The Summer House pop-up is open through Aug. 23 at the old Standard Service on Alta Avenue. Photography by Kathy Tran.
East Dallas has seen its share of restaurant openings and closings recently.
Here’s a list to help you keep track of what’s coming and going.
Starbucks
The Starbucks Coffee at La Vista Drive and Gaston Avenue in Lakewood closed in mid-July.
“As Starbucks standard course of business, we continually evaluate our store portfolio, using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers,” a Starbucks spokesperson told the Advocate.
A new location is expected to open next to Sweetgreen in Lakewood Shopping Center at 1924 Abrams Parkway on Aug. 21. Over the years, the space formerly housed parts of Dixie House and Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen.
Tampopo Japanese CafeÂ
The restaurant on Greenville Avenue was open for 17 years before it closed.
Located in the old Philly Connection spot, the sushi place shared news of its closure with a simple, “Sorry. We closed” sign posted to the window.
Great American Hero
The sandwich shop owned by Danny Wilson and Jacob Cox lasted for less than seven months at Timber Creek shopping center.
Before Wilson and Cox purchased and relocated the restaurant, Great American Hero lasted for decades on Lemmon Avenue.
In weeks leading up to the restaurant’s closure, online reviewers and patrons had noted a decline in quality and freshness.
Advocate writer Carol Toler noted that the building at 6216 Retail Road has housed other fast-casual concepts since 2015 — Del Taco and Captain D’s Seafood — and so far, none of them have lasted more than a few years.
Black Forest Coffee
May 28 was the last day for the coffee shop housed inside Half Price Books’ flagship location.
In a note posted to the store’s window, the coffee shop wrote, “Thanks for the memories.”
It had been open for 19 years inside the bookstore. Adrian Winnubst, one of the owners of the coffee shop, said Black Forest Coffee never bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Half Price Books representative confirmed that updates were coming to the cafe space but declined to give specifics.
Standard ServiceÂ
The Lowest Greenville restaurant from the owners of Leela’s and HG Sply Co. closed early in July, The Dallas Morning News reported.
It will eventually house a new concept, but for now until Aug. 23, it’s the site of a “Summer House” immersive pop-up experience.
The pop-up — which is also being launched at the Leela’s Pizza & Wine locations in Uptown and Trophy Club — will feature summer-themed decor curated by Karla Gallegos, the owner of The Planting Hand, along with a special menu. Leela’s on Greenville Avenue is currently being renovated.
When creating the pop-up space, Gallegos was inspired by her travels through Latin and Central America, surfing and exploring the coast.
The menu offers 11 Summer House-themed cocktails along with the El Rey pizza — made with enchilada sauce, cheese, sweet picked peppers, picadillo and cilantro — tuna tostadas and a burrata board.
Summer House is open at 5631 Alta Ave.Â
Food and drinks from the Summer House pop-up at the old Standard Service on Alta Avenue. Photography by Kathy Tran.
McRae’s American Bistro & Cocktails
The neighborhood restaurant from Stan’s Blue Note owner Mike McRae opened in July on Garland Road.
Its menu includes tomato soup, a favorite from another of McRae’s concepts, Table 13, along with pizzas, handhelds and appetizers such as Texas Twinkies — bacon-wrapped jalapeños, lightly breaded and stuffed with jalapeño pimiento cheese, smoked gouda and smoked brisket.
McRae’s is located at 9913 Garland Road.Â
Ellen’s
This Southern restaurant offering breakfast all day opened in Casa Linda Plaza on July 10.
Neighbors had been waiting for Ellen’s to open since it announced expansion plans in 2021. Located at the corner of North Buckner Boulevard and Garland Road, the East Dallas location adds to the company’s other stores in Downtown Dallas and Allen.
Ellen’s is at 1211 N. Buckner Blvd.Â
