Name: One of Dallas’ most popular bars, Katy Trail Ice House, reopened Friday
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One of Dallas’ most popular bars, Katy Trail Ice House, reopened Friday

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2:15 PM on Aug 7, 2020 CDTDespite an order from the Texas governor keeping during the COVID-19 pandemic, Katy Trail Ice House in Uptown Dallas reopened Friday, Aug. 7 at noon.The popular outdoor bar has sold more alcohol than nearly any other standalone bar in Dallas in the past year, according to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) figures. Katy Trail Ice House averaged $530,000 in total alcohol sales each month for the past year.It’s been closed since June 26, when Gov. Greg Abbott’s order shut down bars across Texas, with the aim of limiting the spread of COVID-19. During a previous shutdown order in May, Katy Trail Ice House attempted to reopen and got its hand slapped.This time, Katy Trail Ice House co-owner Buddy Cramer says he worked with the TABC to reopen his establishment under the agreement that it will begin to sell more food than alcohol.The percentages matter, because businesses that make 51% or more in alcohol sales have to remain closed, in accordance with the governor’s mandate. “Any business that’s found to have violated the governor’s order could face a 30-day suspension of their license to sell alcohol,” says TABC spokesman Chris Porter.He says establishments with “FB certificates” like Katy Trail Ice House will be audited. They’re asking citizens and local officials to help identify businesses that pose a risk, and TABC may do “more frequent audits of businesses which could post a higher risk of violation,” Porter notes.Cramer’s plan to increase food sales starts by requiring that all guests order something to eat, a new rule. Servers will also be pushing Katy Trail Ice House merchandise, since those sales will help them keep in compliance, Cramer says.On their menus, food prices have been increased and drink prices have been decreased.Katy Trail leadership joins a growing number of food and beverage executives in North Texas that have coordinated with the TABC to reopen their establishments during the coronavirus. Each approach varies: At Lava Cantina in The Colony, for instance, the owner , thus putting alcohol sales at less than half. At Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, its general manager has applied for a food and beverage certificate to .Cramer notes that the paperwork “is a little bit of silliness."“The Ice House has always been a restaurant,” he says. “But, if that’s what we have to do, that’s what we’re going to comply with,” he says.Related:The bar-restaurant’s most popular food items are its cheeseburgers and jalapeño bottlecaps, and Cramer hopes to sell a lot of those upon reopening.In keeping with , Cramer says all tables will be disinfected before a new guest sits down. He has removed about 25% of the patio tables to keep them farther apart. He guesses that the new setup will allow for about 500 people to congregate on the patio.Customers who choose to dine in will be seated by a Katy Trail Ice House staff member.Katy Trail Ice House tried reopening in early May during a previous shutdown order, though that didn’t last long. Then it legally reopened from late May through late June, until the governor’s June 26 mandate shut down the establishment, alongside hundreds of other bars in North Texas. Katy Trail remained closed to dine-in business in July and early August, though it sold food and drinks for takeout.Cramer says to-go sales were “not great.”“The Ice House is a place you come to for the atmosphere,” he says. “People go there for the trees and the trail. And we weren’t able to do that in a to-go format.”Katy Trail Ice House is at 3127 Routh St., Dallas.Related:Related:Get the latest restaurant reviews, recipes and info on the wine/beer scene in D-FW.By signing up you agree to our

2:15 PM on Aug 7, 2020 CDTDespite an order from the Texas governor keeping during the COVID-19 pandemic, Katy Trail Ice House in Uptown Dallas reopened Friday, Aug. 7 at noon.The popular outdoor bar has sold more alcohol than nearly any other standalone bar in Dallas in the past year, according to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) figures. Katy Trail Ice House averaged $530,000 in total alcohol sales each month for the past year.It’s been closed since June 26, when Gov. Greg Abbott’s order shut down bars across Texas, with the aim of limiting the spread of COVID-19. During a...

One of Dallas’ most popular bars, Katy Trail Ice House, reopened Friday

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