Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dallas chef and restaurateur Matt Martinez died
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Dallas chef and restaurateur Matt Martinez, Jr. died on Friday, after being placed in a hospice unit earlier this week.
On Wednesday, an email was circulated through the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association informing members that Martinez had brain cancer and was in hospice care:
Matt Martinez ... was put into a hospice unit in Irving and his life looks near finished on this earth according to [wife] Estella. She has asked for prayers of comfort at this time.
Part of a legendary Tex-Mex restaurant family, Martinez owned Matt's Rancho Martinez in Lakewood, beloved for its exemplary Tex-Mex and its "Bob Armstrong dip" made from queso with smoked meats taco meat, quacamole, and sour cream. Another branch opened recently in Cedar Hill.
Martinez also co-authored cookbooks such as Matt Martinez's Culinary Frontier and Matt Makes a Run for the Border : Recipes and Tales from a Tex-Mex Chef.
Friends and family members, including daughter Christine, posted comments on SideDish.
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Comments
Russ Vandeveerdonk Verified
Very sad to hear this news!
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
joannhayes Anonymous
He will be missed....
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Tracy Yost Verified
Very sad news.
I met Matt through a mutual friend a few years ago. He was one of the smartest and genuinely warm and caring people I've ever met. Always willing to be a mentor, I learned a lot from him. He also had a great sense of humor!
He brought me tamales and enchiladas when Rick was in the hospital. I will never forget his kindness, and I know he will be sorely missed by many. RIP Matt. tears
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
This is another real Dallas type,... who had the guts and hard work to do what he did and so my hats off to the folks who make dinning in Dallas fun....A/T, Give these folks a salute who make Dallas real..
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
cookingfresh Anonymous
Truly a Dallas culinary institution and a great losses for our city and profession. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family, he will be missed.
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Margie Hubbard Verified
Actually, Smoked Bob is made with queso and smoked meats. Bob Armstrong is taco meat, quacamole & sour cream at the bottom of a bowl of queso. His best book, by far, is the newest, "Matt Martinez, Mex Tex, Traditional Tex-Mex Cooking". I bought my copy on Amazon. But, I believe it's available at the Lakewood restaurant.
I am so sad that Matt is gone. He defined TexMex for me. It's hard to describe how much of a fixture he was here in East Dallas. Such a sweetheart. And now he's gone.
I prepare his recipes at home. But, I think it's really important that we continue to support his restaurants. His family deserves our support.
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Margie Hubbard Verified
Teresa, please let us know if you hear anything about a memorial service.
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
good eye, margie!
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Courtesy Mike B:
http://twitpic.com/23xed
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
Services are at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church at 6306 Kenwood Avenue in Dallas: - Wednesday at 7 p.m.: rosary prayer service. - Thursday at 11 a.m.: funeral mass.
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Russ Vandeveerdonk Verified
Thank you Teresa!
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
alexander troup Verified
There is a good obit in todays paper, which I cut out and placed in my Hispanic familes of Dallas file, he had a lot to do in the city,pretty good guy, sad loss....T.G, follows up with a good thought also...ok Russ your on, what is your story and hang in there folks,the weather is still...musty...A/T,...Hispanic history does belong in Dallas..
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Joel Woiton Verified
I will always have great memories about Matt. I will have an extra reverance when I eat at his restaurant again.
7 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kristenbry Anonymous
I worked for Matt for two years in his Lakewood location and drove everyday for a year and a half from Plano, then 6 months from Mckinney. I loved working there but after about 6 months the drive took a tole on me. Because of the wonderful person Matt and his family is I could not leave. Matt is the most respectful, sweet, caring, and wonderful man I have ever met. I miss seeing him walk in he would look at me, smile, and say "There's my beautiful girl, how are you today sweetheart" and then give me a big kiss on my forehead. To anyone that has not been to his restaurant go check it out and pay your respect. It is a very happy environment and the people that work there are great! I miss it dearly and look forward to having a shot of Jack with him in heaven when its my turn to go! I love you and miss you bunches Matt! The turnout of your service showed how much you are loved by everyone! Nearly 500 people! Amazing! R.I.P. I hope you are having a blast!
6 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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