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.

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Roundup Time

Find some tasty dish in this roundup of Dallas restaurant news

Monarch

Steak at Monarch

This mid-July edition of dining news around Dallas is surprisingly newsy, with openings, a remodeling, and a change in ownership for a local bakery. There are also lots of fun new menus and limited-edition items to put on your list.

Here's what's happening in Dallas restaurant news right now:

Paris Baguette, the Korean French-inspired bakery café, opened July 11 at 2000 Long Prairie Rd. in Flower Mound. Leading this location are three women business owners: Chaitali Tripathi, Anusha Jonnala, and Swapna Varala, with professional roots in software, health care, and hospitality. The bakery offers Eurasian pastries such as cakes, tarts, mochi donuts, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. This is the 15th location in Texas.

Sweet Paris Creperie, a small chain specializing in crêpes and breakfast, is now open in University Park at 6632 Snider Plaza. This is the third location in DFW, joining locations in Southlake and McKinney. The menu offers 20 crepes including dulce de leche, lemon & sugar, s'mores, chicken enchilada, plus waffles, egg breakfasts, panini, salads, beer and wine.

Chick-fil-A is opening a location in Lexington Village in Frisco at 12551 Eldorado Pkwy. on July 17. Show your cow spots on opening day to receive one free meal.

Mountain Mike's Pizza has a new location in McKinney at 4590 W University Dr. The chain is known for their 20-inch "Mountain" size pizzas and their curly pepperoni and features a kids’ arcade, large patio, and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. This is their ninth location in DFW.

Raising Cane's, the chicken tender chain, is remodeling three locations: 5030 Greenville Ave. Dallas; 8801 North Fwy. Fort Worth; and 1322 N. Collins St. Arlington. Construction is underway, and the dining rooms are temporarily closed, but each restaurant is still open for drive-thru. The transformation will include updated exteriors, new signage, new color schemes, design nods to local schools and universities, upgraded dining rooms, tables, chairs, and lighting. DFW is Raising Cane's largest market. They opened their 200th restaurant in Texas in November.

House of Bread, a bakery and cafe in McKinney, is selling to new owners after three and a half years. Owners Dustin Marks and Mechelle Coate ran the shop selling breads, pastries, sandwiches, and soups. The transition to new owners will happen August 1.

Dive Coastal Cuisine has new July specials featuring white chicken pozole, watermelon arugula salad, and the Italian dream sandwich.

Catch Dallas has a new strawberry shortcake shaved ice. The dessert is layered with crushed strawberry compote, lemon cookie crumble, mascarpone mousse, and a condensed milk drizzle for $23.

Monarch, the downtown Italian restaurant at The Thompson, has a new six-course summer chef's tasting series. Items include oysters, whipped foie gras, California sea bass, Rosewood Wagyu filet, and lemongrass granita. Available for $175, with an optional wine pairing for an extra $125.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has two new smoothies: The returning Mango Monsoon Smoothie with mango, pineapple, papaya, guava, passion fruit, and coconut; and the new Tropical Dragon Passion Smoothie with dragon fruit, passion fruit, pineapple, and lime. Both are permanent menu additions for $8.

Savvy Sliders, the burger slider chain, has two new items: Pulled pork slider with BBQ sauce, pickles, on a toasted brioche bun for $4; and a s’mores shake for $6. Both are available through August 31.

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina has a new smashburger featuring two patties, American cheese, pickles, jalapeños, habanero onions, and Loco Sauce. Available for $14 as a combo, or $16 as a combo with beer.

Texas de Brazil has two returning seasonal favorites: Moqueca de Camarão is a seafood stew with shrimp, coconut milk, garlic, and peppers. Flame-grilled shrimp is marinated with garlic, oregano, and cayenne, available as a light option or paired with other churrasco favorites. Available for a limited time during dinner.

Cerulean Blue Coffee House in Flower Mound debuts its July Cookie of the Month: the strawberry white chocolate, a soft and chewy cookie baked with white chocolate pieces and strawberries mixed into the batter. Their two staple cookies are chocolate chunk and caramel white chocolate.

$Jalape\u00f1o Ranch Chicken Taquito$ Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Taquito from 7-Eleven7-Eleven

Soulman's Bar-B-Que has added "pork wings" to its menu, a la carte or in a pork wing plate with two sides, for $22. They're available until August 27 at all 20 locations including Allen, Cedar Hill, Fort Worth, Forney, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mansfield, Mesquite, Rockwall, and Royse City.

Grimaldi’s, the Italian pizza chain, has a new summer menu featuring strawberry spinach salad, Aloha, NY! pizza topped with pepperoni, pineapple and basil, drizzled with Mike’s Hot Honey; strawberry and blueberry cheesecakes; plus cocktails including pineapple basil mule and pineAperol spritz. New permanent menu items feature ivy pizza, Italian Paloma, limoncello spritzer, and flavored margaritas such as peach and dessert pear.

Mo'Bettah's has a new steamed vegetable blend featuring broccoli, peas, and carrots seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic. It's served as a side or main entrée starting at $2.

Tacodeli has a new Mojo Risin’ Taco featuring chicken thigh shaved thin and plancha-seared, garlic mojo sauce with chipotle, ancho & pasilla, cabbage slaw, and green onions. It's $5.25

Outback Steakhouse has added the Aussie Jawssie drink to the menu. It features New Amsterdam raspberry vodka, Blue Curacao, citrus juices, and grenadine, served with a keepsake shark that pours grenadine from its mouth. Keeping with the shark theme, there's a new Sharkey Temple, an alcohol-free mix of Sprite and grenadine. The Aussie Jawssie is $9, Sharkey Temple is $5.

Morning Person Coffee, a coffee roaster pop-up from founder Chris Paliotta, is hosting a one-day limited summer release called Crypto at Wayward Coffee in West Dallas. It’s an organic Ethiopian Guji from Kayon Mountain with layered notes of blueberry, stone fruit, and chocolate. The coffee is available in 12-ounce bags at $22 on July 19 from 9 am-12 pm.

Auntie Anne's, the fast casual pretzel chain, has two new locations coming to DFW Airport: at Gate 31 in Terminal E and the new A-Pier. Randy Labosco, a local entrepreneur, is over the two locations, which are slated to open between the end of 2025 and October 2026. An existing Auntie Anne’s located in Terminal A, Gate 21 will be undergoing a redesign.

Burger King has a new BBQ Brisket Whopper featuring a quarter-pound patty topped with brisket in BBQ sauce, crispy onions, American cheese, a "sweet golden" barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun. A spokesperson says it fuses the classic flavors of a Whopper with Carolina barbecue— pit-smoked BBQ brisket and sweet and golden Carolina gold BBQ sauce. A regular starts at $8, while a BBQ Brisket Whopper Jr. is $5. Both are available while supplies last.

7-Eleven has two new limited-edition items available through August 26: Bacon Lover's Pizza with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, with mozzarella and cheddar cheese, Canadian bacon, onions, and bacon crumbles; and Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Taquito, a grab-and-go favorite withchicken, jalapeños, and ranch.