4 Dallas-area golf courses make list of best public facilities in Texas

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Four Dallas-area golf courses score slots on a new 2023 guide of the best municipal golf courses in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.

"You don’t need to belong to a country club, or even have especially deep pockets, to enjoy high-quality golf," the guide promises.

The Lone Star state Texas ranks fifth in the U.S. (behind California, Florida, Michigan, and New York) for number of public courses, with about 600 facilities.

The magazine sent out seven staffers and freelancers to come up with list of the 18 greatest public golf courses in Texas. Criteria included uniqueness, reasonable price, and accessibility to a wide range of skill levels.

These four made the cut:

Stevens Park Golf Course is a 6,285-yard course in Kessler Park that shares trails with locals while offering tricky, unique challenges and stunning views from the 15th fairway. Enthusiast golfers can enjoy a day out at Stevens Park, while more expert players can push themselves to improve.

"What makes [Stevens Park] fun is deciding just how much risk to take in pursuit of a birdie," contributor Shawn Shinneman says. "Take the par-4 number three, which has a fairway that twists right 90 degrees around a clump of trees. If you try to cut the corner with a towering drive but cut too deep, you’ll find bark; fail to cut at all and you’ll barrel into a bunker."

Pecan Hollow Golf Course in Plano earnspraise for its amenities, vast open spaces, and unforgettably fun courses.

"Strategic bunkering and tree placements keep you thinking and engaged, plus five sets of tees guarantee that anyone can enjoy the challenge," says Shinneman. "Most fun of all, though, are Pecan’s MiniVerde greens, which are big, sloped, and filled with nuance — and they’re quick... But you’ll be left wanting to come back again and again to figure them out, and the affordable rates won’t stop you from doing so."

Grapevine Golf Course is a 27-hole course designed by the legendary Byron Nelson in 1979 and rejuvenated by Irving-based design firm Golf Resources two decades later. The Monthly calls it "a gentle test" of a golfer's skills without being overly easy.

"Take the par-4 fifth hole on the Pecan nine: 405 yards from an elevated tee, moving right to left toward a vaguely reverse-redan green," wrote contributor Kevin Robbins. "It’s scenic, strategic, and, if you fancy, heroic. And, as on a handful of other holes on the Pecan and Mockingbird nines, both of which underwent renovations in the early aughts, you feel that you’re all alone with an allée of oaks."

Rockwood Park in Fort Worth is an 18-hole course designed in 1938 by John Bredemus, a former math teacher turned golf course architect.

Since Rockwood's revivification and reopening in 2017, the course has held on to some of its more distinctive features while enticing golfers with modern design elements. And no one can forget those gorgeous views.

"The tee of the lovely, 142-yard par-3 eighth hole takes you to one of the highest points on the property," said Robbins. "From there, you see downtown Fort Worth — and a massive green in the shape of an amorphous arrowhead, with a spacious false front just beyond a bunker that looks a lot closer to the green than it really is."

Robbins further ponders if Rockwood Park has visitors wondering whether it's a course in a city, or a course that rescues them from it.

The remaining 14 courses in Texas Monthly's "A Guide to Texas' Best Public Golf Courses" can be found on texasmonthly.com.

Photo courtesy of Earlybird CBD

CBD gummies from Austin are flying into Dallas-Fort Worth shops

CBD News

One of Austin's biggest recreational hemp companies is expanding its presence in Dallas-Fort Worth: Earlybird CBD, which makes gummies and tinctures with a microdose of THC, can now be found in 10 DFW-area stores - more than any other city outside of its home base in Austin.

According to a release, Earlybird items are now sold at these vendors:

Davis Street Mercantile, Dallas
Ann's Natural Grocery and Nutrition, Arlington
Sunflower Shoppe, Colleyville
Roy Pope Grocery, Fort Worth
Sunflower Shoppe, Fort Worth

The company's North Texas expansion is a result of relationships with local partners and shops, such as Julie Dobbs and Emily Jones of The Mom Game and Roy Pope Grocery, says Earlybird co-founder and CMO Erik Culverin a statement.

The company currently fosters a longterm partnership with Hiatus Spa and Retreat, which began in February for a special Valentine's Day promotion. The spas stock Earlybird products in Frisco, Plano, and Fort Worth locations, plus Dallas' Inwood Village and The Hill.

Dallas-Fort Worth does not lack for CBD gummies but Earlybird's items are a low dose and easy to "manage," says Jana Baird, a CBD expert who works at Davis Street Mercantile.

"Some products have more THC milligrams and you need to figure out how much you want to consume - with these, you can just eat one or two gummies," she says.

Founded in 2018, Earlybird is one of the first providers to create "full-spectrum" hemp edibles using natural THC. Each serving of the signature gummies and tinctures contain a legal amount of Delta 9 THC (about 2.5 mg).

They're not cheap: A bottle of 30 gummies is $60. They come in watermelon, strawberry, or lemon flavors.

Tinctures are a way to feel the effects of CBD more quickly: You place drops under your tongue and hold it there for 30 to 90 seconds. The CBD gets absorbed into your system through mucous membranes in your mouth.

Earlybird is also available in other Texas cities including Brownsville, Houston, and Marfa, as well as cities outside Texas such as Louisville and San Diego, but at limited locations.

Photo courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

Check out this giant shark and 10 more Texas travel tidbits for August

Where to travel right now

Even as summer vacation season winds down, there's fun to be had all across Texas in August. Can't decide where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 11 exhibits and events, special celebrations, and hotel happenings around the state to help plan a getaway.

In Houston

A jaw-dropping showcase has taken a dive into Houston's Museum of Natural Science this summer. At the exhibit's centerpiece is Meg, a gigantic 50-foot shark showing off her wide, toothy grin for photos with visitors of all ages. But not to worry, this Jawsome exhibit is focused on educating and inspiring curiosity. Patrons can explore six galleries that include a live shark tank, 14 life-sized models, interactive and touchable items, dazzling digital displays, fun photo ops, and megalodon-sized chunks of information about the ocean's apex predators.

In Austin

Swanky destination spas rarely offer deep discounts. So spa fans can be thankful for Miraval Austin's limited-time Gratitude Sale. Book by August 15 for stays through November 30 to receive a $100 discount on nightly rates (which start at $849) and a $100 nightly resort credit. Guests can also choose to receive a $225 resort credit per night. Credits can be used on spa sessions; private sessions with Miraval Specialists; or deluxe experiences like yin yoga, tarot reading, beekeeping, and more.

Another Austin spa-resort is headed to the top of the charts: Lake Austin Spa Resortwas recently featured in Trips to Discover's "Top 20 Spa and Wellness Resorts in the U.S." list. Ranking No. 7, the resort earned praise for its executive chef, lakefront access, and variety of fitness classes offered for guests. The resort is booked out for August, but rates for September stays begin at $581 a night.

A cornerstone Austin music venue is celebrating its decade-long empire with a month full of festivities. After 10 years in business, Empire Control Room & Garage is toasting its anniversary through August 26 with a series called "A Decade of Empire." Every Friday and Saturday night throughout the month brings new shows, a mini-museum of Empire photos and "ephemera," and giveaways, among other surprises.

"Mother/Land" - a new large-scale art exhibition, will be on display at the Austin Central Library Gallery beginning August 24. Designed in response to Austin-based artist (and UT Austin assistant professor) Yuliya Lanina's relationship with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the display uses animation and sculpture to explore the impacts of the war, both physically and emotionally. Lanina is a second-generation Holocaust survivor, born and raised in Russia of Ukranian descent, and arrived in the United States in 1990 as a refugee. "Mother/Land" will be available for viewing until Sunday, November 5.

In the Hill Country

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is lettingguests treat their furry friends to an luxurious lodging experience with a new Pet Retreat Package. These exclusive rooms have their own walk-out patios, dog beds and blankets, and food and water bowls. Dogs also will receive a chew toy, treats, and a stylish bandana as deluxe take-home gifts. Book the package on the resort's website using the code U8D, with rates beginning at $414 a night.

A new luxury RV and tiny home resort has pulled into Fredericksburg. The FireFly Resort is located on 52 acres of land and boasts over 230 sites with gorgeous Hill Country views. The resort is only a 15-minute drive from Fredericksburg's thriving main street district, where folks can visit one of the many local shops, eateries, and wine bars that make it one of the most-loved destinations in Texas. Rates for RV sites start at $60 per night, while nightly rates for tiny homes begin at $162.

Johnson City's Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is collaborating with nonprofit radio station Sun Radio for a new weekly Saturday night concert series spotlighting homegrown Texas musicians. The Sun & Vine Music Series begins on August 19 from 5-7 pm, with a new lineup of musical talent every week until September 30. The free concerts will be held at the resort's central pavilion, and attendees are encouraged to donate to Sun Radio as they continue to promote Texas music. Carolyn Wonderland and Shelly King are scheduled for August 19, while Beat Root Revival will perform August 26. Make it a weekend stay by booking a room at the resort, with rates starting at $219 per night.

Along the Gulf Coast

Corpus Christi's 21st annual Conquer the Coast bike ride has opened registration for this year's event, Saturday, September 16. The 66-mile course, including the "toughest 18 miles in Texas" will route cyclists down Mustang Island, JFK Causeway, Ocean Drive, and the Corpus Christi Marina before returning to where they started. If the full course is a little too extreme, intermediate cyclists can choose a 21-mile endurance course, while families can enjoy a 10-mile scenic route along Ocean Drive. Registration varies from $50-$110.

A breathtaking waterfront condo in Rockport(and its owners) has sailed to the top of Airbnb's nationwide report of the "most hospitable" rentals in 2023. The remarkable coastal condo has one bedroom, two bathrooms, can accommodate up to four guests for a relaxing vacation with stunning panoramic views of Little Bay. The owners, Doug and Sandy, won the Airbnb award thanks to their 100 percent five-star ratings. With the condo's typical price ringing up at $240 a night, it's safe to say this cozy condo is in high demand with Texans yearning for a beach trip.

In North Texas

Across the Metroplex in Fort Worth, a new exhibit called “FLORIGAMIINTHEGARDEN” (that's "Florigami in the Garden") will showcase whimsical origami-inspired sculptures making their Texas debut at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden,August 19. The 18 pieces, ranging from petite works of just a few feet to towering structures more than 30 feet tall, will (appropriately) "fold" into the landscape - from Pollinator Pathway to the Rose Garden - and will depict animals, flowers, and a variety of geometric shapes. The exhibit will be included with the price of general admission ($6 for children between ages 6-15 and $12 for adults). A special summer “buy one, get one admission” discount is being offered through August 31.

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Dallas logs on as one of best U.S. metros for remote workers in 2023, Forbes says

work life

With many companies encouraging - or commanding - remote workers to return to the office in 2023, more and more Americans are seeking employment opportunities that will give them the freedom to work elsewhere.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington is (remotely) clocking in as the No. 15 best metro area for remote workers in 2023, according to a new study by Forbes Advisor. And that'll probably only get better in this booming Texas region.

The study examined 100 U.S. cities and metro areas, and ranked them based on the earning potential of remote workers, internet access, lifestyle amenities, worker friendliness, living costs, and more.

Reliable wifi during office hours and having great lifestyle amenities are perhaps a remote worker's most important toolset. Flexible workdays coupled with the wide variety of recreational activities around the city earned Dallas No. 4 in the category for "cities with the best access to arts, entertainment, and dining establishments."

Dallas was the only Texas city to make it into the top five in the entertainment access category, with Houston falling behind in No. 8.

While Dallas-Fort-Worth Arlington tied with Wichita, Kansas for the No. 15 spot, the Metroplex reigns as the second-best metro area in Texas for remote workers, behind San Antonio-New Braunfels (No. 6). Surrounding Dallas suburbs like Frisco and Plano have been high on similar lists in the past.

"Remote work saves workers time and money on commuting and office clothing, while keeping their morale and productivity levels high," the report said. "Ideally, you’d live in a place with an affordable cost of living, high earning potential, reliable internet connection, low taxes, a low unemployment rate, and various entertainment options."

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin-Round Rock fell way behind on the overall ranking into No. 39. Surprisingly, Houston (No. 49) barely made it into the top 50, outranked by El Paso (No. 46). McAllen-Edinburg-Mission ranked No. 85.

The top 15 U.S. metro areas for remote workers are:

No. 1 – Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida
No. 2 – Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Indiana
No. 3 – Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa
No. 4 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
No. 5 – Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan
No. 6 – San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
No. 7 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 8 – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
No. 9 – Tucson, Arizona
No. 10 – Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio
No. 11 – Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas
No. 12 – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
No. 13 – Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, South Carolina
No. 14 – Rochester, New York
No. 15 – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Wichita, Kansas (tied)

The study can be found on forbes.com.

Photo courtesy of Lake Highlands Home Tour

Here's how much Dallas homeowners will spend to boost curb appeal this year

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Sure, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but that doesn't apply to a vast number of million-dollar homes in this city. It's probably safe to say that many locals (or tourists) have been guilty of window shopping Dallas' most gorgeous houses while cruising around town.

Experts from home services website Thumbtack have confirmed Dallas-Fort Worth's incredible curb appeal and ranked the city No. 5 in a recent study that surveyed homeowners around the country.

Thumbtack partnered with Nextdoor to ask more than 1,000 homeowners to set tangible values to curb appeal: both how much they care, and what kind of exterior home improvements have the most influence. It also ranked cities on how much they spend.

The study found that Dallas-Fort Worth residents will spend up to $4,592 on many "small curb appeal investments" – such as replacing the front door, installing outdoor lighting, pressure washing the driveway, or painting their fence.

But if a homeowner really wants their property to stand out, major projects like installing solar panels or maintaining a perfectly manicured front yard are surefire ways to catch people's attention and admiration. So much so, that 82 percent of survey-takers said investing in landscaping is a substantial improvement, and 73 percent believe a well-kept lawn dramatically improves curb appeal.

"At its core, curb appeal is a homeowner’s first presentation of themself to the neighborhood," the report said. "An individual home’s curb appeal impacts the whole neighborhood — and, as a result, can build relationships or even create tensions on the block."

Costs, of course, are driven up with the scale of the projects. Cost estimates for garage door or gutter replacements can ring up at $1,310, with Metroplex homeowners budgeting up to $12,615 for their "medium-sized" home improvement projects.

The study designates some projects as "large curb appeal investments": things like painting the entire exterior of a house, replacing property fencing, or installing a sprinkler system. Estimates for multiple large-scale projects can cost up to $24,000 in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Nextdoor's Head of Revenue, Heidi Andersen, said in the report that a home's curb appeal can show the owner's "deep investment" in their neighborhood, and can improve their fellow neighbors' pride within the local community.

"For many neighbors, the neighborhood is a gathering place, a central hub, and most importantly, a place they come to for genuine connections, support, and shared experiences among its residents," said Andersen. "Every day, neighbors everywhere are transforming houses into homes, and streets into welcoming avenues for their communities."

Austin also made it into the top five by ranking as the U.S. city with the 2nd best curb appeal behind frontrunner Atlanta, Georgia.

The top 10 metros with the best curb appeal are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 4 – Washington, D.C.
No. 5 – Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
No. 6 – Baltimore, Maryland
No. 7 – Seattle, Washington
No. 8 – Orlando, Florida
No. 9 – Tampa, Florida
No. 10 – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

The full report can be found on thumbtack.com.

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Dallas sold more $10-million-plus homes than any other city, report says

House For Sale

Luxury home sales in Dallas-Fort Worth have grown by a monumental 200 percent for the first half of 2023, according to the new mid-year report by Compass Luxury. This staggering growth indicates a new trend for the city's impressive and explosive real estate market despite recent economic troubles and limited housing inventory.

Dallas-Fort Worth ranked at the top with Houston on Compass' list of ultra-luxury real estate markets — meaning homes selling for $10 million or more — during the first six months of the year. There were 13 total markets that had more transactions surpassing the $10 million mark in this time period than this same time last year.

For some perspective, Compass' data says there were three homes in the Metroplex that together sold for a total of $43.79 million during Q1 and Q2 of this year. That's compared to just one sale in 2022 at $10.95 million.

Dallas-Fort Worth claimed the No. 1 spot in the report, well above rich enclaves such as Martha's Vineyard and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and edging out Houston, whose sales volume amounted to a mere $31.5 million for the same number of sales in Q1 and Q2.

Compass real estate agents Michelle Wood and Amy Detwiler said in the report that high-earning buyers have been seeking homes in DFW since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the cities' low taxes, a thriving economy, and the value of homes in the region.

"Preferences of the ultra-luxury buyer have evolved to prioritize quality and oversized lots over competitive prices on a price per-square-foot basis," they said. "The shortage of oversized lots in the Park Cities has led to a lack of inventory at ultra-luxury price points."

Jonathan Rosen, principal agent at The Rosen Group, echoed Wood and Detwiler's statements regarding what the ultra-luxurious crowd is searching for in a Dallas-Fort Worth home.

"In 2023, we’re continuing to see great demand for new construction ultra-luxury homes in Park Cities," Rosen said. "Inventory levels are incredibly tight due to the limited amount of ultra-luxury listings available in Park Cities and Preston Hollow. Ultra-luxury buyers in Dallas-Fort Worth increasingly expect high-end finishes and lots sized to at least an acre."

The top 10 real estate markets with transactions over $10 million for the first half of 2023 are:

No. 1 – Dallas-Fort Worth (200 percent)
No. 2 – Houston (200 percent)
No. 3 – Boulder, Colorado (100 percent)
No. 4 – Jackson Hole, Wyoming (60 percent)
No. 5 – Greater Seattle (55.5 percent)
No. 6 – Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (50 percent)
No. 7 – Westchester County, New York (50 percent)
No. 8 – Greater Boston (42.8 percent)
No. 9 – City of Boston (40 percent)
No. 10 – Wine Country, California (25 percent)

The full mid-year ultra-luxury real estate report can be found on Compass Luxury's website.

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New H-E-B stores in DFW top this week's 5 hottest Dallas headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. H-E-B continues Dallas expansion with 3 new supermarkets in the suburbs. Texas supermarket chain H-E-B continues its Dallas-Fort Worth expansion, with three new stores in the works. The retailer is opening stores in Melissa, Prosper, and Rockwall. This comes just as the chain opens a new store in Allen.

2. Country's largest hot springs pool complex coming to Grandscape in The Colony. The newest attraction headed to Grandscape in The Colony is a wellness spa-amusement park: WorldSprings, a nine-acre outdoor mineral springs experience, will debut in spring 2024.

3. Award-winning Mexican restaurant hits the jackpot at new location in Denton. A DFW restaurant that's earned national acclaim has opened in Denton: El Rincón del Maiz, previously of Garland, is now located at 1431 E. McKinney St. in Denton where it's winning over locals with its Tex-Mex classics and vegan dishes.

4. New burger joint in McKinney with chef toppers and full bar is a sizzler. McKinney has a new burger joint that is already lighting up the Collin County foodie scene. Called Loyo Burger, it's part of the Local Yocal empire, and is newly opened in downtown McKinney at 216 W. Virginia St. #102.

5. Pickleball-restaurant with chef-level food paddles into Farmers Branch. A new pickleball concept is paddling into Farmers Branch: Called At Fault, it's a pickleball-restaurant facility, opening its first DFW location at 2330 Jett St., in spring 2024.

Where to drink in Dallas right now: 5 best new happy hours

Where to Drink

Maybe because it's fall or maybe because we're just lucky, but it's an especially rich time right now for happy hour offerings, with five spots that have either just debuted new happy hours (or are about to debut). There's a chef take at a restaurant-bar on Greenville Avenue; a fun music bar in Bishop Arts; a chance to sneak into a upscale steakhouse in a Dallas high-rise; and a restaurant-bar overlooking a tranquil golf course in Frisco.

Here's five hot new happy hours for our latest installment of Where to Drink:

Quarter Acre
Greenville Avenue restaurant has a new “Garden Hour” happy hour program Tuesday-Friday from 5-6:30 pm on the patio or at the bar, featuring snacks, three for $11, such as the Watermelon Bite, Crispy Pork Belly with avocado whip and sour lime, Half Shell Oyster with kiwi bubbles and rosé mignonette, and Mushroom Croquette with goat cheese. Select cocktails are $8 including the Front Deck Spritz with Aperol, passionfruit, and bubbles; and Bumble Bee’s Knees with Ford’s Gin, honey, and lemon. Three bottles of wine are $40: Pierre Sparr “Brut” Cremant d’Alsace, Mahua Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2022, or Black Cottage Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2021.

Revelers Hall
New Orleans-style bar in Bishop Arts has a new summer happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-7 pm, with good deals: half-price food, $6 wines, $5 well drinks, and $4 beers. They also have live music daily, featuring a variety of genres including jazz, bebop, Cumbia, and Latin jazz. Plus indoor and outdoor seating, and now is the time of year for that.

Ryder Cup Grille
Restaurant-bar at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort — one of 13 restaurants and bars at the resort — has a new happy hour with postcard-worthy views overlooking the Fields Ranch golf courses. It's an early one, running Monday-Friday from 2-5 pm and includes some domestic beers for $6, house wines for $10, and Ranch Water for $13. Food specials include Parmesan fries ($7), a guacamole and salsa flight ($9), chicken tenders with Buffalo sauce, Deep Ellum blue cheese dressing, and ranch ($11), nachos with brisket and refried beans ($12), and Cobb salad ($12).

SER Steak & Spirits
Steakhouse on the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole has a Social Hour Tuesday-Thursday from 5-6:30 pm with $10 cocktails, $10 wines by the glass. A new bar menu features oysters, beef tartare, and gochujang chicken, priced from $9 to $23. They also have two new cocktails: Fall Berry Bush with tequila, Chambord, lime, rosemary, and sage; and a boozy lemonade with vodka, lavender, dill, lemon juice, and soda water.

Whiskey Cake
A new $7 Social Hour begins September 26, and runs Monday-Friday 3-6 pm with cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Margarita, Daiquiri, and a CYOM (create your own martini) with vodka or gin, clean or dirty, wet or dry, shaken or stirred, with a twist of lemon or olives, all for $7. House wines are also $7 and beers are $5. A menu of bar bites includes Wagyu corn dogs, BBQ spiced pork rinds, and blue cheese kettle chips.

Famous doner kebab restaurant makes Dallas debut with location in Frisco

Kebab News

A big name in doner kebabs is coming to Dallas-Fort Worth: German Doner Kebab, famous for pioneering gourmet doner kebabs in the UK and worldwide, will open its first location in Frisco, at 12025 E. University Dr. #100.

According to a release, it'll open on September 25, with seating for 77, making it the brand’s largest North American restaurant in terms of capacity.

Doner kebabs are a street food, centered on meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit. The name comes from two Turkish words: 'Doner' meaning rotate, and 'Kebap' meaning grilled meat. It's similar to a gyro, but döner meat is made from lamb or pork, while gyros are lamb or chicken.

German Doner Kebab, abbreviated GDK, is known for its distinctive waffle bread, in which the pita-like bread is imprinted with a waffle pattern. The company opened its first restaurant in Berlin in 1989 and is headquartered in Scotland. There are now 100-plus locations across UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

They made their U.S. debut in 2021 and have locations in New Jersey, Astoria, Queens, New York, and Sugar Land, Texas, outside Houston, which opened in 2022.

Their menu features doner kebabs made with toasted waffle bread, halal meat, vegetables, and signature sauces. GDK locations have an open kitchen so you can see the food being prepared to order.

In addition to the waffle bread, you can get the doner as a wrap, a panini, or in quesadilla form. Other items include a burger topped with Doritos and cheese sauce - like chips & salsa on top of doner meat, but all inside a bun; a black bean veggie burger; spring rolls; jalapeno poppers; and fries in a quartet of options including cheese fries, flaming fries, and curry fries.

“Many Americans are familiar with gyro, shawarma, and shish kebabs, however our ‘doner kebabs’ will be a new experience in both taste and format to most," says GDK North America managing director Nigel Belton in a statement.

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