Yardbird Southern Table & Bar will open the doors to its new home in Dallas at the base of the PwC Tower at Park District in the heart of Uptown on Thursday, September 17. This will be the fifth location globally of the James Beard Award-nominated and widely celebrated restaurant concept.
Founded by award-winning restaurateur and 50 Eggs Hospitality Group Founder & CEO John Kunkel, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar is a house of worship to farm-fresh ingredients, a hailed bourbon selection, and top-notch hospitality while serving up a fresh, inventive take on classic, regional Southern fare for lunch, happy hour, supper and the beloved, fan-favorite brunch complete with all the fixings will be available on the weekends. Takeout and delivery are readily available and also includes a new boxed lunch program and family-style ordering options.
“We were thrown a COVID-19 curveball back in March when we were originally planning on opening and were forced to delay due to the pandemic, but I couldn’t be happier to finally have the opportunity to introduce Yardbird safely to the Dallas community,” said Kunkel. “Combining our chef-driven atmosphere with beautiful interior design by our partners at Rockwell Group, our team can’t wait to finally flip the lights on, crack open the doors, and deliver our signature blend of modern and traditional Southern charm to locals and visitors alike.”
With locally-admired Executive Chef Jonathon Thompson at the helm of the kitchen in Dallas, guests will enjoy Yardbird’s signature dishes including appetizers like a Fried Green Tomato BLT with house-smoked pork belly, pimento cheese, frisée, smoky tomato jam and a lemon vinaigrette, and Deviled Eggs with dill, chives and topped with smoked trout roe; entrees include Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken which is brined for 27-hours and dredged in Kunkel’s grandma’s secret recipe of seasonings, the beloved Chicken ‘n’ Watermelon ‘n’ Waffles served with homemade honey hot sauce, chilled spiced watermelon, Vermont sharp cheddar cheese waffle and a bourbon maple syrup, a Sweet Tea Braised Short Rib and classic Shrimp ‘n’ Grits, which is finished with a PBR jus; must-have desserts are indulgent Deep-Fried Oreos and an interactive, truly Instagram-able Seasonal Cobbler.
The Dallas location uses locally-sourced ingredients from select farms and vendors including, but not limited to 44 Farms, Empire Baking Company, Profound Microfarms and Lost Ruby Ranch throughout the menu and features an “only in Dallas” homage of seasonal items such as a bright Field Pea Hummus, Garden Vegetable and Bean Salad, Jumbo Butterbean Chili, fresh Texas Gulf Coast Catch, the soon-to-be signature Backyard BBQ, a show-stopping dish that feeds 2 people boasting “The Money Muscle” barbequed pork, baked beans, Empire Baking Company’s pull-apart buns, and an assortment of housemade pickles and dippin’ sauces, and finally, a beautiful American Wagyu Gold Tomahawk Ribeye from Rosewood Ranch.
Soul-healing weekend brunch highlights include hand-pressed juices and an array of savory and sweet dishes ranging from Light & Easy salads and bowls to Cracked & Scrambled items like omelets, benedicts and the famous Chicken & Egg Biscuit Sandwich to the Classics featuring Yardbird’s finest fried chicken, The Great American Burger, seafood, steak and eggs, and Smoked Brisket Huevos Rancheros. Over-the-top sweets promise to impress with a massive Cinnamon Roll, Blueberry Pie Pancakes, Salted Caramel Waffles, and much more.
The bar program proudly pours only local craft beers on draft and cocktails include assorted fresh fruit, herbs, spices, and bourbon… a lot of bourbon. Yardbird’s list of over 75 standout bottles to choose from include small batch and experimental releases, to exceptionally hard to find classics, comprising one of the country’s finest curated bourbon, whiskey and rye collections.
Signature cocktails include:
• Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade – Tart and tangy with just the right amount of sweetness made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, blackberry purée, fresh lemon, cardamom, and Angostura bitters
• Southern Peach – A cocktail fit for any front porch with Wild Turkey Bourbon, fresh lemon, thyme, white peach puree and sweet tea
• Yardbird Old Fashioned – Southern spin on a timeless classic featuring pork belly-infused Wild Turkey 81, Angostura aromatic, orange bitters and maple syrup over one large ice cube
• Watermelon Sling – A refreshing blend of Espolon Reposado Tequila, fresh-pressed watermelon juice, and fresh lemon balanced with Aperol and rosemary
• Southside of the Border – Southwestern twist on the traditional Southside cocktail with a combination of Zephyr gin, citrus, mint, and topped with a splash of smoky mezcal
• Yardbird T&T – Tequila, rosemary simple syrup and Fever Tree tonic water, garnished with house-dried blood orange
Designed by Rockwell Group, an award-winning, interdisciplinary architecture and design firm, the Dallas location celebrates the communal aspects of southern dining and draws inspiration from contemporary industrial details. A lush, wraparound patio with wooden latticework and swing seating welcomes guests before entering the dining room. The open-plan dining space provides a light, bright, yet industrial aesthetic with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open kitchen showcasing the southern cooking, and materials like blackened metal finishes and mesh drapery.
A dramatic double-height backlit bar reflects a mirrored ceiling and supports a Juliet balcony with a spiral staircase. Steps lead to a second-floor private tasting room with rustic wood ceilings, an illuminated wine cellar, and quirky, brass details. Long, wooden communal tables, metal rivet work, and painted vintage mirrors will create a festive atmosphere for intimate occasions.