18 June 26 - July 2, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents ture while you cheer on the talent and chow down on some hot wings. The Round-Up Bar and Saloon 3912 Cedar Springs Road (Oak Lawn) At perhaps the biggest gay bar in Dallas, guests are encouraged to put on their prized boots and tear up the dance floor. The Round-Up Bar and Saloon has been a staple of the local LGBTQ+ community for over three decades and is a favorite of artists like Lady Gaga, Robyn and Charli XCX. With its nightly DJ sets, karaoke, and line dancing, who could resist this type of party? Roy G’s 4001 Cedar Springs Road (Oak Lawn) Simplicity is key at Roy G’s. This bar food haven brings in people from all across the queer spectrum. After a busy day, a plate of loaded fries and a conversation with super- star bartender Erin is just what you need to put a smile on your face. Additionally, this bar serves the best damn pickle-brined chicken sandwich you’ll ever taste. Street’s Fine Chicken 3857 Cedar Springs Road (Oak Lawn) In the LGBTQ+ community, chosen family is a lifeline, and what better way to bond with chosen family than over Southern comfort food? You’ll never have the same thing twice at Street’s Fine Chicken. It’s chicken strips dipped in jalapeño ranch sauce are a simple delight. The meatloaf with a side of mashed potatoes is heaven on a plate. And the shrimp and grits are the ultimate comfort dish. Be sure to order a glass of frosé, too. Woody’s 4011 Cedar Springs Road (Oak Lawn) With Woody’s several TV screens, you’ll never miss a beat of the latest sporting event. A dive bar in every sense of the word, Woody’s is the spot to catch the game, belt out show tunes on a Tuesday night and watch the latest music videos from your fa- vorite pop diva. Here, being loud and proud is strongly encouraged. ▼ AWARDS DALLAS (MOSTLY) STRIKES OUT AGAIN AT THE BEARD AWARDS BUT ONE SPOT — THE MOST DESERVING — TOOK HOME ONE AWARD FOR THE CITY. BY CHRIS WOLFGANG I was trading texts with a friend of mine while watching the live stream of the James Beard Awards on Monday night, and naturally, the conversation drifted to food. This friend has only lived in Dallas a few years, but she made a salient point about Dallas’ culinary scene and it’s relative lack of recognition on the national stage. “I do love all of the food options here,” she wrote. “But, I wish it would be taken to the next level. We should be more compet- itive.” Sorry to disappoint, my friend. There’s always next year. Once again, Dallas’ five JBFA finalists came away empty handed during Monday’s awards ceremony in Chicago. The finalists were RJ Yoakum for Emerging Chef, Mabo for Best New Restaurant, Bar Collette for Best New Bar, Starship Bagel for Outstand- ing Bakery and Regino Rojas for Best Chef in Texas. Of course, most, if not all nominees will come away grateful just to be in the discus- sion among the most talented culinary names in the country. As D Magazine’s food critic (and previous Beard Foundation judge) Brian Reinhart opined earlier this year, the semifinalists are truly the most noteworthy, because they’ve been singled out by local judges who have a solid grasp of what’s happening in our food scene. “Once national Beard judges start voting on finalists, including regions they may have visited as a tourist for a day or two, all that planning goes out the window,” Reinhart writes. So we’re left to frame this most recent loss as a win, especially with five chefs and restau- rants getting to the finals. (Is this how the die- hard Cowboys fans feel?) As much as we all lament the fact that Dallas didn’t win any- thing major (the last local award winner was Dean Fearing in 1994, also Cowboys’ heyday), we can’t gloss over just how monumental the recognition that one of our own did win. Chad Houser of Cafe Momentum was previously announced as this year’s winner of the James Beard Humanitarian Of The Year Award. Ten years ago, Houser started Cafe Momentum as a vehicle to help youths in the juvenile justice system create a path to a better life through work experience and life skills in the hospitality industry. Over the last decade, more than 1,200 young men and women have participated in Cafe Mo- mentum’s programs. To hear Houser speak, his passion for his work is effervescent. When asked on the red carpet what winning the award meant to him, he couldn’t help but share his love of the hospitality industry and its ability to im- prove people’s lives. “It’s quite emotional, and I’m not an emo- tional person,” Houser began. “For 17 years, I’ve been told ‘What are you going to do when these kids I work with stab each other in the kitchen, they don’t want to work, they just want to collect a check, they’ve never been in a nice restaurant, they can’t cook my food.’” “This award signifies that the world is changing, and the world talks differently about them and views them differently now,” he added. “We struggle every day, but we show up every day. It’s an industry that believes in second and third and fourth chances.” During the main event, Andrew Zim- mern, who has been open about his trou- bled youth, presented Houser with his award. In his introduction, Zimmern re- flected on his own long history in the res- taurant industry and what the James Beard Awards have become. “I learned that [these] awards are part of a much larger vision, one that celebrates cu- linary excellence, but one that champions everyone working for a more equitable and sustainable industry,” Zimmern said. Zimmern became emotional himself, even muttering “fuck!” under his breath be- fore gathering himself. Still fighting back tears, he said, “What this man does affects me and my family. It’s a personal, personal thing, and I’m a huge admirer of this human being and what he’s done for so many, espe- cially as a formerly incarcerated person.” City of Ate from p17 All that pride, dancing and karaoke can work up an appetite. Fill it with Street’s Fine Chicken sandwich. Chad Houser of Cafe Momentum was recognized at the James Beard Awards on June 16. Courtesy of Cafe Momentum Kevin Marple
