The idea was simple: make a place for delicious food and live music. The idea might have been simple, but pulling it off isn't. For The Rustic, the past ten years show this is possible — and in the process, it has done its part to make North Texas nightlife better.
Opened in 2013, The Rustic brought beer, food and free music together (along with a great outdoor seating area, easy parking — a rarity for this part of Dallas — and a beer can American flag).
"The Rustic was born from a moment during my bachelor party weekend at a friend's ranch in Glen Rose," co-founder Josh Sepkowitz tells Local Profile. "Those evenings spent gathered around a fire pit, enjoying delicious cooked-out meals and the soothing guitar melodies, left a lasting mark. It was this intimate, communal experience that sparked the vision for The Rustic, a place where people could come together, savor great food, enjoy live music and create memories in an inviting atmosphere."
Sepkowitz and fellow co-founder Kyle Noonan are the brains behind restaurant group FreeRange Concepts (MUTTS Canine Cantina, Bowl & Barrel and Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex). They joined forces with country singer Pat Green, and the result is The Rustic.
"We love the combination of great food and free live music, as do our guests," says co-founder Kyle Noonan.
"Over the past decade, The Rustic has transformed from a restaurant concept into a dynamic entertainment brand," adds Noonan. "While our culinary offerings have expanded, we've also become a hub for live music, hosting a diverse range of artists and events."
While Pat Green is known for his country styles, The Rustic doesn't limit itself to one particular style of music. During Local Profile's recent visit, for example, we saw Trey Garitty, who did a bang-on cover of the Stealers Wheel classic "Stuck in the Middle with You."
But pulling off this type of restaurant isn't easy — heck, pulling off any type of restaurant isn't. What Noon says the team has learned is the importance of having all members buy into the restaurant's organizational culture and get everyone moving in the same direction. But that's not all. "We have to make sure we've established and maintained a good culture while focusing on taking care of people," he explains. "All organizations stumble in certain areas, but as long as the foundation is set and we take care of our team members and every guest that walks in the door, then we'll be successful." And that, The Rustic has been.
As of writing, The Rustic has four locations: Dallas, San Antonio and two in Houston. From the sound of it, there is the potential for further expansion. According to Noonan, "The current locations represent just the tip of the iceberg for The Rustic’s growth."
