17 January 18 - 24, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents according to the Dallas County Medical Ex- aminer. Since arriving in Dallas in 2016 from Ten- nessee, Bonee impressed diners and fellow chefs alike with his talent and skill in the kitchen combined with a modest attitude and a beaming smile. Bonee started in Dallas working for Stephan Pyles at Flora Street Cafe, then moved on to the chef de cuisine role at Fine China in the Statler Hotel. Bonee quickly as- sumed the executive chef title for all con- cepts at the Statler. In 2019, Bonee was diagnosed with Guil- lain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder in which the immune system mis- takenly attacks part of the nervous system. The disease took Bonee out of work, and in response, the Dallas industry rallied to sup- port him with a fundraiser called For the Love of Josh. “Overall, my heart and soul are full of joy and gratitude,” Bonee said at the time of the benefit. “To be shown love and sup- port like that by our industry and the Dal- las community is something I’ll never forget. Words can’t begin to describe the range of emotions. This community is an amazing family that more than takes care of their own.” Bonee was able to recover and collabo- rated with Vandelay Hospitality to launch Lucky’s Hot Chicken on Gaston Avenue; the Nashville hot chicken joint was a nod to Bonee’s Tennessee roots. Bonee then stepped into the executive chef role at Med- dlesome Moth, where we lauded his fresh updates to the menu of the Dallas gastropub. More recently started his own chef consult- ing business, supporting local concepts in- cluding the recently launched Columbian Country Club in East Dallas. We caught up with Bonee last year when, along with his partner Grace Koo, owner of Teriyaki 4 U in Carrollton, he contributed to the menu of the Asian fast-casual spot that we added to this year’s Top 100 Restaurants. Bonee also found time to give back to the community, volunteering his time and talents to groups like Chefs for Farmers, Profound Microfarms and Independence Gardens. Social media has been awash in tributes to Bonee from his friends and colleagues, with recurring themes of Bonee’s talent as a chef and his positive outlook that lifted the spirits of those around him. Dallas chefs Di- ana Zamora and Randall Braud coordinated with Bonee’s family to organize a Celebra- tion of Life for Josh Bonee held Sunday, Jan. 14, at El Centro College’s North Campus for Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality. ▼ OPENING A FAVE BURGER JOINT EXPANDS MAPLE & MOTOR OPENING NEW OUTPOST IN FAR NORTH DALLAS. BY LAUREN DREWES DANIELS I f you’ve sat in your La-Z-Boy in Far North Dallas and dreamed about a Maple & Mo- tor burger, we’ve got great news. Jack Perkins opened Maple & Motor on Maple Avenue in 2009, after a career in teaching. He’d intended to return to the classroom after getting the restaurant on its feet. Fifteen years later, not only did he never get back to lesson plans but he’s (fi- nally) opening a second burger joint. Maple & Motor’s burgers, made with a mix of ground brisket, chuck and a smug 25% fat, have long been lauded. In 2011, the restaurant was featured on Diners, Drives-In and Dives, propelling it into the spotlight. The irony is that this humble burger stand is great because of its simplicity: Fatty brisket-laced meat seared on a griddle with just one simple flip. This is the unpreten- tious blue-collar burger that we deserve. Well, this week Perkins hopped on Face- book to share news of his first expansion. The restaurant will occupy an old bank space at 14885 Preston Road, just south of Belt Line Road. He expects opening day in June. No worries about any change in status for the mothership location. Perkins writes, “Since we’ll be moving some people up north, we’ll also need people at the mother- ship.” So, if you’re looking for a job and fancy yourself a mild-mannered service-industry person who isn’t afraid to tell someone to just stand in line because that’s how the sys- tem works best, then go apply. Courtesy Josh Bonee Dallas chefs held a celebration of life for Josh Bonee on Sunday at El Centro’s North Campus. FEBRUARY 26 HOUSE OF BLUES ENTER TO WIN TICKETS
