After 30 years in Addison, a much-loved Caribbean café and neighborhood bar has closed its doors. Café Gecko, which has been around since 1991, closed its doors at 5290 Belt Line Rd on December 1 after its lease was not renewed.
Regulars of the Addison location might find some comfort in the fact that founder and CEO Dennis Dial plans to reopen the eatery in downtown Plano in 2022 “as soon as possible.” The Dallas Morning News reports that the new location is expected to be at 1410 Avenue K. There is currently a Café Gecko in Plano at 6145 Windhaven Pkwy and two more at 239 Town Place in Fairview; and 1381 W Campbell Rd in Richardson, respectively.
“It’s kind of crazy to me that I started it on a shoestring, on a whim 30 years ago. It took on a life of its own,” Dial told The Dallas Morning News. “People have met there, got married, then they had kids and their kids are coming in. The 30-year span is kind of mind-boggling.”
Per a note on the brand’s website, the cuisine at Café Gecko is inspired by time that Dial spent in Cozumel, Mexico.
“I…grew to love the lime and garlic flavor of the cuisine there which inspired my menu,” he shares. “My big declaration was that anybody could make a beer cold, but the longevity is in the food. I used the best ingredients I could buy and came up with a unique menu that has not changed much in 27 years. Ask any of our devoted regulars and the thing that keeps them coming back is indeed the great food.”
The menu features “foods from sunny latitudes” such as sour cream chicken nachos, jerk fish soft tacos, and seafood pasta salad. Specialty drinks include “Ranch Water,” “Coco Loco” and “Mexican Candy” – a cocktail made with Patrón Tequila, Watermelon Pucker, a splash of sweet n’ sour and a dash of Tabasco.
