Mai’s Restaurant. Photography by Renee Umsted.
Mai’s Restaurant, a favorite Vietnamese eatery in our neighborhood, has quietly closed.
We’ve known something has been wrong for a while. There’s been chatter on social media. The lights are off inside. No one is ever there. No one answers the phone.
But the owners typically take a trip to Vietnam over the summer, and we wanted to make sure they hadn’t just extended their trip.
David Eitches, a managing partner at property owner Alpine Start Development, confirmed that the restaurant has been closed since May. The restaurant operator hasn’t paid rent in full since 2021 and owes tens of thousands of dollars, Eitches says.
“I bought the shopping center five years ago, and he was the original tenant,” he says. “He can’t make it happen, unfortunately.”
Mai’s has been in business for nearly four decades in Old East Dallas, surrounded by other longtime staples such as Jimmy’s Food Store.
Darkoo’s Chicken Shack, which is located next door in the old Khao Noodle Shop space, also closed, D Magazine was the first to report. There are two signs on the front door.
Old Khao Noodle Shop space, which now houses Darkoo’s Chicken Shack. Photo by Renee Umsted.
One is a notice from the landlord, Stockdale Investment Group. It reads: “We are notifying you that you are in default under the lease you entered with Circle Park Texas II, LLC for 4812 Bryan Street #101 in Dallas TX. Due to a default of the above leased premises, the locks have been changed by Circle Park Texas II, LLC.”
The other is a note from Darkoo’s. It reads: “We at Darkoo’s have made our rent on time every month. We’re a small business and we work hard each day to provide our customers with the best food experience. We’re sadden[ed] by this sudden closure and hope we’ll be able to open soon to bring you what you guys love about us.”
Eitches says the owners of Darkoo’s owe $17,000 in property tax and insurance fees, and $2,000 for common area amenities. The Advocate has reached out to the restaurant for a response, and we will update when we hear back.
Darkoo’s, which opened in March, is a collaboration between chefs Donny Sirisavath, the man behind Khao, and Jimmy Niwa of Niwa Japanese BBQ. Sirisavath gained national recognition in 2020, when he was named one of the best new chefs in America by Food & Wine.
