Start Cafe in Dallas adds acoustic artists for Sunday brunch crowd

"Fast" food doesn't mean you've got to scram.

Courtesy of Start Restaurant

Start is a new all-natural, fast-food restaurant on Grrenville Ave., complete with drive-thru.

GREENVILLE AVENUE — The phrase "fast casual" has been bandied about a lot recently, but one Dallas establishment is helping define the trend. Start Cafe, known for super-healthy food for those on-the-go, announced they will begin offering live music on the weekends for those who wish to linger. (There's also a drive-thru for those who don't.)

Dispelling misconceptions that Start is all "fast" with little experience, owner Erin McKool said adding local musicians initially started as an idea to "drum up" the restaurant's brunch crowd. But, recent weeks have already shown bigger numbers on weekend mornings, so the acoustic lineup has morphed into a new way of supporting local -- already a big deal for McKool, who prides herself on emphasizing homegrown ingredients on Start's menu.

"It's important to us that guests know they are welcome to linger. Sure, there's the drive-thru, but we also have a patio, beer, wine, free WiFi, and -- on the weekends -- mimosas prepared with fresh-squeezed orange juice."

Zach Lewis

Salim Nourallah

McKool said that local artist Salim Nourallah, who will be the first to perform on February 24, was integral in helping come up with the initial lineup because his chill, singer/songwriter style was precisely what they wanted. He helped design a lineup including Kristy Kruger, Nicholas Altobelli, Paul Slavens, Paul Averitt (from Hard Night’s Day), John Lefler, Chad Stockslager (who plays in the Drams & King Bucks), Chris Holt, ‪and Holt & Stockslager.

Weekend brunch menus also feature dishes not available on weekdays such as an egg tart (similar to a quiche), brunch burger, and frittata.

"Now that the weather's pretty, we thought this would be a fun way to let people know they are welcome to stick around. Because we're so casual, it's the perfect spot for runners to come straight back from the lake in sweaty clothes and get a restaurant-quality meal, but in a more relaxed and accepting atmosphere," McKool said.

Artists will perform on the patio every Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. beginning February 24.