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Tesla’s Robotaxi’s Are Rolling in Dallas and Houston

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Texas Writer
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tesla robotaxi

Today Austin based Tesla announced that their Robotaxis are now rolling in Dallas and Houston.

These are automated driverless cars you can order with an app. Which have previously operating only in Austin, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.

The Dallas and Houston rollout is part of a series of limited release planned by Tesla as they seek to take on market-leader Waymo (Google) and battle against rideshare companies Uber and Lyft.

The launch area for both cities is fairly small, so this is more of an experiment and less of a service y’all could use daily.

The announcement was made on Bastrop, TX based X.com, a social media platform owned by Tesla CEO and Co-founder Elon Musk.

Vitals:

  • Only available on iPhone
  • Only available in Houston’s Jersey Village and Willowbrook neighborhoods
  • Only available in Dallas’s University park, Highland Park, SMU, Uptown Dallas, Downtown Dallas, Victory Park, Lower Greenville, and Knox-Henderson neighborhoods

Article based on a story originally by Texas Business

Tesla’s logo is a trademark of Tesla, Inc.

Lone Star Smokeout Returns to Arlington in April 2026 with Bigger Lineup and BBQ Showcase

By
Monique Roy
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0

After a successful debut in 2025, the Lone Star Smokeout will return to AT&T Stadium in Arlington from April 24–26, 2026, bringing three more days of country music, barbecue, and immersive festival experiences to North Texas. The event marks the second year of the Texas-based expansion of the acclaimed Windy City Smokeout.

Lone Star Smokeout combines top-tier live performances with some of the country’s most celebrated pitmasters, creating a destination event that blends music, food, and Texas culture. This year’s second annual festival is headlined by Riley Green, Koe Wetzel, and Shabooze, a great mix of chart-topping talent.

The three-day schedule will deliver a distinct headliner experience each night. Friday features Shaboozey alongside emerging acts like Max McNown and Waylon Wyatt. Saturday is led by Koe Wetzel, supported by fan favorites including Casey Donahew and Ghost Hounds. Sunday closes with Riley Green, joined by Sam Barber and Avery Anna. Other performers include Tyler Nance, Solon Holt, Hannah McFarland, and Jenna Davis.

In total, more than 19 artists are expected to perform, reflecting a blend of established country names and the next wave of talent shaping the genre.

While the music draws headlines, barbecue is equally central to the festival’s identity. The 2026 edition will feature a curated roster of elite pitmasters from Texas and across the country, including award-winning teams, James Beard nominees, and Texas Monthly Top 50 selections.

Past participants have included well-known names from across the state, reinforcing the event’s focus on showcasing both traditional Texas barbecue and evolving national styles. From brisket and ribs to innovative smoked dishes, the food program is designed to match the caliber of the music lineup, positioning Lone Star Smokeout as both a concert and a culinary event. Pitmasters included are Meat Mitch, Teddy’s Barbecue, 2M Smokehouse BBQ, Curry Boys BBQ, Hurtado Barbecue, Panther City BBQ, Salt Lick BBQ, Slow Bone BBQ, and more.

Held just outside the stadium in a large-scale outdoor setup, the event is often described as a parking lot party, complete with live music stages, food vendors, and interactive activations. With extended daily programming and a mix of food, drinks, and entertainment, the event is structured to keep attendees engaged throughout the weekend.

The return of Lone Star Smokeout signals strong early momentum following its 2025 debut. Organizers have emphasized Texas’ deep-rooted barbecue culture and passionate country music fan base as key drivers behind the festival’s expansion and continued growth.

As the event enters its second year, it is positioning itself as a recurring spring fixture on the Dallas-Fort Worth entertainment calendar, offering a differentiated experience that combines the scale of live music with a curated, high-quality food program.

Vitals

  • Date: April 24-26, 2026
  • Location: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington
  • Times: Friday, 4/24: 3 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, 4/25: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday, 4/26: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Tickets: To purchase tickets, please visit www.seatgeek.com/lone-star-smokeout-tickets.
  • Website: https://www.lonestarsmokeout.com/

Map to AT&T Stadium

Featured image from the Lone Star Smokeout website

Dallas’ Design District Welcomes a Sophisticated New Chinese Fine Dining Destination

By
Monique Roy
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Dallas has another big-night-out restaurant to add to the list. Night Rooster has officially opened, bringing an upscale modern Chinese dining experience to one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods, the Design District.

From the team behind the well-known upstairs concept The Saint, this new downstairs restaurant offers an impressive atmosphere for dining and wine. Guests enter a dramatic space layered with dim lighting, deep-red seating, bold textures, and rich metallic accents, creating an intimate and cozy space in a lounge-like setting.

The menu leans into modern Chinese cuisine with a luxury twist. Expect beautifully plated dumplings, rich duck dishes, elevated seafood, and premium cuts that bring a Texas influence.

Night Rooster offers many standout dishes and must-order items. Start with the Night Rooster Caviar Bite, which includes 16 fried chicken collagen, chicken confit, crème fraiche, or the Jumbo Wagyu Cheeseburger Potstickers, which pair juicy slider-sized dumplings with a delicious bacon tomato jam. On the lighter side, the Drunken Yellow Tail showcases a bright tequila-soy-citrus marinade, while the Rooster Salad features crispy fried chicken collagen nuggets with fresh greens and a ginger-sesame vinaigrette.

For entrées, the Tea Smoked Duck is a major highlight, featuring 24-hour brining, delicate jasmine tea and hickory smoking, and fluffy bao buns with three flavorful sauces. The Prime Filet & Broccoli is a perfectly executed classic, elevated by wok-charred broccolini and black pepper sauce. The Lava Potato Purée is the side to order, rich with sous vide egg, garlic confit, and spicy garlic drizzle. To finish, the matcha cheesecake is a top dessert pick, with the Hot Mochi Donut close behind.

 

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The Night Rooster is especially exciting for Dallas because it fits the city’s growing appetite for experiential dining so naturally. The Design District has quickly become one of the metro’s most talked-about culinary neighborhoods, and this opening only strengthens that reputation.

Vitals

  • Address: 1000 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas 75207
  • Website: https://www.nightroosterdallas.com/
  • Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

Map to the Night Rooster

Featured image from the Night Rooster website

Frozen Custard Chain Arrives in Texas Near Fort Worth

By
Monique Roy
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A new ice cream spot has landed in North Texas, serving up a richer, creamier twist on classic frozen custard. Whit’s Frozen Custard, a growing regional chain known for its slow-churned approach, has officially opened its first Texas location in the rapidly developing Aledo–Willow Park area off Interstate 20, marking a significant step in the brand’s Texas expansion.

Founded in 2003 in Ohio, Whit’s Frozen Custard makes fresh custard daily using high-quality ingredients and a traditional recipe. Frozen custard includes eggs, cream, and sugar, and is churned with less air, resulting in a denser, smoother texture. It’s also served at a slightly warmer temperature, which enhances its creamy consistency and flavor.

The company has expanded over the years, growing to dozens of locations across multiple states. Its arrival in Texas represents both a geographic milestone and a strategic move into the fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth market.

 

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The shop features a rotating flavor of the week, giving customers something new to try with each visit. April’s lineup includes a mocha-based custard blended with crushed cookies and cream, peanut butter ribbons, and fudge, plus a classic butter pecan, a vanilla custard mixed with brownie pieces, caramel, and fudge swirls, and a bright lemon custard paired with a blueberry swirl.

At the Willow Park location, there’s also a signature creation inspired by the local community: Bearcat Madness. This specialty combines chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and Reese’s Cups, paying tribute to Aledo’s Bearcats. Other popular menu picks include treats like the Brownie Blitz and Banana Split, as well as convenient take-home pints.

Pricing is straightforward with a single scoop costing $5 and a double scoop costing $6.50. Guests can customize their dessert with toppings such as fruit, candy, nuts, cookies, or cake for an additional $1 each. For those wanting something more indulgent, the shop’s signature blended blizzard desserts, known as Whitsers, are available in four sizes ranging from $6 to $9.25.

Designed with families in mind, the space combines a relaxed, casual-inspired aesthetic with indoor and patio seating that encourages guests to linger, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on community and connection.

Vitals

  • Address: 119 S Ranch House Rd., Suite 800 Willow Park 76008
  • Website: https://www.whitsfrozencustard.com/texas-locations/aledo

Map to Whit’s Frozen Custard

Featured image from Whit’s Frozen Custard website 

A New Neighborhood Bar and Hangout Elevates Oak Cliff’s Bar Scene

By
Monique Roy
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In Dallas’ ever-evolving Oak Cliff, a new cocktail-centric bar, Kilmac’s, recently opened, offering a lively and cozy neighborhood gathering place.

The concept comes from seasoned bar owner Feargal McKinney, whose reputation in Dallas nightlife is already well established as the founder of Henderson Street bars The Old Monk, the Skellig, and Spider Murphy’s Pub. With Kilmac’s, McKinney expands his footprint in Oak Cliff, building on the success of nearby ventures while introducing a more cocktail-driven experience.

Kilmac’s building once served as an automotive garage before being transformed into a private hangout space by a local resident. After the property changed hands, the structure was reimagined into a bar that still nods to its past life. That history is reflected in the design with dark interiors, textured walls, and eclectic décor.

Inside, the lighting is intentionally low, with candles and vintage fixtures contributing to a cozy, relaxing ambiance. A spacious patio offers a more relaxed, open-air environment with fire pits and rustic seating.

Kilmac’s puts cocktails in front and center. The drink menu leans heavily on classic recipes with creative twists. One standout example is a Smoked Guinness variation that incorporates Guinness reduction and chocolate bitters creating an oaky smoke finish. The bar offers a single draft option: Guinness, a choice that reflects the owner’s Irish pub roots.

 

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A post shared by Kilmac’s (@kilmacsoakcliff)

The food menu focuses on pizza crafted with high-quality ingredients. The pizzas draw inspiration from New York-style pies, including Drunken Pepperoni with vodka sauce and jalapeño, the Davis Street with Jimmy’s sausage and roasted cremini mushrooms, and vegetarian options. Don’t miss the garlic knots to share with friends.

Oak Cliff has long been known for its strong sense of community and independent spirit, and the bar focuses on that spirit. It’s designed to be a place where regulars feel at home while still attracting newcomers looking for something distinctive.

Vitals

  • Address: 814 W. Davis St., Dallas
  • Website: https://www.kilmacsoakcliff.com/
  • Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Map to Kilmac’s

Featured image from Pexels.com

A Michelin-Backed Bakery is Turning Heads in Uptown Dallas

By
Monique Roy
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A new bakery concept from the team behind the Michelin-starred Mamani debuted in Uptown Dallas, bringing old-world French and Italian techniques to bread and pastry.

The Bread Club, located on Howell Street next to its acclaimed sister restaurant, Mamani, is already emerging as one of the city’s most talked-about openings. The concept introduces a fresh perspective to Dallas’ growing bakery scene, including long fermentation times, precise measurements, and a deep respect for traditional methods. The Bread Club also partnered with local Texas farmers to mill flour.

Under the direction of baking director Peter Edris, formerly of Frenchette Bakery in New York City, The Bread Club grinds Texas-grown grains on-site to create a range of offerings, including artisanal breads, laminated pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, ready-to-go salads, desserts, soft-serve, specialty matcha beverages, and coffee. Guests can expect rustic sourdough loaves, inventive breads featuring Texas corn, and specialty creations that highlight bold flavors such as saffron and aged cheese.

The Bread Club stands apart from other bakeries with its grain level. Inside the space, an in-house mill processes locally sourced and heirloom grains daily, giving the bakery full control over flavor and texture.

Pastry lovers will enjoy croissants, baked with dozens of delicate layers, creating that signature crisp exterior and airy interior. Customers will also find a selection of viennoiserie, including fruit-filled danishes, nutty pastries, and caramelized specialties.

 

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The Bread Club goes beyond baked goods, offering a menu that stretches into breakfast, lunch, and drinks. Sandwiches are built on house-made bread tailored specifically for each recipe, reinforcing the bakery’s attention to detail. The beverage program also stands out, featuring globally sourced teas, carefully crafted coffee drinks, and creative options.

If Mamani introduced Dallas to a new level of fine dining, The Bread Club is doing something just as impactful, elevating the everyday ritual of bread and pastry into something worth seeking out.

Vitals

  • Address: 2681 Howell Street, Dallas
  • Website: https://www.thebreadclub.com/

Map to The Bread Club

Featured image from The Bread Club Instagram page

Can’t Miss Live Cornhole Event on April 4, 2026, Featuring Luka Dončić vs. Dak Prescott

By
Monique Roy
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0

The Haymaker Network and Rollertown Beerworks present The Throwdown at Rollertown, a special cornhole championship match, featuring Luka Dončić vs. Dak Prescott. This free, fan-first event, on Saturday, April 4, 2026, located at Rollertown Beerworks, unites basketball and football icons for an electrifying, unscripted showdown that captures the energy, pride, and passion of DFW sports fans.

This free event marks Luka Dončić’s final stop in Dallas this season before Sunday’s Lakers–Mavericks matchup, and the city will turn out in full force to show him just how much he means to DFW. It’s a celebration of the DFW sports community and a chance for fans to rally behind their favorite athletes. Dončić, a noted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott, will experience Rollertown’s Kölsch and tribute to Dirk Nowitzki, The Big German, for the first time, honoring his mentorship and friendship.

A proud Dallas Cowboys supporter and known Dak Prescott superfan, Luka takes the stage at Rollertown’s backyard not just as an NBA superstar but as one of us, fully embracing the culture, the fans, and the unmatched energy that defines DFW.

The cornhole showdown event is free to the public and open to all ages, with limited capacity and first-come, first-served access. It is a must-see for fans of both sports and the DFW area.

Vitals

  • Address: Rollertown Beerworks, 6450 Main Street, Frisco, TX 75033
  • Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
  • Time: 2 p.m.-5 p.m., doors open 11 a.m.
  • More info: Free event, first-come, first-served, and open to the public and all ages

Map to Rollertown Beerworks

Featured image from Rollertown Beerworks Instagram page

Portillo’s Fires Up the Flavor in North Dallas

By
Monique Roy
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0

A favorite Dallas dining destination, Portillo’s, a fast-casual restaurant known for its Chicago-style street food, opened a new location in North Dallas at the intersection of Dallas Parkway and Spring Valley Road.

While the brand has expanded across the Dallas-Fort Worth region, this opening marks an important step in establishing a stronger presence in Dallas’ city limits. The move reflects a growing demand for its distinctive Chicago-style menu, signaling long-term growth potential.

Portillo’s offers iconic Chicago staples like classic hot dogs piled with toppings, thinly sliced Italian beef sandwiches, and chargrilled burgers. The restaurant is also known for its rich chocolate cake, which has developed a loyal following of its own.

For many first-time visitors, the Italian beef sandwich is the highlight. Served dipped or dry, it delivers a bold, savory taste that differs from more familiar Texas-style sandwiches and barbecue.

The Dallas location showcases the company’s updated restaurant concept, designed to keep up with modern dining habits. Features like dual drive-thru lanes and designated pickup areas aim to reduce wait times and improve efficiency, especially during peak hours.

At the same time, the space still offers dine-in seating for customers who prefer to enjoy their meals on-site. This balance between convenience and comfort reflects how fast-casual chains are adapting to changing customer expectations.

Originally founded as a small hot dog stand in the Chicago area, Portillo’s has grown into a nationally recognized brand. Its expansion into Texas is part of a broader effort to reach new markets beyond the Midwest.

Portillo’s arrival adds another layer to the city’s already diverse food scene, giving residents and visitors a chance to experience a well-known Chicago favorite without leaving Texas.

Vitals

  • Address: 13904 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas
  • Website: https://www.portillos.com/
  • Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Map to Portillo’s

Featured image from Portillo’s Instagram page

Attention Donut Lovers: Rings Donuts Debuts in Colleyville

By
Monique Roy
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0

A new spot for morning or afternoon indulgences landed in Colleyville. Rings Donuts is now open in Colleyville, marking the second Dallas-Fort Worth location, bringing a wide selection of freshly made donuts and breakfast favorites to the community.

Located at 1101 Cheek-Sparger Road, Ste. 103, the shop offers a variety of classic and specialty donuts, including Chantilly fresh strawberry, cinnamon crumb, and toasted coconut vanilla, as well as chocolate, glazed, and filled options, along with blueberry fritters, donut holes, and cinnamon rolls. Beyond donuts, customers can also choose from croissants, breakfast sandwiches, and kolaches, making it a convenient stop for a quick and satisfying breakfast or a sweet treat.

In addition to delicious donuts and breakfast items, Rings Donuts also serves a range of beverages, such as specialty coffee drinks like lattes, mochas, and macchiatos. Additional drink options include tea, energy drinks, and juices like orange and apple.

 

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The business held a soft opening on March 21, 2026, operating with limited hours from 7 a.m. to noon. Following the initial launch, a grand opening celebration occurred on March 28, 2026, when the shop introduced expanded hours.

With its mix of traditional treats and breakfast staples, Rings Donuts aims to become a go-to neighborhood destination for early risers and donut lovers alike, and is an excellent addition to the community-focused Colleyville area.

Vitals

  • Address: 1101 Cheek-Sparger Road, Ste. 103, Colleyville
  • Website: https://ringsdonuts.com/menu

Map to Rings Donuts

Featured image from Pexels.com

Fine Dining Reimagined at the New ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge

By
Monique Roy
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0

In a neighborhood defined by creativity, art, and culture, ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge entered the Dallas food scene in early March, making the Dallas Arts District its permanent home, with a goal to create a memorable and immersive dining experience.

Located inside the HALL Arts Hotel Dallas in the Dallas Arts District, the sophisticated restaurant blends design with sculptural and dramatic lighting and layered textures to create an art-driven interior. In a district filled with museums and performance spaces, ASTRA feels like a natural extension of the arts scene rather than just another hotel restaurant.

ASTRA provides an intimate, all-day dining format spanning breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, featuring seasonally rotating menus. It offers classic and seasonal American cuisine, including French onion deviled eggs, variations on beef Wellington, roasted prime rib, pressed sushi, and filet mignon.

 

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A post shared by Astra Kitchen + Lounge (@astradfw)

The beverage program features classic cocktails with contemporary updates and a curated wine selection aligned with the restaurant’s menu. Guests may opt for the martini flight, which consists of three martinis and a side of caviar. Wine and coffee options are also available.

ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge reflects a greater evolution in Dallas restaurants where ambiance and design matter just as much as the food itself. It’s the experience that matters, and ASTRA Kitchen should deliver on all scales.

Vitals

  • Address: 1717 Leonard St., Dallas
  • Website: https://www.astradallas.com/
  • Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Map to ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge

Featured image from ASTRA Kitchen + Lounge Instagram page

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