Encina, the Oak Cliff brunch staple from chef Matt Balke and restaurateur Corey McCombs, is taking its act a few miles south. The team is set to open a spinoff called Isbella in downtown Duncanville this summer, turning a midcentury Main Street building that once housed the city's volunteer fire station into a new neighborhood hangout. The space is being renovated to seat about 85 guests, with an annex planned for private events. To keep things manageable, the owners plan a slow roll-out, starting with dinner service before adding brunch and possibly lunch later on.
Where Isbella Will Land
According to CultureMap Dallas, Isbella is named for Balke’s mother, and the team plans to weave in the building’s history with vintage photos and memorabilia throughout the space. The City of Duncanville's weekly updates show that the team has officially closed on the historic Main Street property and that the project received infrastructure support from the Duncanville Economic Development Corporation, according to the City of Duncanville.
Who Brought It To Town
The Dallas Morning News reports that the move into Duncanville comes through a partnership with the Duncanville Economic Development Corporation and developer Monte Anderson, the hometown figure known for projects like Tyler Station and the Texas Theatre. Anderson helped link Balke and McCombs with the Main Street space, as well as the local incentives that made purchasing the property possible.
Menu, Awards And What To Expect
Encina has built a loyal following on straightforward, seasonal dishes such as beef cheek pastrami, blue-cheese–stuffed dates, pork chop with poblano-cheddar grits, blackened red fish, and, for brunch loyalists, the blue-corn pancakes cited by fans, per the restaurant's menu. The restaurant’s Blue Corn Butterscotch Pancake Mix also grabbed third place in H‑E‑B’s 2024 Quest for Texas Best, earning a cash prize and space on grocery shelves, according to H‑E‑B's newsroom.
What Comes Next
McCombs told CultureMap Dallas that “opening a second restaurant seemed like the logical next step,” adding that many Encina regulars already drive in from Duncanville and nearby communities. The team describes Isbella as a relaxed neighborhood spot geared toward date nights and quick dinners rather than a formal production, and they expect to open this summer with that measured roll-out of service.
