Dallas’ Newest Sandwich Shop Arrives With a Real Mission: Why the Award-Winning Shayna’s Place is Not Just Another Ordinary Restaurant

Amongst Dallas’ ever-expanding dining scene, one thing that’s guaranteed to make a restaurant stand out is its focus on positively impacting the community. Shayna’s Place, opening at Sylvan Thirty at the end of the month, is dedicated to providing individuals with developmental disabilities with part-time employment.

This is Shayna’s Place’s second location, and the first in Texas. The original cafe is located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island and was inspired by the owner’s cousin, Shayna, who has Downs Syndrome, (which she and her family prefers to call Up Syndrome). The original location has become a massive hit after opening just three years ago.

“Shayna’s place has really caught on in Rhode Island and become a very popular spot. I was looking to do something here and I thought that would be a great addition to Dallas to open up a second location,” says Lou Oleria, whose uncle opened up the first Shayna’s Place in Rhode Island. 

The Dallas Shayna’s Place at 1868 Sylvan Avenue hopes to be just as impactful as the pioneering Rhode Island restaurant it is following.

“Shayna is in her early twenties and it’s given her a place to go everyday and interact with people and play music and have fun. People going there enjoy it as much as she enjoys being there,” Oleria says.  

The new Shayna’s Place in Dallas will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, with sandwiches, salads, smoothies, pastries and juices, as well as a large selection of coffee, soda, wine and beer.

Fun fact: Shayna’s Place sandwich “Vinny’s Kitchen,” an Italian sandwich with imported prosciutto, salami, Capicola, provolone, and finished with tomato, red onion, hot peppers, romaine and a drizzle of Shayna’s Dressing, was voted the Best Grinder in Rhode Island by USA Today last year.