5 minute read
El Vecino
FOR NEIGHBORS, BY NEIGHBORS
El Vecino is the local spot from an El Fenix family member
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MEXICAN GRILL
enchiladasrestaurants.com
7050 GREENVILLE AVE. 214-363-8969
RESTAURANT GUIDE
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THAI CUISINE & SUSHI BAR
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JOHN MCBRIDE GREW UP IN THE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
INDUSTRY. El Vecino, his latest venture in our neighborhood, is only the most recent in a long line of family successes.
McBride’s great-grandfather was El Fenix founder Miguel Martinez. Well-versed in Tex-Mex cuisine, McBride worked in New York for 15 years operating Rosa Mexicana, where he met chef Carlos “Charley” Cid in 1991.
Cid and McBride have been joined at the hip since.
When John returned to Dallas in 2004 to rejoin El Fenix, Cid came with him. Later, Cid ran the neighborhood restaurant The Lot with McBride.
When The Lot closed after its building was sold to a real estate developer, McBride had his eye on White Rock Shopping Center at
El cuenco from El Vecino comes with black beans, avocado and spinach-poblano rice.
Northcliff and Buckner, with the idea of starting a Mexican restaurant there.
In 2017, El Vecino opened its doors with Kim McBride, John’s wife, running the restaurant and Cid in the kitchen.
Their aim for the environment was “Mexican comfortable,” which is also reflected in the food they offer.
The menu boasts a mix of modern Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food. There are traditional dishes such as cochinita pibil and classic Tex-Mex staples, such as six types of enchiladas. Contemporary twists also are available, such as the lasana Mexicana de pollo, an inventive Mexican-style lasagna. Many menu items are an ode to McBride’s time at Rosa Mexicana. El Vecino’s personal touches are impossible to miss. Kim McBride seasonally changes out a wreath in front of every booth. The menu features a favoritos de la familia section, where each member of the McBride family (as well as Cid) presents one of their personal favorites. Brightly colored oil cloth lines the booths, and giant letters that spell “Hola!” on the wall are inside the front door.
“When you walk in you feel happy automatically, and you feel fantastic when you walk out,” Kim McBride says.
El Vecino, 718 N. Buckner Blvd., 469.802.6060, elvecinotexmex.com
Where the Sidewalk Ends
THE CITY HELPS PAY FOR SIDEWALK AND DRIVEWAY REPAIRS
Story by RENEE UMSTED | Illustration by JESSICA TURNER
SIDEWALKS ARE THE EYE-
BROWS OF THE STREET: They go unnoticed until they’re not there.
Though they may seem commonplace, sidewalks can play important roles. For example, they improve safety for pedestrians and promote eco-friendly modes of transportation, like walking or biking.
So when there’s a lack of sidewalks, or they’re not connected or level, people might be nudged to use a car.
According to a 2021 survey, part of the Connect Dallas plan, 34% of respondents reported they often travel by walking, and 72% of respondents said they wanted to rely more on walking as a way to get around. One of the top two reasons why people said they didn’t walk more was because sidewalks aren’t connected.
Last year, a study commissioned by the City of Dallas found that the cost of repairing half the existing defective sidewalks and filling gaps was $2 billion.
At the time, Dallas had more than 4,500 miles of sidewalks, including 308 in City Council District 10 and 387 in City Council District 9. Also included in the City’s inventory was a count of the missing sidewalks; it amounted to about 2,000 miles across all Council districts, with 74 in District 10 and 156 in District 9.
The City leaves it to homeowners to replace sidewalks and driveways when they become problematic. It’s in the City Code.
“When a sidewalk, driveway or any appurtenance to a sidewalk or driveway becomes defective, unsafe or hazardous, the abutting property owner shall reconstruct or repair the sidewalk, driveway or appurtenance,” according to section 43-63. “And the expense of such work must be borne by the abutting property owner.”
In 1985, the City Council approved a resolution to establish the replacement of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and drive approaches on a cost-participation basis. The program is called the Sidewalk Replacement Program, and is available to all single-family residences, including townhomes and condominiums. A spokesperson for the City of Dallas told The Advocate that 11,860 residents have taken advantage of this program.
Neighbors pay for the drive approach removal and replacement. But for existing sidewalk removal and replacement, the City splits the cost with neighbors 50-50.
It’s up to the City to procure any needed permits, and there’s a oneyear warranty on workmanship. It takes about two or three months for the City to take a look at a property and provide a quote. After neighbors pay, the project could be completed in as little as three months or as much as nine, depending on demand.
To take advantage of the sidewalk program, call 214.948.4127 or 214.948.4287.
