Insurgent is scheduled to open its first permanent restaurant October 27 in Suite 174 at the Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood St. The space was previously occupied by Caribbean Cabana, according to the D Magazine directory. The Dallas Farmers Market announced the opening, and CultureMap Dallas reported that the restaurant will be the first brick-and-mortar location for the Denton food-truck business.
The market’s civic role and oversight
The Dallas Farmers Market’s presence at the downtown site is part of a formally recognized civic district. Dallas City Code records show that the Farmers Market Special Purpose District was established by the City Council through Ordinance No. 22097 on June 22, 1994, and the code designates the area as one of cultural importance and significance to city residents, according to Dallas City Code, Article 357. Restaurant operations at the market are also subject to public-health oversight where the county has regulatory authority. According to Dallas County Health and Human Services, its Environmental Health Division performs sanitation inspections of food establishments in those areas of Dallas County.
A different format for the Dallas location
The Dallas operation is planned as a broader format than the trailer, with an interactive chef’s tasting counter, reservation-based tasting dinners and after-hours supper clubs. CultureMap reports that the menu is expected to add shareable and plated dishes, natural wine and beer, and rotating pastries and desserts from Gabby Lopez. The koji fried chicken sandwich will remain available, and Insurgent plans to continue food-truck pop-ups and events after the restaurant opens.
Sam and Gabby Lopez will lead the restaurant, with Alec Sanders serving as executive sous chef. The Lopezes trained together at the Culinary Institute of America and worked at The French Laundry and Bouchon Bakery before leaving corporate culinary jobs in Chicago in January 2022, according to CultureMap. They moved to Sam Lopez’s hometown of Denton with support from local family and started the trailer there, Voice of Denton reported in its profile of Denton food trucks.
The trailer’s record and local network
Insurgent has operated from its Denton trailer since 2022. Its honors include Most Unique Food at the 2023 Eighter From Decatur Food Truck Challenge, Grand Champion at the 2024 Food Truck Championship of Texas and Best American Cuisine at the 2025 competition, according to CultureMap.
The business previously worked with about 12 to 13 farms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and appeared at the Coppell Farmers Market and Denton Community Market, according to Voice of Denton. For the Dallas menu, CultureMap reports that the kitchen intends to use seasonal ingredients from Texas growers and producers including Brushy Creek Farm, Sapling Farm, Winona Orchard, Tree Folk Farm and TX Fungus.
The kitchen also plans to make use of more of each ingredient where possible. CultureMap reported that carrot tops, for example, may be turned into chimichurri or salsa instead of discarded. Before opening the Dallas location, Insurgent held multi-course pop-ups around Denton, including a six-course vegan dinner with drink pairings at Truly Studio in March 2023, according to Voice of Denton.
