Takeout Rotisserie Chicken in Bishop Arts, More Hot Chicken, and an Oak Cliff Favorite Says Goodbye

It’s been an unprecedented two years since Bon Appétit named Dallas the 2019 Restaurant City of the Year. But even through a pandemic, our city’s dining scene has persevered. With the overwhelming amount of recent openings (particularly in Deep Ellum, Bishop Arts, and downtown), it’s easy to forget that many in the industry are still struggling, but Texas restaurants have been innovating to provide the comfort food — and cocktails — we need. Now, it’s time to look forward to the Dallas restaurant news ahead.

From exciting openings to unfortunate closures (plus, any other food news we might find fitting), The Dallas Dish is your weekly helping of need-to-know North Texas restaurant news.

A local hot chicken spot expands with three new North Texas locations.

In 2020, Vandelay Hospitality Group debuted their first Lucky’s Hot Chicken location in East Dallas. Now, the favorite hot chicken spot is bringing its retro decor and spicy bites to three new North Texas locations: Webb Chapel, Richardson and Oak Lawn. The Webb Chapel and Richardson locations will also feature drive-thru ordering — a first for the brand. Webb Chapel debuted on July 11, and the other two will open later this summer.

A new take-out rotisserie chicken shop opens in Bishop Arts.

La Bodega, a new rotisserie chicken and sandwich shop, has opened in Bishop Arts. According to D Magazine, the new take-out concept comes from Skye McDaniel, who formerly worked at local hot spots like Bolsa and Boulevardier. Look for the charmingly renovated 100-year-old shotgun house along Oak Cliff’s West Eighth Street for whole and half birds along with salads, sandwiches, and fries to-go.

Reservations are now open for DFW Restaurant Week.

The 25th annual DFW Restaurant Week takes place from August 8 through September 4 (with a preview week beginning on August 4). The fundraiser, which benefits North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope, includes reservations available for special two and three-course lunches, brunches, and dinners in Dallas-Fort Worth. This year, participants include Bonnell’s, Don Artemio, Chet’s, Al Biernat’s, Javier’s, and so many more.

Get your reservations booked now — this event is a popular one.

A favorite desserts shop shutters in Oak Cliff.

Family-owned Kookie Haven, a dessert shop that served cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more in Oak Cliff since 2017, has called it quits due to increasing costs of ingredients and supply chain issues. Owned by sisters Darla McCuen and Nita Briggs, the shop had one last day to serve customers on July 10.