Salt and Straw has 55 locations across the country. It enters Texas by opening an ice cream shop in Dallas on May 15, 2026 and in Fort Worth on May 22, 2026.
John Valls
As ice cream shop Salt and Straw expands across the United States, its first Texas restaurants will open in May 2026 in Dallas, then Fort Worth.
Set your maps to 2323 N. Henderson Ave. in Dallas for an opening on May 15, 2026; and to 305 W. Magnolia Ave. in Fort Worth on May 22, 2026.
Article continues below this ad
Then follow your nose: Salt and Straw makes its own waffle cones and the smell wafts outside the restaurants … where a line of customers might have formed, if the Texas openings are anything like the 55 others.
The ice cream shop hails from Portland, Ore., where cousins and co-founders Kim and Tyler Malek make 18 core flavors, with five new tastes every month. Right now, the shop’s monthly theme is May flowers, and the limited-time-only floral flavors include Jasmine Milk Tea Almond Stracciatella and Coffee Chamomile Sherbet.
In June, the five flavors will be created by James Beard honored chefs. In July, customers will find berry-themed ice creams.
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.
Add Preferred Source
Flavors change to keep regulars interested in trying something new, Tyler said.
Article continues below this ad
And try you should: The Maleks say stopping into a Salt and Straw should be a “flavor adventure,” where customers can sample the coming-soon Huckleberry or always-available options like Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Chocolate Gooey Brownie.
“No joke, if people come in and just taste and walk out, we are more than excited,” Tyler said. “I promise you, within 24 hours, they’ll come back and get a pint.”
He laughs. “Or maybe, they’ll be thinking about it for the rest of their lives.”
Cousins Kim and Tyler Malek opened Salt and Straw in Portland in 2011. As it grew across the United States, so did the fervor from customers. “Our stores are known for being crowded, with long lines and a lot of excitement,” Kim said.
Posy Quarterman Photography/Posy Quarterman
About 20% of the menu is vegan, and the dairy-free Hazelnut Cookies and Cream and Freckled Mint Chocolate Chip are popular.
Article continues below this ad
Tyler is a self-described “culinary school dropout” with big ideas. All the ice cream is made in Portland, then shipped to the nine states where the dozens of shops operate.
“I taste every batch of ice cream that ever leaves the building at 9:15 every morning,” Tyler said.
Salt and Straw’s wacky flavor story
After Salt and Straw opened in the Pacific Northwest, Joan McNamara, founder and chef of Joan’s on Third in Los Angeles, tasted its ice cream and reached out to the Maleks to see if they’d make some for her restaurant.
Article continues below this ad
“We were like, ‘oh my gosh, we are just this tiny company,’” Kim said. They met McNamara and took the opportunity.
It was the first of many. Prolific New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer, who started Shake Shack, Gramercy Tavern and others, became a Salt and Straw investor in 2017.
The Maleks have since made a cinnamon-cheesecake swirl ice cream with growing brand PopUp Bagels, the company that just opened its first Texas store in Dallas.
Its latest adventure is with Taco Bell. The chain asked Salt and Straw to reimagine its nostalgic, discontinued Choco Taco. Tyler figured out how to make a deluxe version, with cinnamon-ancho ice cream in a waffle cone dipped in dark chocolate.
Article continues below this ad
That Taco Bell-inspired ice cream sandwich, which Salt and Straw calls the Tacolate, will be available at Texas stores when they open.
Customers at Salt and Straw in Dallas and Fort Worth are encouraged to try free samples. Go ahead, ask for one of each and get details on how they were made. “We’re obsessed with food science,” said co-owner Tyler Malek.
John Valls
Special flavors in Texas only
For the launch in Texas, Salt and Straw will sell three items made for Dallas and Fort Worth consumers.
Article continues below this ad
Paloma sherbet: Texas-grown Ruby Red grapefruits are used for an ice cream that’s “bright and juicy, with a little bit of spice,” Tyler said. Each scoop is streaked with a ribbon of chile de arbol caramel and spiked with grapefruit zest.
Cream cheese jalapeño jelly ice cream: Inspired by the Southern snack of pepper jelly poured over a block of cream cheese, Salt and Straw turns it into a dessert. It’s made with a cream cheese ice cream base. The “star of the show,” Tyler said, is the housemade jalapeño jelly folded into the ice cream. Ritz crackers, in a streusel-like texture, add crunch.
Fritos pie sundae: Salt and Straw will sell a sundae served inside a bag of Fritos. It’s made with vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped sour cream and decorated with housemade Fritos candy crumble. It’s fancied up further with a cheddar tuile, chipotle fudge and green sprinkles that mimic scallions. It will be available on opening weekends in Dallas and in Fort Worth, until supplies last.
Salt and Straw’s limited-time-only Fritos Pie Sundae — made with actual Fritos, candied — will be available at the shops in Dallas and Fort Worth on opening weekend.
Salt & Straw
How Salt and Straw landed in Texas
The Maleks say they’ve been looking for real estate in Texas since 2018.
Article continues below this ad
“We did take a break during the pandemic,” Kim said, “and when we came back several years ago, this project was happening at Knox-Henderson.” She’s speaking of the redevelopment on East Henderson Avenue, across the street from Gemma, where a series of buildings will change the look of this sector of East Dallas.
Kim believes the new area will feel like an “epic community gathering” as well as an anchor for Salt and Straw’s entry into Texas.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
So far, just the two leases in Dallas and Fort Worth are signed. The Maleks are interested in further growth in Texas.
Article continues below this ad
“We are very personally interested, and we take our time,” Kim said.
Salt and Straw will open May 15, 2026 at 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas, and on May 22, 2026 at 305 W. Magnolia, Fort Worth. The first 50 guests at each opening will receive gift cards ranging from an ice cream flight to a year’s worth of ice cream. On May 23, 2026 in Fort Worth, customers who buy a single scoop will get a kids scoop for free.