along with pop-up vendors, branded charcuterie boards for sharing, and frozen espresso martinis served in souvenir martini tumblers. Don’t miss wine bottle dipping by Belle Glos wines. Restaurant hours are 10 am-10 pm.

Sunday, June 28

Crawfish Boil at Roots Southern Table
Celeb chef Tiffany Derry’s Southern eatery in Farmers Branch will host a family-friendly crawfish boil for an all-you-can-eat price of $50. (Tickets required for those 13 and up.) The TV star chef will be on-site to welcome guests, and the boil will run from 11 am-2 pm. Smashburgers, sausages, cocktails, and beverages will be available a la carte.

Gluten-Free Market at Chestnut Square
McKinney will host a first-of-its-kind vendor market featuring gluten-free shopping. More than 30 vendors will offer specialty foods, baked goods, pantry items, and more with the gluten-free lifestyle in mind. Special guest speaker and registered dietitian Melissa Duce will present “Eat to Thrive: A Gluten-Free Gut Health Guide” multiple times throughout the free event, which will run from 11 am-2 pm in Chestnut Square.

food events

Korean food find

L.A. Korean favorite Jinsol Gukbap brings authentic Busan soups to Plano

Authentic Korean comfort food meant for sharing: The diverse menu at Jinsol Gukbap highlights rich traditional broths, grilled meats, and classic side dishes.

Photo courtesy of Jinsol Gukbap.

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A new Korean restaurant from Los Angeles has arrived in Plano: Called Jinsol Gukbap, it is now open at 111 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Suite 102, near the intersection of US 75.

Jinsol Gukbap is an L.A.-born concept specializing in rich, pork-based soups inspired by the traditional cuisine of the Busan region of South Korea.

This marks the franchise's second location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area (the first is in Carrollton) and the first owned by Bo Young Jang. Jang previously operated another Korean restaurant, Naju Myeonok, which opened in 2023 in the same spot, but she pivoted to Jinsol Gukbap.

Jang says she chose the brand because dwaeji gukbap, a hearty Busan specialty featuring pork, rice, and a rich broth, is one of her favorite dishes. It's also Jinsol Gukbap's signature item, and she hopes to introduce it to more diners in Dallas.

“When I first tried Jinsol Gukbap in L.A., I was so mesmerized by the rich and deep flavor, and I made it a goal to bring the popular franchise to Dallas,” Jang says.

The restaurant specializes in casual Korean comfort food made with fresh ingredients, featuring handmade noodles, dumplings, kimchi, and gochujang (fermented chile paste).

The broth is the star of the menu; made from scratch, it simmers pork bones for up to 24 hours to achieve a deep, rich flavor. Pots of salt and pepper sit on each table so diners can adjust the seasoning to their liking.

Jinsol Gukbap's rich, spicy hot pots and authentic Korean specialty meats are designed to bring friends and family together.Photo courtesy of Jinsol Gukbap

Soup bowls feature a variety of proteins — including shredded brisket, oxtail, short rib, and Korean sausage — and range from $15 to $17. The menu also features kimchi stew with pork belly, grilled or braised marinated short ribs, pork or mushroom hot pots, stir-fried squid, and jokbal (braised pig’s feet), with prices ranging from $20 to $45.

Cold noodles round out the menu. Served in an ice-cold broth, they are traditionally paired with barbecue meats to signal the end of a large meal.

Because Korean dining culture revolves around family and connection, the dishes are designed for sharing. Each plate offers a balanced mix of proteins, vegetables, and rice or noodles.

To complement the menu, the restaurant serves a variety of fruit-flavored soju — a clear, distilled Korean spirit known for its smooth, sweet taste — as well as Korean and domestic beers and sodas.

The 85-seat dining room features large tables designed to accommodate groups of friends and families gathering for a meal.

Jinsol Gukbap is open daily for lunch from 11 am-3 pm and for dinner from 5-9:30 pm.

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