Inside Dallas’ first Hugs Cafe, a new restaurant with 'no limitations'
Ruth Thompson, founder and president of Hugs Cafe Inc. cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of a new Hugs Cafe location Dec. 8, 2025 in Dallas.
It’s easy to smile at new Dallas restaurant Hugs Cafe. Everyone else is!
Most of the employees inside this happy breakfast and lunch spot are individuals with disabilities. Hugs’ chefs, like Dallas resident Meshia Brown, are taught knife skills and pastry skills. Hosts like Natalie Perez learn warm hospitality and customer service.
Ruth Thompson, founder and president of Hugs Cafe Inc. speaks at the grand opening of a new Hugs Cafe location Dec. 8, 2025 in Dallas.
“We exist so that every person can have professional and personal success,” said Lauren Smith, Hugs Cafe’s executive director.
The nonprofit serves food in a rent-free building gifted from the Meadows Foundation, a private charitable organization that has created a feel-good community on 22 acres off Live Oak Street, near downtown Dallas. Hugs is neighbors with the coming-soon headquarters for Cafe Momentum, another restaurant nonprofit in Dallas that employs teenagers who have exited the juvenile justice system.
The "Katie Beth" peach gobbler sandwhich is seen at the new Hugs Cafe location in Dallas Dec. 8, 2025. It's served with a house-made peach chutney, turkey, bacon, cheddar and lettuce on sourdough bread.
Hugs provides “purpose, meaning and a paycheck,” said Ruth Thompson, founder and president.
The goal is inclusion.
“You can come support us for the mission,” said Diana Zamora, a Dallas chef and culinary trainer, “but I also want you to come here for the food.”
Not sure what to order? Just ask. The Chickie Hug, a cranberry chicken salad sandwich, was a favorite from the cashier. Brown loves the Reuben. The Peach Gobbler — a turkey sandwich with peach chutney — tops Zamora’s list.
For breakfast, Hugs sells classic egg dishes, breakfast burritos and more. Any time of day, its wedding cake cookie and cherry-almond jam are popular takeaway items, Smith said.
The Dallas restaurant also sells White Rhino coffee.
Hugs Cafe Executive Director Lauren Smith speaks at the grand opening of a new Hugs Cafe location Dec. 8, 2025 in Dallas.
As Hugs opens in a crowded food-and-beverage market in Dallas, it will look to the community for support, Smith said. Beyond day-to-day breakfast and lunch, Hugs sells catered boxed lunches for corporate events in the downtown Dallas and East Dallas area. Clients can know their food was made by a trained chef learning meaningful work in the restaurant industry.
The "Katie Beth" peach gobbler sandwhich is seen at the new Hugs Cafe location in Dallas Dec. 8, 2025. It's served with a house-made peach chutney, turkey, bacon, cheddar and lettuce on sourdough bread.
“We place no limitations on them,” Zamora said.
Hugs across Dallas-Fort Worth
The "Chickie Hug" sandwich is seen at the new Hugs Cafe location in Dallas Dec. 8, 2025. It has a cranberry pecan chicken salad with mixed greens, served on toasted sourdough bread.
The original Hugs Cafe opened in McKinney in 2015, and it remains there today.
The group is fundraising for a 13,000 square-foot headquarters in McKinney to provide more training and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hugs has raised $9.1 million towards a $10 million goal.
The Dallas expansion signals the first in an eventual series, Smith said. She hopes to open other locations to help more adults with special needs seeking jobs.
Staff at Hugs Cafe work to fill orders as they flood in on opening day Dec. 8, 2025 in Dallas.
As Brown finished her first lunch shift making sandwiches, she noted the “friendly and generous” atmosphere in the Hugs kitchen.
The new Dallas location of Hugs cafe is seen Dec. 8, 2025 on their opening day.
She ended the day with a smile, prepared to come back for another busy shift soon.
“I feel happy,” she said.
Hugs Cafe is at 2918 Live Oak St., Dallas. Open for breakfast and lunch six days a week. Closed Sundays.
The original Hugs Cafe remains at 224 E. Virginia St. Open for breakfast and lunch six days a week. Closed Sundays.
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The Chickie Hug sandwich is a lunch option at Hugs Cafe, a new restaurant in Dallas. Hugs was created to provide jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Simone, a Hugs Cafe employee, takes an order at the new Dallas restaurant.
The "Reagans Sprouts" salad is seen at the new Hugs Cafe location in Dallas Dec. 8, 2025. It contains ham, turkey, bacon, egg, cheddar cheese, tomato, cucumber, carrots and sprouts all served over mixed greens.
Staff at Hugs Cafe work to fill orders as they flood in on opening day Dec. 8, 2025 in Dallas.
