who's invited?

Dallas restaurant world abuzz over just-sent-out Michelin invites

Sister Restaurant from Duro Hospitality.

Facebook/Sister

The buzz around the Michelin Guide’s impending Texas edition reached a fever pitch on October 15 when chefs, restaurateurs, and media members received invitations via email to a ceremony where restaurants will receive awards on November 11.

Restaurants that received invitations can take heart. A Michelin representative confirms that an invite to the ceremony means they will receive some form of recognition. That could include being designated as

Michelin stars, rated at one, two, or three for restaurants that offer exceptional experiences
Bib Gourmand, described as “restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices”
Green stars for “restaurants that are leaders in sustainable gastronomy”
Recommended, for restaurants that don’t quite qualify for a star rating

Gwendal Poullennec, the Guide’s international director, will be present at the ceremony. During the event, restaurants that receive a star will receive a plaque that honors their achievement.

The invite-only event will be held in Houston, at downtown’s 713 Music Hall. The venue typically hosts concerts that draw a few thousand people but is also available for private parties that want to take advantage of its top-notch lighting and sound technology.

Despite the size of the venue, the guest list is limited, with recipients warned that the invitation is for one person only — no plus-ones allowed.

All restaurants were notified on October 15. Some invitees have not officially divulged they've received nominations but Dallas names swirling about include Duro Hospitality, Georgie, Quarter Acre, Lucia, and Rye. Houston chefs invited included Ronnie Killen, who received an invite for Killen’s Barbecue in Pearland, and Chef Justin Yu, who received an invite on behalf of Theodore Rex.

First announced in July, Michelin’s guide to Texas will cover Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and each city’s suburbs. Texas Travel and local tourism boards in each city agreed to provide marketing support — $90,000 per year for the first three years in Dallas alone — to bring the guide to Texas. The restaurant announcement follows a ceremony in September that revealed the American hotels to receive Michelin keys, including four in Dallas.
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Teresa Gubbins contributed to this story.

awards chefs michelin guide

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings