Dallas’ New Railroad Inspired Restaurant Brings Chef Power to a Resurgent Neighborhood

A nearby former intersection of two historic railroads serves as the inspiration for new Deep Ellum restaurant Junction Craft Kitchen, which recently took over the former Kitchen LTO digs.

“It seems only fitting, with the resurgence of Deep Ellum as a cultural playground, that the spot becomes a junction once again,” Junction chef Josh Harmon says.

Casie Caldwell, Kitchen LTO’s founder, and Harmon (who served as the final pop-up chef in Kitchen LTO’s rotating kitchen) are the masterminds behind Junction Craft Kitchen, which delivers Harmon’s signature Southern and Asian-style cuisine to Dallas diners.

On the menu: Boudin Po Bao, hot fried chicken, Korean duck leg, and miso pork belly, plus tasty desserts like the five-flavor crumble cake and Texas sheet cake. Brunch features inimitable plates like the Captain Crunch parfait, kimchi frittata, cinnamon sugar grits, and fried-green-tomato Benedict.

There are also cocktails of the cheeky variety (“Naked and Famous,” with kimo sabe mezcal, aperol, yellow chartreuse, and citrus juice) and those paying homage to our city (“Southbound 75,” with Herman Marshall bourbon, brown sugar, angostura bitters, Deep Ellum IPA, and citrus juice).

Every Saturday evening, the restaurant hosts a special event called Cart #10, where patrons are treated to a 10-course chef’s tasting menu while seated at a 10-person community table in the private dining room. (Reservations are required and the meals run $125 per person.)

If you can’t secure a Saturday night reservation, Junction Craft Kitchen is open for dinner nightly and weekend brunch.

Junction Craft Kitchen, 2901 Elm St., 214.377.0757.