The ‘dopest restaurant’ Keith Lee has ever seen will open a second location this March
Taste Project’s “pay-what-you-can” restaurant Taste Community is opening up its second Tarrant County location in Arlington next month.
Taste Project is a nonprofit organization focused on feeding as many mouths as possible. They offer a hearty and healthy menu with no prices attached. Instead, customers pay what they can afford (which can be as little as $0), pay what they would typically pay, or pay a little extra than normal if they are able.
The first Taste Community kitchen was opened in 2017 at 1200 South Main Street in Fort Worth. So far, they have served over 250,000 meals. They are open six days a week, from Tuesday through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Though they allow walk-ins they do suggest making a reservation to ensure a meal.
TikTok restaurant influencer Keith Lee visited Fort Worth’s Taste Community in 2024 and told his 16.9 million followers that it is “one of the dopest restaurants I have ever seen.” He agreed with the nonprofit’s mission wholeheartedly: “Can you imagine if there is this restaurant in every city where you can pay as you want or as you can?”
Taste Project founder Jeff Williams has a similar goal in Tarrant County.
Taste Community Restaurant coming to Arlington
The new restaurant will be at 200 North Cooper Street, #150 — just north of University of Texas at Arlington’s campus. This dining space will offer 100 more seats for hungry stomachs. The nonprofit also operates a culinary training classroom where Tarrant County adults can learn the ropes of working in the restaurant industry and gain valuable experience.
This newest location will officially open on March 5 for lunch at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. To reserve a table for opening day, you can do so online at Taste Project’s website.
Their Arlington location will serve lunch Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Taste Community menu
The Arlington Taste Community kitchen will offer six small plates and six lunch entrees.
Their small plates include soup, salads, meatballs and even specialty items like Pork Belly Bao. Their entrees are a mix of sandwiches, burgers and bowls with proteins like chicken, shrimp and beef, but also a vegetarian option.
“This pay-what-you-can concept doesn’t replace soup kitchens and food banks; it only provides another innovative option,” says the Taste Project website. “Soup kitchens are good, but not everyone feels good about going there. This new concept provides a venue for individuals and families to fill their bellies without shame.”
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM.