Cafe Momentum Reviews

Don't know what took me so long to get here. Chad Houser's transformational cocoon takes at risk youth and gives them paid internships to learn life skills while working all aspects of the food business. Interesting wine choices at 20, 40, and 60 dollar prices as well as beers. Daily specials too. The charcuterie special was outstanding. Every thing was so fresh, delicious and beautifully displayed! The Niman pork chop was very tasty on its bed of sweet potatoes and the special sautéed Mahi on lentils was just right. Can't wait to bring friends to help support these youth.

For those of us who live in the north suburbs, the green line stops right out front!! This was a great experience. Our food was fantastastic. I had the beef tenderloin, my husband had the sirloin. Take a few minutes to ask your servers some questions, don't rush through this experience. They are here to serve you, but I learned so much just by listening, making eye contact, and asking a few questions. Have an open mind and an open heart, enjoy your food and the service, and please tip well. Hopefully we all believe in second chances, and I love Chad's idea that good food is all a part of the process. Enjoy the experience, be kind and patient, and do your best to help them move along in this life. The goat cheese appetizer was also excellent, I love that the honey had some of the honeycomb in it. The menu changes frequently, but the chai ice cream and brownie dessert was also fantastic!

The restaurant is staffed by former juvenile offenders. It's a great way to give them the skills they need for a second chance! The food was outstanding! The menu changes but is always great locally inspired food - farm to table style. I will go back here next time I am in Dallas!

Food is fabulous. The kids are beyond amazing. The location is so convenient (right on the DART if you want to be "big city" and ride the train). Always an enjoyable experience and an even better story.

We went to this restaurant supporting the mission but not having high expectations of food/service. What a surprise! The food was great and the service was attentive and efficient. The kids were great. A little inexperienced but added to the enjoyment the watching what this restaurant is trying to accomplish. A real grass roots venture to change lives.

Great food, wonderful service and an incredible cause. Cafe Momentum is a must visit for anyone in the Dallas area needs to experience this restaurant.

Our group of six had an excellent experience. All of the staff was cheerful and friendly and anxious to please. Our server was enthusiastic and not afraid to ask his supervisor when he didn't know the answer to a question. The food, appetizers, mains and desserts were good to very good and the portions plentiful. Service was a little slow but we all were okay with it knowing the mission of the restaurant to help and support at risk youth. The wine list was organized by price and have a variety of choices and the sommelier was knowledgeable and helpful. All in all, we left having had a fine meal in a pleasant setting feeling great that we had helped to support a wonderful concept and maybe contributed to improving the lives of some nice kids.

As soon as I read about this restaurant's concept, I had to visit. What a wonderful concept to give these young people a chance to make something of their lives. The restaurant was very lively and we learned that all their dinnerware/glassware is donated so nothing matches. You are encouraged to chat to the wait staff and to be patient as quite often they will be new. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the food and certainly talked with enthusiasm about the different items on the menu. The food itself was superb - we shared the head of cauliflower as an appetizer (because that was just so unique) and we also had the breads with pea butter, burnt bread and burrata. We did have salads to follow the appetizers - chopped salad was very tasty, as was the salad with the poached egg. We were on a time crunch unfortunately as we were going to a show and we had a 45 minute wait between the appetizer and the salad. When we asked the waiter to skip the salads as we were running short of time, the manager immediately came over and said he would comp the salads and that it wouldn't affect the timing of our entrees. We tried to tell him this wasn't necessary, but he insisted - he was very much on top of the staff there and trying to ensure nobody went away with a bad experience. For the main course - the butter poached shrimp was the best shrimp I had tasted in a long time - so tender and flavourful. My husband had the pork cheek stir fry which was fantastic and in my opinion the best dish of the evening. We would love to have tried one of the desserts, but were running late by this time so had to leave unfortunately. Our biggest surprise came when we got the bill - it was so much less than we had expected for such good quality food. The wines were so much cheaper than practically any other restaurant I have visited in Dallas and they were good quality. No gratuity is expected - instead you are encouraged to give a donation - and at these prices, you can afford to be generous. An excellent evening and experience - next time we will go for the evening so we don't have any time concerns.

What a special place. The chef leads an internship program for young people who have had a brush with the law. They learn every aspect of the food services industry and most stay out of the system. Brilliant! And the food is good, too. Vote with your dining dollars. Vote for hope.

My husband and I have long talked going to Cafe Momentum. Our dear friend Peggy who lives downtown is a big fan. She did not exaggerate the feeling or the food. The front does not look particularly inviting but the inside is different. The tables are set far back into the space which is probably good during the week when Pacific is busy. On a Saturday night the street is much quieter. When we walked in, we were greeted by two charming young people who are part of the the Momentum program. (Check out their website to read more about that.) They were strong hosts, smiling and welcoming. We had a reservations and were seated at the only two person table in the restaurant. I really liked the table because my seat looked straight into the open kitchen. Because of the age of most of the young people in the program, an older but still young woman took our drink orders. They serve just wine by the bottle and craft beer. She was very knowledgeable about the beer because she selected it. Her recommendations were spot on - unique local beers. Our waiter was Guillermo, who was in their program. He was very polite and helpful. When he first came to our table he asked if we knew the story of the restaurant. We said we did but would like to hear him tell us about it. He told us about it and then also shared that he was in jail a year before he came into the program and never wanted to go back. He was both a good waiter and brave to share that. So likable and lovely. The food was exceptional. We started with a bread basket that was generous in giving us small herb biscuits, savory scones and chewy baguette slices. They were all served fresh and delightfully warm with salted butter. I could have made a meal from those. Also as a starter we had the pickle platter with pickled grapes, cucumbers, carrots and collards. Each one had a different pickling spice on them and each tickled and challenged your palate in a different way. Again I could have made a meal from them. My husband had the market fish, which was mahi mahi and I had the Texas Shrimp dish, a form of shrimp and grits. We were both very happy with our choices. His dish was a bit unexpected with the fish on top of a rice cake with a seafood broth including mussels and shrimp. My shrimp and grits had fresh Texas shrimp on top of creamy, cheesy grits with a lemon butter broth. For both of us we had to ask for a spoon to be sure we didn't miss any of the deeply flavored broth. We both left almost nothing on our plates. We wanted to try their dessert but we were just too stuffed, sadly. The best part of the evening was watching the adults with the kids. Whether it in the kitchen or on the floor, there was loving teaching going on. The food was stellar enough to be a draw on its own but the more memorable part is to witness the good, good work being done for kids. Thank you Cafe Momentum. Tip: Parking is easy with the valet just past the front door.

They make parking easy. Beautiful space. Lovely wine list with a knowledgeable, friendly sommelier. Food was beautiful, delicious and well -presented. And the wait staff? Just magical. So much heart in this place! Eat out at an extraordinary restaurant... save the world. Nice combo.

The concept to help young adults in need gain culinary experience, life lessons, and mentor ship is itself unique and outstanding. The ambiance is modern , clean , and comfortable. The service is terrific. The menu choices will appeal to multiple desires. The food quality is fabulous. Try the cauliflower plate, the steak, the rigatoni, etc. Everything was delicious. They do serve beer and wine. There is valet parking available.

Cafe Momentum just makes me feel happy and grateful. Scallops were spot on. Gazpacho starter perfect. Almond cake better than my mom's. Best thing? All of the employees at CM are prior juvenile offenders here for a second chance and doing a great job. Chad was our waiter and has been here 4 months; a real professional with a great smile. March on, brother.

It difficult to write about a restaurant whose main purpose for being there is not food or ambience, or even profits, but about helping at-risk youth get a second chance at getting on the right track. First of all, this is a non-profit organization. The wait staff is made up almost entirely of young men and women who have been in trouble as youths, and are now being taught how to interact with society, learn a trade and earn a living wage. The food is good, but that's not what's important here. The decor is pleasant but minimal. The staff is still learning, but you have to look past that. This is an organization that is actually DOING something to help troubled young people, and you should support it. Every one of the staff that served us was outgoing and genuinely trying their hardest to please. Folks dining there are encouraged to interact with the staff, which we gladly did. Here's another thing: Your tip is a contribution to this non-profit, and may be tax-deductible. It doesn't go to the individual waiter (several waited on us), but it goes to the organization, so that they can keep wages as high as possible. Further, produce is bought from local farms, some of which provide the same opportunities to kids that need to be shown there are possibilities out there beyond making minimum wage at McDonalds and getting into trouble. Oh.....and try the smoked fried chicken; it's great.

This is a magical place who are helping youth coming out of juvenile detention turn their life around. The founder/head chef is as amazing as the dream he is sharing with local Dallas youth. The food was good, and the service even better!!

This place has a vibe like no other. My favorite restaurant in Dallas. Filet was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. Charcuterie, shrimp beignets, and chevre were awesome starters and the desert is always to die for. But my favorite part is the interaction with the staff of young people and the great managers that get personally involved.

The bread basket was wonderful and the smoked fried chicken very good. It is certainly not fancy but the service was friendly and i certainly support the concept but the main reason to go is they serve good food to very good food at reasonable prices and the bread and biscuits are worth going for on there own.

Great concept of having at risk youngsters learn the service business. As such, service is a little spotty and I wouldn't ask too many questions about menu details. Food is good, fried chicken was the best dish.

Enjoyed our meal during our visit to the area. Friendly young faces that were trying to do their best made it extra special as we enjoyed the amazing food. The meat, cheese, and pickles on their appetizer was amazing, so much food that could be a meal in itself. I asked if they sold their pickles and staff packed some separately for me to go. I had the risotto and it was the best I have ever had, my husband enjoyed the fried chicken.

If you are looking for excellent food in Dallas (and there is a lot to choose from) then I highly recommend you put Cafe Momentum on the top of your list, unless you are a curmudgeon who demands a seasoned stuffy atmosphere. While the wait staff is less experienced and youthful, compared to other fine dining locations, they are joyful and inspirational. Read the restaurant's story before arriving. This is a very smart nonprofit approach to providing once troubled youth with with exceptional life experience and jobskills training, so your visit there can also be considered support for the cause. My husband and I celebrated my birthday there. The food was delicious, the wine selection is good but you must order by the bottle (for reasons I assume is to keep youthful temptation from taste testing). We were able to leave with our half finished and corked bottle to take home. Also, your tip does not go directly to your waiter and instead the tip is considered a donation.

We chose Cafe Momentum because it was close to our hotel, but I would have driven for miles to eat here. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by amazing interns who took care of our every need. Our waitress told us the story behind Cafe Momentum and made sure we understood the menu. She even helped us find items from the menu that our children (8 and 10) would enjoy. We started with the charcuterie platter, then each had a salad. My husband ordered the steak and I had the fish. Each dish came out looking like a work of art. Each also tasted amazing. We ended with dessert (creme brulee and the chocolate pan cookie) and were so happy with the entire experience. Anything you order will be amazing. The service will be impeccable. And the story behind the place? Well, it just adds an extra warm feeling to the entire experience.

We had the chance to visited Cafe Momentum. It was an amazing experienced. The food and service were awesome. Love the restaurant concept and thankful for what they doing. Will be back for more.

CM has excellent service, the food prepared with attention to the procured ingredients, allowing them to shine. Great model for workplace development and the gratefulness seems contagions amongst the staff and patrons, highly recommended.

The concept is well defined in reviews, a restaurant launched by a world class chef who wanted to do goid. Trains once imprissoned people who want a fresh start. They learn the restaurant business and a trade to be productive. But also the food and experience is excellent. Wines by the bottle, and gourmet meal. You won't care how much it cost. And it's reasonable. Go here.

We were super excited to eat at Cafe Momentum after hearing of the wonderful reviews and unique concept for a couple of years. Last time we were in the area, no tables were available. But we were fortunate this time, and were pleasantly surprised by the complimentary valet as well. We were greeted warmly, and seated close to the kitchen. This means that we saw practically every plate pass by and everything looked delicious! We started with the cheese board (delicious) and then moved to the salads. I had the Caesar, but next time I will get the house. The Caesar was tasty, but after a bite of my friend’s - oh my, that vinaigrette! We settled on the smoked fried chicken and the filet as main courses. We would get both again. For dessert, the chocolate cookie with ice cream was decadent and plenty to share!

My wife and I dined with her parents at Cafe Momentum on a Thursday night in early August. We had four salads, four entrees, two desserts, and one bottle of wine, totaling $173, not including tip. First of all, the story behind Cafe Momentum is that this is a venture that gives troubled young men job experience in a variety of restaurant roles so that they have legitimate job skills and better prospects for their future. It's supported by a host of local charities and features instruction by celebrity chefs (everyone from local favorite Stephan Pyle to internationally-known Anthony Bourdain). Fantastic! Second, the food. It's good-quality, locally-sourced. Menus change frequently (almost weekly), and are available online. We enjoyed our food and found it to be creative and well-executed. Third, the service is good, but not flawless (the guys are recently-trained and probably never dined in a place this nice before starting to work here, so I'm lenient here - it's easy to see that they're working hard and learning fast). Fourth, the ambiance is urban and classy. The decor isn't quite as good as one would expect at a top professional restaurant. Also, I wasn't charmed by the mismatched glassware, dishes, and utensils, but it's probably a good strategy with so many untrained guys working. Nevertheless, the restaurant was full and buzzing (even on Thursday). Overall, we enjoyed our time there and would recommend it.

If you know the story, people aged 17-22 who have had legal issues are given a second chance at life with skills. They are the employees at Cafe Momentum. The story is a heart grabber, the food is beyond belief. Our table of six tried everything and loved it. I had the smoked fried chicken. You should too. It was that good. The desserts were unbelievably delicious. Please go now, and donate as much as you can. A very worthy cause and fabulous food. Highly recommended.

The food is delicious, but go for the experience. The mission these people are on is fantastic...and the kids are awesome! Make sure to interact with the staff...you will love learning more about them and hearing their hopes and dreams.

Amazing meal at a restaurant with an amazing story. We each had different main courses and they were all delicious. Great appetizer list and fresh bread daily. This is a non profit restaurant and your servers are "at risk" kids being trained to work in the food industry. Don't miss this dining experience! And....your meal is tax deductible!!!!

The waiters & watresses at this restaurant are all getting a second chance. Young adults once in trouble, now getting back on their feet. Food was good, service was good. Right in downtown Dallas. Give it a try!

I hosted a group dinner for a corporate meeting, of apx. 24 people. The restaurant was closed to the public, so we had the place to ourselves Chef Chad Houser addressed our group with his very touching story and inspiration. I believe he touched each of us with his vision and determination. Cafe Momentum is a non for profit restaurant that provides a 12 month paid internship for post juvenile detention. They are taught work and life skills. They spend months working at each station of the restaurant; ie server, host, fryers, cooks,as well as serving and guest etiquette, etc. and are required to even open checking accounts and learn to balance their checkbooks. This is an amazing opportunity and gift to these kids. The food stands on it's own! Our fixed menu started with fried pickles topped with lump crab meat and bruschetta. Entrees offered a smoked fried chicken that was served on top of mashed potatoes, with a biscuit on top and a side of collard greens, a beef filet and market fish. The desserts were key lime cheesecake and a fried peach pie with ice cream. Everyone raved about the fried chicken. It was definitely the hit of the night. The kids were very nice and most smiled a lot. My fish was dry and appeared to have set to wait for the other entrees, but still good. The beef filet look very good. The key lime cheesecake was great. I will definitely be back and tell everyone I know!

We made reservations and really looked forward to our dinner. My wife and I went with our two daughters, 11 & 13. Our girls are very adventurous eaters. If you aren't familiar with the story behind the restaurant look it up. It is a great concept education and rehabilitation. But I really thought the food was top notch and would have been welcome on a table at any fine dining spot in Dallas. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. If you want a terrific meal in a nice atmosphere or if you just want to support this cause (or both) I highly recommend this restaurant.

Have your company schedule group dinners here and donate to. Good cause and meet some special youth....we did!!! "Café Momentum, a Dallas-based restaurant and culinary training facility, transforms young people’s lives by providing a positive environment in which at-risk youth who have spent time in juvenile facilities receive intensive culinary, job and life-skill training, as well as continued mentorship and support, enabling them to achieve their full potential. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit restaurant, Café Momentum teaches critical skills that allow youth to apply what they have been taught in pre-release programs in a safe, real-world environment of nurturing accountability. By participating in our program, at-risk young men and women rotate through every aspect of the restaurant from waiting tables to washing dishes, while working side-by-side with established chefs."

Our first visit was a pleasure. Prior to attending the Opera, we wanted to try a new restaurant downtown. We were very pleased with the service and equally important the menu. Choices for our evening meal were limited, but perfect options were available. Free valet parking adjacent to the restaurant was an added value. The staff was attentive, polite and eager to help with our evening. At risk youth now have a second chance with this educational internship concept. A pet peeve of mine is a restaurant that is noisy. This was not an issue here. I could easily hear my wife without any need to raise our voices. That is important for a relaxing meal. Summary: Good food Polite staff Easy parking Enjoyable evening

We ate here because of the great mission behind the business, but were blown away by the food! It was so delicious and beautifully presented. The young staff were all very friendly, professional, and helpful. I strongly recommend it and would definitely eat here again!

Cafe Momentum is a one-of-a-kind award winning dining experience because the Chef and Owner Chad Houser has created flavorful unique dishes in a very relaxed environment, but even more so because he is providing opportunities in employment, career paths, and life for many deserving people. When you go make reservations days in advance. Good for business and groups. The menu changes regularly, but if they have them try the pork chop.

Will recommend it highly for the food the service and ambience. ..I was staying at holiday Inn downtown and this is footsteps away...Highly recommend the smoked fried chicken and shrimp & grit beignets

What a great concept. Great Food. Great Service. Fairly good ambience. They hire under privileged or disadvantaged youth and train them. Eat. Enjoy, and tip well, knowing that you are helping to make a difference.

A local beer, a super generous potion of an eggplant dip appetizer (think babaganoush meets Southwest), a pickled grape salad, an heirloom tomato salad with bison pastrami, and two entrees (gulf shrimp on spicy cheese grits and prosciutto wrapped rabbit. When I waffled, the server assured me, "tastes like chicken!") Too stuffed for our own good, we none the less split a toffee pudding and I had one of the best cups of coffee ever. Also... complimentary valet parking. There was not a weak element in our selections. And all that around a hundred dollar bill before gratuity. An absolute repeat. I'm not even going to mention the higher mission of this place. You should try it for the food. An absolute repeat.

The food was great. We had NY steak and pork chop. Both were excellent. Wine list for everyone. Bottles from $20 to $60+ for Châteauneuf-du-pape and others. We were impressed with the mission providing work training for youth coming out of juvenile facilities. We could tell that our waiter appreciated the opportunity he was being given. These kids are learning to be servers, so you have to be willing to cut them some slack. They are certainly attentive. Go to this restaurant for the great cause. Then, go back for the great food.

This restaurant is non-profit. It performs a service by training young juvenile offenders and teaching them work and life skills. I think this is a great concept. The menu is small, but the food was very good. Although our waiter made a few mistakes, overall he was very nice and attentive and really did a great job. I would highly recommend it, not just for the great food but also to support a good cause.

Zagat rated restaurant is a non profit training facility for at risk youth. The food is excellent, and a great wine list. Several in our party had the coffee rubbed steak, chops and scallops. The soup/salad combo was delicious. Take your time while dining, service is somewhat slow..but everyone in a learning path to better their lives!

We were there for a work dinner and knowing the mission of the restaurant moved my heart. The food is exquisite. Chad Houser is a culinary genius so the menu is amazing. The table service needs work but going there you realize why it does. These gentleman are trying to turn their life around and for many this is their first jobs. This is the first place where some of these guys had someone care if they showed up. You need to know this going in as the service may be great or need work. We didn't have silverware to eat with and had to ask for water. Multiple times. But our waiter was a new intern and learning his way. To know your money is going to support turning these kids lives around is very special. Many times you go to a restaurant and you eat pay and leave. Here you eat a delicious meal and in the process help offer someone a different life path.

Skeptical after hearing the concept of this restaurant? No need to be. Food is excellent and service is a very friendly group effort. Of all entrees at our table the smoked fried chicken was the standout. We had the cauliflower app (What is in that salsa verde?! It's amazing!) and the indescribable PBJ for dessert. Great experience, felt very comfortable here.

Visited on business with friends. The concept of this restaurant was great, and it was great watching the training employees learn their way. The menu offered a lot of options and everything tasted great.

What a special, special place. My wife and I went for the first time, based more on the concept than on what the food might be like. And that was a mistake! The concept is so great: take young(er) kids coming out of juvenile facilities and give them a paying job in a restaurant where they learn all facets of food service. Teach them a marketable skill. A hand up! But the food! The food was, truly, better than I thought it would be. From the first bite (spicy zucchini cornbread) we knew we had found some high quality food. We both had salads (Caesar for me, Texas pear salad for my wife) which were oh so very good. For main courses my wife had the rave-reviewed smoked fried chicken, and it did not disappoint! Exceptional! I had the NY strip, a perfect medium, super tender, really really good. For dessert we split the chocolate chip cookie pot which was, of course, excellent! Service was exceptional. So many of the young people there seem to swing by the table and make sure everything was all right. And they were so casual, so laid back, it really made for a fun dining experience; not a stuffy white tablecloth pressed shirt kind of deal (no tablecloths by the way, and the dress ranged from business to casual). I can not recommend this fine restaurant enough! Go check it out!!

This restaurant is providing internships for juveniles, which is obviously a great cause. Aside from this being a good reason to visit, you'll find it ticks all the other boxes that you would expect. The building is nice, although from the outside the dark glass can make it look closed even though its open. Nice interior too. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. The food presentation was really good, and the quality excellent. I personally had the fig salad (looked and tasted great), and the fried chicken which was lovely and filling. Recommended!

Wonderful experience, delicious food, inspiring non profit organization. I had several friends recommend this restaurant and it lived up to everything they described. I will return to Café Momentum my next trip to Dallas.

The pros: It's a great cause. The service was quick and efficient - with our apprentice waiter being helped out by an experienced waitress standing unobtrusively nearby. The wine service (by an adult) was also very good. And I never once had to ask for more water from the busboy. The cons: I got the distinct feeling that the apprentice waiter had very little idea about the food. Isn't there some kind of staff meeting that explains the evening's menu or let's the staff taste the offerings so they can speak even somewhat knowledgeably about them? The food was hit and miss. The greens in the salad were very fresh, the sliced grilled octopus ( described by the waiter as "smashed together") was not smashed together and very good, as was scallop entree and the Bonton chicken entree. The filet of beef was tough and seemed like it was some other cut of meat. The crime brûlée was more pudding-like than custard. The atmosphere is casual like a warehouse and a little too dark. Still, I'm glad we tried it because it's for a very good cause.

We have been hearing about this place from my sister-in-law for some time. Finally decided to give it a try for our anniversary. Their thing is helping kids that have run into trouble, job training and life skills. Our waiter Bernic was fantastic and made us feel welcome. He made great recommendations. The kofta meatballs were fantastic and we both loved our entrees. My wife had the fried chicken. I had the coffee rubbed steak. The food was outstanding and our service was even better. Will. Go. Back.

A large group met for dinner and all were impressed with their food. Appetizers, salads, soups and entrees, reflective of All American cuisine, were exceptional. The fried chicken and biscuit, steak, trout and vegetarian options were great. The service is a work in progress, as expected, since the restaurant mission includes helping at-risk youths learn culinary skills. Wait staff was eager to please as they learn the finer points of customer service. Easy complementary valet parking is available at the garage next door. This restaurant is a must for anyone desiring a very nice meal and wanting to support a worthy cause.

Eat. Drink. Change Lives. That is the motto of Cafe Momentum. An amazing restaurant and charity in downtown Dallas. I have been dining here since they opened and it is always an exceptional experience. The food is delicious. I especially crave the Momentum Salad, Smoke Fried Chicken, Grilled Shrimp and the Pork Chop. Also, the biscuits are to die for!! Easy free valet parking. Just a great culinary experience for a great cause. My favorite restaurant in Dallas!

The service is amazing. They have a complimentary valet. That night when i came, there was only 1 valet staff. There was a wedding party next door that also used the complimentary valet. The valet service was slow. There is self parking as well. The restaurant is clean and great for special occassion. The fried chicken with mashed potato and collard green is absolutely delicious! The squash casserole is a bit salty. Other than that, i had a great experience.

As others have said: good food and a good cause. Plainly a group of people, young and old, trying to make a positive difference for themselves and their community. Made us feel good in our tummy and our heart.

This restaurant is more than just a great place for dinner! It has a purpose: to train delinquent youth for a career. Someplace to be rather than on the street corner. Something to do rather than get in trouble. To learn to set goals and achieve them! And besides, that, the food was awesome! We had the shrimp and corn beignets (wow!), the carrot soup with pesto (fabulous) and the smoked fried chicken and biscuit (very good, but my least favorite item of the ones I tried). They sell wine by the bottle and have a nice selection in a set price range -- choose $20, $40, $60 or $80. We couldn't rave more about our waitstaff. A smiling young man welcomed us at the door and seated us (his name was Miller), and Devon was our waiter. He was obviously still training, but made huge efforts to serve us and we appreciated and enjoyed our opportunity to interact with him. I asked him to select my entree, and he seemed genuinely pleased. This restaurant is open evenings only -- sorry downtown business lunch crowd! A definite must on your dining list!

I loved seeing young talented people working toward positive goals. The service was excellent, the smiles were continuous, and the food was presented as it would have been a 5-star restaurant. Yes, the food also tasted great. I would return here with family. This was a great experience. I do hope the owner establishes more locations throughout the Dallas Metroplex.

Great to eat in this training establishment where everyone works hard to please. Lovely friendly staff and quality, locally sourced food. The only place in Dallas where I found something actually labelled as vegan which was great to see.

My organization hosted a private dinner here while in town for a meeting. By far the best decision we made the entire trip! The staff was very responsive and setting up the event couldn't have been easier (I LOVED the online portal for everything) and they made planning a breeze, thank you Michael! We knew the restaurant was special but the event exceeded every hope we had! Chef Chad Houser spoke to our group with such passion, conviction and poise- we were all moved! The kids were fantastic and I really appreciated being introduced to them, we were even treated to an impromptu serenade by a SERIOUSLY talented young woman! Last but NOT least was the food- I'm already craving the appetizers again! The entire meal was delicious and I'm not sure what they did to those vegetables but they were the best I've EVER had. Thank you!!!

First time I have ever done take out for Thanksgiving Day! The meal was fabulous! Sweet tea brinded turkey breast made me forget I like dark meat beast because it was tender, flavorful, and juicy! The sausage apple dressing was wonderful and I generally prefer cornbread dressing. Garlic mashed potatoes topped with the incredible mushroom gravy was outstanding. The veggies - we had dilled carrots and bacon Brussel sprouts - were a perfect offset to all the carbs. The perfect hit of the day was the biscuits - which I served with more butter and more honey. And of course, the pumpkin pie. What was particularly great was that each dish came in a pan I could put in the oven with clear baking instructions. Additionally, I had a card that told me when to put each dish in the oven, when to stir, and when to (if needed) add water or broth. Also, the portions were extremely generous - quoted for 4, could have served 6-8!

It's hard to be critical....okay it's hard to find to some. After that this is a great place. If you know anything about its purpose you like it even better. The entire purpose of the restaurant, is giving a fresh start to young men who had a tough beginning. They learn from Chef, all the points of restaurant life from kitchen to serving so they can move on in life in a career. They are very motivated and it shows in the service and they are genuinely happy to be there and serve you. The food is excellent, come support this great idea.

What a great experience. As others have said, the story behind Cafe Momentum is inspirational. But the dinner - smoked carrot soup, curried lentils and a s'more inspired dessert all complimented the attentive and professional service of the youthful wait staff

First off, this is a non-profit and your entire bill is tax deductible. - Cafe momentum teaches adolescents who are in the juvenile detainment system how to have a job and function in society with skills that a restaurant teaches you. It is a life skills program. All of these kids working here have felonies yet have learned to be humble and respectful, gained communication skills, learned the value of hard work over the “easy money big paying” street life. My head and belly are so full every time I leave this place and it is an everyday ( Thursday -Saturday only) way to contribute positively to our world and an exceptional cause. You can learn more at cafemomentum.org They do have large party reservation options by contacting them! Now to the food... chef chad is the bomb diggity and knows how to cook. The menu is delicious and I believe most of the ingredients come from a local neighborhood co-op type market at Bonton Farms ( in Dallas, look it up)!! They serve adult beverages and it is reservation only I believe. Also, THEY ARE ON OPEN TABLE 🎉❤️ Go to dinner here. Your belly and your heart will not be disappointed!

Cafe Momentum is an amazing experience. People involved in this “project” are absolutelly amaizing. Foid served is great. This is a must stop restaurant in Dallas.

It was only a matter of time before this concept caught on in the United States. We have been to several of restaurants like the Momentum in other southeast Asia countries, but this was a first for us in America. The concept, a non profit operation that staffs itself with disadvantaged youths in order to provide them with a job skill to better their lives. We arrived early on Friday night, and were glad to have a reservation, because the place was already packed, and stayed busy all evening. Chad Houser has done a great job with the menu, offering a variety of items that satisfied our rather eclectic group of eight. The wine list was also a great selection and a good value as well. Divided into different price groups, ($20-$40-$60) it was easy to find a good wine to fit the occasion. The service was great as well, not the uptight snoot you might find in upscale restaurants now days, but a genuine care by all the waiters that your evening was a pleasure. Sure there were a few rough spots, but sincerity and effort more than made up for them. After 40 years in the restaurant business I am glad to see that new concepts are alive and well at Cafe Momentum.

Lively, charming restaurant with imaginative food providing a purpose to those who work there. This non-profit provides internships in hospitality to at risk youth under the guidance of caring adult mentors. The food is delicious and it warms the heart to know a night out for some has given another a chance at a new start.

Attended a business celebration here. The food was very good, service outstanding. Great place that benefits the “youth at risk” in Dallas county. Nice surroundings, valet parking and attentive staff. Variety of food was good, with nice wine selections. Recommend for gatherings of 100 or less. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s for menu dining no as well.

I'd be inclined not to label as juvenile offenders or disadvantaged youth in this culinary training program as such. But, as you read learn more about Cafe Momentum you will encounter this information. I prefer to see the engaged young people excited about a career in the culinary arts. The food was great and innovative, the service attentive, the wine was unbelievably priced. I have become exceedingly stingy with Excellent ratings so I'm in the minority who rated Very Good rather than Excellent. Will I go back? Yes. Will I recommend to other food and wine people? You bet! You will not be disappointed. Pictured is a grilled shrimp dish with fiddlehead ferns and fingerling potatoes that was flawless, and an entry that I might order again if there were not so many other intriguing selections. Try it. You will not be disappointed with the food, wine, ambiance, or many examples of changed lives.

We found Cafe Momentum by chance and are so glad we visited! My husband and I enjoyed a great dinner here and are touched by the mission of the whole organization. We made a reservation shortly beforehand for a Saturday night, but since we were early we probably didn't need the reservation. The youth working at the restaurant were very friendly and did a great job. They refilled our glasses without us needing to ask and provided excellent service in a friendly way. We loved the bacon and blue cheese scones in the bread basket appetizer we ordered, and the smoked fried chicken was delicious as was the coffee rubbed New York strip. Sides were also great with generous portions all around at reasonable prices. We spent about $65 for dinner for two with very nice food and an appetizer, coffee, and a salad. We would love to come back next time we are in the area!

If you haven't had a chance to dine at Cafe Momentum, you need to make the time! The story of Cafe Momentum is heartwarming and one that you should support. Excellent food and service. It is heartwarming to see this young adults working so hard to put their lives onthe right course and learn valuable life skills. We have been several times for dinner and we are never disappointed with the meal.

We loved this place! It was a pleasure being served by some of Dallas' at-risk teens who need a 2nd chance. Our server used to be homeless at the age of 16 and now has a better life. The restaurant has a mentor on staff who pours into the kids and teaches them proper etiquette and greeting techniques. I'll definitely come back here!

This was my second visit . The service was decent as these kiddos are learning. So polite ! I got the smoked Fired chicken...again.... and mashed potatoes and the asparagus. It was quite salty this time . My friend got the fish which was flaky and pretty good overall. The dessert was an ice cream with a salted pretzel which was quite Tasty. I will keep Coming back for sure , it wasn’t a 5 star this time. But I just love this place and what chef Chad is doing. Bravo!!

Café Momentum has excellently prepared, locally sourced food at reasonable prices. But that is only half of its mission. Café Momentum also provides real world, on-the-job training to juvenile offenders. Juvies enlist in a 12 month training program that allows them to start at the bottom and work through all aspects of restaurant operations. They receive coaching to help them learn restaurant skills, supplemented by critical social and life management skills. When they complete the program they leave with marketable restaurant skills and a better understanding of how to function effectively within the working world. Our waiter was new to the program. He was being shadow trained by another waiter who was about to graduate from the program. Because Café Momentum uses locally sourced ingredients I asked about the relative merits of two local honey based beers. Our waiters advised us that they would not be able to answer questions about alcoholic beverages, but quickly offered to have a staff representative explain the nuances of the two brews. I ordered the smoked fried chicken dinner. It was served with collard greens, seasoned mashed potatoes, a biscuit and gravy. It was well prepared and the perfect comfort food combination. Another member of our party had the pot pie. Again the comfort food theme was strong. The ambiance of Café Momentum is concrete and steel modern. Even so the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The music volume is maintained at a level that allows easy table conversation. Many of the patrons seemed to be regulars and supporters of the training goals of the café. We were just there for the food. We learned about Café Momentum’s social training mission on the back of the menu.

The concept of this restaurant is to support at-risk youth, by providing them ground-up skills in the restaurant business, what greater investment can we contribute to our community ( plus the food is pretty good as well, so that doesn't hurt )

Our group of 8 were greeted by friendly staff. Once we were seated, our server, James, was cordial and knowledgeable. He also made good recommendations: shrimp and grits beignets, smoked chicken, wagyu steak and eggs. All in all, this place a has a fun and nice vibe. It's also a great cause, giving misguided youth a second chance in society.

This downtown cafe uses former juvenile offenders as employees. The valet parking is right next door and very efficient. You get a fob that you push 5 minutes before you want to leave and, presto, your car is waiting curbside at the front door when you walk out. The decor is warehouse, but it works with the downtown location. The place is well staffed and everyone was friendly. The food was good and reasonably priced. I had the carrot soup (spicy) and the scallops. The wine list is small but has some good choices at very reasonable prices. Unfortunately the Rhone red I wanted was not yet in stock, but I defaulted to a very nice pinot from SLH. In all, decent food at a good price for a good cause.

I had dinner here on Thursday Jan 14 and it was an incredible experience. The food was incredible and the service from the young men were also incredible. Chad you are doing an amazing thing with this restaurant, thank you!

Travelling on my own, found this place recommended on a few websites and gave it ago. Really good food, friendly staff, lovely atmosphere and all part of a really worthwhile project. Really enjoyable visit.

Parking was easy, while downtown in this area is rather bleak, this place was nice. I'd go back for sure.

This is an amazing project and our service and food was amazing! Kudos to Cafe Momentum, a very special place!