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(From left) Soon Chanchaisri and daughter Irean Wongchingchai pose at their restaurant Thai Soon on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Richardson. A painting of Wongchingchai with her children is hung next to a paining of her mother.<\/p>\n
Juan Figueroa\/Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Overwhelmed by how much news is happening? We\u2019ve picked five must-reads from our coverage this week.<\/p>\n
Maroma responds to allegation of racial profiling<\/p>\n
A customer alleged in a viral TikTok video<\/a> that her group of diners were racially profiled last weekend at Maroma<\/a>, a coastal Mexican restaurant in the Design District.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In the video, a woman who identified herself as the general manager said the restaurant would stop serving the group alcohol due to a strong smell of marijuana. Andr\u00e9a Brim, who goes by Andr\u00e9a Chantel on TikTok, told The News she believed she and her friends were racially profiled because they were the only people of color dining in the restaurant. She denied smoking marijuana and said there were several people in the section or walking around.<\/p>\n A representative for Maroma said\u00a0the decision to stop serving alcohol was made for safety reasons and denied the customers\u2019 race played any role.<\/p>\n Read more: Dallas restaurant addresses accusation of racial profiling from viral video<\/a><\/p>\n White Castle to open third Texas location in\u00a0D-FW<\/p>\n Get excited for small burgers. The chain<\/a> known for its classic square sliders is opening its third Texas location in Grand Prairie<\/a> at\u00a0EpicCentral<\/a> in summer 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Over 100 years old, White Castle has more than 300 locations, primarily in the Midwest. Its sliders can be made with beef, fried fish, chicken and more, with a popular order being the cheeseburger with steam-grilled onions.<\/p>\n The chain announced<\/a> its expansion into Texas last year, starting with The Colony<\/a>, where it\u2019s expected to open\u00a0this fall<\/a>. It later announced a second location in Fort Worth<\/a>, with an anticipated opening date in mid-2027.<\/p>\n Read more: White Castle announces third Texas location, and yes, it\u2019s in Dallas-Fort Worth<\/a><\/p>\n White Castle is bringing its third Texas location to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This time, it’ll be in Grand Prairie.\u00a0<\/p>\n Shafkat Anowar \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n The D-FW bars and restaurants that have closed this summer<\/p>\n At least 20 food businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth have closed or are about to close this summer \u2014 adding to closures already piling up in the\u00a0first half<\/a> of 2026.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n North Texans may have lost some of their favorite spots in recent months, from the barbecue joint\u00a0Ribbee’s<\/a> in Fort Worth, Cow Tipping Creamery<\/a> in Frisco, and Kenny’s East Coast Pizza<\/a> in Plano to Beto and Son<\/a> in West Dallas.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reasons for closure include high food costs, pricey leases and dwindling sales.<\/p>\n Read more: The North Texas bars and restaurants that have closed this summer<\/a><\/p>\n The spicy ribs (left) and hot honey ribs are seen at Ribbee’s in Fort Worth the day before it opened in March 2024.<\/p>\n El\u00edas Valverde II\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n Cuban burger shop Frita Batida to open in Dallas<\/p>\n Frita Batida, a Cuban burger shop, announced it will open near Knox Street<\/a> in Dallas on Aug. 17. The restaurant started in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before expanding to Detroit and New York City. The New York Times named<\/a> its chorizo burger one of the best burgers in New York City last month.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The expansion is another example of a growing restaurant brand\u00a0picking<\/a> Dallas for its Texas debut, following Salt and Straw<\/a> ice cream,\u00a0PopUp Bagels<\/a> and Prince Street Pizza<\/a>.<\/p>\n Frita Batida’s leap to Texas was suggested by Dallas restaurateur Joseph Palladino, who partnered with the company.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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