port for job placement, housing, education, and therapy services. The good vibes here are contagious—and the menu is pretty stel- lar, too. The Lavender Bloom Matcha Latte is a delight, as is the Milk and Honey Latte. And we already mentioned the avocado toast, but it bears repeating: The Queen, which com- bines mashed avocado, “everything” season- ing, chili fl akes, lemon and cream cheese, is straight-up royalty. La La Land is open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Visit lalalandkindcafe. com. Well Grounded Coffee, in East Dallas, is an- other local destination where kindness is king. The non-profi t partners with Exodus Ministries, which gives formerly incarcerated women an opportunity for a fresh start. And it’s more than a job: if you follow their Face- book page for any length of time, you’ll notice that they don’t just employ women moving on from incarceration. They celebrate them, lift them up and empower them to advance. Recent posts feature women who have re- cently been promoted, welcomed babies, and just excelled at their job. When you run in and grab, say, a vanilla lavender latte and a kolache, you’ll notice that the atmosphere is bright and positive. It’ll give you a boost to rival the caffeine in your coffee. Well Ground- ed Coffee is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Fridays and Sat- urdays from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Head to well- grounded.coffee for more. Café Momentum is transformative dining: it’s been known to change the hearts and minds of employees and diners alike. Chef Chad Houser truly started a movement at this beloved Dal- las institution when he envisioned a restaurant where youth involved in the juvenile justice system would have an opportunity to change their lives. A 12-month paid internship kicks off with a two-week orientation where kids are matched with case managers who help them address urgent needs, set goals and succeed in the program. Participants learn all aspects of restaurant work, from front of house to high-level prep and cooking skills, and upon graduation are placed into a job with one of Café Momentum’s community partners. The menu is consistently considered one of the best in town: cuisine is locally-sourced, sea- sonal and crafted around the New American 14 DALLAS OBSERVER • CRAVE 2022 Well Grounded Coffee style. Try the legendary Smoked Fried Chick- en or the Sweet Tea Brined Double Cut Pork Chops. Cafe Momentum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; learn more at cafemomentum.org. Howdy Homemade is a local favorite ice cream destination: located off Inwood near 635, this charming little shop serves up all the classics plus originals (like the two- scoops-worthy Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip). But Howdy’s is all the sweeter thanks to their mission: empowering persons who have developmental disabilities. Founder Tom Landis was inspired to hire, train and em- ploy individuals with Down Syndrome, au- tism and other special needs to work in his store, and that formula has been successful since 2015. Employees learn customer ser- vice and communication skills; teamwork; leadership skills; and business management. The ice cream shop has recently committed to spreading the love by franchising new lo- cations in Texas and North Carolina. Howdy is open Sundays through Wednesdays from noon until 8 p.m. and Thursdays through Saturdays from noon until 9 p.m. Go to how- dyhandmade.com for details.
