Smittox Brewing Opens New Taproom in Oak Cliff

The Black-owned brewery has debuted at 930 E. Clarendon Dr. after a two-year property replatting process.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Beer

Smittox Brewing Opens New Taproom in Oak Cliff

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Smittox Brewing officially opened its new taproom in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas this October. The site, located at 930 E. Clarendon Dr., is a Black-owned business housed in a property that formerly served as a mechanic shop and Dallas Zoo storage.

Why it matters

The opening marks the culmination of a two-year effort to renovate and replat three combined lots that were previously obstructed by legacy zoning and construction issues. This project brings a new communal space to the area as developers plan future residential complexes nearby.

The taproom occupies a site created by combining three separate lots into one cohesive property. The renovation process required two years of dedicated work with city planners to finalize the site's legal status.

The players

Smittox Brewing

This is a Black-owned brewery and taproom located in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas.

Dallas Zoo

This facility is a major local landmark that previously used the brewery property as a storage space.

The details

The facility previously served as a mechanic shop and storage area for the Dallas Zoo, requiring extensive work to bring the structures up to code. While the taproom is now operational, the business is currently addressing a chiller failure that has temporarily halted the production of new beers and cans.

The neighborhood was physically divided by the construction of I-35 in 1959.
The business owner began the effort to establish the brewery site in 2022.
Property replatting efforts spanned a two-year period from 2024 through 2026.
Smittox Brewing held its official public opening in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The project repurposes land impacted by the 1959 construction of I-35, which historically bisected the local community. It aligns with broader efforts to reclaim and revitalize spaces that were once isolated by mid-century highway infrastructure.

Residents can now visit the newly opened taproom at 930 E. Clarendon Dr. as a focal point for the developing Oak Cliff neighborhood. Visitors should note that current production of new cans and beer varieties is limited due to a technical failure with the brewery cooling system.

The takeaway

This opening highlights the complex hurdles involved in redeveloping urban properties that have been tied up in multi-lot zoning conflicts for decades. Prospective small business owners should anticipate that extensive cooperation with city planners is often necessary to successfully navigate legacy land issues.