An ultra-buzzy burger brand is set to make major waves in Texas: NADC Burger — the cult-favorite Wagyu smashburger concept born in Austin — is opening its first standalone location in Uptown Dallas this August.
The new spot at 2908 McKinney Ave., the former Playground Bar, marks a major evolution for the fast-growing brand:
👉 Dedicated 2-story restaurant
👉 Full bar with specialty cocktails
👉 Chef-crafted burger menu
👉 Skater street vibes meets gourmet beef
🍔 What Is NADC Burger?
NADC stands for “Not a Damn Chance” — which is exactly what chef Phillip Frankland Lee and pro skateboarder Neen Williams gave the burger industry when they decided to create their own ultimate backyard-style cheeseburger.
Born in Austin in 2022, the brand now operates in:
- Denver
- Chicago
- Nashville (inside Jelly Roll’s bar)
- Fort Worth (opened January 2025, and already award-winning)
Now, Dallas gets the first fully branded, standalone NADC location, complete with a bar, full kitchen, and indoor-outdoor hangout zones.
💎 What Makes NADC Burgers So Special?
This isn’t your average drive-thru burger. The signature $16 double-patty creation is chef-crafted to perfection:
- Two 6-ounce Wagyu beef patties
- American cheese
- Grilled onions smashed into the meat
- Pickles + pickled jalapeños
- “Secret sauce” + Williams’ custom spice blend
- Toasted bun-to-burger ratio tested by fire
Even the fries are beef-tallow fried — available plain or “Beast Mode” loaded with cheese, chopped pickles, jalapeños, and extra sauce.
The menu is minimalist, but every detail is meticulously crafted, down to the brown butter chocolate chip cookies that complete the experience.
🧑🍳 The Team Behind the Burgers
- Phillip Frankland Lee: Michelin-starred chef and co-founder of Scratch Restaurants Group, known for Pasta | Bar in California and Sushi by Scratch, which also has a location at The Adolphus in Downtown Dallas.
- Neen Williams: Pro skater, entrepreneur, and founder of the NADC spice company — bringing attitude and seasoning to the table.
Together, they’ve built a burger concept that blurs the line between chef-y technique and gritty street culture — burgers you can crave or celebrate with, dressed in denim or chef whites.
🍸 What to Expect in Uptown Dallas
The new Uptown Dallas NADC isn’t a ghost kitchen or collab concept. According to Gavin Humes, CEO of Scratch Restaurants Group:
“This is a standalone NADC Burger restaurant. It’s 100% a dedicated NADC space — with a full bar, two floors, and counter service.”
That means:
- More seating
- Expanded bar program
- First-of-its-kind flagship experience
- Perfect for late-night bites, weekend hangs, or quick casual lunch
🤔 Will NADC Franchise?
While NADC hasn’t announced formal franchise plans yet, this move into a full-scale, branded location suggests long-term scalability — especially with its:
- Simple, high-margin menu
- Compact product range
- Plug-and-play seasoning IP via Neen Williams
- Celebrity-backed culinary credibility
It’s the kind of brand that’s ripe for future franchising, especially in metro markets that crave chef-driven casual concepts with cultural edge.
🧭 Final Thoughts
NADC Burger’s arrival in Uptown Dallas is more than just another burger joint opening — it’s the culmination of buzz, bold flavors, and brand clarity. By combining premium ingredients with culinary precision and pop-culture edge, NADC could easily be the next cult burger franchise to watch.
📍 Opening: Early August 2025
📌 Location: 2908 McKinney Ave., Uptown Dallas
🍔 Don’t miss their Wagyu cheeseburger
🍟 Try fries “Beast Mode”
🥃 Stay for a highball or custom cocktail.