Dallas couple to open second restaurant

Blythe and Will Bayrd recently opened the ice cream and mini market portion of their soon-to-be fully open ice cream, sandwich, and coffee restaurant Front Porch and Provisions at 140 N. Gaston St. in Dallas.

In a previous interview, the couple said opening Front Porch and Provisions was part of their long-term dreams as a duo with years in the restaurant industry.

According to the Bayrds, opening your first restaurant is a lot like having your first child in that you worry about doing everything perfectly, but a second restaurant seems a little easier because you have the hang of it.

They said that is why they decided to open a second restaurant, Aloha Poke Bowl at 109 E. Trade St in Dallas, right around the corner from Front Porch and Provisions.

Aloha Poke Bowl sits in the space that was Dallas Grill many years ago, Blythe Bayrd said.

A few months ago, when they noticed the space for sale, her father suggested the couple open a restaurant selling one of his favorite foods, and Aloha Poke was born.

Will Bayrd had recently taken a consulting job assisting another poke restaurant with set-up and plans to open, so the timing seemed perfect, he said.

Aloha will be a to-go only assembly-style restaurant similar to a build-it-yourself sandwich shop.

Customers will enter, choose a rice base, add protein and toppings, and grab a drink at the end.

According to Will Bayrd, the restaurant will offer Dallas a health, quick food option.

Aloha will have a variety of poke options from traditional Hawaiian tuna poke to a crispy fried chicken option.

They also plan to sell boba tea and acai bowls, Blythe Bayrd said.

While opening two restaurants is stressful, the couple believes they have the right expertise for the job, they said.

Will Bayrd has previous experience opening two restaurants at a time as a chef, and said he feels like running the two restaurants is part of his destiny.

“I know I can do it, right, I’ve done it,” he said.

The couple said Aloha will open in roughly two weeks after hands-on training with the employees, and Front Porch and Provisions will follow shortly after.

“We’re not giving up on Front Porch and Provisions,” Blythe Bayrd said.

The couple has faced permit-related set-backs in opening the sandwich shop, but believes it will finally open the first week of August, they said.

Aloha will be open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.