Steakhouse News
Family-driven steakhouse to open in former TGI Fridays in Dallas' West End
Steak done Liam's Steakhouse-style
A downtown Dallas address that was home to TGI Fridays for 28 years has something new in the works: The space at 1713 N. Market St. in the West End will become Liam's Steakhouse, a new venture from Jay Khan, a neighborhood veteran who operates three other restaurants in the district: RJ Mexican Cuisine, Chet's Dallas, and 3Eleven Kitchen and Cocktails.
TGI Fridays closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and has sat empty since, despite being prime real estate. TGI Friday’s was a fixture, but Khan feels optimistic about the new concept.
“Texas is known for three things: steakhouses, Mexican restaurants, and seafood,” he says. "With RJ Mexican Cuisine, we’ve already got that niche filled, and this strip of West End will be perfect for Liam’s."
The West End surely has room for steak since The Palm, the epic steakhouse chain, closed its Dallas location in 2017 after 33 years, leaving only Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse to fill those steaky needs.
Liam's is an homage: It's named for Khan’s grandson who turned one year old in December. "His birth — that changed everything for me," Khan says.
The family ties don’t stop there. Khan's daughter Sunna and son Ramiz, both in their early 30s, will be involved, with Sunna lending a hand in operations while Ramiz focuses on social media and marketing.
Khan's longtime associates Hilario Casas and Juan Sanchez, who have both worked for 20-plus years at his other restaurants, will serve as general manager and head chef, respectively.
Steak options will include some unique twists: There'll be Texas Wagyu as well as a selection of halal steaks, meaning they’re permissible or kosher to Muslim diners. All meats will be choice and 21-day dry-aged. They'll also offer a selection of plant-based steaks.
“My goal is to make sure it’s all American products — Texas wagyu and American beef," Khan says.
Liam's will be a mid-range option in price, with dinner running about $50 to $60, targeting a middle- to upper-class crowd. True to steakhouse form, it'll feature a full bar and an extensive wine selection.
Khan has witnessed the West End evolve over the last 20 years. While it once attracted mainly tourists, he now sees a shift towards more locals and downtown residents, and that's the audience he aims to serve.
“I’ve been in this area since the early 90s, and that should tell you I’m here to stay,” he says.
