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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can’t miss the bold red building on Akard Street in the Cedars neighborhood.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can’t miss the bold red building on Akard Street in the Cedars neighborhood.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Nathan Hunsinger<\/p>\n
Every year, the spotlight is put on Black and Latino businesses for the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards<\/a>. This award show-meets-expo was founded by locals Brittany Criswell and Rickey Booker Sr. of Breakfast Brothers in 2023.<\/p>\n Together, they wanted to honor the traditions and flavors of both Black and Latino-owned restaurants and create a two-day celebration that brings everyone together into an expanded weekend experience.<\/p>\n The event last week was held at The Shops at RedBird and began with a culinary expo for the restaurant community. There were workshops, panels, vendor showcases, free wellness screenings, college expos and a row of restaurant resources that give businesses direct access to business tools, marketing experts and delivery platforms.\u00a0<\/p>\n Day two hosts the actual award show and celebration, spotlighting the culinary brilliance and community contributions of Black and Latin-owned restaurants, food trucks, ghost kitchens and health-conscious eateries across Dallas.<\/p>\n Sign up for the Food & Drink newsletter to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox<\/p>\n THANK YOU!<\/p>\n You’re all set.<\/p>\n CLOSE\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n At this gala, 20 standout culinary creatives were awarded in categories like Favorite Soul Food, Favorite Vegan Restaurant and Favorite Seafood.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here are the 2026 winners:<\/p>\n Soul food kitchen: Mary\u2019s Twisted Kitchen<\/a> (Read our first look<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Seafood restaurant: Mr. Cajun\u2019s Daquiri<\/a><\/p>\n Wing spot: Wing\u2019s World<\/a><\/p>\n Barbecue restaurant: Smokey John\u2019s Bar-B-Que<\/p>\n Vegan restaurant: Sankofa Kitchen<\/p>\n Burger spot: Burgerlicious<\/a><\/p>\n Breakfast and brunch restaurant: Breakfast Bros.<\/a><\/p>\n Taco spot: Fuel City <\/a><\/p>\n New restaurant: Grandma\u2019s Country Kitchen<\/a><\/p>\n Pizza restaurant: Black Jack\u2019s Pizza (They have great burgers<\/a> too.) <\/p>\n Bar and lounge: Greedy\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n Mexican restaurant: Gloria\u2019s Latin Cuisine<\/p>\n Chicken spot: William\u2019s Chicken<\/p>\n Food truck: Shells & Tails<\/a><\/p>\n Coffee shop: Soiree Coffee Bar<\/p>\n Upscale restaurant: Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley<\/p>\n Bakery: Cake Daddy<\/a><\/p>\n Fusion restaurant: Fusion Vibes Kitchen + Lounge<\/p>\n The voting window ran from mid-June to the beginning of July, and votes were collected through social media links via the award show website and Instagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to all the restaurants, there are three media and community winners:<\/p>\n Influencer: Most Wanted Nuke \u201cMr. If You From Dallas\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Food Journalist: Stephanie Camille<\/a><\/p>\n Community Leader: Mary Dudley<\/p>\n Brent Reaves of Smokey John\u2019s BBQ, Chef Tiffany Derry of T2D Concepts, Marissa Allen of Cookie Society and Ro Truitt of Wings World were all featured panelists on a conversation about building brands and breaking barriers in the restaurant industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n The event also hosted food journalists, bloggers, influencers and other creatives to share their advice and tips on breaking into the industry and gaining visibility online.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in attending the event next year, stay updated by following @southerntasteofdallasawards on Instagram<\/a> and checking the Southern Taste of Dallas website<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t