Spooky Food News

Halloween specials surge on Dallas restaurant menus in 2024

Halloween cake from SusieCakes

SusieCakes

It's been a while since Halloween was just about candy, but the holiday has seriously surged in 2024, and you can see it at Dallas restaurants. More and more are offering Halloween-themed foods and events: From colorful cupcakes to cocktail specials to restaurants hosting costume parties and special themed dinners.

Halloween is not just for kids anymore. Here's where to find all the bewitching eats and drinks:

Food specials

Barrel & Bones is hosting a Haunted Spirits whiskey dinner and costume experience, featuring Natterjack Whiskey and a spooky four-course menu October 29 from 7-9 pm. For $70, customers can expect lobster and crab “Ripped Out Eyeballs”, voodoo pumpkin salad, and corpse bride feast, and Natterjack toad cake. They’ll keep the party going with an after-party presented by Socorro Tequila and Still Austin Spirits on Oct. 30 from 10 pm-1 am with drink specials and a live DJ. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their Halloween best for a chance to win the costume competition. The special is exclusive to The Colony location.

Bread Winners Café & Bakery is offering Halloween-themed cookies (12 for $48), $5 cupcakes, and $3 cake pops. Orders are available online or for pickup at three locations: NorthPark Center, Plano, and Uptown Dallas through October 31.

Cinnaholic, the cinnamon bun destination, has a new Cemetery Box featuring four rolls with chocolate frosting, topped with pretzels, oreos, sprinkles, and ghostly tombstone toppers for $24, available through October 31. Addison, Arlington, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Richardson, Las Colinas, Mesquite, and McKinney.

Dive Coastal Cuisine in Snider Plaza has crafted some Halloween-themed charcuterie boards in small or large sizes from $95-$145, featuring a variety of artisan cheeses, meats, dried and fresh fruit plus a few sweet treats all with a Halloween twist. Orders can be made online at least 24 hours in advance.

El Chingon, the Fort Worth Mexican restaurant, has spooky offers ranging from a burrito eating contest to specialty cocktails. The "boo-rito" eating contest on October 27 features an attempt to eat a five-pound ghost pepper burrito within 30 minutes, with the first three people to finish winning prizes including the ultimate VIP experience, a $100 gift card, and a $50 gift card. Entry is free. On October 31, there will be a costume contest with a $500 cash prize. Select cocktails are $12 through November 2, including the vampire’s blood, with vodka, blueberry cordial, lime juice, and Sprite; and candy corn, a combination of coconut rum, peach, orange juice, and grenadine.

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has new Halloween-inspired gelati favorites: Smashing Pumpkin with pumpkin pie ice, vanilla ice cream; Monster Mash with cookies & cream Ice, blue razz Ice, and vanilla ice cream; and Franken Frog with Mint ice and chocolate Ice Cream. All come with Trick or Treat candy mix.

Kate Weiser Chocolate, the Dallas chocolatier, has two new Halloween treats. Four-piece Cosmic Collection features two alien bonbons with dark chocolate shells and a white chocolate blueberry ganache filling, and two ghost bonbons with an apple caramel filling in a white chocolate shell for $15. Chocolate skulls include two white chocolate Oreo Duja skulls, two milk chocolate almond praline skulls with mixed nuts and dried cherries, and two dark chocolate peanut butter praline skulls with Halloween candy for $28.

La Rue Doughnuts, the gourmet doughnut shop at Trinity Groves, is doing two limited-time fall flavors during Octobere: a gluten-free pumpkin cake-style doughnut dusted in powdered sugar; and a "cookies & scream" brioche doughnut filled with white chocolate pastry cream topped with cookie crumbs and an oreo-style sandwich cookie shaped like a ghost. In addition to their usual specialty coffee drinks and drip coffe, they are also featuring a Monster Matcha.

Mr. Gatti's Pizza welcomes back Jack and Frank, two Halloween pizzas, so identified by their shape: Jack, a jack-o-lantern-shaped pizza, and “Frank,” a Frankenstein-shaped pizza. The pizzas are take-and-bake — wrapped on a tray with cooking instructions — and cost $10 each.

Nothing Bundt Cakes offers two special flavors, both starting at $6.25: chocolate toffee crunch, a chocolate chocolate chip cake drizzled with Hershey's caramel, filled with Heath English toffee, and topped with Heath pieces, available through October 20; and Oreo dirt cake with chocolate chocolate-chip cake, Oreo cookie pieces, chocolate pudding filling, and topped with fruity gummy worms, available October 28-November 10.

Southfork Ranch will host a murder mystery dinner on October 31. Attendees will have to unmask the killer behind the mayhem at a masquerade ball. The three-course meal includes salad; Angus steak kebobs with Lyonnaise potatoes and roasted root vegetables, or ginger habanero chicken with pineapple-mango chutney, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans; and choice of peach pie or chocolate lava cake. Attendees must be 21 or older, and are encouraged to wear evening wear and Venetian masks. Tickets are $125.

Sugar & Sage, the Park Cities bakery, is offering mummy and Frankenstein cupcakes and Monster Krispies, ranging from $30 for six cupcakes to $60 for a dozen. Orders can be placed online or in-person at the bakery. Available through October 31.

SusieCakes is serving several spooky treats including ghost and pumpkin sugar cookies, cake decorations — like the Black SusieKitty, spiderweb vintage, and Halloween cookie decorating kits — available through October 31. Prices start at $24 for a box of four Halloween sugar cookies. Boo cupcake box, Halloween cupcakes, and mini cupcakes start at $33 for a mini dozen cupcakes and will be available from October 16-31.

Rita's shaved ice chain has two new items: pumpkin toffee crunch and Dracula’s Delight. There's also a new almond toffee crunch topping. Available at all locations through November 3.

Tous les Jours, the French Asian bakery, is launching "Spooky Delights," a collection of Halloween cakes and pastries. The treats include a Spooky Delight cake with green, orange, and purple layers and cloud cream cheese; peanut butter and jelly cake; and Halloween Cloud cake, an airy, white sheet cake layered with cloud cream, topped with mixed berries and Halloween-themed strawberries. Cakes range from $9-$40 and will be available October 17-31. Tous les Jours has locations in Carrollton and Plano.

Velvet Taco's Weekly Taco Feature (WTF) will include a Halloween taco available from October 30-November 5. The Haunted Harvest WTF includes honey chile butter crispy tenders, roasted butternut squash, apple slaw and cinnamon goat cheese, candied pepitas, all wrapped in a pumpkin spice waffle tortilla for $5.50. Available at all Velvet Taco Dallas locations.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has brought back the Boorito, a Halloween tradition in which Chipotle Rewards members who show up in costume in can get a discounted entree for $6. It's a one-day special, on October 31, available from 3 pm to close.

Halloween cocktail Witches Brew cocktail at Tande ThaiTande Thai

Cocktail and drink specials

Quarter Bar, the McKinney Avenue bar, is hosting a costume contest, DJs, and festive, on-theme cocktails October 21-31. Costume contest is Saturday, October 26, at 10 pm. Cocktails include $13 Witches Heart, with vodka, crème de cassis, apple cider, grenadine, and tonic that illuminates under black light; and $14 Spooky Perfect Patron Margarita, with Patrón Silver, Patrón Citrónge, lime juice, agave, and a black salt rim.

Lombardi Family Concepts, the Dallas hospitality group, is hosting Halloween parties at Regines Lounge, Lounge 31, and Kai Lounge. Each party will feature specialty cocktails, DJs, and costume contests. “The Craft” Halloween party at Regines will last from 8 pm-2 am; "Carnival of Horrors" at Lounge 31 will last from 8 pm-midnight; Kai Lounge will commemorate Día De Los Muertos from 9 pm-2 am. All parties are on October 31. Reservations are encouraged.

Tande Thai at Grandscape in The Colony is featuring a Witches Brew cocktail through October 31. It’s a potion mix of Grey Goose vodka, tangy Apple Pucker, Midori, and butterfly pea tea. The drink transforms from deep blue to purple with a splash of citrus.

Texas Live!, the Arlington entertainment venue, is hosting a graveyard themed bar crawl on October 26 at 8 pm. Sip on special cocktails, including Bloody Shirley Temple and graveyard margarita, enjoy live music from DJs, and compete in a costume contest with $5,000 in cash prizes. The bar crawl is free, but a $30 general admission ticket includes three drinks and a lanyard badge.

Bar Louie is featuring specials on bites and booze, including $5 Blue Moon drafts and limited-time Halloween-inspired shots. Shots feature poison apple, with Rum Haven, Melon Liqueur, Pineapple, and cream and phantom fizz, with Sauza Silver, sour, butterfly pea flower, and Sprite. There’s also October Martini of the Month: the Purple Reign Martini with Deep Eddy Lemon, Las Californias Citrico, honey, pineapple, and lemon butterfly pea flower. Guests can add Bavarian Pretzels to their order for $9. The specials last from October 31-November 3.

Dia de los Muertos

Black Agave at Mercer Boardwalk in Farmers Branch is hosting a three-day anniversary and Dia de los Muertos celebration from November 1-3. The weekend will feature food and drink specials, mariachis, stiltwalkers, and a Day of the Dead Costume Contest. Dining and drink specials include $5 street corn served in Day of the Dead cups, $10 frozen margarita flights and Black Agave cocktails, and $3 Mexican candy shots.

Mexican Bar Co. in Plano's District at Willow Bend is spending Dia de los Muertos with a featured cocktail and dinner for two. Throughout October, the La Ofrenda Margarita is $17.50 and features Mi Campo Blanco, blackberry puree, basil-infused agave, Solerno Blood Orange, and a splash of fresh lemon and lime juice. From November 1-3, two can dine on a five-course meal for $100 that wraps up with a pan de muerto sweet bread for dessert.

Mexican Sugar is offering a cocktail and flower crown class for $45 per person on October 31. Then, there will be Dia de los Muertos celebrations November 1-2, featuring complimentary tequila tastings, a tequila smoke show featuring a nitrogen margarita bar, complimentary permanent flash tattoos, a marigold photo opportunity, and DJs to keep the vibe lively. Activities will be available at Las Colinas, Plano, and Uptown locations.

Taqueria La Ventana is having a Día de los Muertos celebration at Addison and Mansfield locations on November 2 from 6-10 pm. There will be DJs, face painting, and a Catrina costume contest where guests can compete for a $100 gift card. Attendees can also enjoy free pan de muerto and hot chocolate while supplies last. In Mansfield, the bonus feature is a Pretty Little Things market and a game of lotería.

lists holidays

News you can eat

This Dallas restaurant news is hot and fresh for the new year

Paris Baguette/ Facebook

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Our first Dallas restaurant news roundup of 2026 is all about the new - new restaurants, new menus, new dishes, and new deals. Several local places are celebrating big anniversaries this year. Sadly, there are some closures, too.

Here's what's been happening on the Dallas restaurant scene the first two weeks of the year.

Paris Baguette, the booming Korean bakery cafe chain, opened a location in The Colony at 5105 Main St. Bldg. B on January 15. They serve more than a dozen cakes by the slice or the whole cake; pastries including croissants, tarts, Danish, and buns; savory baked goods such as quiche Lorraine; breads, salads, sandwiches; and Lavazza coffee. The Colony is the 12th location in the DFW area joining Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Mansfield, and Plano.

Jo’Seon Wagyu Omakase, Dallas’ first Korean Wagyu omakase restaurant, opened its doors on December 3. Located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave. in the Design District, Jo’Seon is led by chef and co-owner Danny Shin, with an unprecedented 12-course (or 18 courses, for those dining in the select, private rooms) Wagyu-themed omakase that fuses Japanese A5 Wagyu, Korean culinary techniques, and American influences of hospitality. Seating is limited, with only one seating for lunch and two seatings for dinner in the main room each day.

Adelmo's Ristorante, Dallas' longtime Italian restaurant, closed its location in Inwood Village on December 31 after a decade in the space. The eponymous restaurant was founded in 1989 by Adelmo Banchetti in the Knox Street district where it prevailed until 2015, when it was displaced by the area's dramatic upheaval. Banchetti relocated to Inwood Village, taking over the former Bijoux space. In a Facebook post, he says he plans to reopen in another location, still to be announced.

Coco Shrimp is coming to Wylie. Coco Shrimp

Coco Shrimp, the popular fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Hawaiian-style fried shrimp, is opening up shop in Wylie. According to social media posts, the newest location of the fast-growing chain - which started as a food truck in Fort Worth - is coming to 3040 E. FM 544, Suite. 400, Wylie. Opening day is TBD, but soon, they say.

MoMo Italian Kitchen in Lake Highlands is kicking off its 40th anniversary year with a rotating assortment of wine bottles at a discounted price of $40. The featured January wines are the Ciacci Piccolomini Toscana Rosso (Sangiovese and Syrah) and Il Monticello Rupestro Rosatto. They're also introducing a 40th anniversary special featuring a four-course dinner for two for $80, including two salads, two pastas, one antipasto and one dessert; available until February 7.

Shake Shack has brought back its popular Korean-style menu for a limited time. The menu features returning favorites like the K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich ($10.49) and K-Shack BBQ Burger ($10.49), as well as new items including saucy K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites ($6.49 for six pieces) and the K-Shack Spicy Caramel Shake (Gochujang caramel frozen custard topped with whipped cream and more gochujang caramel, $6.99). The menu is inspired by the team’s culinary trips to Seoul and the vibrant fried chicken scene that influenced the chain’s first South Korea location in 2016, they say.

Malai Kitchen is marking its 15th year in both Uptown Dallas and Southlake with a special Legacy Menu on Saturday, January 31 at both locations. The menu will feature 15 favorite dishes from the restaurant’s early days, priced at $15 each. Here are those 15: Large Thai Coconut Soup, Large Lemongrass Soup, Large Beef Viet Noodle Soup, Large Chk Viet Noodle Soup, Malai Favorite Sampler, Lemongrass Mussels, Chicken Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Iron Pot Green Chicken Curry, Panang Curry with Beef, Red Curry Icelandic Cod, Chilean Seabass, Vermicelli Salad with Chicken, and Vermicelli Salad with Meatballs.

Maple Leaf Diner has launched a new Weekday Features lunch menu, available Monday through Friday from 7 am-2:30 pm. The menu offers sandwiches such as Turkey Avocado Swiss and Grilled Turkey Melt, fresh salads, and starters. There are also combo options, including a $12.99 Sandwich Trio with a half sandwich, side, and house-made chips, along with lighter choices such as Avocado Toast and Chicken Avocado Salad.

Cru brunch New brunch menu offerings at Cru.Photo courtesy of Cru

CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro introduced new dinner and brunch menus on January 5. They're showcasing Italian-inspired dishes and shareables designed for wine pairing. Developed with Dallas restaurant veteran Mark Brezinski, the menu includes Barolo-braised short rib over butternut squash risotto; Wagyu picanha steak with papas bravas and chimichurri; jumbo scallops atop spinach parmesan risotto; Roman-style pinsa pizzas; and indulgent desserts including chocolate fondue for two. Brunch offers Wagyu steak and eggs, short rib eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, and a smoked salmon board.

Komodo Dallas is shaking up its cocktail program with a collaboration with wellness brand Cymbiotika. The limited-time menu features drinks - both spirited or spirit-free - such as the Immunity Fizz, with Tito’s Vodka, elderberry immune support, and soda ($18); and the Tangerine Silk, a citrus-y mocktail made with Cymbiotika’s tangerine blend, yuzu, and lychee cordial ($16).

Bellagreen American Bistro is serving its Winter “Golden Glow” menu through February, featuring dishes built around anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, sweet potatoes, kale, and wild rice. Offerings include a turmeric-ginger chicken soup, a butternut wild rice and arugula salad, a roasted veggie quinoa-kale bowl, seared salmon over turmeric cauliflower rice, and seasonal gluten-free desserts like peppermint and German chocolate cheesecake.

Torchy’s Tacos has started its 20th anniversary year with a new "Double Feature" deal: a complete meal for two for $20, featuring six street tacos, classic sides, and drinks. The January lineup also includes the return of the fan-favorite Tokyo Drifter Taco and a new Red Bull Strawberry Limeade mocktail.

Perry’s Steakhouse has launched Mini Martini Trios, including a zero-proof option. The Free-Spirited Mini Martini Trio ($15) features nonalcoholic cocktails such as the Clean Kick made with Seedlip Spice 94. January’s Mini Martini Trio of the Month includes three spirited drinks, including the "Straight" Paloma made with George Strait's Código 1530 Blanco tequila. The steakhouse is also offering off-menu dishes for a limited time, including escargot, turtle gumbo, beef Wellington, roasted wild red snapper, and white chocolate cheesecake.

Crispy Cones, an ice cream shop chain that appeared on Shark Tank, has opened a location in Plano, in a new center at 9613 Coit Rd. #108. It's an innovative concept that places as much attention on the cone as it does the ice cream. To read more about it, head here.

New protein-paced Omega Bowls at Fish City Grill.Photo courtesy of Fish City Grill

Fish City Grill & Half Shells has introduced menu items designed for health-minded diners in January. They include nutrient-packed Omega Bowls with 30+ grams of protein and rich in omega-3s; Seared Scallop Tacos with sweet potato, kale, and chipotle-avocado tartar ($19), Seared Black Cod with coconut orzo ($27); and Chicken Milanese with arugula, marinated tomatoes, and lemon aioli ($19).

Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe has been acquired by M Crowd Restaurant Group, parent company of Mi Cocina and The Mercury. M Crowd says it will focus on "strengthening Razzoo’s culinary identity, celebrating its handcrafted Cajun dishes, and elevating the guest experience." Early priorities, they say, "include optimizing heritage dishes, such as the Seafood Combo Platter and seasonal Crawfish boil, and refreshing the beverage program to complement the brand’s energetic atmosphere." Seven DFW locations of Razzoo's will remain open.

The PoBoy Shop, which had been open in Preston Center just since July 2025, suddenly closed its doors around the new year, citing rising costs of food and more. Early January saw a slew of sad Dallas closures, in fact. All local outposts of national chains Sprinkles Cupcakes and Salad and Go shuttered, too.

House of Dorchester, a British chocolate maker founded in 1963, is returning to the U.S. and offering select products in Barnes & Noble stores in time for Valentine's Day. Based in Dorchester, England and known for traditional chocolate-making techniques and elegant designs, the brand's Barnes & Noble offerings include Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles — truffles with a Marc de Champagne and strawberry center dusted with delicate icing sugar ($10.99 for four pieces).

Chick-fil-A is treating guests to a breakfast giveaway throughout January. Through January 30, customers can can open the Chick-fil-A App weekly to redeem a new breakfast offer, with the schedule as follows: Jan. 12-16: Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or Spicy Chicken Biscuit; Jan. 19-23: Bacon or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit; Jan. 26-30: four-piece Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis.

BJ's Brewhouse has teamed up with Butterfinger for a limited-time Butterfinger Pizookie dessert ($8.99). It combines BJ's freshly baked chocolate cookie with vanilla bean ice cream, a smooth, crackable chocolate shell, and generous Butterfinger pieces.

H-E-B is opening the doors to its newest DFW supermarket location, at 11700 US-80 in Forney, on Wednesday, January 28. As is the case with H-E-B stores, they'll open at 6 am with fanfare, including visits from company executives and city officials throughout the day.

Cinemark is celebrating National Popcorn Day on January 18 and 19 by letting moviegoers bring their own container to theaters to fill with popcorn for just $5. BYOB-fillable containers that are allowed include anything from a bucket to a cooler, up to 400 ounces, or even a Lowe’s 5-gallon bucket. Find out more about it here.

Pecan Lodge, the acclaimed BBQ restaurant in Deep Ellum, will be featured on select flights aboard American Airlines. The partnership begins in February for passengers in first class on flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The offering will consist of a barbecue platter with brisket, smoked sausage, mac & cheese, coleslaw, pickles, onions, and BBQ sauce.

Keith Lee, the food critic, social media influencer, and recent North Texas transplant, was named TikTok's 2025 Creator of the Year at the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards. Lee has certainly made an impact on many local restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth over the years, including reviewing buzzy concessions at the State Fair of Texas. His short-form video empire also scored him a featured speaker talk at Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2025.

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Teresa Gubbins and Amber Heckler contributed to this report.

news-you-can-eat openings menus anniversary event restaurant news

Spooky Food News

Halloween specials surge on Dallas restaurant menus in 2024

News you can eat

This Dallas restaurant news is hot and fresh for the new year

J. Alexander’s to debut in Plano with famed steaks and carrot cake

New H-E-B grocery store in Forney reveals official opening date

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