With tens of thousands of visitors expected to arrive in North Texas for World Cup matches this summer, some local restaurateurs are starting preparations early — workshopping special menus and even coordinating with national teams in hopes of welcoming them in.
In Richardson, the decor, trinkets and ingredients at Khashoka represent the country of Jordan, down to the spices and sauces that owner Muhammad Albakri imports from back home.
“Ninety percent of all our spices, the olive oil, the sesame sauce, everything comes all the way from Jordan,” Albakri said.
Albakri said Khashoka Dallas is the only “Khashoka” in the country. After watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw and seeing his team selected, Albakri said he immediately wanted to host the Jordanian national team at his restaurant — so he reached out.
“You know, this is a historic thing for us as Jordanians,” Albakri said. “So they told us, from our end, we’d like to come. It’s approved from our own end.”
Whether the team ultimately visits will depend on match results and security, Albakri said.
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L-R: Muhammad Albakri, Aziz Francis Kobty and Christian Franco.
In Euless, Christian Franco, owner of Restaurant Argentina 163, is also hoping to attract his team — and possibly a world-famous star. Franco said he is developing a special menu for the team’s arrival in DFW this summer, including a dish he calls “The Messi Plate.”
“This is the milanesa napolitana, which is [Lionel] Messi’s favorite food,” Franco said. “He always says his mom’s milanesa napolitana is his favorite food.”
Franco said he hopes the idea catches Messi’s attention.
“Hopefully it’ll draw him in,” Franco said. “Hopefully. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully.”
In Arlington, Aziz Francis Kobty, owner of Prince Lebanese Grill, said his food will be served inside AT&T Stadium for two matches — something he called a major milestone.
“That’s a dream come true. We’re going to be at the world’s biggest stage, serving in our hometown, representing our hometown,” Kobty said.
Kobty said opening night is just the beginning. He plans to roll his food truck into the entertainment district on other nights and to serve baseball fans in between.
“We will not be sleeping from June 14 on,” Kobty said.
For each owner, the goal is the same: showcase the heart of their home — and of Texas — to the world.
“We host everyone, anytime, and we give them the authenticity of Jordan,” Albakri said. “This is the main reason I brought Khashukha all the way from Jordan to the United States.”
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.