Plated coq au vin on a fancy place setting

The 8 best Black-owned restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth

In honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements of local chefs and entrepreneurs who enrich the Dallas culinary scene for all.

Dallas has always boasted a rich and diverse food scene, with a seemingly endless supply of talented chefs and not-to-be-missed hotspots. Since Black History Month is upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore some of the very best Black-owned restaurants Dallas has to offer. From soulful comfort food to innovative fusion cuisine, these exceptional establishments (and the entrepreneurs behind them) are a celebration of flavor and culture.

Bam’s Vegan

2301 N O’Connor Rd, Irving, TX 75062

Located just west of Dallas and fueled with flavor, Bam’s Vegan offers an array of plant-based plates and beverages. The once humble food shack at the Dallas Farmers Market has expanded to a brick-and-mortar restaurant with a menu featuring plant-based nachos, smoothies, burgers, lasagna, and more. Owner and chef Brandon Waller has proven that it is possible to create high-quality vegan dishes that are both appetizing and accessible. 

Bottled in Bond | Frisco

5285 Dallas Pkwy Ste 420, Frisco, TX 75034

Visit Bottled in Bond for upscale charm and an American menu with Southern and Caribbean influences. Sample dishes like salmon fritters, scallion and cheddar potato beignets, and herbed panko-crusted cod, or indulge in toffee bread pudding paired with a whiskey flight. Check out the menu and plan your visit during happy hour for $7 vintage cocktails, wine, and bites. If you prefer late-night vibes, venture into their speakeasy, The Parlour, offering small plates and seasonal drinks. The Parlour welcomes guests until midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays and until 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Kessler Baking Studio

1129 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203

Don’t miss Kessler Baking Studio, a not-so-hidden gem near the Bishop Arts District. Indulge your cravings for both sweet and savory treats with expertly crafted, made-from-scratch baked goods from Clyde Greenhouse, a 2020 James Beard Nominee for Outstanding Baker. Try the signature Texas Pecan Shortbread Cookies, the popular Kessler Cinnamon Rolls, or the tempting Kesslerdoodle. For those looking to share the goodness with a loved one outside of Dallas, you’re in luck. Select baked goods are available for nationwide shipping and delivery. 

Krab Kingz 

917 North Hampton Road Ste 101, Desoto, TX 75115

Just south of Dallas, the lively Krab Kingz offers fresh seafood and authentic Cajun cuisine. Snow crab, fried catfish, oysters, and stuffed shrimp are just a few options you’ll find on the menu, along with well-seasoned seafood boils. They also have a hookah bar full of fruity flavors and lots of signature cocktail offerings. Check out their weekly food and drink specials before heading that way. 

Pangea

6309 N President George Bush Hwy Ste 8101, Garland, TX 75044

Chef Kev Ashade has mastered the art of true global fusion. Pangea Dallas offers diverse flavors with an elevated aesthetic for both brunch and dinner, with options like brulee French toast, birria eggs Benedict, and jerk-roasted lamb shank. Fun fact: French-trained Chef Kev was featured on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” where he won with the dish “Have Merci,” a delicious braised coq au vin that you can try for yourself when you go.

Reggae Jerk Hut

7001 S Custer Rd Ste 600, McKinney, TX 75070

Reggae Jerk Hut is the first restaurant in McKinney to serve authentic Jamaican cuisine accompanied by a variety of island-inspired cocktails. Your tastebuds will transport you to the islands with dishes like oxtail or curry goat with rice and peas, red snapper, and conch fritters that are cooked to perfection. They also have imported Caribbean beverages like Tropical Rhythms fruit punch and sorrel ginger juice on the menu.

Roots Chicken Shak

7800 Windrose Ave, Plano, TX 75024

Located in Legacy Food Hall and famous for their duck-fat fried chicken, Roots Chicken Shak is a must-try. Their made-from-scratch menu includes good old-fashioned Southern offerings like duck-fat fried chicken wings, creamy banana pudding, and the perfect Southern-style Kool-Aid that will flood nostalgic memories and bring a smile to your face. Roots Chicken Shak is run by Chef Tiffany Derry from Food Network and is a sister restaurant to Roots Southern Table. 

Smokey John’s

1820 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75235

Just minutes from Love Field Airport, the aroma of mouthwatering barbecue from Smokey John’s BBQ greets you before you even arrive. On the menu, you’ll find a variety of juicy, tender cuts of meat, including brisket, smoked chicken, ham, and turkey, all ready to be devoured. On the side, enjoy flavorful staples like candied sweet potatoes and mac ‘n cheese. And for those with a sweet tooth, be sure to save room for the renowned Butter Bomb Cake. 

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the dining landscape in Dallas is serving up a feast of flavors through its outstanding Black-owned restaurants. Celebrate diversity and entrepreneurship within the DFW community while treating yourself to a remarkable culinary experience.

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Clothing and dresser in the corner of a thrift store

7 local thrift shops in Phoenix with consistently good selections

Where to score secondhand deals in Phoenix.

Discover Phoenix’s thrifting scene, where affordable and sustainable finds come together. Beyond adding to the city’s charm, these thrift shops in Phoenix, Arizona double as community hubs that foster engagement, all while promoting eco-friendly fashion. Whether you’re on a budget or seeking a one-of-a-kind treasure, these Valley thrift stores offer value that extends beyond the price tag.

Thrift shop floor with a china cabinet, chair, and more

HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique 

Secondhand art, home decor items, knick-knacks, and clothing are just a few of the things you’ll encounter at HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique. Style-savvy shoppers will appreciate that a large number of the donations to HALO’s Thrift Boutique are from High Society Resale Boutique and Stevan’s Consignment. The thrift shop also accepts donations from the public, too. Proceeds from the HALO Animal Rescue Thrift Boutique directly benefit HALO programs and animals in need of support, food, and shelter.  

White Dove Thrift Shoppe

With multiple locations across The Valley, from Midtown to Mesa and from Glendale to Scottsdale, and new items arriving daily, your next thrifting adventure is right around the corner. This Phoenix thrift store is famous for its sales and recurring discount days. Here, you’re shopping for a cause, as White Dove Thrift Shoppe benefits Arizona’s Hospice of the Valley and its local programs and services. Plus, any items that don’t sell at White Dove are donated to other local charities, not sent to a landfill. Whether you’re hunting for electronics, jewelry, kitchen items, or clothing, there’s a good chance you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here.

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Assortment of vases and glasses in a thrift store window

PAC911 Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique 

If you’ve got a soft spot in your heart for animals and an eye for style, Rescued Treasures Charity Boutique in Phoenix is the thrift shop you’ve been searching for. Rescued Treasures is styled like a gift shop, and it’s full of seasonal and holiday goods as well as a variety of apparel and accessories, home furnishings, pet items, and animal-themed books. Benefiting the work of the PAC911 animal welfare community, each Rescued Treasures purchase directly supports the medical fund that provides life-saving services to homeless dogs and cats throughout the county.

Maggie’s Thrift 

Scoring a deal feels good. Knowing that your thrift score benefits local programs feels even better. Sales from Maggie’s Thrift directly benefit the programs of Maggie’s Place, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that offers direct support services, housing, classes, and workforce programs to local moms experiencing hardship. The cozy but curated Phoenix thrift store is stocked with men’s and women’s clothing, books, kitchen items, coats, purses, kids’ clothes, and more. Maggie’s accepts donations from the public and even diverts some donations from the thrift store to homes in the program, giving gently used secondhand items a second life. 

Arizona Humane Society Thrift Stores

If you’re looking for a large selection of items, visit Arizona Humane Society Thrift Stores, located in Cave Creek and Mesa. Each store stocks donated goods that range from pet accessories and gently used furniture to shoes and apparel for the entire family. Most clothing items are marked under $5, and the stores are very well organized and easy to shop. The AHS thrift stores are always accepting donated items from their approved donation list. And, if you have a large item to donate, like dressers or dining sets, AHS will pick it up for you. Your donations and purchases help support the critical work of the Arizona Humane Society. 

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores 

The Salvation Army provides critical services to the local Phoenix community, including assistance for those experiencing homelessness, recovery programs, and support for individuals and families. Their eight Valley thrift stores play a vital role in supporting these services by offering affordable, lightly-used clothing, donated furniture, and unique household items to secondhand shoppers looking to score a deal. Thanks to the variety of locations, it’s easy to find a store close by. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Thrift Shop

You can find vintage treasures and designer labels at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Thrift Shop. Thrifty shoppers say this is one of the best places to find secondhand gems in the Valley. The Scottsdale thrift shop restocks its store daily with everything from sports equipment to fine china. Additionally, the Boys & Girls Clubs Thrift Shop accepts donations six days a week, and proceeds benefit the organization’s youth programming across the Valley’s communities. 

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A fan cheering in a restaurant during a game

The best DFW bars and restaurants to catch your favorite game

Follow your team at these North Texas favorites.

While the biggest game in football is imminent, there’s still plenty to look forward to for sports fans, from NCAA March Madness to the start of the Major League Baseball season. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to root for your favorite team, we’ve selected nine DFW game day champions that offer a wide variety of sports (and screens) in addition to stand out food, drinks, and ambiance. 

Legacy Hall (Plano)

7800 Windrose Ave., Plano, TX 75024

Sports fans of all varieties can find their niche in this vast food hall. The Lexus Bar Garden features notable events like Sunday’s “Big Game,” The Master’s Tournament, and more, but you can find just about any sport in every season throughout its many bars and varied screens. Come here with a group — there’s plenty of seating.

Stan’s Blue Note (Dallas)

2908 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

This ever-popular Dallas sports bar has drawn crowds for more than 70 years. Stan’s is known to attract fans of the same feather who gather for watch parties and group outings, creating an environment that invites revelry — and rivalry among fans of competing teams. It covers all the bases with reasonably priced drinks, an impressive number of big screens, and stick-to-your-ribs food.

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A small dog sitting with its owner at a table outdoors

Rogers Roundhouse (Fort Worth)

1616 Rogers Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107

With top-tier pub food fare, a rotating selection of beers, a charming, dog-friendly patio, and multiple TVs, you’ll have everything you need for proper viewing. While the bar screens big games frequently, stop by and ask the staff if you’re looking for a specific game — this place has a reputation for its customer service. 

3 Nations Brewing (Carrollton, with a second location in Anna)

1033 Vandergriff Dr, Carrollton, TX 75006

Located on the site of a grain mill in historic Downtown Carrollton, this spacious destination has room for your whole party, with dog-friendly indoor and outdoor seating. Plus, you’ll find a flavorful menu that pairs well with the wide selection of brews. There are plenty of screens dotting this massive property and events for special games, so check the website if you’re looking for a watch party. 

Bar patron enjoying a cold beer and hot pizza while watching sports

Goodbye Horses (Dallas)

5629 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75206

Come for the pizzas, stay for the game — and you’ll have your pick of which. This is one of a handful of Dallas spots that offer a wide variety of sports and exclusive viewing (think the Sunday Ticket.) While the crowds can get rowdy, it’s exactly the kind of spirit you’re hoping for when you’re ready to celebrate a win at your local watering hole. 

Sidecar Social (Frisco, Addison)

Two locations

At these popular indoor-outdoor locations, you won’t have to strain for a screen — in fact, you might not even need your glasses or contacts. With multiple viewing options of every size, including absolutely ginormous, you’ll be able to keep your eye on the scores. There’s also plenty to play if you don’t feel like viewing, whether you want to shoot hoops or play darts. 

Bryan Street Tavern (Dallas)

4315 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204

Don’t sleep on this familiar favorite. With a lineup of high-definition TVs within the interior dining room and an adorable outdoor patio, you’ll be able to find the game you came to see. This laid-back joint offers easy parking, 20+ draft beers, and some of Dallasites’ favorite wings. The Tavern frequently offers specials on drinks and food, so drop by on the next game day and enjoy a standby of Old East Dallas. 

Social House (Fort Worth)

840 Currie St, Fort Worth, TX 76107

With 20 televisions, you’ll be able to watch the game wherever you sit in this casual upscale staple in the heart of Fort Worth’s entertainment district. The Social House is known to draw a crowd thanks in part to its distinct drinks, including a frozen margarita flight featuring flavors like Spicy Mangonada, with jalapeno tequila and mango, and the Ocean Water, with coconut rum and blue Curacao. 

Angry Dog

2726 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

One of the vestiges of Deep Ellum as it used to be, Angry Dog has been serving up greasy and wonderful hot dogs, burgers, wings, and more for more than 30 years. Are the TVs big-screen? No. Will you find trendy gimmicks? Absolutely not. But belly up to the bar at the right time, and you’ll find yourself enamored with this simple spot that satisfies everything you want on game day. 

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