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.
__________________________

Teresa Gubbins contributed to this story.

awards chefs michelin guide

Tex Mex News

Busy Dallas chef to open Tex-Mex restaurant in Frisco

Big Dill Hospitality

Muchacho Tex Mex

A prolific Dallas chef is opening a new restaurant: Muchacho Tex-Mex, the authentic Tex-Mex restaurant from Big Dill Hospitality and award-winning chef Omar Flores, is opening in Frisco, at 8600 Gaylord Pkwy., in a space previously occupied by Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, which is relocating to a new space at the southwest corner of Preston Road and SH 121.

According to a release, Muchacho will open in spring 2026.

This is the third location of Muchacho Tex-Mex, which Flores first debuted in Dallas' Preston Center 2019, with what Flores called "traditional Tex Mex, focusing on quality and execution."

He opened a second location in Southlake in 2021; plans to open a location in Dallas' East Quarter were put on hold.

"Growing up in El Paso exposed me to great, authentic Mexican food," he said. "While there isn't a shortage of Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas, we are striving to bring a unique restaurant that is better than the rest."

The menu adds a modern flair to both Texan and regional Mexican cuisine. There are enchilada dinners and chef's versions of combo plates such as the Combo # Juan, with a beef picadillo taco, cheeses enchilada, chicken al carbon rolled taco, rice, and refried beans.

Tacos range from rolled tacos with redfish or fried shrimp to hard-shell tacos with spiced beef picadillo to a veggie taco with fried cauliflower and pepitas. Flautas come with choice of brisket or pulled chicken.

Housemade tortillas, enchiladas, and mesquite grilled fajitas are showcased along with house specialties including pozolé verde, hamachi aguachile, ahi tuna taquitos, and camarones “a la diabla.”

More than a dozen specialty margaritas, craft cocktails, mocktails and an extensive wine and beer list will also be featured.

Flores has been busy with concepts and openings: he just opened Casa Brasa, a Latin sushi restaurant across from Preston Center, in the former Nick & Sam's Grill space, and in 2024, he opened Even Coast, a neighborhood restaurant with seafood, steak, and pastas, on the Dallas-Addison line. He's also planning a coastal Mexican restaurant called Maroma in the Design District.

But for now, we are here for Muchacho.

“We look forward to bringing the Muchacho experience to Frisco,” Flores says. “Frisco offers a diverse and expansive dining scene and we can’t wait to be a part.”

openings