Brian Olenjack splits with Olenjack’s Grille

It looks as if Arlington’s Olenjack’s Grille will go on without its namesake chef, Brian Olenjack.

Olenjack told the Star-Telegram that he and the investors have parted ways and that he has no new plans. He also said he expects the restaurant to continue, but he doesn’t know the details. It’s unclear whether it will continue to bear his name.

Olenjack is one of many Tarrant County chefs who came out of Reata, the downtown Fort Worth branch of the Alpine-founded restaurant, during its Grady Spears days (Tim Love is another Reata grad). Olenjack also worked with Spears at the Chisholm Club in downtown Fort Worth.

When the Chisholm Club closed, Olenjack pursued his dream of opening his own restaurant, launching Olenjack’s Grille in Arlington’s Lincoln Square in early 2007. The restaurant retained some of Reata’s Texas/Southwest influence but opened up the menu to be more family-friendly and informal.

Because it’s not far from AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Park, Olenjack’s often got a boost on Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers game days and during special events such as the upcoming College Football Playoff championship game.

No matter what happens with Olenjack’s Grille, Tarrant diners should still be able to get some of Olenjack’s touch. According to Indulge contributor Celestina Blok, he consulted on the menu for Social House Fort Worth, expected to open this month — possibly as soon as next week — in the old Brownstone space in the West 7th development.

This report includes material from the Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 9:30 AM with the headline "Brian Olenjack splits with Olenjack’s Grille."