Late 2023 in Dallas-Fort Worth is a big time for big-deal restaurants. Among the incredible number of new eateries we saw open across North Texas this year, it’s the nationally- and internationally-known chain restaurants that are making a splash around the holidays.
Nando’s Peri-Peri, Wagamama, Jollibee, Voodoo Doughnut and Portillo’s will open new restaurants in Dallas and its suburbs within less than 30 days of each other.. With each of these high-profile openings, we expect long lines — both cars and people — as Texans celebrate their arrival.
Restaurants listed by opening date.
Nando’s Peri-Peri in Addison
South African chain Nando’s Peri-Peri will begin selling flame-grilled chicken in Addison on Dec. 18, 2023. [Update: The date has been pushed back from the original plan of Dec. 11, 2023.] Nando’s executives got a taste of how excited Dallasites are for this restaurant on Nov. 8, 2023, when the company hosted a pop-up party in the Dallas Design District. Hundreds of people lined up and stayed for hours. Several officials at the event said people in Dallas showed more excitement for Nando’s than those in other cities.
Nando’s has been around since 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It arrived in the United States in 2008 and in Texas in August 2023, first in Houston. For anyone who simply can’t wait for Nando’s to debut, Whole Foods, H-E-B and Amazon sell its sauces year-round. We love condiments! My faves are Nando’s Medium sauce, which has just the right amount of heat, and its tangy and spicy Perinaise mayo.
Nando’s Peri-Peri’s first D-FW restaurant is expected to open at 5100 Belt Line Road, Dallas, on Dec. 18, 2023.
Wagamama in Dallas’ Victory Park
London noodle shop Wagamama is finally making it to Texas, with its first restaurant opening Dec. 8, 2023 in Dallas’ Victory Park. Though this beloved Asian restaurant has more than 225 locations worldwide, its entry into the U.S. is so far limited to New York, Boston, Tampa, Atlanta and Dallas.
Wagamama’s tagline is “from bowl to soul,” and a casual lunch or dinner here might include duck ramen, Korean barbecue beef, ginger chicken udon, bang bang cauliflower or chicken katsu curry. I’ve got my eye on the spicy beef brisket over sticky white rice, a dish that could be right at home in Dallas. Wagamama is expected to stay open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — a fine time for late-night food.
Wagamama is expected to open at 2425 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, on Dec. 8, 2023.
Jollibee in East Dallas
Filipino restaurant Jollibee, one of the fastest growing chains in the world, will open its next fast-food shop on Dallas’ Greenville Avenue. This one will have a drive-through — which is notable: When the first Jollibee opened in North Texas, customers waited as long as two or three hours in Plano, and the lines of vehicles snaked down a main road and over a highway.
If you go to this new Jollibee near its opening date, pack some patience. Walking inside might be quicker.
Jollibee’s signature items are buckets or plates of Chickenjoy, or bone-in fried chicken. Sides include fries, mashed potatoes and rice. The Peach Mango pie, which is said to be made with mangoes from the Philippines, is a popular dessert. Customers can also order plates of spaghetti, a Filipino noodle dish called Palabok, burgers and chicken tenders.
Although Jollibee is now in 34 countries, this East Dallas shop is only the second in D-FW and the sixth in Texas.
Jollibee is expected to open at 4703 Greenville Ave., Dallas, on Dec. 1, 2023.
Voodoo Doughnut in East Dallas
Fans of Voodoo Doughnut come from far and wide for its bright-colored pastries in bubblegum pink boxes. The company originated in Portland, and over 20 years, it has become an “an international tourist attraction,” the Los Angeles Times has said. The Voodoo that opened Nov. 20, 2023 on Dallas’ Greenville Avenue is Texas’ newest. A line has already snaked around the block on Lowest Greenville, made up of hungry doughnut fans looking for a sugary fix. And what’s the big deal? Voodoo was one of the godfathers of the big-on-flavor, big-on-calories doughnut shops.
A fun fact: Of its 50 varieties of doughnuts, half are vegan.
Voodoo Doughnut is at 1806 Greenville Ave., Suite 120, Dallas. It opened Nov. 20, 2023. Hours are early and late: 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
Portillo’s in Arlington — and beyond
Iconic Chicago company Portillo’s just announced it will open its next Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant in Mansfield. But you’ll have to wait on that: It’s expected to open in 2024. In the meantime, the newest Portillo’s is in Arlington and just opened Nov. 14, 2023. It’s been a big year of hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches in North Texas; Portillo’s previously opened in Allen in September 2023 and in The Colony in January 2023. Others are expected to open in Fort Worth and Denton. We have to wonder: When will Dallas get one?
The 60-year-old company’s debut in Texas in 2023 was a thrill for Chicago ex-pats, many who stood dutifully in line for their favorites. (I’m not from there, but I did my time in line, too.) Portillo’s Chief Development Officer Mike Ellis called the response to the D-FW openings “incredible.”
Portillo’s in Arlington opened Nov. 14, 2023 at 4200 S Cooper St. Find addresses for other Portillo’s in North Texas.
Story originally published Nov. 21, 2023 and updated Dec. 11, 2023
