Super Bowl Options Abound, Chipotle Opens In Lakewood and CrushCraft Gets Delayed.
Welcome to The Spread, our weekly feature that aims to share all the area restaurant, food and beverage industry news that's fit to print. Except, this is the Internet, so space isn't a concern. Also: Good thing, because this is Dallas and this town always has breaking restaurant news going down like whoa.
At the end of every January, the ubiquitous question of “When is winter going to end?” is on everyone's minds. Yes, even in Dallas, where we are lucky enough to not have to deal with heaps of snow and below zero temperatures, there's still an air of wanting to get rid of the winter doldrums.
Luckily, there's enough going on in the food world to distract us all for a while.
For instance? Well, the upcoming Super Bowl has places like Bonchon gearing up to provide the ultimate game-watching experience. They will be offering drink specials and 10 percent off of any pre-ordered XL Bonchon Chicken plate on Sunday. And, hey, if participating in the Big Game's festivities isn't your thing, you can celebrate the Lunar New Year with Bonchon instead and grab a fish bowl and some Soju drink specials.
Meanwhile, Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern is also aiming to make your Super Bowl party a little easier with dinner specials for up to 40 guests. Not throwing a party but still want to get in on Sunday's pizza deals? Word: All diners can still get any slice of pizza and any beer for $6.
Farther out on the horizon, Chino Chinatown is adding two service options next month. For one thing, they'll begin serving lunch on February 3, offering dishes such as Bento boxes, fajita steak drunken noodles and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Monday through Saturday. Sunday diners can look forward to Dallas' only Dim Sum Brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Small plate options include steamed buns, barbacoa steamed dumplings, chorizo egg rolls and more to go, as well as a special brunch drink menu designed by Ian Reilly (The People's Last Stand, Bowl & Barrel).
Speaking of lunch service: Everyone may be all up in arms about The Blind Butcher these days — and rightfully so, as the place is not just awesome, but it's finally ready to serve food (check the menu here) — but the ownership team behind that joint is still working hard at its other spot, East Dallas' Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House. Sooner than later, the owners tell D, that spot's gonna be open for lunch service, opening at 11 a.m. instead of the 4 p.m. start-time it's had since its launch.
Elsewhere, newcomer Pier 247 is staking its claim on Bishop Arts with its take on seafood. The new joint, housed in an old gas station, is serving up dishes such as fried oyster and crawfish nachos, blackened shrimp and crawfish quesadillas and other New-Orleans-meets-Old-Mexico-inspired dishes. Anyone not looking for a bit of fusion in their seafood can also find standard surf and turf fare, plus other traditional seafood options.
Meanwhile, those looking to get their late-night Thai food fix from CrushCraft will have to wait a little bit longer: After a mock service, the powers that be over at that spot posted on Facebook that its current POS system isn't acceptable for their fast-casual format. The restaurant''s grand opening has been pushed back about two weeks until further notice.
You won't have to wait any longer, though, if you're hankering for some Chipotle in the Lakewood area: Earlier this week, the chain's long-in-the-works build-out at the intersection of Abrams Road and Richmond Avenue was completed. Doors were opened, burrito bowls were served and additives were snickered at.
This week in craft beer news? Well, Deep Ellum Brewing Company is re-introducing its next seasonal beer, the Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout. The beer debuts on February 1 during DEBC's Saturday brew tour. Unfortunately, this move means the brewery will be taking a temporary break from producing its fantastic new Oak Cliff Coffee Ale, but, brewers promise, fans of the brew can look forward to them making more in the near future. Up north, Denton County's newest brewery, Rabbit Hole Brewing, has announced that it will now be offering private and public touring options. Patrons can attend public tours on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., or they can schedule private tours and tastings.
Got a tip for The Spread? Email us!