Southern Taste of Dallas Awards Returns

The 2nd annual culinary extravaganza will feature a
Food Truck Park, Educational Expo & Awards Show Gala

DALLAS, TX – June 30, 2025 — The second annual Southern Taste of Dallas Awards will return for a 3-day extravaganza July 16 – 18, 2025 at The Shops at Redbird, in a community celebration that will spotlight the culinary contributions, accomplishments and excellence of Dallas Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, ghost kitchens, and health-conscious eateries. Founded by Brittany “Luscious Barbie” Criswell and restaurateur Rickey Booker, Sr., the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards has now expanded beyond honorary recognition for restaurants, into a food truck park and a restaurant and resource expo.

Day 1 
Wednesday, July 16th at 12 p.m.

Food Truck Park & KickOff | Shops at Redbird

Over 20 food trucks will participate in the Southern Taste of Dallas Food Truck Park, kicking off at 12 p.m. at The Shops at Redbird. Gathered in a picnic-style setup, guests are invited to try a variety of culinary offerings, while taking advantage of the Kids Fun Zone, which will feature bounce houses and free food courtesy of participants. A live DJ will keep the energy flowing, while additional family-fun activities, games, and giveaways will keep guests entertained all day long.

Some of the confirmed food trucks include: Hip Hop Hibachi, Groovy Chicken and Waffles, Snappy’s Catfish, Kingaling Smoked Turkey Legs & More, and Breakfast Brothers.

Day 2  
Thursday, July 17th at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Restaurant and Resource Expo | Shops at Redbird

This day is thoughtfully curated to empower DFW restaurateurs and food entrepreneurs, providing hands-on access to essential industry tools and resources. What guests can expect:

• Exclusive Access to U.S. Food Vendors: Guests can discover a variety of suppliers—including Ecolab for restaurant safety—poultry and dairy vendors, packaging solutions, and everything one would need from front to back-of-house. U.S. Foods is a proud sponsor, and will also be on-site to showcase its offerings;
• Inspiring Workshops & Panels: Guests can gain insights from top industry leaders such as Harrison Blair, the President & CEO for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce; Melanie Linnear, the Sr. Vice President of Concessions for the State Fair of Texas; Tim Williams, the Director of Operations & Franchise Development for Williams Chicken; and additional panelists from Cooks N’Time—who will cover topics spanning technology, accounting, and innovation in the restaurant industry. Plus, Dr. Rosie Thomas will host a special session on bookkeeping and financial management;
• Health & Community Resources: Guests are invited to explore community resources included support for domestic violence awareness, mental health awareness, and other local initiatives;
• Chef & Vendor Showcase that will feature 20+ interactive booths with food brands, kitchen essentials, and more to elevate one’s culinary business.

”We want to be able to bring resources to the restaurateurs who truly want it every single year,” said Rickey Booker, Sr., Owner of Breakfast Brothers and Co-Founder of the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards. “This industry is for the strong, for the hungry, and for those who want to grow. If you’re ready to elevate—then we’re here to help make that happen.”

This is a free community event. Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to register at www.southerntasteofdallasawards.com.

Day 3  
Friday, July 18th at 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Southern Taste of Dallas Awards Show | Kessler Theater

The Southern Taste of Dallas weekend will culminate with its second annual awards show and gala. The evening will include a VIP reception, red carpet experience, live musical performances, and the winners announcement of the Community-Nominated and Voted, Southern Taste of Dallas Awards. Honorees will be recognized across a spectrum of culinary categories including:

• Favorite Soul Food
• Favorite Food Truck
• Favorite Chicken Spot
• Favorite Bar
• Favorite Brunch Spot
• Favorite Seafood
• Most Creative Culinary Concept 
• People’s Choice; and many more categories!

Prior awardees have included Breakfast Brothers; Aunt Irene’s Seafood; Williams Chicken; Kitchen and Kocktails; Slutty Vegan; Hip Hop Hibachi; and many others.

Stay tuned for more announcements, reveals and details for this much-awaited weekend extravaganza. Voting for the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards will conclude on July 5, 2025. Interested parties may cast their votes by visiting www.southerntasteofdallasawards.com. Tickets for the weekend experience range from free through $25 for a VIP Foodie Experience, to $30 for the Awards and Gala. For additional information, sponsorship or to purchase tickets, please visit www.southerntasteofdallasawards.com.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN TASTE OF DALLAS AWARDS WEEKEND

The Southern Taste of Dallas Awards Weekend is a three-day cultural celebration spotlighting the culinary brilliance and community contributions of Black-owned restaurants, food trucks, ghost kitchens, and health-conscious eateries across Dallas. More than just an awards show, this expanded weekend experience—taking place July 16–18, 2025 at The Shops at RedBird—brings together food lovers, influencers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an unforgettable blend of flavor, culture, and connection.

ABOUT BRITTANY “LUSCIOUS BARBIE” CRISWELL

Brittany “Luscious Barbie” Criswell, the visionary founder of the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards, has a deep-rooted passion for celebrating Black-owned restaurants in the DFW area. With her extensive work in influencer marketing and social media management, Luscious recognized the need to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that go into creating the delicious food cherished by the community. As the creator of “Another Dallas Texas Check,” Luscious provides unique, experience-based reviews on her social media platforms. The hashtag #anotherdallastexascheck has amassed 15 million views, significantly boosting the visibility and revenue of these businesses. Through her efforts, Luscious has not only elevated the profile of Black-owned restaurants on social media but has also driven substantial foot traffic to these establishments, making a lasting impact on the DFW culinary scene.

ABOUT RICKEY BOOKER, SR.

Rickey Booker Sr, known to many as Rick, accepted a bet from a business partner and took on the challenge of creating the now-famous Breakfast Brothers menu. Launched in 2017, Breakfast Brothers quickly became known for its soul-satisfying food, serving over 700 party-goers every Friday and Saturday night. The brand has grown into a “must-visit” attraction for both locals and travelers to the DFW area. Rick’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication has enabled him to grow from a one-person show to managing hundreds of employees across multiple businesses. For over 20 years, he has provided opportunities and a positive work environment for his team. Rick has made a lasting impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth area through his commitment to quality and community. As co-founder of the Southern Taste of Dallas Awards, Rickey Booker Sr. continues to be a trusted and respected entrepreneur, celebrating the achievements of Black-owned restaurants and contributing to the vibrant culinary scene of the DFW area.