They say if you don’t like the weather in North Texas, just wait a few minutes—it’ll change. The same can be said of the Dallas dining climate, which may or may not play in a restaurant’s favor, depending what patrons determine is “in” or “out” at the time.
Junction Craft Kitchen in Deep Ellum bills itself as a Southern-style neighborhood bistro with an Asian twist. The well-crafted menu features fun, creative entrees like “Shrimp & Octopus Agua Chile Ceviche” and “Boudin Po Bao,” where Vietnamese flavors meet New Orleans.
Junction – A place where all good things come together.
Food Cultures.
Chef Josh Harmon’s knack? Putting together inventive ingredient combinations and leaving you feeling wow’d – like it’s the best thing you’ve put in your mouth…ever. Chef Josh pulls from a kaleidoscope of worldly influences, often Asian… or carnival fare… but unless you’re told the ingredient list, you wouldn’t know it. (Who puts fish sauce and bonito flakes in Brussel sprouts? Or Funyuns with Tuna tartare? Josh, that’s who.) You’ll just experience this bite full of layered, stunning but balanced flavor. And you’ll want more. Troughs more.
Gastronomy + Gallery.
You’ll find many art galleries in Deep Ellum and many food establishments. Junction combines them. Local artists hang shows on the walls for purchase while artful creations appear on your plate.
Craft + Cabinet.
The number of kitchen-made elements is staggering. Chutneys, creams, infusions, condiments, kimchi, pickles, jams…even American cheese is all made in-house, sometimes taking weeks and months to be ready. At the same time, Chicken Biscuit crackers, Fruit Loops, Corn Nuts and other snacks of youth, get equal play as ingredients.
People.
Chef Josh’s dishes have always caused diverse groups to reach across the table. But Cart #10, a weekend community table reserved only for a 10-course chef choice tasting, will create an opportunity for foodsters of all types to unite. And, behind the scenes is a real restaurant family. How they came together is pretty special. The 7th iteration of Kitchen LTO connected a seasoned front-of-house team with a rising star chef and his loyal kitchen crew. They worked as a well-oiled machine and the collaboration worked so well amongst all, Junction was formed to keep everyone together permanently.
Future + History.
It just so happens, Deep Ellum, back in the day, hosted the intersection of two major railroads at Main and Malcolm X, mere yards from where the restaurant stands today. The “Junction” was the gateway to business in Dallas. So important, in fact, Henry Ford built one of his earliest Model T. assembly plants nearby. Look closely at the streets…you can still see the tracks of days gone by. It seems only fitting, with the resurgence of Deep Ellum as a culture playground, that the spot becomes a Junction once again.
The junction is a story of synchronicity.
Come…together.
The growing trend toward clean eating and fast-casual fare that’s actually fresh is nothing new; in fact, Dallas-Fort Worth boasts many homegrown eateries—Cosmic Cafe, Spiral Diner, and Mud Hen Meat & Greens, for example—that remain go-to locales for vegan- and vegetarian- friendly cuisine.
Glenda, Charlie, David Cates
