Introduction to Misti Norris
Misti Norris may have the most ingenious culinary mind in Dallas. “A chef who is utterly free and also entirely in bloom,” wrote Food & Wine magazine, when it named Norris one of the Best New Chefs of 2019. At the time, her Petra and the Beast was a foodie hideaway tucked in a nearly 100-year-old gas station in East Dallas. The restaurant’s innovative menu — including pig tails, chicken hearts and other body parts skillfully employed in Norris’ whole-animal butchery — landed her a fierce following and plaudits from the James Beard Awards.
Raised in Charlotte, N.C., Norris has spent the past two decades in Dallas, where she plied her trade at some of the city’s top restaurants, including Lucia, Nana and FT33. In 2023, she supersized Petra in a cavernous space in the Lakewood shopping center, but the move didn’t translate. The restaurant closed in 2024, to much mourning. Norris currently works as a consultant for Far-Out, a buzzy new spot on South Haskell Avenue, though her next big move is hotly anticipated. All she’ll say for now is that new projects are in the works. Look for something this summer.
Getting to Know Misti Norris
How do you describe Dallas to people who don’t live here?
Friendly city, supportive culinary community, Instagram-able restaurants.
What bothers you about Dallas?
It’s landlocked, and it can be hard to connect with nature when it comes to cooking with local products. I’m also bothered by the lack of culturally diverse restaurants in Dallas proper.
Tex-Mex or BBQ, and where?
Both. Vaqueros BBQ in Allen.
What do you wish people in Dallas knew about food?
How much thought and time chefs and their team put into creating a dish and experience for them.
You’re asked to prepare a meal for Jerry Jones. What would you serve him?
Chili cheese dogs.
Other Interesting Facts
Five questions with one half of the beloved radio duo “Ben and Skin,” who talks about the city’s creatives, which sports stars he’d recruit for a band and the appeal of sumo.
The one-time Maverick may be a Los Angeles Laker now, but the basketball star’s impact on Dallas will be felt for generations to come.
The sculptor achieved international success for work that transforms a landscape, but don’t ask him to pass the queso.
Conclusion
Misti Norris is a talented chef with a passion for creating unique and delicious dishes. Her experience in the culinary world has taken her to some of the top restaurants in Dallas, and she continues to make a name for herself in the industry. With her next big move anticipated to happen soon, fans of her work are eagerly waiting to see what she has in store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Misti Norris known for?
A: Misti Norris is known for her innovative and creative approach to cooking, as well as her whole-animal butchery techniques.
Q: Where did Misti Norris work before opening her own restaurant?
A: Misti Norris worked at several top restaurants in Dallas, including Lucia, Nana, and FT33.
Q: What is Misti Norris’ current project?
A: Misti Norris is currently working as a consultant for Far-Out, a new restaurant in Dallas, and has new projects in the works.
Q: What does Misti Norris wish people knew about food?
A: Misti Norris wishes people knew how much thought and time chefs and their teams put into creating a dish and experience for them.
