Emeril Lagasse Kicks It Up a Notch Filming New TV Show at El Fenix in Downtown Dallas

Posted on February 3rd, 2011 11:30am by Christine Perez
Filed under Celebrity Chefs, Food On TV, Tex-Mex
Mike Karns, Alfred Martinez, and Emeril Lagasse

Mike Karns, Alfred Martinez, and Emeril Lagasse

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is in Dallas this week—not for Super Bowl XLV, but to film episodes for his new show, The Originals, which will air this spring on the Cooking Channel. He spent Tuesday and Wednesday at El Fenix (first, at the restaurant’s tortilla chip factory on Harry Hines Boulevard, then at its longtime spot downtown). Today and tomorrow, Lagasse and his crew will be at the original Sonny Bryan’s and The Mecca.

“These days, everyone is trying to do everything new,” says the celebrity chef, who took a break from filming to talk with me. “I wanted to do something old. So I’m going around the country to visit older, established restaurants that have had a significant impact not just on the food scene but also on American culture.”

Lagasse says he’s focusing on restaurants that are at least 50 years old that are “still doing it right, and still packing ‘em in.” El Fenix was a perfect fit because it offers “not just the face, but the gut,” he says. ”They’ve been here since 1918. The Martinez family basically pioneered Tex-Mex. They’re exactly what we’re looking for: true originals.”

Longtime El Fenix chef Lucas Flores worked with Lagasse to prepare three of the chain’s signature dishes for the show: cheese enchiladas, chile relleno, and tortilla soup.

Founded in 1918 by Miguel Martinez, the restaurant had remained in the family until 2008, when it was sold to Firebird Restaurant Group, led by former CiCi’s executive Mike Karns. Several members of the Martinez family remain on board, Karns says, including the founder’s son, Alfred Martinez, and grandson, chief operating officer John McBride Jr.

Since buying El Fenix, Karns has added four locations, bringing the total to 19, all in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He’s planning to continue “careful, strategic” expansion, first throughout Texas and then into other states.

As for the big game on Sunday, Lagasse says he has a ticket, but isn’t sure if he’ll attend. “I’ve been to the last 12 Super Bowls,” he says. “I have to be in Atlanta on Monday, so I may just take Sunday to be with my family.”

Emeril and his film crew enjoy a meal at El Fenix. Can you tell what they've ordered?

15 comments

  1. [...] slow food news day. Dean Fearing just posted a picture of himself  on Facebook. “With old buddy Emeril in town at Sonny Bryan’s on Inwood eating the BEST ribs! With Dave the coolest Pit Master!”  [...]

    @ 12:41 pm on February 3, 2011

  2. I’ve not eaten a better cheese enchilada dinner than the one they serve at El Fenix.

    @ 2:37 pm on February 3, 2011

  3. Isn’t Brandt Wood part of El Fenix–the new project next to Old Fenix downtown?

    @ 3:21 pm on February 3, 2011

  4. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dawn Knowlton, foodnetworktalk.com. foodnetworktalk.com said: Emeril Lagasse Kicks It Up a Notch Filming New TV Show at El Fenix in Downtown Dallas | SideDish http://t.co/JUOnZ2G via [...]

    @ 1:40 pm on February 4, 2011

  5. Yey El Fenix!!!! And congrats to my dad Lucas the chef!

    @ 8:28 pm on February 6, 2011

  6. Felizidades a Chef Lucas Flores,
    te queremos tu familia!
    Adriana Silva

    @ 9:19 pm on February 6, 2011

  7. Congrats Chef Lucas Flores!!

    @ 9:36 pm on February 6, 2011

  8. Congrats to Chef Lucas Flores!

    @ 11:04 pm on February 6, 2011

  9. Outstanding work done by Corporate Chef Lucas Flores. His talent and good work ethic as really show his capability. Love you and thank you

    @ 11:49 pm on February 6, 2011

  10. I love El Fenix! Congratulations Chef Lucas Flores!!!

    @ 12:05 am on February 7, 2011

  11. Muchas Felicidades Lucas Flores

    @ 5:59 am on February 7, 2011

  12. Congrats Lucas Flores!

    @ 12:25 pm on February 7, 2011

  13. I know of him he’s my friends dad I’m proud of him gooooooooooo chefff lucasss!

    @ 1:54 pm on February 7, 2011

  14. Congrats Chef Lucas. Couldnt be happier for you and the family. Many Blessings!

    @ 12:10 pm on February 8, 2011

  15. Congratulations!! So proud of you! This recognition didn’t come without difficulty and your outstanding work proves it! Keep the good stuff coming!

    @ 7:44 pm on February 11, 2011