Dallas weather: Restaurants reopen after freezing closures

DALLAS – As North Texas begins to thaw from what seems to be a never-ending storm, many restaurants and businesses are starting to reopen.

Joe Leo’s Fine Tex Mex store, located near Fitzhugh in Dallas, has been closed since Monday evening. The popular eatery reopened at 3pm on Thursday.

“Looks like we’re getting in a little early to make sure the building is safe, in good shape, and basically start our preparations,” said Miles Hawley, general manager of Joe Leo’s.

READ MORE: Some in North Texas are struggling with power outages due to ice.

Hawley said he wants to make sure employees feel safe going back to work.

“It takes a team to run a restaurant, not just one person who can do it,” he said.

The tables across the street at LDU Coffee To Go were full.

People were grateful for the cup of Joe.

“I will do it with pleasure. I live nearby, so it’s not that much for me. Our superiors are ready to pick us up if we need it,” said shift supervisor Annie Walker.

Crickles & Co. has reopened in nearby Oak Lawn.

The owner of Cristal Fields worked with a small team.

“We didn’t think we’d be too busy, so we figured we could handle it,” she said.

Fields said her delivery truck was unable to arrive yesterday due to slippery roads.

She hopes to be back to normal work by this weekend.

“Our supplier contacted us saying that we do not deliver trucks. They had about 3,000 backups,” she said.

READ MORE: On Thursday the temperature rises above zero; roads are still icy

But Fields won’t let his clients down.

“Just what we needed, I think a very nice change of pace,” said client Clayton Montgomery.

This couple first came to Crickles & Co., they said they came here on a whim and promise to return.

“We came here, didn’t call and said, ‘Oh my God,’ but then I opened the door and said everything was fine,” said customer Lilly Mathis.

Some restaurant owners say they felt safe enough to reopen, but without food delivery, they had nothing to serve.

They hope to resume work this weekend.