Insurgent Restaurant Will Open in Dallas This October
Chefs Sam and Gabby Lopez are bringing their award-winning culinary concept to the Dallas Farmers Market.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Dining Out
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Chefs Sam and Gabby Lopez will open their new restaurant, Insurgent, at the Dallas Farmers Market in late October 2026. The permanent location replaces the former Caribbean Cabana space at 920 S. Harwood St.
Why it matters
The transition from food trailer to permanent restaurant reflects the success of the chefs, who aim to strengthen their connection to local food suppliers by moving to the market. The new venue serves as an evolution of the brand that previously gained recognition on the Texas food truck circuit.
The restaurant will occupy the 920 S. Harwood St. site. The chefs, who earned $10,000 as the 2024 Food Truck Championship of Texas Grand Champions, will feature shareable plates and tasting menus.
The players
Sam and Gabby Lopez
These chefs trained at The Culinary Institute of America, The French Laundry, and Bouchon Bakery before launching their own culinary ventures.
Alec Sanders
He serves as the executive sous chef for the new restaurant concept.
The details
The restaurant menu will include signature items like the Koji Fried Chicken Sandwich and rotate based on seasonal availability from local Texas farmers. Executive sous chef Alec Sanders will assist the Lopezes in managing the new space, which includes a dedicated tasting counter.
Timeline
January 2022: The Lopezes began operating their food trailer in Denton.
2023: Insurgent won Most Unique Food at the Eighter From Decatur Food Truck Challenge.
2024: The team earned Grand Champion status at the Food Truck Championship of Texas.
2025: Insurgent secured the Best American Cuisine title at the Texas food competition.
Late October 2026: The permanent restaurant is scheduled to open at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Culture Shift
This opening follows the successful trajectory of food-truck-to-brick-and-mortar restaurant expansion models. It highlights how mobile culinary concepts leverage competition acclaim to secure permanent real estate in urban markets.
Residents can expect a new dining option featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients starting in late October. The restaurant will offer a variety of service styles, ranging from shareable casual plates to structured tasting dinners.
The takeaway
The move to the Dallas Farmers Market emphasizes the importance of sourcing local ingredients directly from nearby producers. Customers looking for a unique dining experience can look forward to seasonal menus that reflect the changing landscape of Texas agriculture.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary scene, browse the Dining Out section for Dallas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cravedfw.
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