• Want Mexican for dinner but lack the time and energy to whip up a meal? Some great Lake Highlands eateries can get the job done for you, and at a pretty good price. El Pollo Regio, an “authentic regional chicken” chain restaurant/franchise, opened a LH location at 12107 Abrams (near LBJ) about a year ago. Fully loaded with a drive-thru window and menu that includes chicken nuggets and fries for picky chicos, this Chic-fil-A alternative serves up Mexican-style chicken a dozen different ways. The chain originated in Austin, and has 18 locations in Texas, including another location on the other side of Lake Highlands, at Northwest Highway and Abrams (near Discount Tire and Pep Boys). The $3.99 lunch special includes two pieces of broiled marinated chicken, rice, beans and a generous portion of tortillas, and if you need to feed the entire family, order the pollo entero (entire chicken) for $13.99.
• Another lesser-known neighborhood treasure to get your Mexican food fix is La Michoacana Meat Market. One of 180-plus locations in Texas, La Michoacana is the largest independent Hispanic grocery store chain in the United States. Founded by a Mexican family in Houston in 1986, the markets maintain the original concept of a medium-size supermarket that includes a bakery, a variety of produce and freshly prepared meals customers can eat on-site or to grab to-go. And then there’s the meat … the marinated beef fajita meat is the best ever. The marinated chicken fajita meat takes a close second. Just throw it on the grill, and it’s a fabulous fake out for family gatherings and supper clubs.
• Good 2 Go Taco is moving out of the corner of the Green Spot convenience store at Buckner and Northcliff into its own storefront at Peavy and Garland (1146 Peavy Road, formerly Las Americas Market). The gourmet taqueria became famous for its chef-rolled soft tacos after a recent appearance on the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate”. But the restaurant had outgrown the space even before the show aired, co-owners Jeana Johnson and Colleen O’Hare say. Visit Good 2 Go Taco’s Facebook page for updates.
• T. Hee! Greetings & Gifts in Lake Highlands Plaza is opening a second store at Hillside Village in the neighboring Lakewood area this month, on the northeast corner of Abrams and Mockingbird between Lady of America Fitness and 1st & 10 Sports Bar. Co-owners Tony Doles and David Farris explain that they have no intention of closing their Lake Highlands store at this time. T. Hee! is known for carrying lots of local goods and gifts whenever possible, and will carry similar inventory — although more of it — at the new, larger location as well.
• Danceology Studios, a dance studio under the direction of Brandy Harville and Araceli Bernal, has opened up in the Shoreview Shopping Center at the northwest corner of Northwest Highway and Ferndale (10135 Shoreview, Suites 10131 and 10135). Bernal and Harville, who have 20 years of teaching experience, have set up a fall schedule that includes classes and private lessons in ballet, jazz and hip-hop as well as technique, strength and flexibility. Classes are available on weekdays, starting at 4 p.m. Weekends are typically reserved for private lessons. The studio also has competitive dance teams. Visit the website or email info@danceologystudios.com for more information on enrolling or class schedules.
• The Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, recently was given a $50,000 donation from Austin-based Green Mountain Energy Company to fund the purchase and installation of a new solar array. The solar panel system will help reduce the theater’s energy use and carbon footprint, as well as educate children and parents attending the theater about the benefits of solar energy. The 2004 addition of the 58,000-square-foot Rosewood Center for Family Arts was actually another exercise in reducing, reusing and recycling. In an effort to save money and conserve resources, the Don Carter bowling alley was retrofitted for the new facility. Conserving resources and being good stewards have been a top priority for the founders, board of directors and administration of the more than 25-year-old theater. Upcoming shows include “The Curse of Castle Mongrew”, “Junie B. in Jingle Bells”, “Batman Smells!”, “The Snow Queen” and “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”. Visit dct.org for information on pricing and showtimes.
