El Molino: A New Mexican Restaurant in Snider Plaza

Mexican restaurant El Molino is expected to open in summer 2025 in University Park’s Snider Plaza, where barbecue restaurant Douglas Bar and Grill closed in March 2024.

Restaurateur Hunter Pond bought out Douglas’ investors and is redesigning the restaurant. Pond’s company Vandelay Hospitality operates Hudson House, D.L. Mack’s, Brentwood and others in Dallas and the Park Cities.

Background and History

El Molino will be Pond’s first Mexican restaurant.

It signals even more of a restaurant takeover of Snider Plaza from this University Park restaurateur: Pond moved the Vandelay restaurant headquarters to Snider Plaza, at Hillcrest Road and Lovers Lane. Also in that complex, his company runs New Orleans-style restaurant Jack & Harry’s. A small cocktail spot Bar Sardine opened in late 2024. And Pond’s first restaurant, East Hampton Sandwich Company, has been in Snider Plaza for years.

Other Ventures and Closures

South on Hillcrest, Vandelay also has Chicago-style restaurant D.L. Mack’s and pizza-and-arcade Slider and Blues.

Pond will not open Montecito’s, a coastal Italian restaurant that was slated for a new building in Snider Plaza, where Peggy Sue BBQ once was. Pond and developer Jim Strode both confirmed the deal is off in mid-2024.

Concept and Menu

In a March 2025 press release, El Molino is explained as “Mexican cuisine reimagined through a modern lens.”

The restaurant will sell fajitas and margaritas.

“We are thrilled to bring another unique concept to Snider Plaza with El Molino,” Pond said in a 2025 statement. He thinks the “moody and alluring ambiance” offers a new kind of atmosphere in Snider Plaza.

Parking and Accessibility

Parking has been a hot-button issue in the shopping center near Southern Methodist University. A lack of spaces is one of the reasons The Douglas closed, its original owner told The Dallas Morning News, but it’s a complicated topic among neighbors, businessowners and customers. Some say parking is no big deal — and besides, there’s a garage that often has spots. Others say cars are starting to crowd the neighborhood on residential streets, SMU students might be taking up spots they shouldn’t, and customers who can’t find a space are choosing to leave the shopping center altogether.

Pond tole The News in 2024: “Parking in Snider is wide open. It’s not an issue.”

Restaurant Details

The restaurant seats 65 people, including a small bar for eight.

The name reminds us of Il Mulino, the pricey Italian restaurant from New York City that failed to find a footing in Dallas. (It was open 2004 to 2006, but ask many Dallasites, and it lives on in infamy.) Pond’s Mexican restaurant El Molino has nothing to do with il Mulino; he named it because el molino means “the mill” in Spanish.

El Molino will be at 6818 Snider Plaza, Dallas. It’s expected to open in summer 2025.

Conclusion

The opening of El Molino marks a new chapter in the Snider Plaza dining scene. With its unique concept and modern take on Mexican cuisine, it is sure to attract foodies and locals alike. Despite the parking concerns, the restaurant’s ambiance and menu offerings are expected to make it a popular destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is El Molino expected to open?

A: El Molino is expected to open in summer 2025.

Q: Where is El Molino located?

A: El Molino will be located at 6818 Snider Plaza, Dallas.

Q: What type of cuisine does El Molino serve?

A: El Molino serves Mexican cuisine reimagined through a modern lens.

Q: Is El Molino related to Il Mulino?

A: No, El Molino is not related to Il Mulino. The name El Molino means “the mill” in Spanish and was chosen for its unique and memorable sound.

Q: How many seats does El Molino have?

A: El Molino has 65 seats, including a small bar for eight.