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    Restaurant News Roundup Time

    H-E-B supermarket opens in Melissa and more Dallas restaurant news

    Raven Jordan
    May 15, 2025 | 7:41 pm
    H-E-B Melissa

    New H-E-B Melissa store

    H-E-B

    It's May, a time of the year when CultureMap's twice-monthly restaurant news roundup gets a little sleepy, and this May is no exception. This roundup might have fewer items than usual, but they are still must-reads: openings, closings, and even a few delinquent spring menus just being introduced.

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

    H-E-B the supermarket chain has opened a location in Melissa at 1230 Central Expy., at the northeast corner of US-75 and Sam Rayburn Hwy 121. The store broke ground in December 2023, and at 136,000 square feet, it's a biggie, even by H-E-B's gargantuan standards. In addition to the staples that all H-E-B stores have — bakery making breads, cakes, and tortillas, big produce section, SushiYa sushi counter — Melissa has a few distinctive features including a two-level True Texas BBQ restaurant with drive-thru; a full-service H-E-B Pharmacy with drive-thru; and a fuel station with car wash. H-E-B Melissa joins seven other H-E-B stores and two Joe V’s Smart Shop locations that have opened in DFW.

    Piada Italian, an Italian street food chain, is now open at 9605 Coit Rd., #101 in Plano. This is the restaurant's second Plano location. They serve baked piada pockets, wraps, pasta bowls, and chopped salads. There are other Dallas locations in Lakewood, Frisco, McKinney, and Richardson.

    Banh Shop, the small Asian restaurant chain dedicated to the banh mi sandwich, has closed its "streetside" locations which include a location in Fort Worth at 3051 S. University Dr., and a location in Irving at 7601 N. MacArthur Blvd. #105. According to a spokesperson, there are five locations open, all in airports, with more airports to come.

    Keto Kitchen Creations, a meal prep store, is closing its Plano location on May 24. The shop was open for four years serving family-sized keto-friendly meals like stacked enchiladas, keto nuggets, cinnamon rolls, and lasagna, plus personal meal requests. Meals also catered to diets like gluten-free lifestyles. They'll continue accepting bulk meal prep orders, such as green beans or protein mac & cheese, until the last day of service.

    Panda Express, the quick-serve Asian chain, has brought back eggplant tofu at some DFW locations. The dish — featuring eggplant, tofu, and red bell peppers in a sweet and tangy brown sauce — has developed a cult following over the years, inspiring lots of copycat recipes as well as websites dedicated to finding every Panda Express location that offers it. It used to be a regular item, and was recently revived. There are 18 Panda Express locations in DFW, not all have it. Panda Express has dabbled previously in plant-based offerings, including its revered Orange Chicken, which it has more than once offered, with Beyond plant-based chicken.

    Cafe Dior by Dominique Crenn, the frou-frou restaurant at the Christian Dior boutique in Highland Park Village, has added afternoon tea. It comes with chicken salad sandwich, caviar & watercress choux, salmon gravlax crackers, hazelnut chocolate cookie, piña colada baba au rhum, and banana and sesame canelés, and is $75. But get this: The tea itself costs extra. So does champagne, which is $25 per glass. Reservations are available from 10 am-4:30 pm.

    Crown Block, the restaurant atop the Reunion Tower, has a new spring menu that includes oysters Rockefeller, burrata with rhubarb jam, scallop gratin, Westholme Wagyu strip loin, gnocchi pasta tossed in a lemon & basil pesto with English peas, asparagus, artichokes, & whipped ricotta, Lumina Australian lamb with Hatch chile Greek yogurt, cucumber sumac salad, and pretzel crusted onion rings, and spring roll sushi with avocado cream and fresh greens. Desserts include Baked Texas — a “Baked Alaska meets Strawberry Shortcake” filled with vanilla ice cream and strawberry sherbet, topped with toasted meringue — and Lizbeth’s basque cheesecake.

    Dive Coastal has a new spring menu with BBQ chicken salad, brisket Cuban sandwich, gazpacho, Egyptian spinach soup, tri-colored cauliflower, blackened pineapple shrimp skewers, jumbo crab cakes, Alaskan wild halibut, and wild mahi mahi. available throughout May.

    The Henry has new seasonal menu items including strawberry and watermelon salad, pressed yellowtail sushi, and wild caught bay scallops. These items are $20-$38.

    White Rhino has a nw menu for summer with strawberry pistachio matcha, the Strawberry Pistachio Latte, and the Pineapple Yuzu Matcha. They've also added a new line of energy drinks including The Avalanche, with almond, white chocolate, and vanilla; Matcha My Energy, with starfruit yellow flavor and a matcha float; and The O.J., a mix of orange juice, strawberry, and passionfruit. Summer drinks start at $5.50.

    Lazy Dog has a new frozen cocktail: the prickly pear sloshie. It's inspired by founder Chris Simms’ adventures in Wyoming, and blends Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila, prickly pear purée, agave nectar sweet and sour, triple sec, and a salt rim. It's $13.75. Available for a limited time.

    Original Chop Shop is launching a new tikka masala chicken bowl with jasmine rice, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, kka masala sauce, green chutney, smoked almonds, and black currants. Available starting May 20.

    Wingstop has a new flavor on the menu: Mexican street spice. The Mexican street corn-inspired flavor is a dry rub featuring chili, paprika, chipotle, roasted garlic, lime, and parmesan cheese. The flavor can also be added to fried corn and fries.

    Golden Corral has three new sauces for chicken tenders during dinner including garlic buffalo, mango habanero, and honey mustard. Available at all Dallas locations through June 29.

    Golden Chick has a new sandwich on the menu: Pimento Crunchwich. The sandwich has fried chicken with pimento cheese spread, jalapeño crisps, and extra-thick pickles. A sandwich is $6, a combo with a side and drink is $9. Available through August 3.

    Eight Elite Light Beer, the beer brand from ex-Dallas Cowboys Troy Aikman, is launching a new slim can. It's still a 12-ounce can but it's taller and slimmer than a regular beer can. Eight is brewed with three ingredients — water, malt, hops — for a crisp, full-flavored beer with 90 calories and 2.6g of carbs, without the additives many mass market light beers contain.

    Shiner Bock has new summer releases: the Shiner Shandy Lemonade variety pack and Ruby Sunburst. The variety pack flavors include raspberry lemonade, mango lemonade, and lemonade, with 24 cans for $18. Ruby Sunburst is tangerine flavored and comes in a six-pack for $11.

    Texas Barbecue is a Facebook group founded by Desert Storm veteran and Rockdale native Derik Strelsky. He channeled his PTSD into a positive force to connect with others on BBQ trips and share reviews. The group spotlights barbecue joints, family recipes, and the talents of pitmasters across the state.

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    Celebrating the Tastemakers

    Dallas foodies toast top chefs and restaurants at 2026 Tastemaker Awards

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 11, 2026 | 4:52 pm
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    The Trades Delicatessen team celebrates their win for Best Sandwich.

    Dallas' very best restaurants and bars — and the talented pros behind them — were celebrated at the 2026 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards on Thursday, May 7.

    More than 600 food fans and cocktail connoisseurs gathered at Astoria Event Venue in Irving to raise a glass to the city's top restaurants, bars, and culinary masters. But first, they got to eat and drink.

    Nominated chefs and restaurants served delectable bites, and hard-working bartenders whipped up cocktails incorporating spirits from the event's sponsors. A portion of the proceeds benefited the our nonprofit partner, Harvest Project Food Rescue.

    Lines formed quickly for small plates from some of Dallas' most popular and influential eateries, spread out across the building. Lucky VIP ticketholders got in an hour early to avoid the crowds and enjoy a bar area all their own.

    CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2026 The chef from SER prepares activated charcoal-crusted Akaushi ribeye cap and Yukon Gold potato fondant.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

    Hungry guests were spotted going back for seconds for dishes including:

    • Japanese wagyu tartare, crab meat-stuffed avocado, mini lobster rolls, and bacon-wrapped baked dates from Andreas Prime
    • Tuna tartare from Avra Estiatorio
    • Sunchoke agnolotti from Bazaar
    • Caviar and latkes from Beverly's Bistro & Bar
    • Vegan chimichurri focaccia sandwich from Beyond the Bun
    • Bread pudding from Bread Zeppelin
    • The Schmurger from Burger Schmurger
    • Ham, roast beef, and tomato and mozzarella sandwiches from Empire Baking Co.
    • Hamachi sashimi from Evelyn
    • Compressed cucumber from Frenchie
    • "Not So Fried" chicken sandwich and spicy curried couscous from Mendocino Farms
    • Foie and Sea Island cornbread from Meridian
    • Activated charcoal-crusted Akaushi ribeye cap and Yukon Gold potato fondant from SER Steak + Spirits
    • Ahi tuna Mexicano from The Mexican
    • Pastrami Reuben bites from Trades Delicatessen
    • The Dip (spinach, artichoke, and cheese blend) with tortilla chips and truffle lasagna from Winsome Prime

    There were also sweet treats and coffee-centered pick-me-ups from our Chef, Coffee Shop, and Dessert Program of the Year nominees:

    • Dubai chocolate cheesecake mini eclairs from Andreas Prime
    • Original and chocolate churros with hojicha and matcha soft serve from IYKYK Mochi Churro
    • Lavender berry and mocha chocolate tartlets from La Reve Gelato & Patisserie
    • Mini chocolate chip cannolis, an assortment of macarons, ricotta cheesecake, tiramisu cups, torta caprese, assorted Italian cookies, and Italian cream cake from Pietro's Italian Bakery
    • Rustic apple crisp, mini almond croissants, and alfajores (sandwich cookies) from San Martin Bakery & Restaurant
    • Caramelized white chocolate semifreddo miso blondies from Uchi
    • Cold brew and iced White Rockers from White Rock Coffee

    CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2026

    Photo by Guillermo Rosas

    The Trades Delicatessen team celebrates their win for Best Sandwich.

    CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2026 Lavender berry and mocha chocolate tartlets from La Reve Gelato & Patisserie.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

    To help wet the whistle, guests could sip brews from Lone Star Beer, still or sparkling water from S.Pellegrino Acqua Panna, mocktails from Ritual Zero Proof and Seedlip, and a popular Bourbon Sour signature cocktail from Maker's Mark Bourbon — all valued sponsors of the event. Other specialty drinks available at the bar featured Maniball Peanut Butter Tequila, Island Getaway Dark Rum, and Woody Creek Vodka. For those who wanted something sparkling, sponsor Shutto, a transportation company, was pouring bubbles.

    In the weeks leading up to the big event, we published a special editorial series highlighting nominees. A panel of expert judges helped select all of the winners, except Best New Restaurant, which was determined by our readers in a bracket-style tournament.

    The evening's emcee, NBC5 Texas Today host Cleo Greene, announced winners, who came to the stage to accept their glass trophies.

    CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2026 Awards ceremony host Cleo Greene, of NBC5's 'Texas Today.'Photo by Guillermo Rosas

    The winners were:

    • Restaurant of the Year: Mamani
    • Chef of the Year: Peja Krstic, Mot Hai Ba, Pillar
    • Bar of the Year: Ayahuasca Cantina
    • Best New Restaurant: Frenchie
    • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Eduardo Osorio, Meridian
    • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Beverley's Bistro & Bar
    • Dessert Program of the Year: Lucia
    • Coffee Shop of the Year: Ascension
    • Best Sandwich: Trades Delicatessen

    After the awards were handed out, winners posed for photos with colleagues, fellow winners and nominees, and guests eager to find out more about their establishments — and visit them in person.

    Between feasting and celebrating, attendees stopped to snap Insta-worthy photos at a photo booth and bought raffle tickets benefiting Harvest Project Food Rescue.

    Among the guests spotted in the crowd, having a good time, were: Caleb Wettig, Loren Wettig, Natalie Castlean, Andrew Castlean, Stephen Fagin, Emily Williams, Frank Bliss, Risa Bliss, Jason Harlow, Filipe Harlow, Sky Williams, Bianca Baidoo, Felipe Guiterrez, Carlos Presa, Clara Martinez, Brandt Wood, Megan Wood, LuisPerez, Sarah Perez, and hundreds more.

    Scroll through the gallery of nearly 50 photos, above, to see who was there, what was eaten, and who won awards.

    Hungry to be a part of it all next year? You can read about all the winners here, and we'll see you in 2027. Cheers!

    ---

    The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards ceremony was sponsored in Dallas by Maker's Mark, Shutto, NXT LVL Event, Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof, H-E-B, Marine Foods Express, and S.Pellegrino Acqua Panna. A portion of the proceeds benefited Harvest Project Food Rescue.

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