Construction on a new Tex-Mex steakhouse in Arlington is expected to begin this summer in a familiar location for many diners in the city.
The roughly 9,500-square-foot Culpepper Cattle Co. restaurant will open in early 2027 at 2300 E. Lamar Blvd. in Arlington, the former site of the now-closed Trail Dust Steakhouse, said Charmi Patel-Peña, creative director for the restaurant’s owner, Dallas-based UNCO. The restaurant will employ roughly 120 people in both front-of-house and kitchen positions, she said.
“The first thing to note is that Culpepper Cattle Co. is not a barbecue restaurant — it’s a Tex-Mex steakhouse,” she said. “Our focus is on (USDA) Prime steaks, premium fajitas, fresh house-made tortillas, and a hospitality-driven dining experience that celebrates the flavors and traditions of Texas. We blend the warmth of a classic Texas steakhouse with the vibrant, social energy of Tex-Mex cuisine, creating an experience that feels both familiar and distinctly our own.”
Patel-Peña noted the history of the site where the restaurant will be built.
“We’re excited to bring Culpepper Cattle Co. to a site that has long been part of Arlington’s dining history and create a new destination for the community,” Patel-Peña said.
The $1.5 million restaurant will feature the same menu as other Culpepper Cattle Co. restaurants, most notably USDA Prime steaks and Tex-Mex cuisine. The restaurant will have spacious dining areas, a lively bar atmosphere and gathering places for guests, she said.
“The Arlington location will serve the same core menu guests have come to know and love at Culpepper Cattle Co.,” Patel-Peña said. “Consistency is important to us, and we want Arlington guests to experience the same signature dishes that other locations have come to love.”
Some of those signature items include the Cowboy Cigars, an eggroll-style appetizer with chicken tinga, the Cadillac Fajitas and Horchata Cheesecake.
Other Culpepper Cattle Co. locations are in Rockwall and the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas.
The permitting processes will determine when work on the restaurant begins and when it will be completed, Patel-Peña said.
“We’re eager to move forward as quickly as possible, but construction start dates and completion targets may shift based on approvals and permitting milestones,” Patel-Peña said.
Patel-Peña said that Arlington is an ideal location for the company.
“Arlington is a city with tremendous momentum, and we continue to be impressed by both its growth and its leadership’s vision for the future,” she said. “It’s also personally meaningful for our team — UNCO founder and CEO Elias Pope previously lived in Arlington, helped to open Saltgrass Steak House, and has long believed in the city’s potential. We see Arlington as a community that is investing in itself, and we’re excited to be part of that continued growth.”
UNCO is also known for the HG Sply Co. restaurants.
Lance Murray is a freelance contributor covering business for the Arlington Report. At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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