17 OctOber 23– 29, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents 2. Children are not allowed to tip. Broad says that if a child paying was prompted to tip, JD’s Chippery would no longer accept tips. “Allowing tips has helped us attract team members who genuinely enjoy customer service and engaging with people,” Broad says. “It’s no longer just about filling a role; it’s about finding the right fit, and tipping can be a deciding factor for those who take pride in delivering great service and being recognized for it.” Now, registers at JD’s Chippery offer pre- set tipping options of 5%, 10% and 15% for orders over $25, or $1, $2 or $3 for smaller ones. “In a bakery setting, where average check sizes are smaller, a tip of 5% or even $1 or $2 is a meaningful show of gratitude,” Broad says. “On the other hand, I don’t believe 20% tips are appropriate in this context. It feels disproportionate and doesn’t align with the type of service being provided.” Even with customers and employers alike growing increasingly fatigued by modern tipping culture, we’re not expect- ing it to change anytime soon. Unfortu- nately, most employers just can’t afford to stay open without it, so the responsibility falls on the consumer, just like everything else seems to. “At the end of the day, we pride ourselves on providing joy and great service, whether someone tips or not,” Broad says. “That’s our standard, not a transaction.” ▼ POP-UPS TACO STAR CDMX, THE ONLY MICHELIN-STARRED TAQUERIA, BOUNCES INTO DALLAS. BY AAREN PRODY In its 2025 guide, Michelin described the tacos at El Califia de León — the first and only starred taqueria in the world — as elemental and pure, served at a caliber so high that the duo of housemade salsas is hardly even neces- sary. This tiny taco spot in Mexico City only has enough room for a few hungry diners to stand at the counter, but from Thursday, Oct. 16 to Tuesday, Oct. 28, it’s expanding its seat- ing to Dallas for a special two-week pop-up. Why is a globally recognized taco stand from CDMX coming to Dallas? Basketball, interestingly enough. On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Dallas Mavericks will play the Detroit Pistons at the Arena CDMX. For Dallasites who won’t be able to travel for the game, GrinGO and Mexico City are celebrating their new partnership and bringing tastes of CDMX to Dallas. GrinGO.com is a digital concierge that provides travel services and safety resources for U.S. and Canadian travelers visiting Mexico. Its partnership with Mexico City hopes to highlight CDMX tourism through gastronomy. The pop-up in Dallas, presented by Me- linda’s Hot Sauce, will take place at Univer- sity Park in North Dallas near SMU in the former Red Stix space at 6501 Hillcrest Ave. from Oct. 15 to Oct. 28. Operating hours will be from noon to 9 p.m. daily. El Califia de León is preserving the au- thenticity and quality of the Michelin- starred experience by offering a to-go, eat on the spot format. Para llevar pero también para aquí. There will also be a limited number of Michelin-starred Chef’s Tables available for reservations, offering a curated pre-fixe din- ing experience with four tacos, an appetizer, dessert, and beverages. Reservations start at $340 for a table for four guests; $400 for a table of 5 guests, and $460 for a table of 6 guests. Reserve a table and get additional in- formation at tacoboutdallas.com El Califa de León was recently honored for the second time this past June by the Mi- chelin guide as the world’s first and still only Michelin-starred taqueria. It is a rare expe- rience for us to try the legendary taco Gao- nera, which takes thinly sliced beef filet expertly cooked to order, seasoned with only salt and a squeeze of lime, cradled by a fresh tortilla. Mario Hernández Alonso, current owner and son of the original founders, said that the simplicity is what makes the tacos so special. His father once asked him, “Do you want me to tell you the secret of the meat? There is no secret, only love and effort.” Hector Vivas/Getty Images Mario Hernandez of El Califa de Leon
