Introduction to Norman’s Japanese Grill
Finally, one of Dallas’ most puzzling new restaurants, Norman’s Japanese Grill, is ready to serve.
“We took so much time with this,” said partner Chas Martin. The restaurant opened in late July 2025 on Oak Lawn Avenue, though it’s been in the works — and on the lips of plugged-in Dallas diners — for nearly two years.
The design and menu are inspired by the American West and post-war Japan, a mashup that is decidedly “not trendy,” partner Benji Homsey said as he sat in the new Dallas dining room.
There’s nothing like Norman’s in Dallas, and maybe not in Texas. Let’s go inside.
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Who is Norman?
As the bar suggests, Norman likes a stiff drink.
Samantha Marie
Norman was a placeholder name while the partners at Duro Hospitality figured out which “grandfatherly name” would represent their new Japanese restaurant.
They had already dreamed up the story behind the fictional man. But his name — that was harder.
As their inspiration goes, a John Wayne-like character was stationed in Japan during World War II. When he moved back to the Lone Star State, this fictional man brought treasures from Asia and a worldly sense in cuisine. The man is rooted in Texas, but his menu has an eclectic sensibility for miso cod, sushi, A5 steaks, Korean fried chicken and sake.
Could the man’s name be Charles? No. “He’s not Charles,” Homsey said.
It was worth a shot: The company already owns three other restaurants with that name. Italian restaurant The Charles, their first, is named for partner Charles “Chas” Martin. Two more Dallas restaurants, Mister Charles and El Carlos Elegante, riff on the same name.
For this Japanese restaurant, Charles is not in charge.
World War II veteran Norman — the fictional character behind the Dallas restaurant name — was supposedly stationed in Japan and found a love for nigiri.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Inspiration came from a mistake made in London. Duro Hospitality partner Corbin See, described by his friends as “a low-talking mumbler,” ordered a coffee.
“Norman!” the barista called out, botching Corbin’s name. His buddies got a kick out of it. Maybe that’s the name of their new restaurant, they thought.
“But everyone hated it,” Homsey said.
They workshopped other men’s first names. Nothing stuck.
“The more they hated it, the more we loved it,” Martin said. And that’s why this new restaurant is called Norman’s Japanese Grill.
Location of Norman’s Japanese Grill
Norman’s Japanese Grill is at 4002 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas.
Samantha Marie
Some Dallasites might remember 4002 Oak Lawn Ave. as the former Homewood, chef Matt McCallister’s restaurant from 2019 to 2023. The location touches
