The Spread.

The Twinkie Makes A Comeback, and Three Great Dallas Bars Get Some Shine.

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 that 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 is with a heavy heart that we lead this week's column off with the passing of a popular local restaurateur. This week, Russell “Rusty” Fenton, founder of the ever expanding Rusty Taco and co-founder of Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food died. According to the Dallas Morning News, Fenton passed away Monday following a three-year battle with kidney cancer. He leaves behind his wife and four daughters, as well as a strong culinary legacy that has its roots firmly planted in North Texas soil. He will be missed.

On a lighter note, the beloved Twinkie snack cake is being resurrected, thanks to a pair of private equity firms that purchased Hostess back in March. The popular snack cakes (along with the other Hostess brand snacks) will be hitting shelves this summer starting July 15. Fans of the sponge-like sweet treats should fret not; the company's new owners have stated they intend to remain true to Hostess' original recipes. The only major difference? The delicious treat's packaging will feature a new tagline: “The sweetest comeback in the history of ever.” The company also says they intend to avoid the previous owners' fates by adding gluten-free, added fiber, low sugar and low sodium products into their lines this time around. Personally, we think they'd be better off adding a line of Twinkie sushi rolls to their roster. It's a lot better than it sounds, we promise.

Speaking of things you can now purchase at stores: Fresh off the successful release of their new line of supermarket condiments, Whataburger's potato chip version of their fries is now available at Central Market, and it pairs perfectly with their famous spicy ketchup and a nice cold beer.

Might we recommend one of Community Beer Company's recently-revived Mosaic IPA to go with that dish? While the American-style golden brew is extraordinarily hoppy, it's not overwhelmingly bitter. It also won't be available for long: Check out Community's tap-finder app to find out where to grab one — or six — before it's gone.

On a similar note, Four Corners Brewing Co. is introducing to the market a new IPA of their own. Beer nerds will have two chances to celebrate the release of the appropriately-named El Chingon (which roughly translates to “badass”) during this Thursday's brewery tour out in West Dallas or at Denton's Oak Street Drafthouse this Friday, where they're giving away complimentary pint glasses.

Speaking of celebrations: The Dallas bar scene has reason to party. Three of Dallas' favorite watering holes have been named to online reservation service OpenTable's list of the “100 Hottest Restaurant Bars for 2013.” Culture Map reports that — in no particular order — Cedars Social, Del Frisco's Grille and Henry's Tavern have all been deemed some of the hottest spots in America to get one's drink on. In the process, they beat out some 15,000 other bars that were in the running. Impressive, no?

That's a feat you'll no doubt want to celebrate with a toast — and, perhaps, a bite. Lower Greenville's newest spot, Dallas Beer Kitchen seems like a nice place for both. The craft beer-inspired spot will offer up 30 beers on tap, a burger called the Big Lebowski, and, our favorite, Pop Tarts topped with ice cream and Fruity Pebbles.

On the subject of openings: Weekend Coffee has opened their doors inside the Joule Hotel on Commerce Street, and Sugar Ray's Bake Shop plans to conquer the Plano baking scene with a Lakeside Market spot opening in the Fall. On the other hand, Texas de Brazil Express on Preston Lane has officially shut its doors for good, citing a lack of dinner patrons as the main reason for the closure.

In other news, Richardson is about to get even cooler. Their new Alamo Drafthouse location plans to mark their opening with several events and surprises coming down in the next month or so. The dinner-and-a-movie theater just announced that they will be opening a whole week ahead of schedule with a soft opening set for August 6, 7 and 8 that will include 50 percent off food and $2 movies. They'll also be celebrating with free outdoor screenings in their parking lot on Fridays in July that will feature food trucks, craft brews and other surprises.

Even better? Alamo Drafthouse will also be screening the upcoming film The World's End, followed by a Q&A with director Edgar Wright and the film's stars, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. That's right: The minds behind Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead will be on hand to personally christen the new space.

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