Dallas, October 22, 2025
News Summary
El Califa de León, a Michelin-starred taqueria, has concluded its Dallas pop-up early due to significant operational failures. The collaboration with GrinGO, LLC was intended to boost tourism, but issues like long wait times and poor service led to negative customer experiences, prompting the decision to withdraw. El Califa aims to protect its reputation and refocus on opening new permanent locations in the U.S.
Dallas
El Califa de León Ends Dallas Pop-Up Early After Operational Failures
The Michelin-starred taqueria El Califa de León terminated its Dallas pop-up collaboration early after reporting operational failures at the temporary site. The pop-up, which opened on October 16, 2025, and was scheduled to run until October 28, 2025, had its El Califa branding removed immediately following the decision to withdraw.
What happened
El Califa de León ended its partnership with event partner GrinGO, LLC and withdrew the restaurant’s name and chef from the Dallas location to protect the restaurant’s integrity and reputation. The company stated it had no operational control over the Dallas setup, supply chain, or customer experience and concluded the collaboration fell short of promised conditions related to space, quality, and raw materials.
Operational problems and customer impact
The pop-up drew large crowds and quickly became a high-demand dining destination in North Texas, generating long lines and widespread reports of extended wait times and inconsistent service. Some customers experienced waits as long as three hours for scheduled dinners, and multiple guests reported substandard service. In response to negative experiences, some customers received refunds or no-wait passes.
GrinGO cited infrastructure issues, including gas and water leaks, among the factors that contributed to operational shortcomings at the Dallas site. Despite the termination of the formal collaboration, GrinGO indicated it intends to continue operating the pop-up without El Califa’s branding or chef through the original end date of October 28, 2025.
Leadership response and next steps
El Califa leadership framed the withdrawal as a step to protect the restaurant’s reputation after concluding the local setup did not meet the conditions agreed in the formal partnership. The restaurant expressed gratitude to the Dallas community for its support and announced plans to focus on opening permanent U.S. locations, beginning with a site in New York targeted for March or April 2026.
Background and context
The pop-up was a collaboration intended to promote tourism to Mexico City through GrinGO, LLC, a company providing travel services to Mexico. The Mexico City location is led by owner Chef Mario Hernandez. The Dallas pop-up was located in University Park, near Southern Methodist University (SMU), and quickly became one of the region’s most talked-about dining experiences during its brief run.
Key developments summarized
- El Califa de León, the world’s only Michelin-starred taqueria, opened a pop-up in Dallas on October 16, 2025.
- The pop-up was located in University Park, near SMU, and was set to run until October 28, 2025.
- The collaboration was with GrinGO, LLC, a company that provides travel services to Mexico, aimed at promoting tourism to Mexico City.
- The pop-up quickly became popular and was considered the hottest dining destination in North Texas.
- Chef Mario Hernandez, the owner of the Mexico City location, initially noted that Dallas crowds exceeded their expectations.
- A formal agreement was signed with GrinGO, but issues led to El Califa terminating the collaboration early.
- Problems included failures to meet promised conditions related to space, quality, and raw materials.
- CEO José Andrés Hernández stated that the restaurant had no operational control over the Dallas setup, supply chain, or customer experience.
- The decision to withdraw was taken to protect the integrity and reputation of El Califa de León.
- Mario Hernandez expressed gratitude to the Dallas community and mentioned plans to open new locations in the U.S.
- GrinGO cited infrastructure issues, including gas and water leaks, which contributed to operational shortcomings.
- The pop-up experience drew long lines and many customers reported long wait times and poor service.
- GrinGO intends to continue the pop-up without El Califa’s branding or chef and will remain open until the original end date.
- El Califa de León requested to distance itself from any ongoing promotions and experiences at the Dallas location.
- The company plans to focus on opening new permanent locations, starting with one in New York, potentially by April or March 2026.
- Customers who had reservations at the pop-up faced significant wait times, with reports of a three-hour delay for a birthday dinner.
- Some customers received refunds or no-wait passes due to negative experiences reported during the pop-up.
- Following the announcement of the collaboration’s termination, the El Califa branding was removed from the Dallas location immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did El Califa de León end the collaboration?
Problems included failures to meet promised conditions related to space, quality, and raw materials.
When did the pop-up open and when was it set to run?
El Califa de León, the world’s only Michelin-starred taqueria, opened a pop-up in Dallas on October 16, 2025. The pop-up was located in University Park, near SMU, and was set to run until October 28, 2025.
Who did El Califa partner with for the pop-up?
The collaboration was with GrinGO, LLC, a company that provides travel services to Mexico, aimed at promoting tourism to Mexico City.
Will the pop-up continue without El Califa?
GrinGO intends to continue the pop-up without El Califa’s branding or chef and will remain open until the original end date.
What infrastructure issues were reported?
GrinGO cited infrastructure issues, including gas and water leaks, which contributed to operational shortcomings.
How did the company respond to customer complaints?
Some customers received refunds or no-wait passes due to negative experiences reported during the pop-up.
What are El Califa’s next plans?
The company plans to focus on opening new permanent locations, starting with one in New York, potentially by April or March 2026.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | El Califa de León, the world’s only Michelin-starred taqueria, opened a pop-up in Dallas on October 16, 2025. |
| Scheduled Run | The pop-up was located in University Park, near SMU, and was set to run until October 28, 2025. |
| Partner | The collaboration was with GrinGO, LLC, a company that provides travel services to Mexico, aimed at promoting tourism to Mexico City. |
| Reason for Early End | Problems included failures to meet promised conditions related to space, quality, and raw materials; GrinGO cited infrastructure issues, including gas and water leaks. |
| Customer Impact | The pop-up experience drew long lines and many customers reported long wait times and poor service. Some customers received refunds or no-wait passes due to negative experiences reported during the pop-up. |
| Next Steps | The company plans to focus on opening new permanent locations, starting with one in New York, potentially by April or March 2026. |
| Current Status | Following the announcement of the collaboration’s termination, the El Califa branding was removed from the Dallas location immediately. GrinGO intends to continue the pop-up without El Califa’s branding or chef and will remain open until the original end date. |
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Additional Resources
- Dallas Observer: Michelin-Starred Taqueria
- WFAA: Pop-Up Ends with Customer Complaints
- CBS News: Michelin-Starred Taco Shop Closes Early
- Wikipedia: Michelin Guide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michelin Guide
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
