Summertime business at Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants is, historically, slow. Some of the city’s nicest restaurants, like Lucia, close for a week or more in July to give their employees time off. You can help with the hot weather lull! Make plans to visit some other North Texas restaurants this summer. Options range from a feel-good nonprofit in Dallas to a celebrity-owned steakhouse in Fort Worth.
Cafe Momentum in downtown Dallas
Fresh off a win for Humanitarian of the Year at the James Beard Awards, Cafe Momentum founder Chad Houser invites you back to his restaurant to see how he’s changing lives. That’s not hyperbole: He has worked with more than 1,200 teenagers who were arrested or incarcerated, and he’s expanding the nonprofit to accommodate more people in need outside of Texas. Houser’s team teaches teens to cook, which gives them marketable skills for a more stable, sustainable adulthood.
When Houser accepted his Humanitarian of the Year award in June 2025, he offered a message for the teenagers he’ll soon work with: “We see you, we’re ready for you, we’re here for you.”
Cafe Momentum is at 1510 Pacific Ave., Dallas. (It moves to a new address in 2026.) Open Thursdays through Saturdays for dinner.
Campo Verde in Arlington
Joy to the world: One of Dallas-Fort Worth’s wackiest restaurants, the Christmas-themed Campo Verde, is back. It’s a lovely moment of rebirth, as the restaurant closed in early 2025 in Arlington with little explanation, reported The Dallas Morning News’ Imelda GarcĂa. Chef Mouhssine “Moose” Benhamacht and his partner Liesl Best bought it and reopened it.
“We just want to keep the tradition intact and just kind of refresh it and give it to the next generation,” Benhamacht told GarcĂa.
Campo Verde is at 2918 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Closed Mondays.
Cattlemen’s Steak House in Fort Worth
Quick, name a part of Fort Worth Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan hasn’t touched. We’re kidding. But the Landman creator has made a huge mark on Cowtown, not only as he brings famous faces to North Texas to film, but also in the businesses he’s purchased. He now owns Cattlemen’s Steak House, the Stockyards restaurant that dates back to 1947.
A reported “multimillion-dollar” renovation includes a spruced-up restaurant, private dining and social club and a new 20,000-square-foot patio with a stage. The restaurant remains open now; the patio and club come in late summer 2025, a spokeswoman said.
Cattlemen’s Steak House is at 2458 N. Main St., Fort Worth.
Del’s Charcoal Burgers in Richardson
After an accidental grease fire at Del’s Charcoal Burgers in Richardson, the restaurant is back open and attracting large crowds. The nearly 70-year-old burger joint has been a staple for decades. But a major event like a fire? It makes us pause to appreciate a place we took for granted.
Owner Andrew Taherzadeh is feeling similarly sentimental. He moved a sign that says Fire Fighter Lane right above the front door, and he can see it as customers arrive. It’s his way of remembering the Richardson firefighters who saved his business. Now, they eat at Del’s for free.
Del’s Charcoal Burgers is at 110 S. McKinney St., Richardson. Closed Sundays.
Ella in Dallas
Formerly Chido Taco Lounge, the restaurant on Dallas’ Walnut Hill Lane has been redesigned as Ella, an American bistro. Gone is the menu of tacos and margaritas, replaced by entrees of steak tartare, short rib and salmon. Drinks come from Michelin winner Julian Shaffer, who won an Exceptional Cocktails award in late 2024. Say, maybe you need a drink before a trip to Trader Joe’s next door?
Ella is at at 7949 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas. Customs, a cocktail bar, remains on the second floor. Both concepts are open evenings only. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Flamant in Plano
Flamant made the cut on our list of “most exciting new restaurants opening in 2025,” and if you live in Denton or Collin County, it’s time to give it a try. The menu has influences from Italy, Spain and France, and you can be adventurous or not, depending on your speed. There’s an octopus appetizer and “faux gras” made with cashews, or there’s a Caesar salad and a grilled chicken sandwich. Take your pick.
Don’t miss the drinks, which range from frozen cocktails to “spirit forward” drinks to zero-proof options. The owners of Flamant — known for Michelin Recommended restaurant Rye and its stylish cocktail bar Apothecary, both in Dallas — are known for their fun yet balanced drinks.
Flamant is at 5880 State Highway 121 (at Granite Park), Plano. Open for lunch and dinner.
Frenchie in University Park
So you’re craving a Croque Monsieur. Or any classic French dish, really. One of Dallas-Fort Worth’ newest restaurants is here to serve. Frenchie comes from two French-born restaurateurs who now call Dallas home. Frenchie is open for lunch and dinner at the Plaza at Preston Center in University Park. Soon, it’ll open for breakfast, selling croissants, espresso and a few healthy options. It makes sense, given this address’ previous life as Corner Bakery, a prime breakfast meeting spot for businesspeople in Dallas and the Park Cities.
Frenchie is at 8420 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas.
Hugo’s Seafood Bar in Dallas’ Oak Cliff
When it’s hot outside, a cold plate of crudo or a platter of seafood seems like the right move. Hugo’s Seafood Bar is a newish restaurant in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood. The place is moody and small — great for a date. (And, if you’re not the one paying, go for the caviar.) Beyond a concise offering of seafood tostadas, scallop aguachile and foie gras, Hugo’s has five entrees: a cheeseburger, a lobster roll, a pasta, a fish of the day and a 12-ounce steak. We love a well-edited menu.
Hugo’s Seafood Bar is at 334 W. Davis St., Dallas. Closed Mondays.
Motor City Pizza in Lewisville
Make a drive to Lewisville to try the new Cooper Flagg pizza, named for the recently-drafted Dallas Mavericks player. It’s inspired by a chicken, bacon and ranch cheesesteak — apparently Flagg’s favorite sandwich — but piled on a pizza at Lewisville restaurant Motor City.
Sounds worth a try, especially if it distracts us from the Luka trade.
Motor City Pizza is at 1425 FM 407, Lewisville. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pistil Cocktail Lounge in Irving
After some bumpy years during COVID-19, the city of Irving has reinvested in Toyota Music Factory, its plaza and the restaurants surrounding it. Up to $35 million is earmarked for the development — proving the 16-restaurant and bar district near the music venue is a “key asset” to the city, as Visit Irving Communications Manager Lori Sirmen confirmed to The News.
Check out three new restaurants selling barbecue, upscale Texas food and cocktails. My pick is Pistil Cocktail Lounge, a second-story bar with a great view of the plaza.
Pistil Cocktail Lounge is at 340 W. Las Colinas Blvd. (at Toyota Music Factory), Irving. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays for now; open seven days a week starting in September 2025.
El Reyno Elotes y Taqueria in Hurst
The owner of El Reyno Elotes TaquerĂa has a challenge for you: Eat this 6-pound burger in 30 minutes or less and you’ll win $150. Now, this thing is big. I would be shocked it anyone could finish it. And what happens if you can’t? You owe $54.99 and you’ll take home enough leftovers to feed a family. For the right person, it might be worth a try.
El Reyno Elotes y TaquerĂa is at 705 Melbourne Road (inside Express Corner Store), Hurst.
Rincon Potosino in Balch Springs
“You’ve never had enchiladas like this,” staff writer Imelda GarcĂa wrote about the enchiladas at Rincon Potosino. To some, they look like empanadas. But the enchiladas potosinas at this restaurant are a staple dish from San Luis PotosĂ, Mexico, and they’ve made their way to D-FW.
Check out a series of stories called D-FW Sabores, in which GarcĂa explains where to find iconic Mexican dishes like enchiladas potosinas.
Rincon Potosino is at 3612 Pioneer Road, Balch Springs.
Shinsei in Dallas’ Love Field area
Shinsei means “rebirth” in Japanese, and this nearly 20-year-old Dallas restaurant just experienced a new beginning when it changed ownership last month. What didn’t change was the menu or the cozy decor that define this Bluffview restaurant.
I love it on Mondays, when it’s half-priced wine night. (If I got your attention with inexpensive wine, the owner of Shinsei does other low-priced vino specials at her other restaurants. It’s half-priced wine at Lovers Seafood and Market on Tuesdays. Same deal at Perch Bistro and Bar on Wednesdays.)
Shinsei is at 7713 Inwood Road, Dallas. Closed Sundays. Closed on July 4.
Smokey Joe’s BBQ in Red Bird
Summertime means barbecue road trips for those of us who love to travel to the corners of Texas seeking the state’s best smoked meat. Hit up Smokey Joe’s BBQ in southern Dallas, as I did with barbecue fanatic Greg Artkop, who will spend his summer weekends eating through Texas Monthly’s top 50 list.
Smokey Joe’s is one of the more unassuming spots on the list: On a weekday, I showed up at 11:30 a.m. and was third in line. (Compare that to Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth, for instance, where people stand for hours at breakfast time just to get through the door by lunch.) At Smokey Joe’s, get the brisket, turkey and mac and cheese, as Artkop did.
Smokey Joe’s BBQ is at 6403 R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas. Closed Mondays.
Check out past Hot Lists
- June 2025
- May 2025 — emphasis on burgers
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024 — theme was cozy and affordable
- November 2024 — theme was quiet restaurants
- October 2024 — theme was fancy restaurants
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024 — theme was cool spots in hot weather