The Spread.

Rusty Taco Drops The Innuendo, And Weed Coffee Is Coming To Frisco.

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.

As Filament prepares to join the enclave of new restaurants in Deep Ellum next month, it's been announced that chef Cody Sharp (The Standard Pour) will be leading the kitchen team.

The menu will be a collaboration between Sharp and chef/owner Matt McCallister (FT33), focusing on regional Southern cuisine and its various influences, resulting in items such as beef cheek tamales with banana pepper chimichurri and pinto beans, and fried sepia tacos.

Says Sharp: “People ask us, 'What does Filament mean?' and it was an idea. I think a lot of people are confused that it's going to be Southern food, but it's really about sourcing the best things from south of the Mason-Dixon line, and as much as we can locally.”

On the other hand, Phil Romano's latest venture, Saint Rocco's New York Italian is now open in Trinity Groves and pays homage to cuisine from a different source. The restaurant pays homage to classic Italian-American cuisine, with favorites like cannoli and spumoni made in-house and served alongside more savory items such as veal Milanese, chicken Parmesan and Sicilian lasagna. Dinner hours run daily starting at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, fans of Rusty Taco will have to get used to a new name, as the brand will now be known by the less sexual R Taco moniker. The move follows a buyout by Buffalo Wild Wings and is an attempt to make the brand resonate more easily with those who didn't know founder Rusty Fenton, according to this Dallas Morning News item. The name change will be phased in at all nine locations over the coming months.

In other taco news: Velvet Taco plans to expand its still-sexually-named brand to Austin sooner than later. The newest outpost, to be located in The Domain shopping center, will join the lineup of Velvet Tacos in Dallas, Fort Worth, Chicago and the recently-opened Houston store. Look for an opening next year.

And in yet more taco news, Le Taco Cantina is hosting its first chef's dinner. The five-course dinner will feature Latin-Asian fusion dishes from chef Daniel Tarasevich (The Second Floor Bistro), with pairings of Don Julio tequila. The event takes place on Monday, September 28 at 7 p.m.

On the weirder side of things, Frisco might become home to a cannabis-infused coffee joint soon. AmeriCanna Cafe (aka the “Starbucks of cannabis”) is scoping out a space at the intersection of Preston Road and Wade Boulevard for its brand of hemp-based products. The catch? The cafe won't feature any THC-infused beverages or foods until state and federal laws permit it, so hopes of getting stoned there are currently on hold. No word on a target opening date as of yet.

Finally, let's end on some craft beer news.

First up, Noble Rey Brewing Co. is ringing in fall with Oktoberfest today from 6 to 9 p.m. The brewery will feature selections from Lakewood Brewing Co., Oak Highlands Brewing and more, as well as bratwursts courtesy of KB's Brats.

Similarly, Luck at Trinity Groves is also hosting its LUCKtoberfest this Sunday, September 20. The restaurant will pay tribute to German heritage with brews from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. and Franconia Brewing Co., along with German-inspired dishes and other special tappings. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

And, in Fort Worth, the third annual Beer, Bourbon and Brisket event takes place this Saturday, September 19 at Panther Island Pavilion. Sample wares from local and regional breweries, distilleries and barbecue joints and enjoy live music in a kid- and dog-friendly environment. The event will run from 4 to 9 p.m.

Cover photo via Rusty Taco's Facebook page. Got a tip for The Spread? Email us!