Dining Q-&-A: Where did fajitas start? And when does Jollibee or Bonchon open? (Soon.)

Fajitas started in Pharr, then came to DFW

Hey, Bud! In your opinion, who started the fajita craze?

—Local restaurateur

Otilia Garza gets that credit in 1969 at the Roundup Restaurant in Pharr in the Rio Grande Valley. She popularized the sizzling platter and side plate of toppings. Next, in Houston in 1973, “Mama Ninfa” Laurenzo started serving the similar tacos al carbon. Fajitas came to DFW in 1976 at the long-gone Jiménez.

Jollibee fast-food to open in Arlington

Hey, Bud! Is there any word on the new Jollibee in Arlington?

—Charles, Arlington

Jollibee, the legendary Filipino fast-food chain, just started on its location at 4200 S. Cooper St. at Interstate 20, and expects to open in spring, according to the permit. It’s currently open in Plano.

Bonchon chicken to open near parkway

Hey, Bud! What about Bonchon?

—Crowley reader

Any week now. The popular Korean double-fried chicken restaurant is near opening at 9652 Ten Gallon Drive, in the shopping center off McPherson Boulevard at the Chisholm Trail Parkway. It’s open now in Addison, The Colony and Frisco.

Bud Kennedy’s Eats Beat

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

817-390-7538

Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat. Support my work with a digital subscription