A brand-new restaurant named The Anchor Bar is slated to open at two Dallas locations: on Knox Street and at Preston Road and Royal Lane. Both are expected to start selling oysters and martinis in a yacht-club-like setting in 2023.
It’s a rare move from Dallas-based restaurant company Vandelay Hospitality, to plan for two Anchor Bars at one time. But this company has cornered the Dallas market when it comes to classic American cuisine. Vandelay operates Hudson House, Drake’s Hollywood, D.L. Mack’s, Lucky’s Hot Chicken and East Hampton Sandwich Co.
D.L. Mack’s, the other newest Vandelay concept, is expected to open at Preston-Royal in summer 2022.
The Anchor Bar at Preston-Royal will take the place of Cantina Laredo, a home-grown Tex-Mex restaurant that had been in Preston Hollow for more than 20 years. The seafood shop taking its place is 6,000 square feet.
The buildings at the Preston-Royal intersection have gotten a face lift in the past few years after a tornado ripped through the neighborhood in fall 2019.
The restaurant on Knox Street will share a building with Chicago coffee shop Foxtrot (which is expected to open considerably before Anchor Bar, in summer 2022). Anchor Bar joins a block stocked with restaurants. Already open: Knox Bistro (formerly Up on Knox), RH Rooftop, Toulouse, Taverna, Le Bilboquet, Georgie and Cafe Madrid. Coming soon: celebrity-backed Italian joint Pizzana; seafood shop Green Point; an unnamed concept in place of Highland Park Soda Fountain; and a new Village Baking Co.
For the first time in company history, Vandelay will add sushi to the menu at Anchor Bar. They’ll serve “the world’s coldest martinis” (a theme at other Vandelay restaurants) alongside oysters. Anchor Bar will also have a smashburger on the menu. And a filet. Cuz, you know: Texas.
Vandelay is in a legal dispute with former employees who say the company discriminated against workers and customers. Those cases are ongoing.
Anchor Bar restaurants will be at 6025 Royal Lane and 3130 Knox Street, both in Dallas. The Knox Street restaurant is expected to open first, in early 2023. Preston-Royal opens after that, also in 2023.
Correction June 5, 2022: The address of the restaurant at Preston Road and Royal Lane has been corrected.
