FAME AND FAJITAS
Eat like a celebrity at this longtime neighborhood restaurant

Feel like taking a stroll down memory lane? Then stop by Casita Dominguez, the venerable neighborhood spot where Pete Dominguez has served “Austin-style Tex-Mex” for nearly 40 years.

Near the entrance, you’ll find a pretty impressive gallery of celebrities who have eaten there, though most might be unknown to anyone under 25.

Plenty of the photos are of former Dallas Cowboys, many of whom were regular customers when the team practiced in the area, and some of whom are still regular customers living in the area.

There’s Charlie Adams, Jim Ray Smith and former coach Jim Myers, who Pete says is still a frequent customer, along with celebrities of other genres such as Carol Burnett, Freddy Fender, Dawn Wells and even Benji, that loveable movie star mutt (who reportedly enjoyed a plate of fajitas).

The menu includes all the standard Tex-Mex favorites, along with some house specials such as the entrée shown here: Shrimp Sadie, named after the wife of Charlie Seay, who helped Dominguez get his start way back when.

CASITA DOMINGUEZ
5807 Blackwell 214-369-3993
Hours: Sun-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
$, WB

Pete Dominguez Pico de Gallo (makes 1 quart)

6 firm, medium-sized tomatoes, diced
10 jalapeno peppers, minced
4 medium white onions, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 3 lemons
3 teaspoons olive oil
4-6 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
Bundle of cilantro (remove stems)
Garlic powder to taste

Place all ingredients in a bowl, and mix carefully. Use only fresh ingredients to get the best flavor from this recipe, which can be stored in the refrigerator up to a week.

on the go

Literate Little Ones Want to keep your kids reading and writing on their summer break? Here are two events to get them started. Barnes and Noble will host an Author Camp for Kids on Tuesday, June 22-Friday, June 25, 1-2:30 p.m. Kids ages 8-12 can learn what it is at this free camp featuring Texas authors Julie Lake, Mary Penson, Paul Martin and Neila Patrick. Kids will read their favorite writing sample to the group on the last day of camp. RSVP by Monday, June 21 by calling 214-739-3643. Or take them to Preston Royal Library early in the month for Luke’s Letters, where they can sing songs and enjoy stories with Luke, a Golden Retriever who encourages children to read and writes them letters. Tuesday, June 1, 2:30 p.m. For all ages. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Through the Needle’s Eye Don’t miss your last chance to view this collection of American quilts created from the 1820s to 1945. The exhibition is part of Quilt Mania, a citywide collaboration among 11 Dallas-are cultural institutions. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 12 and under. Through Sunday, June 24. The Dallas Museum of Art. For information, visit dallasmuseumofart.org or call 214-922-2100.

arts & entertainment

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse June 18, Kevin Danzig, Mike West & Truck Stop Honeymoon ($10/$12); June 25, David Roth ($12). Closed June 4 and June 11. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. Northpark Presbyeterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit unclecalvins.org.

Medardo Rosso: Second Impressions Through Sunday, June 20. A groundbreaking exhibit of works by the early modernist sculptor, Medardo Rosso, showcases his pioneering experimentation with different materials and casting techniques. At the Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora, open Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for students and free for children under 12. For information call 214-242-5100 or visit nashersculpturecenter.org.

The Triumph of French Painting Through Sunday, July 25. The Meadows Museum presents an international loan exhibition of 40 major paintings by French masters of the 17th century. The show features works by 34 artists, including Nicolas Poussin, Georges de la Tour and Claude Lorrain. Parking and admission to the exhibit is free. 5900 Bishop on the SMU campus. For information, call 214-768-2516 or visit meadowsmuseumdallas.org.

20th Century Texas and Spanish Prints Through Sunday, August 8. This exhibit includes more than 100 prints by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and prominent artists of the Southwest, including Otis Dozier, David Bates and Charles T. Bowling. Free. Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop. Call 214-768-2516 for information.

Library Exhibit Throughout June: Handmade beaded jewelry by Leslie Rose and Gaynell Ihms. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

community

Batter Up, Kids! Wednesday, June 9, 1 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 are invited to meet Barbara Beery, founder of Austin children’s cooking school Batter Up Kids and author of Batter Up Kids: Delicious Desserts. Beery will demonstrate how to make fun, creative treats and kids will have a chance to make some of the recipes themselves. RSVP by Monday, June 7, to 214-739-3643. Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Park, 7700 W. Northwest Highway.

Photography Club Thursdays, 1 p.m. For photographers who want better results from their pictures. Some classes include outings to local sites for picture taking. Bring your own camera and film. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact scane@jccdallas.com.

health & fitness

Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching and low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact info@jccdallas.com

library

Miss Jo and Friends Tuesday, June 8, 2:30 p.m. Lots of music and fun with Miss Jo, who always brings and animal friend along to meet and greet. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Library Live! What Makes a Song? Tuesday, June 8, 10:30 a.m. interactive journey of how music is made, with Doc Gibbs. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

The World is a Rainbow Tuesday, June 22, 2:30 p.m. Multicultural songs and stories to celebrate our world, with storyteller Dorayne Breedlove. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Island ‘n Motion Saturday, June 19, 10:30 a.m. A showcase of music, song, storytelling, dance and martial arts, covering the geography of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

The Frog Prince Tuesday, June 29, 2:30 p.m. Storytelling with puppetry presented by Sandy Shrout. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
literary

Author Signing Saturday, June 12, 1 p.m. Ed Crowell, author of Barefoot Pirate: The Tall Ships and Tales of Windjammer. Barnes & Noble Lincoln Park, 7700 W. Northwest Highway, Suite 300.

Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m. Join us for a lively discussion of Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Reader’s Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances throughout the year. No memorization required. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact info@jccdallas.com.

seniors

Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This friendly group is open to men and women ages 60+, offering a wide variety of classes and activities. Bring lunch; coffee is provided. Newcomers welcome. Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood. For information, call Anabel at 214-350-0465.

Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For information, contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.

CALLING ALL COLLECTORS

OK, so this sounds like something for the egghead crowd. But we’re betting it has wider appeal. It’s a new exhibit on the SMU campus called “Dallas Collects” showcasing the treasures of book and graphic arts collectors in our area. It will feature a variety of rarities, including medieval manuscripts, literary autographs, first editions early printings and modern art. But what is being billed as its “unique aspect” is the presentation of the items: Bridwell Library has asked each collector to write his or her own description of the piece, including how it was found or, more likely, hunted down. Among the participating collectors are Ross Perot, Rabbi Gerald Klein and Charles Tandy. Among the exhibited items are first edition books by Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, the Nuremberg Chronicle of 1493, and manuscripts by Robert Frost and Emily Dickenson. Open and free to the public through August. Bridwell Library’s Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Galleries in the Perkins School of Theology, SMU campus. 6005 Bishop Blvd. For information, call 214-768-3483.