Dallas’s Design District is about to welcome an electrifying new culinary concept that promises to transform the city’s dining landscape.
Venezuelan entrepreneur Carlos Ramirez Barces is bringing La Lupita, a celebrated taco and mezcal concept, to a 30-foot-ceiling space where El Bolero once stood.
The restaurant, slated to open in late October, represents Dallas’ growing appetite for authentic, experience-driven dining options that prioritize craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
La Lupita’s commitment to authenticity runs deep, from the handcrafted tortillas to the three-day mole preparation.
“The chef is like, ‘I can’t find this stuff in the U.S.,'” explained Barces about key ingredients they’re importing directly from Mexico. “We are actually building the entire supply chain to have that sauce from Merida, from Yucatan.”
The Design District location will feature soaring 30-foot ceilings with skylights, a mezzanine level, and a stage for live music. Orange and black brand colors will dominate the space, which is being designed by Premier Design to Completion, a firm with extensive experience in Dallas landmark renovations.
“What’s so nice about the Design District is it has its character established now,” says Gale Nall, VP of Interior Design at Premier. “La Lupita … is going to help really craft the personality and the layering because it is a really richly layered neighborhood.”
Beyond Dallas, Barces has ambitious expansion plans, with locations already in development for Scottsdale, Austin, and Houston. The concept targets secondary cities “that have enough affordable disposable income, but not enough offering.”
Despite Dallas’s reputation for fickle dining trends, the La Lupita team remains confident. Their formula of authentic cuisine, meticulous attention to detail, and immersive ambiance seem positioned to succeed where others have faltered.