By Reece McGowan
Vandelay Hospitality Group has been taking over Dallas, one restaurant at a time. If you are not familiar with Vandelay Group, they are the company behind some of your favorite smart casual Dallas spots – think Drake’s Hollywood, Hudson House, D.L. Mack’s, and The Anchor, just to name a few.
Now, the powerhouse group is setting its sights on Snider Plaza, the beloved University Park shopping square across from Southern Methodist University. A neighborhood hub since the 1920s, it is lined with boutiques and lunch spots, and offers accessible shopping and dining to SMU students.
After their debut of the New Orleans-style chophouse Jack & Harry’s 16 months ago, Vandelay premiered Le Bistrot Bar Sardine earlier this year, a French-inspired bar and restaurant.
Giving diners a taste of Europe without leaving Dallas, Bar Sardine brings Parisian flair to University Park. They serve dishes like Filet Diane and Profiteroles in a candle-lit space with vintage mirrors and bistro seating. The restaurant also recently released an all-day menu, giving restaurant goers options for brunch and lunch.
The newest concept, El Molino, opened Tuesday, October 14. The restaurant has a Tex-Mex menu with specials like fajitas, and a white-tablecloth setting with low-lighting. The concept will round out Vandelay Hospitality Group’s presence in Snider Plaza.
Stef Naos, an SMU senior majoring in Sport Management and Economics, works as Vandelay’s General Manager, overseeing several locations in Snider Plaza. He tells us that the area was a natural fit for expansion.
“You’re in Highland Park – an area so rich and so diverse. We have had success opening restaurants here, starting with East Hampton, and then Jack & Harry’s. After opening up each restaurant, we just keep seeing success,” he said.
Additionally Vandelay has begun its national expansion with a Drake’s Hollywood in Houston and a planned Scottsdale location opening in 2026.
SMU sophomore Savannah Melton, who is from Scottsdale, says, “I think Drake’s Hollywood will be the perfect addition to Scottsdale. It’s always a great time when dining at the one in Dallas and can’t wait to see what it brings to Arizona.”
But for now, Snider Plaza appears to remain the main focus of Vandelay: mixing various cuisines to attract locals, students, and visitors alike, all while promoting the plaza’s reputation as a dining destination.
Beyond these three, Vandelay owns many other Dallas favorites like East Hampton, D.L. Mack’s, Hudson House, and Slider Blues, further adding to the lineup of go-to spots for students and locals alike. Their continued efforts to create memorable dining experiences will put Dallas on the map, one restaurant at a time.
