North Texas restaurants become food drop-off sites amid SNAP delays
Richardson-based nonprofit Arkearth Inc. has partnered with Staff Meal by Piehole Project and participating restaurants to launch the SNAP Back Food Drive, supporting North Texans experiencing food insecurity even after the government shutdown ended. Arkearth Inc.’s mission is focused on food security and pollinator protection. Staff Meal is a Dallas-based hospitality and culinary relief initiative
Even with the shutdown over, SNAP recipients will not receiving benefits in a timely manner that will leave many North Texans without consistent access to food.
The SNAP Back Food Drive mobilizes restaurants as neighborhood drop-off hubs to keep essential groceries flowing to families at risk.
The initiative began swiftly and will continue until needs are met. Donation bins are currently accessible daily.
Requested items include pasta; canned fruits and vegetables; dried beans and rice; stuffing mixes; powdered milk; baking mixes; cooking oils; spices and seasonings; crackers; healthy snacks; personal items; and feminine products.
Participating restaurants for drop-offs include:
Asian Mint (multiple locations) • Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ • Curio Kitchen & Market • Fond • Haute Sweets Patisserie • Humble Pies • La Casita Bakeshop • Lakewood Brewing • Lockhart Smokehouse • Lovers Seafood & Market • Lucia • Mot Hai Ba • Perch Bistro & Bar • Pillar • Punch Drunk Chef • Radici • Roots Southern Kitchen • Shinsei • Slow Bone • Stock & Barrel • Sugar & Sage • Taco y Vino • Thompson Hotel.
The full list can be seen here with more information.
Donations are delivered weekly to North Texas Food Bank, Minnie’s Food Pantry, and the Network of Community Ministries.
Columbian Country Club will host Lagavulin Scotch Whisky Night
This exclusive evening celebratices the elegance of Scotland’s signature spirit, on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 9 p.m. Guests will experience a curated selection of signature Lagavulin cocktails, crafted to highlight the heritage and character of this storied Scotch whisky. Attendees can enjoy a themed photobooth, a traditional bagpipe performance and a live DJ for a night of handcrafted cocktails with music and dancing.
Reservations are required and can be made at ColumbianCC.com.
Angie’s to open in Plano bringing luxury foods at affordable prices
Founders Tony and Roushan Christofellis bring Angie’s to Plano on Nov. 19, at 701 W. 15th St., with menus from two of their concepts. From their famous $9.99 Maine lobster rolls to their $4.99 large fresh cut salads with grilled-to-order antibiotic-free chicken, Angie’s offers luxury foods for less than a traditional drive-thru fast-food meal.
The first concept of the founders was Angie’s Lobster in 2022, in honor of Tony’s late mother, Angela (Angie) with lobster rolls as the menu signature. The second concept, Angie’s Prime Grill launched in 2023 with a menu featuring warm rice bowls, grilled burritos and fresh-cut salads with choice of grilled-to-order prime proteins like USDA Prime Top sirloin steak, antibiotic-free chicken and wild-caught Mexican colossal shrimp.
“We built the business from the ground up to be able to sell luxury foods like Maine Lobster rolls and large salads with organic ingredients for the same price as a traditional fast-food meal. Our business model is about efficiency. We control the entire supply chain. This efficiency-driven model allows the company to keep menu prices low while investing in high wages and the best and healthiest ingredients,” co-founder Tony Christofellis said in a press release. “Our culture is about reducing non-mission critical costs to invest in what matters most: our food and our people.”
Angie’s will be open daily from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., until the launch of breakfast, with convenient drive-thru self-service as well as indoor seating. Cashless payments will be accepted only through debit/credit card payments and phone tap.
For more information visit Angies.com.
–Compiled by Rich Lopez