Every month, a new crop of restaurants opens in the Metroplex. While everyone loves a good steakhouse, sushi spot, and burger joint, this round-up will give you the high-end spots and the low-end spots that are new to town — be they good, bad, or so bad that they’re good/so good they’re bad. Whether it’s a locally owned restaurant or the latest addition of a chain, here’s what’s happening in the world of DFW restaurant openings for the month.
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Just a little peek into the dishes at Norman’s. Samantha Marie Photography
4002 Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas
The latest spot from Duro Hospitality group (Mister Charles, El Carlos Elegante) has a menu loaded with skewers cooked on a charcoal robata grill and meats from an Argentinian hickory wood-fired grill. On the cold food end, nigiri, sashimi, and handrolls are prepared by a trio of chefs at the sushi counter. It’s not strictly Japanese with Western flair — there’s a Korean fried chicken dish, dumplings, crudo topped with caviar, and even fritto misto. Where there are rules for menus, Norman’s Japanese Grill seeks to break them.
900 West Davis Street in Dallas
A former gas station has been transformed into a taqueria by partners and first-time restaurant owners, Martin and Jennifer Reyes, CultureMap Dallas reports. The two were inspired to open Donde Los Tacos when one of their favorite taco spots closed and they couldn’t find a substitute, so the duo opted to make the tacos they wanted to see in the world. Menu highlights include quesabirria, a rib-eye taco, vegan pastor taco, and trompo-marinated pork, which is already a local favorite.
Keep it simple and classic at the PoBoy Shop. Kathy Tran
8421 Westchester Drive in Dallas
The folks behind Evan’s Meat Market have opened a po’ boy shop in University Park. Evan Meagher wanted to bring a touch of the culture of Lafayette, his hometown, to DFW. The shop serves po’ boys on bread shipped in from Langlinais Baking Company in Lafayette, which happens to be where Meagher held his first job. The shrimp po’ boy and muffaletta are go-tos for classic Louisiana fare, and there are also non-traditional po’ boys made with turkey, salami, pastrami, roast beef, and more.
5622 Lemmon Avenue in Dallas
There’s new blood in Dallas’s Tex-Mex scene, in the form of a Lemmon Avenue spot that has been home to an El Fenix, Casa Rosa, and Eddie’s Cocina and Cantina throughout the years. Ernie Quilantan, who was a partner in Eddie’s Cocina, has taken over the lease after an amicable parting with his business partner, the eponymous Eddie Cervantes, CultureMap Dallas reports. The rebranding,” as Quilantan calls it, features a straightforward menu, with Cowboy Queso, a variety of tacos, fajitas, and Tex-Mex platters. There are also sandwiches and burritos, including a Mexican cheesesteak and a smashed burguesa.
312 West Davis Street in Dallas
A new Latin sports bar has made its way to Bishop Arts. On the menu are all the things patrons would expect: chicharrones with guacamole, coctel (a spicy shrimp cocktail), deep-fried wings tossed in house sauces, tacos, and hamburguesas. The spot is owned by Christian Avanti, who also has Lava Lounge on Cedar Springs, CultureMap Dallas reports. The interior features murals by Dallas artist Dummy Fresh and screens to root for the home team.
Keep it simple or make it complicated — do it your way when you order at Hendy’s. Hendy’s on Henderson
2401 North Henderson Avenue in Dallas
As promised, This and That Hospitality (Double D’s, Tiny Victories) has flipped the now-closed Sfuzzi’s location into a new hangout spot. Hendy’s on Henderson’s menu was helmed by chef Peja Krstic of Michelin-recommended Mot Hai Ba and Pillar in Bishop Arts. That means in addition to burgers and a fried chicken sandwich, there are also dishes like beef tartare bites, fish tacos loaded with cubed potatoes and peaches, spinach lasagna, and much more.
12990 Bee Street in Farmers Branch
Owner Maurico Gallegos, formerly of Xayman Cafe and Ayahuasca Cantina, opened this spot in the same center as Tiffany Derry’s Roots Southern Table and Radici Wood Fire Grill, the Dallas Observer reports. Most of the food on the menu at this tropical taqueria is made with pork, hence the unserious name. Diners will see a few appetizers that aren’t like esquites and a nopales salad, but things like carnitas, chicharrones with guacamole, and pork shoulder are the focus. Diners can also forgo an order of carnitas tacos and order the shredded pork by the pound. The carnitas are also served in the form of a torta, a bowl, or stuffed in flautas. Chef Leonardo Hernandez, formerly at the now-closed Yellow Rosa in Deep Ellum, is heading up the kitchen.
816 North Collins Street in Arlington
Looking for hot chicken in Arlington? Search no more, restaurateur and caterer Eddie Deen opened a spot for that craving. The restaurant is named after his mom, CultureMap Dallas reports, and in addition to fried chicken, this spot has killer cinnamon rolls. There are also fried chicken pickle sticks (chicken and pickles served on skewers), tenders, wings, yeast rolls by the dozen and half dozen, and dough babies — little roll-like desserts with a doughnut-like glaze.
112 East Louisiana Street, Suite A in McKinney
An Italian-American restaurant has opened in the space on the Square in Downtown McKinney, previously occupied by Harvest. It’s co-owned by George Stergios (Knife Steakhouse) and Brian Dunne (Mexican Bar Company), with a menu full of pastas made in-house like short rib stuffed ravioli and lemon ricotta agnolotti del pin; classic entrees including chicken marsala and ossobuco; inventive salads; and a mix of classic and contemporary appetizers from fried mozzarella sticks to beet crostinis. The completely renovated space stays true to the general aesthetic on the Square with exposed brick walls, over-the-top chandeliers hung en masse, and leather seats. We hear reservations are already hard to come by, so don’t overlook the early bird or late night reservation options if you really want to get in.
Tis the summer of beets. Samantha Marie Photography
8763 7th Street in Frisco
A European-inspired bistro with shared plates and a focus on seasonal foods is now open in Downtown Frisco. Look for dishes like Elaine’s Charcuterie, which changes frequently; goat cheese-stuffed peppadew peppers; and stone fruit panzanella with cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion, bocconcini, cucumber, torn croutons, basil pistou, and balsamic vinegar. The interiors were designed with the idea of a 1920s parlour in mind, with emerald colored velvet sofas, marble-topped tables, and vintage crystal chandeliers.
Wanna know what 40-ounces of Iradori wagyu looks like? Samantha Marie Photography
4729 St. Amand Circle, Suite 105 in Fort Worth
Jeff Payne of Cousin’s BBQ and his partner Jason Cross have opened their first fine dining restaurant in Fort Worth, the Mont. The menu has a selection of butcher’s cuts, including Irodori wagyu selections, a double long bone pork chop, a 40-ounce Irodori wagyu tomahawk steak with potato purée and a dish called the Duck that is served with black garlic glaze, slow roasted duck leg, foie fried rice, scallion crêpe, and maple nuoc cham. The interiors give heavy Art Deco vibes with rust colored velvet seats, gold chain mail hanging from the ceiling, and wavy tiles on the floor.