Dallas

blue

Axios Dallas Partners

Dallas Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Dallas with Tasha Tsiaperas and Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi.

Axios Dallas

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Tasha Tsiaperas and Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi.

Axios Dallas Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Dallas Members

Membership

Universal Kids Resort opens Wednesday

If the new resort concept takes off, the company hopes to open parks in other cities.

News

Universal&#x27;s first theme park for young kids and their families opens Wednesday. Why it matters: Universal chose Frisco for its first kids resort because of North Texas&#x27; growing population and because the region sits between the company&#x27;s Orlando and Hollywood resorts.

Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups

Things to Do

🧨 See the explosions, hear the boom. Ida Claire&#x27;s annual Kaboomtown Block Party in Addison features a DJ, Fourth of July food and cocktails, yard games, and a front-row seat to the renowned fireworks show.<ul><li>Friday, 7 -10:30pm. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://ida-claire.com/whats-goin-on/addison-tx/celebrate-kaboomtown-with-ida" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ida-claire.com/whats-goin-on/addison-tx/celebrate-kaboomtown-with-ida" target="_blank">Tickets</a> start at $15.</li></ul>📚 Go old school. Dallas&#x27; official celebration will be at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Klyde Warren Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.klydewarrenpark.org/events-programming/idc2025-sbnc2" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.klydewarrenpark.org/events-programming/idc2025-sbnc2" target="_blank">Klyde Warren Park</a> with food trucks, live music from Emerald City Band and the grand finale lighting up the city skyline.<ul><li>Saturday, 7-9:30pm. Free.</li></ul>🎇 Feel patriotic. Catch more fireworks displays at these free events: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Irving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.irvingtexas.com/event/sparks-%26-stripes-2026%3A-fireworks-%26-drone-show/40262/" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.irvingtexas.com/event/sparks-%26-stripes-2026%3A-fireworks-%26-drone-show/40262/" target="_blank">Irving</a>, 7pm Friday. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grandscape" data-vars-click-url="https://www.grandscape.com/event/red-white-and-blue/2026-07-03/" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.grandscape.com/event/red-white-and-blue/2026-07-03/" target="_blank">Grandscape</a> in The Colony, 7:30pm Friday.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fort Worth" data-vars-click-url="https://fortworthsfourth.com/" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fortworthsfourth.com/" target="_blank">Fort Worth</a>, 5pm Saturday. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grapevine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/summertime-in-grapevine/events/july-fourth-fireworks/" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/summertime-in-grapevine/events/july-fourth-fireworks/" target="_blank">Grapevine</a>, 9:30pm Saturday🐕 Cheer on your pup. Enter your dog in pet contests at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paws and Stripes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.friscofreedomfest.org/160/Paws-Stripes" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.friscofreedomfest.org/160/Paws-Stripes" target="_blank">Paws and Stripes</a> at Frisco Freedom Fest.<ul><li>Friday, 6-10pm at Kaleidoscope Park. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Entry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.squadup.com/events/paws--stripes-contests?legacy=0" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.squadup.com/events/paws--stripes-contests?legacy=0" target="_blank">Entry</a> $12 per event.</li></ul>⚽️ Celebrate soccer. Head to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA Fan Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fairparkdallas.com/events/detail/celebrate-independence-day-at-fair-park" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fairparkdallas.com/events/detail/celebrate-independence-day-at-fair-park" target="_blank">FIFA Fan Festival</a> at Fair Park to watch live soccer matches on the big screens.<ul><li>Watch fireworks Friday at the conclusion of the Colombia vs. Ghana match that begins at 8:30pm. Free with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advanced registration" data-vars-click-url="https://dallasfwcfanfestivaltickets.vivenushop.com/event/fan-festival-dallas-7wgit2" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dallasfwcfanfestivaltickets.vivenushop.com/event/fan-festival-dallas-7wgit2" target="_blank">advanced registration</a>.</li></ul>🏅 Tap along to patriotic tunes. Celebrate America&#x27;s 250th at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://mohmuseum.org/exhibits-and-events/events/freedom-fest-2026" data-vars-content-id="b1274146-6383-4420-91ce-2886192d133a" data-vars-headline="Plan your July Fourth weekend: Fireworks, music, pups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mohmuseum.org/exhibits-and-events/events/freedom-fest-2026" target="_blank">Freedom Fest</a> at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington. <ul><li>Saturday and Sunday, culminating in a live performance by the 1st Cavalry Division Band on Sunday, 7:30-9pm, followed by a viewing party of Light Up Arlington fireworks show at 9:30pm. General admission tickets start at $30.</li></ul>

Klyde Warren Park's next phase: An ice rink and indoor pavilion

The 1.7-acre expansion will cater to the 20-40 age group.

Klyde Warren Park is getting a two-story pavilion, a terrace overlooking the Dallas skyline and a lawn that will double as an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter, park officials announced Monday.Why it matters: The park was initially designed with families in mind. The 1.7-acre expansion will cater to the 20–40 age group, says Jody Grant, who chairs the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.

Norway edges Ivory Coast in World Cup thriller

Norway's supporters saved their famous Viking row for key moments.

Norway advanced to the round of 16 after knocking Ivory Coast out of the World Cup at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday.Driving the news: Norway&#x27;s star Erling Haaland scored a late goal to break a 1-1 tie in the first of four knockout matches in Arlington.

Wingstop's House of Flavor is coming to Deep Ellum

The experience will include DJs, World Cup watch parties, merch and free wings while supplies last.

Deep Ellum has earned its wings. Dallas-based Wingstop is hosting a pop-up experience at the Bomb Factory from Wednesday through July 3.Why it matters: Wingstop debuted the House of Flavor in Paris in 2024 and Milan in February. Dallas and Toronto are the first North American cities to get the pop-up.

Egyptian street food comes to Garland

Koshary is a layered bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, topped with rich tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.

Food and Drink

Roll out the red carpet: Egypt&#x27;s national dish is being served at a Garland gas station.The intrigue: Traditionally vegan, koshary is a layered bowl of rice, lentils, pasta and chickpeas, topped with a rich tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. The dish has working-class roots and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Italian influence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodrepublic.com/2056057/egypt-national-dish-koshary-origins/#:~:text=Yet%20koshary&#x27;s%20composition%20is%20not,represent%20distinctly%20Middle%20Eastern%20flavors." data-vars-content-id="9493d1b2-5333-4078-b7bb-c633d967e36a" data-vars-headline="Egyptian street food comes to Garland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodrepublic.com/2056057/egypt-national-dish-koshary-origins/#:~:text=Yet%20koshary&#x27;s%20composition%20is%20not,represent%20distinctly%20Middle%20Eastern%20flavors." target="_blank">Italian influence</a>.

Plano's Uyghur Kitchen introduces Xinjiang cuisine to North Texas

The menu features 100-inch hand-pulled noodles.

A small, family-owned spot in Plano is serving 100-inch hand-pulled noodles, a tradition more than 1,000 years in the making.The intrigue: Opened in 2023 by Abdulla Yunus, Turan Uyghur Kitchen became the first Uyghur restaurant in the Dallas area and helped introduce Xinjiang cuisine to North Texas.

Tasty Tuesday: Sabar BBQ

Sabar BBQ is bringing Pakistani flavor, serious technique, and a fresh perspective to Texas barbecue.

Sabar means patience in Urdu, and you&#x27;ll taste it in every bite at this Fort Worth food truck.The intrigue: Owner Zain Shafi, who learned his craft at Goldee&#x27;s, blends Texas barbecue technique with his family&#x27;s Pakistani heritage.

Cambodian BBQ in a Fort Worth liquor store

The crispy, crunchy chicken wings have gone viral.

What started as a food stand at a local festival has turned into one of Fort Worth&#x27;s most talked-about food spots.Vibe check: A small setup inside a liquor store with a steady crowd and smoky, mouthwatering aromas. Grab a stool or take your food to go. <figure><img alt="Chicken Wings from Kelly&#x27;s Cambodian BBQ in an aluminum foil package. " height="2128" id="9146ef45-8988-41e3-b78d-efc91f055fc3" src="https://images.axios.com/rVgJVYY-D527qs9CiNg3LWAPMH0=/2025/10/06/1759763528636.jpeg" width="3332"/><figcaption>Dip wings in fish sauce vinaigrette. Photo: Gregory &quot;wing man&quot; Castillo/Axios</figcaption></figure>What to order: The crispy, crunchy chicken wings that have gone viral — plus shrimp rolls, Cambodian sour soup, and dark soy fried rice.<ul><li>And don&#x27;t skip dessert: homemade banana pudding made with double-stuffed vanilla Oreos. 🤯</li></ul>Where: Kelly&#x27;s Cambodian BBQ, inside Liquor Up. 3080 Alta Mere Drive, Fort WorthWhen: Open Thursday–Saturday.Cost: Around $9–$15 per entrée.Six-word review: Smoky, juicy, and packed with flavorWorthy of your time: Our visit to try the barbecue on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Instagram" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPWwvGvDbIm/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="cd4f8c9b-8a64-40c2-b349-92fbc16b0f38" data-vars-headline="Cambodian BBQ in a Fort Worth liquor store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPWwvGvDbIm/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.

FC Dallas president Dan Hunt's favorite things to do in North Texas

Where he goes for gelato and other favorites.

The Hunt family&#x27;s love of sports and Dallas runs deep. They own FC Dallas and the Kansas City Chiefs, which started out as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dallas Texans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/07/the-super-bowl-s-dallas-roots" data-vars-content-id="0d3165a5-dd9b-4f7d-9f9e-63707674ae22" data-vars-headline="FC Dallas president Dan Hunt&#x27;s favorite things to do in North Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/02/07/the-super-bowl-s-dallas-roots" target="_self">Dallas Texans</a>.Why it matters: Dan Hunt, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oversees FC Dallas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-ceo/2022/august/meet-dan-hunt-and-his-billion-dollar-soccer-empire/" data-vars-content-id="0d3165a5-dd9b-4f7d-9f9e-63707674ae22" data-vars-headline="FC Dallas president Dan Hunt&#x27;s favorite things to do in North Texas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-ceo/2022/august/meet-dan-hunt-and-his-billion-dollar-soccer-empire/" target="_blank">oversees FC Dallas</a> with his brother Clark, has spent the last several years trying to bring more sporting events to North Texas.

How to maximize your trip to Pan Pan, the viral bakery TikTok loves

Here's what to order and how to beat the lines.

A Mexican-Japanese bakery near Arlington has become a viral sensation, leading to hourslong waits for scratch-made milk bread conchas, matcha horchata lattes and more.Stunning stat: A TikTok Molinar posted in early August <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has been viewed 18 million times, " data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/@panpanbakeryandcafe/video/7536006883946122510" data-vars-content-id="99678808-6877-4e34-93f2-2ad84d63a914" data-vars-headline="How to maximize your trip to Pan Pan, the viral bakery TikTok loves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@panpanbakeryandcafe/video/7536006883946122510" target="_blank">has been viewed 18 million times, </a>showing off Pan Pan&#x27;s vibe and fusion menu — and noting that pan means bread in both Japanese and Spanish.

This year's State Fair of Texas food winners

Deep fried arancini and deviled egg sliders are among this year's winners of the Big Tex Choice Awards.

Prepare your appetite — and your gut — for this year&#x27;s award-winning concessions at the State Fair of Texas.<ul><li>The Colombian fruit cup, deep fried arancini, cookie butter milkshake and deviled egg sliders won the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Tex Choice Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://bigtex.com/big-tex-choice-awards/" data-vars-content-id="040a4de8-df8b-40cc-951f-c8700a8aaa0a" data-vars-headline="This year&#x27;s State Fair of Texas food winners" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bigtex.com/big-tex-choice-awards/" target="_blank">Big Tex Choice Awards</a> yesterday.</li></ul>

Here are Dallas' 2025 James Beard Award finalists

The founder of Dallas-based Café Momentum has won the Humanitarian of the Year

Five Dallas-Fort Worth chefs, bars and restaurants are finalists for a prestigious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard award" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/01/22/james-beard-semifinalists-texas" data-vars-content-id="bda2fe58-bb37-4078-a9b6-a164a82c93bc" data-vars-headline="Here are Dallas&#x27; 2025 James Beard Award finalists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2025/01/22/james-beard-semifinalists-texas" target="_self">James Beard award</a>.<ul><li>And, the Café Momentum founder has won the Humanitarian of the Year</li></ul>

What's next for Bam's Vegan after store closing

Meet Brandon Waller, the chef and founder of plant-based food brand Bam's Vegan.

Business Brief

Meet Brandon Waller, the chef and founder of plant-based food brand Bam&#x27;s Vegan.The big picture: In 2017, he launched Bam&#x27;s Vegan, now a one-man operation that he&#x27;s expanding beyond a Dallas storefront (that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/bams-vegan-closed-after-five-years-in-irving-21693073" data-vars-content-id="e9ee2b0e-408b-4a16-b64c-d00a949daae5" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Bam&#x27;s Vegan after store closing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/bams-vegan-closed-after-five-years-in-irving-21693073" target="_blank">closed</a> this year).

Food and Drink 🍽

Wingstop's House of Flavor is coming to Deep Ellum

Tasty Tuesday: 33 Peaks Cafe

One cocktail to go: City Night KTV

Stop at this desert deli during your next trip to Marfa

🫖 One cocktail to go: Léonie