Houston-based Ocean Crawfish Seafood & Grill is headed for Richardson, with plans to move into 1610 E. Belt Line Road in the Richardson East shopping center and bring its Vietnamese-style seafood boils and raw bar offerings to the neighborhood. The move will be the chain's first Dallas-Fort Worth outpost and is expected to happen in spring 2026. The restaurant is known for garlicky, buttery crawfish boils, whole lobster and an array of shellfish served with Vietnamese-inspired sauces.
Opening and Offerings
According to Community Impact, Ocean Crawfish expects to open in Richardson East in spring 2026 and will serve crawfish, lobster, oysters, clams, snails, hot pot and fried rice. The report notes the address as 1610 E. Belt Line Road and confirms this will be the brand's first Dallas-Fort Worth location.
Menu and Roots
On Ocean Crawfish's website, the menu is described as leaning Vietnamese in technique, highlighting boiled and grilled shellfish, fried rice and hot pot. The site also lists the chain's existing Houston-area locations in Alief and Katy.
Where It Will Sit
CultureMap Dallas reports that the Richardson restaurant will take over a former Applebee's as part of a larger redevelopment of Richardson East. Broker Cameron Mai told the outlet that developer Victory Group plans to invest "millions of dollars" into remaking the center. CultureMap adds that Ocean Crawfish is aiming for a May 2026 opening, although that timeline could shift based on construction and permitting.
Space and Local Context
Commercial real estate listings show the 1610 E. Belt Line Road space as roughly 4,370 square feet and already set up for restaurant use, a size that should fit the chain's boil-focused service model, per LoopNet. The new addition will join other recent leasing activity along Belt Line Road as brokers and developers work to reposition the corridor for a broader mix of dining options.
What This Means For Diners
Ocean Crawfish's arrival is set to bring more Vietnamese-style seafood and a strong emphasis on communal seafood boils to Richardson's dining landscape, adding flavors that are not widely available elsewhere in North Texas. Updates are expected once the restaurant confirms a firm opening date and releases details on hours and reservations.
