Chef-driven Texas barbecue concept blends live-fire cooking, Southern comfort, and Halal integrity in The CORE District.
Chef-driven Texas barbecue concept blends live-fire cooking, Southern comfort, and Halal integrity in The CORE District.
The City of Richardson is pleased to announce that Two Twenty-Five, LLC, operating under the restaurant concept Soulcraft BBQ, will be locating in the Downtown neighborhood of Richardson’s CORE District.
Soulcraft BBQ will be located at 107 E. Main St., where the ownership group will renovate and activate approximately 3,200 square feet along Main Street. The project represents a significant private investment in the Downtown neighborhood and aligns with the City’s long-term strategy to support locally owned businesses, culinary entrepreneurship, and continued reinvestment in The CORE District.
“Soulcraft BBQ is exactly the type of locally driven, high-quality restaurant concept we aim to attract to The CORE District,” said City Manager Don Magner. “This project reflects the growing momentum in the area and our commitment to supporting small businesses that contribute to a vibrant, walkable, and welcoming community.”
Restaurant Concept
Soulcraft BBQ is a modern Texas barbecue concept centered on live-fire cooking, premium ingredients, and inclusive hospitality. The menu will feature traditional Central Texas smoked meats prepared low and slow, complemented by live-fire grilled items and Southern-inspired sides made from scratch.
The restaurant will operate under a Halal-focused culinary program, emphasizing transparency, sourcing integrity, and broad community appeal—while remaining welcoming to all guests regardless of background. The fast-casual service model is designed to deliver high-quality barbecue efficiently, supporting both neighborhood dining and regional visitors exploring Downtown Richardson.
“Soulcraft BBQ is about honoring the traditions of Texas barbecue while opening the table wider,” said Terrance J. Hill, Founder and Operating Partner of Two Twenty-Five, LLC. “We’re building a place rooted in fire, craftsmanship, and hospitality—where the food tells a story, the process is transparent, and everyone feels welcome.”
By combining craftsmanship, cultural inclusivity, and a distinctive culinary identity, Soulcraft BBQ is expected to enhance Main Street’s growing reputation as a destination for unique, locally driven dining experiences.
Support for CORE Investment
To support the project, the City of Richardson has approved up to $160,000 in tenant improvement grant funding to assist with interior renovations and site enhancements. Improvements will include building upgrades, mechanical systems, and construction of a custom outdoor smoker enclosure—investments that add long-term value to the property and contribute to the continued revitalization of Downtown Richardson.
To receive the grant, the tenant has agreed to the following terms:
- Minimum 10-year lease at 107 E. Main St., and
- Minimum capital investment of $1 million in tenant improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
The restaurant will serve as a long-term anchor tenant under a multi-year lease, further building on recent public and private investments in the area, including streetscape improvements, new mixed-use development, and the creation of public gathering spaces that have helped transform The CORE District into a destination for dining, culture, and community events.
Recent Redevelopment in The CORE’s “Downtown” Neighborhood
The addition of Soulcraft BBQ is the latest milestone in the City of Richardson’s long-term efforts to strengthen Downtown Richardson as a vibrant, mixed-use destination within The CORE District.
Recent projects such as Belt & Main, the City’s first transformative mixed-use residential and retail development in Downtown, and Interurban Common, a new pedestrian-oriented public space, have reshaped the area with enhanced walkability, public gathering areas, and stronger connections between businesses, residents, and visitors. These investments reflect years of strategic planning, infrastructure improvements, and public-private collaboration focused on creating an active, accessible downtown environment.
This momentum has attracted new businesses, expanded dining options, and increased community activity throughout The CORE District. Continued investment in nearby neighborhoods, such as Lockwood, which has welcomed new restaurants, breweries, and entertainment venues, further reinforces Downtown’s role as a central destination for dining, culture, and community life.
About Two Twenty-Five, LLC
Two Twenty-Five, LLC is a Texas-based hospitality company founded to develop chef-driven barbecue concepts rooted in craftsmanship, culture, and community. Its flagship concept, Soulcraft BBQ, blends Texas smokehouse tradition with Southern comfort cuisine and live-fire global grilling, delivered through an elevated yet approachable dining experience.
About The CORE District
The CORE District, composed of the Chinatown, Downtown, Heights, Interurban, and Lockwood neighborhoods, is Richardson’s epicenter of community, culture, commerce, and cuisine. It is a signature entertainment center that hosts the annual Lunar New Year and Culture in The CORE festivals. With places to live, work, and play, and with a wide variety of independently owned and operated small businesses, The CORE District is the eclectic heart of Richardson.
About Richardson, Texas
Located just north of Dallas, Richardson is a culturally diverse community offering a blend of urban amenities with exceptional suburban service. Richardson benefits from being home to The University of Texas at Dallas, a research powerhouse. UT Dallas’ influence is felt in the presence of dynamic businesses in sectors such as advanced additive manufacturing, biotechnology, finance, software development, and R&D, as well as hosting incubators for entrepreneurial start-ups. Richardson’s thriving, innovation-focused economy creates numerous opportunities while also supporting a historically stable local government capable of delivering high quality-of-life and exemplary services for a diverse array of neighborhoods and multi-modal transportation options, enabling easy access to the entire DFW Metroplex. The community is regularly recognized in third-party rankings as one of the best places in the nation to live, raise a family, start a career, go to school, buy a home, and retire.