Drayage Brokersin Dallas, TX

It’s easier than ever to find great coffee in the Metroplex. The shops are becoming more photogenic and grab-and-go-friendly for those who want an easy caffeine fix.

Park your laptop at the area’s best caffeination destinations. These coffee shops for perfect lattes, super-potent iced coffee, and offer a cool atmosphere and exciting menu items.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Bloom Cafe is a family affair. Pop in and find owner Saria Almaktabi or one of her family members at work. They also love experimenting with the menu, offering limited-time specialty drinks. One could come here every month and try something completely new. And for the sparkle lovers, try the Bloom Boosters — a refreshing drink with edible glitter.

Try the Yemeni coffee experience in Richardson at this locally owned and operated shop. The beans are sourced from Yemen, and the shop’s build is conducive to community — sharable coffee is the Yemeni way.

Located at North Haven Gardens, this little coffee shop and boutique is great to grab a cup at and then look around the garden center’s grounds. There’s also a tiny garden out back where one can sit with a coffee and do some inner reflecting. It also serves small bites and pastries.

This Park Cities bakery, owned by mother/daughter duo Alison and Ashley Sage Weinstein, is also a coffee shop — which makes it perfect for those days one needs a little something extra with their cuppa. It’s got a little wonderland of an outdoor area to sip in. And it roasts with beans from Dallas’s own Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters.

An OG of the Dallas coffee scene, Cultivar has a rabid following. The menu is simple but solid every single time. They have all the classics, which can be made iced for free — a bonus in the hot Texas summer. Try the Local Oat as the weather warms up. This shaken iced coffee with local honey and oat milk is a nice cool down with a caffeine kick.

Enjoy a quiet espresso, European-style — sitting down and chatting with a friend. This marble-laden spot on Greenville is a beautiful place to perk up your morning. And if you’d like to sit, eat, or stay awhile, customers have access to the porch of Sister next door.

Nick and Julia Rocha took JuJu’s from pop-ups in an Airstream to its first storefront in Lakewood. And they turned it into a classic, minimalist coffee shop that nails the East Dallas vibe. Try a cup brewed with beans from Eiland Coffee Roasters out of Richardson and Coffee del Rey from Plano.

At this all-day cafe and bike shop, one can get a great cup of coffee with all the hearts out of milk in it. It’s also got breakfast tacos, burgers, and serves natural wine. So yeah, you can go from a lavender latte to a brisket breakfast taco with a mimosa to a prickly pear lemonade with a chicken sandwich to a glass of orange wine and oop there’s half a day gone.

Now boasting multiple outposts across the Metroplex, Ascension is a popular haunt for both coffee and wine. Order something from their extensive menu of lattes — golden milk and shroom are especially notable offerings.

The decor is gorgeous, the coffee is hot, and the opportunity for an Instagram moment is high. This little coffee shop inside the Virgin Hotel in the Design District is a great place to pop into an grab an alcove all to yourself during the day.

When is a coffee shop not just a coffee shop? When it’s a place like Full City, which serves an array of roasts from a lot of countries and supports local artists by featuring their work on it’s walls, giving away their books, and selling their skate decks/photography/etc, and hosting their events. It’s a community in this joint, brought together by an excellent cup of joe.

If live music and a strong cup of coffee is the combination that does it for you, this is the spot. This underground (literally, it’s in a basement) coffee shop has a ‘90s college hangout vibe that’s eclectic and maximalist. And all sorts of local singer/songwriters perform here.

Reyna Duong of Sandwich Hag and Jinny Cho of Detour Doughnuts in Frisco (very much worth the drive) teamed up to start chimlanh Coffee Shop, which runs at Sandwich Hag on weekends. It serves Vietnamese coffee (made with beans primarily sourced from Nguyen Coffee Supply), doughnuts, and a heavy dose of activism in support of community, women- and Black-owned businesses, and amplification of the rights of disabled people.

This extra small Oak Cliff coffee shop, owned by wife and husband duo Jeniffer Avilá and Daniel Hinojosa, is an intimate experience. So intimate that there are only two seats, with a few more added outside when the weather permits. With beans from Avilá’s native Honduras in the grinder, coffee lovers can expect a rich cup.

This to-go coffee shop offers some delectable options, including a Honeycomb Crumble (honey vanilla latte), the Oat Cliff (espresso and Minor Figures oat milk), and Ginger Tonic (ginger beer, espresso, and simple syrup).

Bloom Cafe is a family affair. Pop in and find owner Saria Almaktabi or one of her family members at work. They also love experimenting with the menu, offering limited-time specialty drinks. One could come here every month and try something completely new. And for the sparkle lovers, try the Bloom Boosters — a refreshing drink with edible glitter.

Try the Yemeni coffee experience in Richardson at this locally owned and operated shop. The beans are sourced from Yemen, and the shop’s build is conducive to community — sharable coffee is the Yemeni way.

Located at North Haven Gardens, this little coffee shop and boutique is great to grab a cup at and then look around the garden center’s grounds. There’s also a tiny garden out back where one can sit with a coffee and do some inner reflecting. It also serves small bites and pastries.

This Park Cities bakery, owned by mother/daughter duo Alison and Ashley Sage Weinstein, is also a coffee shop — which makes it perfect for those days one needs a little something extra with their cuppa. It’s got a little wonderland of an outdoor area to sip in. And it roasts with beans from Dallas’s own Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters.

An OG of the Dallas coffee scene, Cultivar has a rabid following. The menu is simple but solid every single time. They have all the classics, which can be made iced for free — a bonus in the hot Texas summer. Try the Local Oat as the weather warms up. This shaken iced coffee with local honey and oat milk is a nice cool down with a caffeine kick.

Enjoy a quiet espresso, European-style — sitting down and chatting with a friend. This marble-laden spot on Greenville is a beautiful place to perk up your morning. And if you’d like to sit, eat, or stay awhile, customers have access to the porch of Sister next door.

Nick and Julia Rocha took JuJu’s from pop-ups in an Airstream to its first storefront in Lakewood. And they turned it into a classic, minimalist coffee shop that nails the East Dallas vibe. Try a cup brewed with beans from Eiland Coffee Roasters out of Richardson and Coffee del Rey from Plano.

At this all-day cafe and bike shop, one can get a great cup of coffee with all the hearts out of milk in it. It’s also got breakfast tacos, burgers, and serves natural wine. So yeah, you can go from a lavender latte to a brisket breakfast taco with a mimosa to a prickly pear lemonade with a chicken sandwich to a glass of orange wine and oop there’s half a day gone.

Now boasting multiple outposts across the Metroplex, Ascension is a popular haunt for both coffee and wine. Order something from their extensive menu of lattes — golden milk and shroom are especially notable offerings.

The decor is gorgeous, the coffee is hot, and the opportunity for an Instagram moment is high. This little coffee shop inside the Virgin Hotel in the Design District is a great place to pop into an grab an alcove all to yourself during the day.

When is a coffee shop not just a coffee shop? When it’s a place like Full City, which serves an array of roasts from a lot of countries and supports local artists by featuring their work on it’s walls, giving away their books, and selling their skate decks/photography/etc, and hosting their events. It’s a community in this joint, brought together by an excellent cup of joe.

If live music and a strong cup of coffee is the combination that does it for you, this is the spot. This underground (literally, it’s in a basement) coffee shop has a ‘90s college hangout vibe that’s eclectic and maximalist. And all sorts of local singer/songwriters perform here.

Reyna Duong of Sandwich Hag and Jinny Cho of Detour Doughnuts in Frisco (very much worth the drive) teamed up to start chimlanh Coffee Shop, which runs at Sandwich Hag on weekends. It serves Vietnamese coffee (made with beans primarily sourced from Nguyen Coffee Supply), doughnuts, and a heavy dose of activism in support of community, women- and Black-owned businesses, and amplification of the rights of disabled people.

This extra small Oak Cliff coffee shop, owned by wife and husband duo Jeniffer Avilá and Daniel Hinojosa, is an intimate experience. So intimate that there are only two seats, with a few more added outside when the weather permits. With beans from Avilá’s native Honduras in the grinder, coffee lovers can expect a rich cup.

This to-go coffee shop offers some delectable options, including a Honeycomb Crumble (honey vanilla latte), the Oat Cliff (espresso and Minor Figures oat milk), and Ginger Tonic (ginger beer, espresso, and simple syrup).

New restaurants are opening rapidly in Dallas, and this map answers the vital question, “Where are the buzziest places to eat right now?”

In this month’s update of the Eater Dallas Heatmap, winter is upon us with its typically up and down temperatures. February brings an upscale Indian spot that highlights the depth of the country’s cuisine and history and a new sushi spot from a beloved local chef.

For all the latest Dallas dining intel, subscribe to Eater Dallas’ newsletter.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Las Colinas adds a fine dining Indian restaurant with a menu that aims to represent every region of the country — no small feat. Dine on shakargandi amrak chaat (a Delhi street food) or bharwan paneer tikka. It also covers the history of India, reaching back thousands of years — for example, the scallops recheado, which is a take on the Goan dish with roots dating back to the time when the state was under Portuguese rule.

East Dallas gets a family-friendly patio spot with the newest restaurant from Jon Alexis (you know him from TJ’s Seafood, Ramble Room, and Escondido Tex-Mex Patio). Oh, and non-family folks can rejoice because this patio is big enough to include space for the adults (kid-free or not) to drink. All that, and a massive indoor dining room too. The menu has a little bit of all the American classics, from chicken sandwiches and burgers to entree-sized salads to seafood and vegan bowls to flatbreads.

Looking for a new sushi spot? Look no further. Pearl is helmed by chef Shine Tamaoki, formerly of Nobu Dallas. He’s crafted the menu to reflect Japanese dishes and include flavor profiles from his hometown of Yamanashi, which sits in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

Brothers Greg and Nik Katz, the former of whom is behind Beverly’s and Clifton Club, opened a casual spot for lunch and dinner, with Gulf seafood, northern oysters, cocktails and bubbly, and a giant horseshoe-shaped bar.

What is contemporary Chinese cuisine, we asked when speaking to the chefs and owners that created this new restaurant. The best answers might be found on its menu, among the American Chinese dishes that diners already know. It’s the roasted Berkshire pork char siu, crispy pastrami egg rolls, Alaskan king crab salad, and wok-fried lamb shoulder. It’s contemporary cooking done with Chinese traditional methods with flourishes to style it.

Dallas is flush with great new sushi restaurants. This one, from Shoyo’s Jimmy Park, takes over the place of Teppo on Lower Greenville and adds some much needed casual sushi dining with rolls, nigiri, and maki.

When we went to Via Triozzi before it opened for a photo shoot, we got to try several dishes. The bolognese served with tagliatelle became a dish we obsessed over. It’s that good. Owner Leigh Hutchinson and executive chef Sonia Mancillas oversee a kitchen with daily house-made pasta (it makes a difference) and breads.

The interview with chef Matt McCallister, who developed the menu for this spot, made it sound so good. Simple food, simply done with lots of options for vegetarians and vegans. While we’re skeptical about the QR code service experience, it’s not mandatory here and a solid all-day cafe option that doesn’t break the bank is always welcome. Especially for the work from home crowd.

The Design District lands a new sushi joint — and it’s not omakase. Shodo serves classic cuts from across representations. The menu features tataki (pounded) beef, a poke bowl, yakitori (skewered), onigri (rice balls), and handrolls, along with sashimi and nigiri bites and sushi rolls.

Looking for lunch or an early dinner in Downtown? A new option just popped up with a pair of highly pedigreed chefs. Jennie Kelley was one of the masterminds behind Frank, a must-try pop-up that ran for years in the city, and Brandon Moore who ran the kitchen at Ocean Prime. The duo previously collaborated at Better Half. Now, they’re doing a very nice lunch and what they call “aparitivo hour” food from 3 to 7 p.m., which includes Detroit-style pizza, shared plates, natural wines, local beers, and batch cocktails.

Omakase anyone? This spot in the East Quarter offers a 17-course experience in a pair of subterranean rooms that hold only 12 guests. Its an intimate eating experience, obviously, with fish flown in daily from Japan, Australia, and California. A meal costs is $165 per person, with curated sake and wine pairings available at an additional cost. A $50 deposit per person is required with a reservation.

Grab a slice or a sandwich at this renovated gas station turned Italian deli in Oak Cliff, courtesy of chef Chad Dolezal, who was born and raised in Dallas and moved back after years of work in fine dining, most recently in Austin. The bright and airy ambience embraces the exposed brick of the original building and outdoor seating is plentiful. It serves thin, crispy crusted pizzas with fresh ingredients that holds its form well to be leftovers when an inevitable over-order happens.

Las Colinas adds a fine dining Indian restaurant with a menu that aims to represent every region of the country — no small feat. Dine on shakargandi amrak chaat (a Delhi street food) or bharwan paneer tikka. It also covers the history of India, reaching back thousands of years — for example, the scallops recheado, which is a take on the Goan dish with roots dating back to the time when the state was under Portuguese rule.

East Dallas gets a family-friendly patio spot with the newest restaurant from Jon Alexis (you know him from TJ’s Seafood, Ramble Room, and Escondido Tex-Mex Patio). Oh, and non-family folks can rejoice because this patio is big enough to include space for the adults (kid-free or not) to drink. All that, and a massive indoor dining room too. The menu has a little bit of all the American classics, from chicken sandwiches and burgers to entree-sized salads to seafood and vegan bowls to flatbreads.

Looking for a new sushi spot? Look no further. Pearl is helmed by chef Shine Tamaoki, formerly of Nobu Dallas. He’s crafted the menu to reflect Japanese dishes and include flavor profiles from his hometown of Yamanashi, which sits in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

Brothers Greg and Nik Katz, the former of whom is behind Beverly’s and Clifton Club, opened a casual spot for lunch and dinner, with Gulf seafood, northern oysters, cocktails and bubbly, and a giant horseshoe-shaped bar.

What is contemporary Chinese cuisine, we asked when speaking to the chefs and owners that created this new restaurant. The best answers might be found on its menu, among the American Chinese dishes that diners already know. It’s the roasted Berkshire pork char siu, crispy pastrami egg rolls, Alaskan king crab salad, and wok-fried lamb shoulder. It’s contemporary cooking done with Chinese traditional methods with flourishes to style it.

Dallas is flush with great new sushi restaurants. This one, from Shoyo’s Jimmy Park, takes over the place of Teppo on Lower Greenville and adds some much needed casual sushi dining with rolls, nigiri, and maki.

When we went to Via Triozzi before it opened for a photo shoot, we got to try several dishes. The bolognese served with tagliatelle became a dish we obsessed over. It’s that good. Owner Leigh Hutchinson and executive chef Sonia Mancillas oversee a kitchen with daily house-made pasta (it makes a difference) and breads.

The interview with chef Matt McCallister, who developed the menu for this spot, made it sound so good. Simple food, simply done with lots of options for vegetarians and vegans. While we’re skeptical about the QR code service experience, it’s not mandatory here and a solid all-day cafe option that doesn’t break the bank is always welcome. Especially for the work from home crowd.

The Design District lands a new sushi joint — and it’s not omakase. Shodo serves classic cuts from across representations. The menu features tataki (pounded) beef, a poke bowl, yakitori (skewered), onigri (rice balls), and handrolls, along with sashimi and nigiri bites and sushi rolls.

Looking for lunch or an early dinner in Downtown? A new option just popped up with a pair of highly pedigreed chefs. Jennie Kelley was one of the masterminds behind Frank, a must-try pop-up that ran for years in the city, and Brandon Moore who ran the kitchen at Ocean Prime. The duo previously collaborated at Better Half. Now, they’re doing a very nice lunch and what they call “aparitivo hour” food from 3 to 7 p.m., which includes Detroit-style pizza, shared plates, natural wines, local beers, and batch cocktails.

Omakase anyone? This spot in the East Quarter offers a 17-course experience in a pair of subterranean rooms that hold only 12 guests. Its an intimate eating experience, obviously, with fish flown in daily from Japan, Australia, and California. A meal costs is $165 per person, with curated sake and wine pairings available at an additional cost. A $50 deposit per person is required with a reservation.

Grab a slice or a sandwich at this renovated gas station turned Italian deli in Oak Cliff, courtesy of chef Chad Dolezal, who was born and raised in Dallas and moved back after years of work in fine dining, most recently in Austin. The bright and airy ambience embraces the exposed brick of the original building and outdoor seating is plentiful. It serves thin, crispy crusted pizzas with fresh ingredients that holds its form well to be leftovers when an inevitable over-order happens.

Dallas is far from any ocean coast and even farther from Japan—but it boasts what’s probably the best Japanese food scene of any American city between California and New York. The reasons why are interesting: a heavy concentration of Japanese corporate offices, easy airport access to top seafood markets elsewhere, and a long legacy of individual chefs who have set exacting standards.

In 2017, the Morning News wrote about the history of Japanese food in Dallas. One of the first Japanese restaurants, according to the paper, was Royal Tokyo on North Greenville Avenue in 1973. But one of the biggest pioneers of Japanese cuisine in Dallas is Teiichi “Teach” Sakurai, a Japanese-born chef who worked at Royal Tokyo for four years and introduced Dallasites to raw fish and soba noodles. He opened Teppo Yakitori and Sushi Bar in 1995, Tei Tei Robata Bar in 1998, and Tei-An in 2008. He sold Teppo and Tei Tei Robata in 2001. He recruited friends from Japan to join him, including Masayuki Otaka, who now owns and operates Mābo, and Katsutoshi Sakamoto, chef-owner of Tei Tei Robata. Numerous other cooks and chefs learned from Sakurai and his disciples—including a young apprentice from Austin named Tyson Cole, who drove to Teppo on nights off to ask questions and learn from the masters. Cole later founded the chain Uchi.

Now you can find ramen, sushi, sashimi, soba noodles, and bento boxes in almost every nook and cranny of North Texas. Although the last year has seen an explosion in new Japanese options (and we’ve visited them too), most of our favorites are still owned and operated by Japanese Americans. Some of them are very casual and affordable.

Please note that this list is in alphabetical order—not ranked.

Ebesu Robata and Sushi

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

The downtown Plano bistro is known for bento boxes and pressed sushi, but its menu also spans sushi, sashimi, and grilled meats. In 2022 it won a recognition from the James Beard Awards, evidence that its Japanese offerings easily compete with others in Dallas. 1007 East 15th St., Plano.

Ichigoh Ramen Lounge

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

Slurpy egg noodles and hot broth is the specialty at Ichigoh, a ramen spot that was formerly Tanoshii. Whether it’s the milky paitan broth topped with scallions, menma, and a spritz of yuzu juice, or the soup-less ramen bowls, each is hearty and warms you up. 2724 Commerce St.

Want more great ramen? We have a separate best ramen guide featuring five more Japanese-owned businesses that set exceptionally high standards. Feel free to consider all of those spots part of this list, too.

Kaiyo

The more casual spinoff restaurant from chef Jimmy Park (see Shoyo, below) upholds just as high of a standard—but with an a la carte menu of signature sushi rolls and izakaya (tavern) bar snacks. The cooked items are prepared by a veteran of legendary old-school Irving spot Mr Max (see below). This dining room is the space formerly occupied by Teppo, where many of Dallas’ best Japanese cooks got their starts. 2014 Greenville Ave.

Mābo

Masayuki Otaka is one of Dallas’ OG Japanese chefs, best-known for his decades of work at now-closed yakitori spot Teppo on Greenville Avenue. Now, at Mābo, he continues to flex his grilling prowess on a tasting menu that costs $200—plus tax, tip, and drinks. Yes, we’ve been (our full review will publish in July), and yes, it’s a transporting experience that includes sensitively prepared sashimi, luxury touches, and a dining room that is an architectural marvel. 6109 Berkshire Ln., Ste. B

Mr Max

For years, Mr Max has been North Texas’ essential izakaya, serving grilled chicken, crisp takoyaki, and cheap mugs of Japanese beer. If you want to sit at some tables you will need to slip off your shoes. Reservations, by phone only, are a very good idea. 3028 N. Belt Line Rd., Irving

Namo

The tiny sushi bar in the West Village serves handrolls filled with cuts of fresh fish wrapped in delicate seaweed. On one Wednesday each month, omakase seatings feature a menu of small plates and seasonal seafood and vegetables. A smaller version of the omakase is available every day at lunch. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 305.

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Niwa Japanese BBQ

A meal here proceeds in two phases: first, the kitchen will cook a series of delightful appetizers. Then you’re in charge. This is a yakiniku experience, with a grill at the center of your table and top-quality meats on the way. On the 29^th day of each month, a “Meat Day” special features a bounteous sample platter for $29. 2939 Main St.

Nori Handroll Bar

Dallas’ original handroll bar may still be its best. This long, skinny Deep Ellum space seats every diner at the counter, where you can watch as your rolls are made fresh and handed directly to you. Don’t pause to take pictures: handrolls are meant to be a quick bite, and Nori has several multi-roll combo options that get filling faster than you’d think. 2814 Elm St.

Shoyo

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

You’ll find a stunning omakase menu at Shoyo in Lower Greenville, thanks to Nobu alumnus Jimmy Park and master chef Shin Kondo. The tasting menu is unexpected, experimental, and unlike any other Japanese cuisine in Dallas. The appetizers nearly steal the show—nearly. 1916 Greenville Ave.

Sushi Robata

Far North Dallas’ best-kept secret is this little spot, where the regulars are in little hurry to tell the rest of Dallas just how good Sushi Robata is. Sushi Robata serves a little bit of everything—sushi, ramen, grilled items, dumplings—but it is all good, across the board. Not all generalists are this accomplished. 4727 Frankford Rd., Ste. 313

Tatsu Dallas

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

When Tatsu Dallas joined the dining scene, it quickly became one of the city’s most desired reservations, and for good reason. Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi’s sushi bar inside the Continental Gin Building is a serene space with only 10 seats for omakase. One experience could be more than 18 courses of carefully sliced fish, perfectly cooked rice, and traditional Japanese hospitality. 3309 Elm St., Ste. 120.

Tei-An

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

Sakurai’s Japanese influence lives on in Tei-An, one of the best restaurants in Dallas and the country. Established as a soba noodle house in 2008, the restaurant in One Arts Plaza also serves omakase and daily seafood specials. 1722 Routh St.

Tei Tei Robata Bar

50 Best Restaurants (2024)

Another consistent 50 Best winner, this restaurant has been serving delicious Japanese-style grilled meats since 1998. Other menu items include fresh octopus and smelt, along with daily specials that include sushi samplers and more. Tei Tei has a more traditional feel than Tei-An; try to sit at the bar to watch the action. 2906 N. Henderson Ave.

But Wait, There’s More!

Some quick honorable mentions: Newcomer Pearl offers delightful appetizers and deluxe rolls, Teriyaki 4 U is a casual gem in Carrollton, Moriya Shokudo is on our best ramen list but also makes a great curry katsu, the Sandoitchi sandwich pop-up now has a regular home at the Joule downtown (menu on Instagram), Sushi Sake and Masami are celebrated spots in Richardson, and Fort Worth has a destination Japanese restaurant worth the drive by itself at Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Residents of Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas discuss social connections, peace of mind

Community Contributor

There are many reasons why thousands of retirees have said 'yes' to a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle at Highland Springs, the Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas, Tex.

For some, it is the stunning 89-acre campus. Others love the variety of made-to-order meals served at on-site restaurants. And who doesn't want a stylish, maintenance-free apartment home suited to entertaining friends and pursuing hobbies? Residents Dick and Julia Williams are enjoying all of the above--and peace of mind.

"We have a renewed sense of security living at Highland Springs," says Dick. "Having everything on campus, including multiple levels of health care, made the community stand out."

Recently, we sat down with Dick to learn more about what motivated them to make the move and how their lives have changed for the better.

Q1: What led you to Highland Springs?

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Dick: We loved our old house, but the maintenance and upkeep was becoming a lot to handle. Then, when Julia and I started experiencing some health issues, we knew that it was time to make a change. Our house was no longer meeting our needs, and we didn't want our kids to have to get involved. So, we started researching retirement communities in the area.

Highland Springs seemed quite nice, so we joined the Priority List to learn more about the community's amenities and services. We wanted to do our research and be as informed as possible. We were very pleased to hear that all apartment homes were maintenance-free, and that the continuing care neighborhood offered all the resources we could ever need.

Q2: Did your move go smoothly?

Dick: Yes! Our move to Highland Springs was one of the easiest I can remember, and I've moved around a lot. My family moved to New Orleans, La., from Baltimore, Md., when I was eight. Another move landed us in Dallas, Tex., which is where I met Julia.

Downsizing and finding new homes for nostalgic items took time, but it was a meaningful experience for us and our five kids. Once we knew what we were bringing with us, staff members stepped in to help us facilitate the actual move. Everyone was always eager to help! We found them to be more like good friends than staff members.

Q3: What's life like as a resident at Highland Springs?

Dick: I like highlighting how vibrant community life is here. I've met so many nice people--more than I can recall meeting in the last 50 years of my life! Everyone feels like a lifelong friend, even if you just met them a week ago. The people here, residents and staff members included, are one of the best things about Highland Springs.

Q4: How do you get involved on campus?

Dick: After we moved in, I began working at Highland Springs' in-house TV station to learn how to shoot and edit video. I also serve on numerous committees for the Resident Advisory Council (RAC) and write for VOICES, the community's monthly magazine. In addition to the RAC committees she serves on, Julia has chaired book and memory writing clubs and served on our interfaith council. Together, we're Highland Springs Ambassadors, introducing retirees to the community and everything it has to offer.

Q5: Are you glad you decided to move to Highland Springs?

Dick: We are beyond happy. Having quality care on campus--if or when we need it--has given us so much peace of mind, and the maintenance-free aspect of living here has opened up plenty of opportunities.

We have the ability to lock our door and travel without worrying about whether our basement is going to flood. And, with more free time, we've been able to compile several self-published books about our travels--especially to Italy--for our grandkids and friends to read.

The activities, clubs, and tight-knit community at Highland Springs really make a difference in residents' lives. We started a brand-new life when we moved here, and we've never looked back. I always assure new residents, "You've made one of the best decisions in your entire life," because it is.

Invest in your future self at Highland Springs. From top-notch amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you are sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Request more information today!

By Susan Ingram

Get ready to celebrate Hispanic heritage and community spirit alongside NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 at the Dallas Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival presented by the Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts (OCCA)! This vibrant event, hosted by the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, is a family-friendly affair that showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Dallas all while celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

"We're celebrating our community and commemorating Cinco de Mayo, the Battle of Puebla and Hispanic Heritage," Cinco de Mayo Parade Director Sylvana Avila Alonzo said as she and volunteers decorated a stretch of Jefferson Boulevard on Friday, ahead of Saturday's festivities. "Oh my gosh, it looks so pretty!"

Although Cinco de Mayo is mistakenly thought to be Mexico’s independence day, this historic day celebrates the Battle of Puebla and Mexico’s victory over the French. Although it’s not a highly celebrated holiday in Mexico, here in the US it’s recognized as a day to commemorate Mexican history and culture. It’s the same mission Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts champions and unites our DFW community through Hispanic food, music, and the parade.

We’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo in just a few days and what better way to celebrate than with a parade and festival. Sylvana Avila Alonzo, the Director of Dallas Cinco de Mayo, and Maria Xiomara Alonzo, the Assistant Director of Cinco de Mayo, stop by to tell us all about the holiday and the celebration taking place on Saturday, May 4th, starting at 9:00 a.m. along Historic Jefferson Blvd. in Dallas. For more information, visit www.Oakcliffart.org.

"If we get to know each other better, we respect each other and we grow together," Alonzo said. "So it's always important to celebrate and share your culture."

The festivities start at 9 am with a warm welcome, later the parade kicks off at 10 am along downtown's historic Jefferson Boulevard. As floats adorned with colorful decorations make their way through the streets, judges will be on the lookout for the best float as the float competition takes place. The air will be filled with lively DJ music, and attendees can look forward to delicious offerings from food trucks lining the Jefferson Boulevard route.

The Historic Jefferson Boulevard area has blossomed into a hub for small businesses, including fruterias, quinceanera shops, and authentic Mexican eateries. The parade route passes iconic landmarks like the Texas Theatre, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Join NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 in supporting OCCA as they bring together families and communities for a day of fun, culture, and celebration!

Dallas Cinco De Mayo Parade & FestivalSchedule of Events:Saturday, May 49 am: Welcome Reception9:45 am: Parade Step Off10 am: Parade Kick Off12 - 1 pm: Parade awardsLocation: 223 W. Jefferson Blvd. Dallas, TX

For more information visit HERE.

About Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts: The Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts was founded in 1995 to promote the arts & education through unique cultural programs in a bilingual format. OCCA is a non-profit federal tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization.