(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.
Juan Figueroa/Dallas Morning News
Overwhelmed by how much news is happening? We’ve picked five must-reads from our coverage this week.
Maroma responds to allegation of racial profiling
A customer alleged in a viral TikTok video that her group of diners were racially profiled last weekend at Maroma, a coastal Mexican restaurant in the Design District.
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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. Andréa Brim, who goes by Andréa 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.
A representative for Maroma said the decision to stop serving alcohol was made for safety reasons and denied the customers’ race played any role.
Read more: Dallas restaurant addresses accusation of racial profiling from viral video
White Castle to open third Texas location in D-FW
Get excited for small burgers. The chain known for its classic square sliders is opening its third Texas location in Grand Prairie at EpicCentral in summer 2027.
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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.
The chain announced its expansion into Texas last year, starting with The Colony, where it’s expected to open this fall. It later announced a second location in Fort Worth, with an anticipated opening date in mid-2027.
Read more: White Castle announces third Texas location, and yes, it’s in Dallas-Fort Worth
White Castle is bringing its third Texas location to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This time, it’ll be in Grand Prairie.
Shafkat Anowar / Staff Photographer
The D-FW bars and restaurants that have closed this summer
At least 20 food businesses in Dallas-Fort Worth have closed or are about to close this summer — adding to closures already piling up in the first half of 2026.
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North Texans may have lost some of their favorite spots in recent months, from the barbecue joint Ribbee’s in Fort Worth, Cow Tipping Creamery in Frisco, and Kenny’s East Coast Pizza in Plano to Beto and Son in West Dallas.
Reasons for closure include high food costs, pricey leases and dwindling sales.
Read more: The North Texas bars and restaurants that have closed this summer
The spicy ribs (left) and hot honey ribs are seen at Ribbee’s in Fort Worth the day before it opened in March 2024.
Elías Valverde II/Staff Photographer
Cuban burger shop Frita Batida to open in Dallas
Frita Batida, a Cuban burger shop, announced it will open near Knox Street 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 its chorizo burger one of the best burgers in New York City last month.
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The expansion is another example of a growing restaurant brand picking Dallas for its Texas debut, following Salt and Straw ice cream, PopUp Bagels and Prince Street Pizza.
Frita Batida’s leap to Texas was suggested by Dallas restaurateur Joseph Palladino, who partnered with the company.
Read more: Lauded burger and milkshake shop to open in Dallas’ Knox area
Frita Badita, a Cuban restaurant, is expected to open near Dallas’ Knox Street on Aug. 17, 2026.
Noah Fecks
Historic Thai restaurant to close in D-FW
After almost 40 years, Thai Soon in Richardson will close on Aug. 23 due to financial difficulties.
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It started on Greenville Avenue in Dallas in 1987 and was named after Soon Chanchaisri, the mother of current owner Ararin “Irean” Wongchingchai.
Even though she called the closure “the most difficult decision of my life,” Wongchingchai doesn’t see an alternative. It will continue to serve pad thai, curry and more until Aug. 23.
Read more: Struggling Thai restaurant to close in D-FW after ‘fighting the good fight for a long time’
CORRECTION, 3:14 p.m., Aug. 14, 2026: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story misstated the name of Thai Soon.
