News Bites: Truck Yard reopens after $2 million renovation and Sandwich Hag opens cafe

New decor and space improvements for Truck Yard Dallas

Dallas Waterhole truck yard reopened on March 10 after closing in November to renovate the venue, according to a statement. The renovations cost more than $2 million and include more seating, patio space, fire pits and bathrooms that are no longer, as the release notes, “crappy.”

The Sears Street location opened in 2013 and has become known as a place to drink beers, explore food truck offerings, and pound cheesesteaks and nachos.

Most renovations relate to design and decoration. Truck Yard’s style is endearing and quirky, from statues of giant dancing frogs to a mishmash of lawn chairs and bar stools that welcome a “come as you are” attitude. The refreshed space is as “weatherproof” as it gets and includes modifications intended to provide a smoother guest experience, such as a larger bar and kitchen for busy days and mobile ordering at the table.

5624 Sears St.

Plano gets a Speakeasy named after the owner’s dog

A speakeasy in the suburbs is set to open next month at Plano’s Lakeside Market. Sea Breeze Fish and Grill Market chef-owner Ryan Oruch opens The Wilfred next to the seafood restaurant, according to a press release.

Guests will need to enter a code on a keypad in the Sea Breeze waiting area to enter the Wilfred. The code will change, but the final batch of numbers will be posted on social media or Sea Breeze receipts.

Inside, the Wilfred will have a bar, chandeliers and two small lounges. The cocktail menu is inspired by pre-Prohibition and includes drinks curated by Midnight Rambler’s Ryan Payne and Gabe Sanchez. One drink, “The Freddy,” is served as a shot and is named after Wilfred, a dog Oruch adopted 11 years ago. Proceeds from Freddy will go to local nonprofits, and each quarter a different nonprofit will be chosen, according to a press release.

The Wilfred will also offer a wine-by-the-glass program, and a gourmet menu will include a seasonal selection of seafood and other small bites.

The Wilfred will open in April 2023, Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. at 4017 Preston Road, Suite 530, Plano.

Sandwich Hag has a permanent Vietnamese cafe

Vietnamese coffee will now be available on weekends at Chim Lanha cafe owned by a woman of color that will run off of one of Dallas’ favorite concepts, Hag Sandwichaccording to Dallas Morning News. Chef Reyna Duong has teamed up with Chef Jinny Choo of Frisco’s Detour Donuts to serve Vietnamese cà phê and a selection of pastries from Detour.

The coffee beans come from Nguyen Coffee Supply, a company that sources from Vietnam. A typical Vietnamese coffee, when slowly drained, will be topped with sweetened condensed milk or ice. Duong said THE News that in many Vietnamese homes, cà phê accompanies all kinds of meals, making it a great place to open ChimLanh alongside the offerings of Sandwich Hag.

902 Boul. John Botham

More openings and closings

• Pizza Leila opened its downtown Dallas location on March 14. The menu includes whole or sliced ​​pizzas. 2111 Flora Street, Ste. 120.
• Pickletopia, the pickle store on Bryan Street, closed last year. Part of the reason for the closure was the pandemic, and it’s unlikely to reopen, says owner Lee Theilen.
• The location of the Mockingbird station of Urban tacos closed in early March, according to CultureMap. Its menu will still be available through OOMI Digital Kitchen, which was co-founded by Urban Taco owner Markus Pineyro.