World's 'rudest' diner sasses up this week's 5 hottest Dallas headlines
Karen's Diner is coming to Dallas. Karen's Diner
Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that list here.
1. Diner featuring the 'world's rudest service' will pop up in Dallas.
An innovative and sassy foodie tour is coming to Dallas: Called Karen's Diner, it's an Australia-based theme restaurant on tour across the U.S. that's like a cross between a restaurant pop-up and theater, and it's coming to Commerce Street for two nights in September.
2. Cowboys greats team up to score $2 million at 2023 Children's Cancer Fund gala.
Sports stars, big celebrities, and generous philanthropists came together April 21 to "light it up" for kids who've experienced some darkness in their lives. Cowboys QB (and reigning NFL Man of the Year) Dak Prescott teamed up with Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman for a winning event.
3. Dallas' newest beer garden opens in Richardson with wink to major freeway.
There's a new beer garden in Richardson: Called Old 75 Beer Garden, it's an outdoor retreat located at 740 S. Central Expwy., next-door to (and from the same owner as) Richardson Restaurant Park. Named for the freeway that it's adjacent to, the venue opened on April 21.
4. Luxe downtown Dallas hotel makes top 10 list of best lodgings in Texas.
Though we are in the era of short-term rentals, Texas Monthly is out on the prowl to recognize those truly local hotel gems scattered across our wonderfully vast state. And a Dallas hotel has earned a top-10 recommendation spot.
5. Majestic Mad Hatter's takes English garden-party elegance to new heights in Dallas.
The big Coronation may be a few days and an ocean away, but Dallas style queens donned their own crowns for a decidedly regal 35th Mad Hatter's Luncheon on April 20 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Hats for the "Celebration of English Elegance" ranged from grand millinery to fun fascinators to glue-gun gloriousness.
IDYLLIC HOMES
This is what AI thinks a typical home in Dallas looks like
Artificial intelligence and the housing market are two hot-button topics that have been the focus of discussion in 2023. One home services provider has set out to determine what a "typical home" looks like in every state and in the nation's 30 most populated cities using an AI generator, and the results are ... interesting, to say the least.
For a typical Texas home, the AI chose a modest-looking house with a red brick exterior, a covered front porch with plenty of room for people-watching (very Southern), blue shutters, and a light blue door. And you can't forget the classic American flag that pokes in from the side of the frame – hanging off from what, we don't know.
A tall, old oak tree snakes above the perfectly mowed front yard, with a stone path leading from the street to the steps of the porch. Several trees decorate the side and back yards, providing the essential shade every Texan craves in the hot summer months.
This is what the AI generator thinks a home in Texas looks like.Photo courtesy of All Star Home
All Star Home, which wrote the report, additionally pulled the median home value for each state and city that was included to determine how much each home could cost. Zillow says the average Texas home is worth $302,333 as of May 2023, so that's how much this Texas home could be worth.
Other Texas cities included in All Star Home's report are Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso. Each idyllic home is unique, with both Dallas and Fort Worth sharing some German/European exterior features.
Zillow says the average Dallas home is worth $314,185 in May 2023, so homeowners will have to judge whether the AI-generated home matches that number or if it's wildly off base.
SLEIGH THE HEAT
Cool off from Dallas' hot summer with these festive Christmas in July events
It's beginning to look a lot like - well, nothing resembling Christmas around Dallas-Fort Worth. But local bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues are hauling out the holly anyway because here, in the sweltering days of July, we need a little Christmas right now.
With the holidays barely five months away, these "Christmas in July" events will bring merry little cocktails, festive feasting, seasonal movies, and photo ops with Santa. (Hint, hint: Family Christmas card prep.) If you dream hard enough, those screeching cicadas outside might even start to sound like jingle bells.
Here are some holly jolly events for your enjoyment in July:.
Bars and restaurants
Holly Jolly Bar at Hotel Vin, Grapevine, July 1-31
Hotel Vin's Harvest Hall food hall brings back last year's smash-hit Holly Jolly Pop-up Bar for one month only. Throughout July, the Third Rail entertainment venue will be filled with kitschy holiday decorations, festive craft cocktails, and live music. Special seasonal sips include the Peppermint Bark Martini and Santa on the Beach. Kids can get in on the holiday fun with Christmas Craft Parties (July 10-12) and a Santa Meet-and-Greet event, 1-3 pm July 14.
Cedar Springs Christmas in July Wine Walk, July 6
The Cedar Springs Merchant Association hosts "Wine Walk: Christmas in July." It will start at the lighted tent in front of the Round-Up Saloon, where participants can purchase a $10 CSMA wine glass. Stroll around and enjoy free wine from all participating merchants, then head back to the Round-Up at 9 pm for a chance to win raffle gift baskets filled with a treasure trove of gifts from Cedar Springs retailers. Proceeds benefit neighborhood beautification projects.
Christmas in July at False Idol Brewing, July 7-8
The North Richland Hills craft brewery offers special, barrel-aged, "Christmas Eve" and "Christmas Day" flights, plus a big cellar sale to fill Santa's bag. Friday, July 7 is the "Hear the Bell" Christmas Eve flight: Karloff Imperial Stout, Onibaba Imperial Stout, Wolf's Bane Imperial Stout, and King Snacks Imperial Stout. Saturday, July 8 is the Christmas Day "Grinch's Heart Grew 3 Sizes" flight: Murda She Wrote Imperial Stout, Warriors Imperial Stout, Magni's Rejoice English Barleywine, and Oogie Boogie Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cookie Imperial Stout. For more information and a list of beers included in the cellar sale, go here.
Christmas in July Drink Walk at Grandscape in The Colony, July 20
Grandscape's Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Stage & Lawn transforms into a holiday drinking destination for this first-ever event. Have yourself a merry little tropical Christmas-themed cocktail or two from favorite Grandscape restaurants. The event will include more than 10 drink samples and a free gift with purchase from the Homestead (see website for rules and restrictions). The event takes place 6-9 pm and tickets are $25.
Aussie-style Christmas in July at Isla & Co., July 22
The Australian-owned restaurant-bar in Dallas' Bishop Arts District (408 W Eighth St.) is taking guests down under for Christmas, Aussie style. They'll serve a traditional Australian Christmas feast - featuring cherry-glazed smoked ham and pavlovas for dessert - plus ice-cold beers and Aussie wines. Summer Santa will appear, and there'll be outdoor games, a table gift of Aussie treats, and a raffle benefiting The Variety Children’s Foundation. Be sure to dress your holiday best. It all takes place 3-7 pm, with an afterparty with a DJ to follow. Tickets (starting at $99 for adults, $39 for kids) are available here.
Arts and entertainment
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!," through August 20
The Fort Worth museum steps into the world of winter with "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" The summer exhibition, which opened June 17, goes behind the scenes of the iconic 1965 animated holiday movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. Organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum, it includes original comic strips, videos, and even a station for writing letters to Santa. The exhibition is included with museum admission. Read more about it in this story.
Saturdays on the Square: Christmas in July in Historic Downtown Carrollton, July 8
Historic Downtown Carrollton throws a family-friendly Yuletide celebration as part of its monthly Saturdays on the Square series. It'll include a human snow globe, festive crafts, and a special appearance from summertime Santa. The free, unticketed event takes place in downtown Carrollton (1106 S. Broadway St.) and runs 6-8 pm.
Holiday in the Heat at the Dallas Arboretum, July 12
Santa will be at Dallas Arboretum's main gate at Rosine Hall for a special members-only holiday celebration. Summer Santa will be available for photos from 6-7:30 pm, followed by a concert on the Martin Rutchik Concert Stage featuring Emerald City's Party Machine, from 7-9 pm. All participants will receive a complimentary freezer treat to beat the heat. Tickets are $5 for member adults and $5 for kids (free for children under 2).
AT&T Performing Arts Center Presents Christmas in July at Sammons Park, July 22
"Does Santa wear shorts in the summer? We’ll find out," teases the website for this event. Taking place in Sammons Park in the Dallas Arts District (2403 Flora St.), the free, family-friendly festivities will include screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; holiday-themed drinks from G.Texas; and photo ops with Santa. It all gets started at 7 pm.
Christmas in July at the Dallas Arboretum, July 23
Open to members and non-members alike, this afternoon holiday celebration will include photos with Santa from 10 am-2 pm at the Wishing Well (donations collected will go to the Dallas Arboretum Volunteer Advisory Board); Story Time with Mrs. Claus at 11am in Pecan Grove; and cool treats from Big D Kona Ice, available from 11am-3pm. The event is included with garden admission or membership.
Know of a Christmas in July event? Email stephanie@culturemap.com.
