Restaurants

Hawaiian poke restaurant coming soon to South University near TCU’s campus

A new, Dallas-based Hawaiian restaurant is coming to TCU’s campus.

The Fort Worth branch of commercial real estate agency Transwestern announced Saturday, May 30 that Pine Isle will move into the old Dutch’s Burritos Bar space on South University Drive.

Don’t worry, the nearly 20-year-old Dutch’s Hamburgers, named after former TCU coach Dutch Meyer, is still open. The burrito bar and patio was later added in 2019 serving tacos, burritos and bowls in a Chipotle buffet-style format. After almost seven years, Dutch’s Burrito Bar quietly closed and was put back up for lease in early February.

Pine Isle is known for its Hawaiian -style poke bowls, poke nachos with crispy wontons and spam masubi. They are commonly praised on social media as “the best poke in Dallas.

TCU already has fast food galore around campus, with Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Potbelly and an upcoming Zaxby’s and Chipotle, so Pine Isle will offer a fresh and different option.

When will Pine Isle open?

An opening timeline has not yet been released for Pine Isle on TCU Campus.

Transwestern has not responded for comment.

Will Fort Worth Pine Isle have the same menu as Dallas?

Owner Kevin Singharaj told Culture Map Fort Worth that the menu served on TCU Campus will be same as the Dallas location.

Popular dishes besides their poke bowls include the loco moco, a hamburger patty topped with a sunnyside up egg and pork lau lau, a pork and fish dish. All plates are served with a hefty helping of rice and macaroni salad.

Singharaj lived in Hawaii and worked for the Japenese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu. His family is also owners of the DFW Thai street food chain, Zaap Kitchen.

More developments on South University Drive

A rendering of Morado on Berry, a $82.9 million mixed-use development TCU is building in partnership with Endeavor Real Estate Group near the intersection of West Berry Street and South University Drive. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2027.
A rendering of Morado on Berry, a $82.9 million mixed-use development TCU is building in partnership with Endeavor Real Estate Group near the intersection of West Berry Street and South University Drive. Construction is expected to be complete in fall 2027. TCU

Zaxby’s is planned for 3051 S. University Drive, in the old Bahn Shop retail space. An opening timeline has not yet been released.

Chipotle is one of four tenants that will go into Morado on Berry, an $82.9 million mixed-use project, responsible for the addition of 780 student beds and 25,000 square feet of street-level retail space. The Chipotle will be located on ground-level at the northeast corner of University Drive and Berry Street.

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Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
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