17 July 10 - 16, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents mend Taphouse 16 at Market Street’s Frisco location. As its name suggests, Tap- house 16 offers 16 different beers on tap. Guests can sample a fine selection while munching on some zesty wings or flavorful brisket nachos. Whole Foods 8190 Park Lane, No. 35, Park Lane Whole paycheck, right? But the Park Lane location actually offers outdoor and in- door seating options, along with a full-ser- vice coffee bar and a draft beer and wine bar. Additionally, the prepared food op- tions are endless and there are always some sort of deals. On Tuesdays, Amazon Prime members can get $2 off a Whole Foods brand rotisserie chicken. On Fri- days, Prime members can treat themselves to buy one, get one 50% off on packaged sushi rolls, as well as a $12 one-topping pizza. ▼ AWARDS CELEBRATING SOUTHERN DALLAS THE SOUTHERN TASTE OF DALLAS AWARDS RETURNS AS COMMUNITY INCUBATOR. BY AAREN PRODY T he Southern Taste of Dallas Awards, a celebration of Black-owned eateries in North Texas, is returning for a sec- ond year with a lineup of food trucks, restau- rants and awards from Wednesday, July 16, to Friday, July 18. Brittany “Luscious Barbie” Criswell and restaurateur Rickey Booker Sr. of Breakfast Brothers co-founded the event last year and have expanded it from honorary recognition of local restaurants to a food truck park and a restaurant and resource expo for Black- owned businesses. ”We want to be able to bring resources to the restaurateurs who truly want it every single year,” Booker said. “This industry is for the strong, for the hungry, and for those who want to grow. If you’re ready to elevate, then we’re here to help make that happen.” This three-day event is mostly free for anyone to attend, but depending on the expe- rience you’re looking for, it could cost more. Food Trucks at Redbird The event kicks off at noon on Wednesday, July 16, with more than 20 food trucks at the Shops at Redbird near Duncanville. The pic- nic-style event is general admission and free for everyone, but you can purchase a VIP ticket for $25 for reserved seating, tasting vouchers and other perks. Get tickets on Eventbrite. Some confirmed food trucks include Hip Hop Hibachi, Groovy Chicken and Waffles, Snappy’s Catfish, Kingaling Smoked Turkey Legs & More and Breakfast Brothers. Expo and Workshops The restaurant expo is indoors at the Shops at Redbird on Thursday, July 17. This is the day for restaurateurs, culinary and hospitality students, job seekers and any- one interested in entering the culinary world to connect with suppliers, attend workshops and panels, watch chef and vendor showcases and get access to health and community resources. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend with an RSVP on Eventbrite. Award Ceremony The award ceremony will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at the Kessler The- ater. The following categories will be recog- nized: Dallas’ Favorite Soulfood, Breakfast, Seafood, Food Truck, Chicken, Upscale, Creative Restaurant, Burger, Pizza, Vegan, Bakery and Food Influencer. The evening includes a VIP reception, red carpet experience, live performances and an award ceremony for the community- nominated restaurants. General admission to the awards show is $30; there are also three levels of VIP tickets ranging from $75 to $200. See all ticketing and RSVP options on Eventbrite. You must RSVP even if you are attending one of the free events. If you can’t attend the event, you can still vote for your favorites on the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards website. Last year, Kia Mitchell of Mr. Cajun’s Daiquiri won the Southern Taste Award for his showcase of the essence of the Black food community in Dallas. More winners in- cluded William’s Chicken for Favorite Chicken and Kitchen and Kocktails for Fa- vorite Upscale Restaurant. ▼ OPENINGS EL ARQUITO TAKES OVER ICONIC SPOT A TAQUERIA HAS OPENED IN THE FORMER THUNDERBIRD STATION SPACE WITH BREAKFAST, CARNITAS, SCRATCH-MADE SAUCES AND A LARGE PATIO SPACE. BY AAREN PRODY T aqueria El Arquito is an Irving- based micro-chain taco joint with nine locations across North Texas. The latest has taken over the old Thunder- bird Station at the eastern edge of Deep El- lum, across the street from Double Wide. Perhaps the most exciting thing, other than the new taco spot being right across the street from one of our favorite dive bars, is that co-owners Juan Diego Gutierrez and Jose Angel Avila kept the frame of the origi- nal tenant, a gas station. The signature acute-angled patio cover is still there, but this time with tacos de trompo from a unique family recipe. They operate as an all-day cafe, but with season- ing: migas and huevos rancheros are made- to-order starting at 6 a.m., and they don’t close until 10 p.m. with all the tacos you could dream of. The large courtyard, which used to be where the gas pumps were, has a mix of covered seating and large tables (with um- brellas). There are a few games to play if you’re up to it. There’s also plenty of in- door seating in what used to be a working gas station garage. It’s a fun space that will likely fill up on the weekends as the crowds from Deep Ellum look for suste- nance. We stopped in for a plate of carnitas (it’s been a thing lately). The carnitas are served in steaming large chunks that keep the torti- llas warm; with a squeeze of lime and lots of onion and cilantro, they were soul-satisfy- ing. We got it along with a side of rice and beans, making for an above-average plate. Or maybe we just really love tacos with rice and beans. Both can be (and are) true. All of the El Arquito menu items are made daily from scratch, even the chorizo, and the three signature sauces: roja, cre- mosa and avocado. They’re best known for Mexico City’s most recognized and tradi- tional delicacy, tacos de trompo. Aside from trompo, there are 10 varieties from chicken to chicarron, lengua, tripas and veggie. You can get a taco plate with two sides for $11.99. The menu also includes gorditas, tama- les, tortas, burgers, aguas frescas and des- serts like churros and flan. On the weekends only, they’ll serve menudo. We’re excited to see a great taco place as an end cap to Deep Ellum, and in an iconic space. Taqueria El Acquito, 3400 Commerce St., Sunday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday/ Saturday, 6 a.m. - 12 a.m. Lauren Drewes Daniels Deep Ellum has a new taco spot and we’re excited about the fare and the space.
