The Spread.

Dallas Chop House Catches Fire, And Salsa Fest Is Coming.

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.

It seems like every other week that there's news of another festival coming to town. We know: just when you start to think that you've heard of just about every local festival, yet another surfaces with a new theme worthy enough of marking your calendars.

This time around, Deep Ellum will be home to the first Dallas Salsa Fest — a celebration of all things chips and salsa. On Saturday, September 20, Team Salsa Fest will partner with Deep Ellum Outdoor Market to feature salsas from local producers and restaurants to find the best in the region.

In addition to the festivities, DEOM will operate its usual fair of local artists, craft vendors and live music. The event is free, with $5 refillable bags of chips available for purchase, and will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be located at the corner of Crowdus and Elm, across from Serious Pizza.

In more severe food news: Dallas Chop House will be closed until September 1 due to a three-alarm kitchen fire on Tuesday that saw 84 firefighters dispatched to the scene. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

After beefing up its staff in preparation for the opening of its permanent location, pop-up restaurant and juvenile rehabilitation program Cafe Momentum finally confirmed the address to be 1510 Pacific Avenue. The downtown location was chosen because of its close proximity to the DART line and TRE. The space, which will be seat 85 and have a classroom, is slated to open in December.

Speaking of openings, Muscle Maker Grill is taking over the old Company Cafe space in Lower Greenville. The East Dallas location of the nutrition alternative to fast food chains is the first of five to open in the Metroplex, with outposts slated for Plano, Frisco, Lovers and Inwood. The first location is slated to open mid-August.

In still more opening news, Richardson will soon be home to a new barbecue place. Ten 50 BBQ will feature a simple menu of meat, sides and beer inspired be Central Texas barbecue. Items include fresh Alaskan salmon, 16-ounce rib-eye steaks and the standard brisket, ribs and sausage. The beer selection includes brews from local breweries such as Franconia Brewing, Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Revolver and Lakewood Brewing Co.. The 290-seat restaurant opens on Monday, August 18, only during lunch hours, with dinner service in the future.

Over in Uptown, So & So's is adding brunch service to its repertoire. The menu consists of dishes such as blueberry pancakes with Fernet-infused maple syrup, and the Mother Child Reunion — fried chicken topped with poached eggs on top of Strongbow Cider bacon gravy. Brunch takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, the social dining experience Dinner Lab recently launched in Dallas with its first dinner on Saturday, October 25. The organization focuses on bringing showcasing up and coming chefs in unique locations, creating a memorable experience for the ultimate foodie. Access to the dinners requires membership and dinner fees. For more information, visit Dinner Lab Dallas.

In Trinity Groves, Casa Rubia is losing chef Cody Sharp to The Standard Pour. He heads to the Uptown restaurant with plans to overhaul the menu with southern, low-country dishes.

In closing news: Herrera's is leaving its Maple Avenue location next Monday. The owners of the long-established Tex-Mex joint are currently searching for a new location.

Got a tip for The Spread? Email us!