15 of the Most Anticipated Summer Openings

Plenty of new restaurant openings are on the horizon this summer, including several new concepts at up-and-coming West Dallas development Trinity Groves and fresh additions to the evolving Lower Greenville strip. Restaurateurs are thinking big this season, turning their thoughts away from the same old burger joints and toward ramen, Thai food, dog parks, live music, and oh-so-much craft beer. Here are 15 upcoming restaurants to get excited about:

1) Tanoshi Ramen
Location: Deep Ellum
Description: Die-hard ramen fans continue to wait impatiently for the debut of the city's first dedicated ramen shop, brought to you by the owners of Wicked Po Boys, Chi and Joey Le. Located next door to Angry Dog in the old Baker's Ribs spot, it promises handmade noodles and Asian street food.
Opening Date: Latest estimate is mid to late June

2) Pakpao Thai
Location: Design District
Description: Not much is known at this point about the upcoming Thai restaurant from Richard and Tiffanee Ellman (who also co-own Oak and Belly & Trumpet), except that it will be located in the Design District and will be designed by Plan B and Coeval Studios.
Opening Date: Originally slated for May

3) Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern
Location: Oak Cliff
Description: Cane Rosso mogul Jay Jerrier is turning his attention from Neapolitan pizza to New York-style pies (plus chicken and eggplant parm, strombolis, and more) with this pizzeria that's taking over the old BEE Enchiladeria space.
Opening Date: Possibly June

4) Lower Greenville Food Truck Park tenants
Location: Lower Greenville across from soon-to-open Trader Joe's
Description: A new food truck park is planned to include a Philly cheesesteak joint by Jason Boso of Twisted Root, as well as an ice cream stand from Deep Ellum's Carnival Barker's, plus a full bar.
Opening Date: Originally slated for May

5) Mutt's Cantina:
Location: Uptown
Description: This open-air restaurant/private dog park from FreeRange Concepts (Bowl & Barrel, Sunset Lounge) is slated to open very soon in Uptown with breakfast tacos, burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard and a full bar. They'll be open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Opening Date: June 12

6) The Rustic
Location: Uptown
Description: Another project from FreeRange Concepts, this one is a restaurant/live music venue in conjunction with musician Pat Green. Located at the corner of Lemmon Avenue and North Central Expressway, it will feature a massive patio and feature a menu by chef Sharon Hage that will showcase local products and feature "the largest selection of Texas beers found anywhere."
Opening Date: Summer

7) Kitchen LTO:
Location: Trinity Groves
Description: Kitchen LTO ("limited time offer") is basically a permanent pop-up restaurant; the chef, concept, and interior will rotate every four months to showcase fresh talent. A kick-off party being held May 30 will introduce the first round of potentials.
Opening Date: July

8) The Blind Butcher:
Location: Lower Greenville
Description: The guys from Goodfriend (Matt Tobin and Josh Yingling) are teaming up with a former Village Marquee sous chef, Oliver Sitrin, to open this new concept with a focus on (what else?) meat, "including sausage, pastrami, and corned beef made in-house". A tap wall will offer 20 craft beers, and beer will also be available by the liter and half-liter.
Opening Date: Originally slated for "late spring"

9) Casa Rubia
Location: Trinity Groves
Description: Driftwood chef Omar Flores and owner Jonn Baudoin will feature "modern tapas influenced by Spain" with modernist techniques and seasonal ingredients at this new concept that will feature a large patio and an exclusively Spanish wine list, plus a wide selection of sherries.
Opening Date: August

10) LUCK
Location: Trinity Groves
Description: Standing for "Local Urban Craft Kitchen," this craft beer-centric spot will feature "original variations of regional comfort food favorites"; no canned or bottled beer, just 40 taps, many of which will be Texas-made.
Opening Date: September

11) Dallas Beer Kitchen
Location: Lower Greenville
Description: DBK is the first restaurant venture from a couple of beer-obsessed bloggers. Besides 40 taps (including "rare, hard to find brews"), DBK will offer "elevated comfort food" like a fried hot dog with pulled pork, a fried biscuit sundae, pretzel bites with cheese sauce, and a ground brisket burger.
Opening Date: June

12) Taverna Rossa
Location: Plano
Description: Taking over the Red's Patio Grill space near Mignon and Mi Cocina, this "rustic modern tavern infused with a contemporary vibe" is backed by Preston Lancaster (owner of McKinney's Cadillac Pizza Pub) and will feature a menu designed by The Grape's Brian Luscher, including thin-crust pies from a wood-fired deck oven, and "entrées such as roast chicken and New York strip steak, plus cocktails and 24 beers on tap."
Opening Date: Late June

13) Souk
Location: Trinity Groves
Description: The owner of Baboush, Medina and Ketchup Burger Bar, Yaser Araf, plans to open a Moroccan restaurant/market which was previewed at Savor Trinity Groves back in March.
Opening Date: August

14) Mesero Miguel
Location: Henderson Avenue
Description: This new concept from restaurateur Mico Rodriguez is going into the old Lemon Bar (and before that, Alma and Cuba Libre) space. It will be an "American grill with a Mexican menu" featuring organic ingredients and dishes like pork belly, brisket, or duck tacos; former Nosh chef Jon Stevens will assist with the opening.
Opening Date: July 11

15) Waldron Lodge
Location: Bishop Arts district
Description: This new concept will showcase wild game, including "duck tacos, bison and elk hamburgers," sausages, and pulled boar sandwiches by chef Beau Johnson. The backyard will feature sand volleyball in the summer and fire pits in the winter.
Opening Date: Originally estimated to open in May