Serving Up a Social Mission, Ruthie's Cafe Opens in South Dallas

After more than a decade, Ruthie’s Fueled by Good, the food truck that made grilled cheese a culinary favorite across North Texas, is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on MLK Boulevard in South Dallas. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, Feb. 24, at Ruthie’s Cafe, which is located near St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

Ruthie’s helped kick off the food truck boom in 2011 and now, the cafe will be 1.5 miles from downtown, positioned along the route to Fair Park and Cedar Crest, making it a convenient stop for visitors and locals alike.

Ruthie’s Cafe team shot, with Ashlee Kleinert at center in green. [Photo: Ruthie’s Cafe]

Ruthie’s Fueled by Good is under the umbrella of The Good Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting communities that are often overlooked or underserved. So, staying true to its social impact roots, the new cafe will continue Ruthie’s Fueled by Good’s mission of giving back to the community, with proceeds benefiting St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

‘More than just serving food’

Opening to the public this week, the new cafe at 1632 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 100, will be the first of its kind in the South Dallas area, providing healthy options for local residents.

The Ruthie’s team said it wants the city to know the cafe will be more than just a place to enjoy a meal. It represents a significant stride toward addressing the food desert in the area while fostering community engagement and economic growth.

“Ruthie’s has always been about more than just serving food. It’s always been about serving the community and shining a light on good things happening in our community,” Ashlee Kleinert, founder of Ruthie’s Fueled by Good and The Good Foundation, said in a statement. “As one of Dallas’ first-ever food trucks, we’ve become synonymous with Klyde Warren Park dining, catering special events, and our Ruthie’s Snacks of Kindness initiative. Opening a social-impact brick-and-mortar restaurant is a natural extension of our mission. Collaborating with other organizations to address food insecurity in this particular portion of South Dallas is incredibly important to us.”

Ruthie’s Cafe features walk-up window service. [Photo: Ruthie’s Cafe]

Supporting local school and fresh starts

Kleinert also said that she hopes many other Dallas businesses will follow the opening of Ruthie’s Cafe to help further develop the area and end food insecurity in that part of the city. Along with addressing the food desert, all the net profits from Ruthie’s Cafe will benefit St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

Kleinert called the school “a vital institution in South Dallas” that provides comprehensive educational programs and support to local families, thereby fostering a stronger, more resilient community.

“The Boss” sandwich at Ruthie’s Cafe. [Photo: Ruthie’s Cafe]

Terry Flowers, headmaster and executive director of St. Philip’s School and Community Center, said in a statement, “We’re incredibly grateful to be the beneficiary of proceeds from the new Ruthie’s vision. This partnership not only supports our mission to provide quality education and resources to our students but also strengthens our community by fostering a sense of togetherness and shared purpose.”

In addition to providing critical funds to St. Philip’s mission, Kleinert said the cafe will also employ people from underserved and overlooked communities in Dallas. As a fresh-start employer partnering with nonprofits like Unlocking Doors, Ruthie said it hires people affected by the justice system, providing them with valuable job and life skills through the Ruthie’s Fellows Program.

A “bench project” is part of Ruthie’s Cafe’s community-serving mission. [Photo: Ruthie’s Cafe]

Ruthie’s said it also hires local residents who may face barriers to traditional employment opportunities.

“With Ruthie’s and The Good Foundation, we believe in the power of second chances,” Kleinert said. “By hiring individuals who have been touched by the justice system, we’re not only providing them with meaningful employment but also fostering a supportive community where they can rebuild their lives. Our commitment to this cause is a testament to our mission of uplifting overlooked and underserved communities.”

Serving old favorites and new grab-and-go options

The cafe’s menu features classic favorites such as the iconic grilled cheese sandwiches from the original Ruthie’s menu.

The restaurant is expanding its menu with a variety of breakfast items, including yogurt parfaits, fresh salads, and other healthy grab-and-go options, aimed at those on the move and parents dropping their children off at area schools.

The cafe will also have a walk-up window for quick coffee orders and other takeaways.

Ruthie’s Cafe will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., making it available for both early risers and lunch-goers seeking “delicious and nutritious meals.”

Ruthie’s said it’s partnering with local farms to ensure the freshest local produce is being utilized in its menu creation, including Bonton Farms, Liberty Street Garden, and Restorative Farms.

Ruthie’s Fueled by Good is a gourmet grilled cheese food truck and cafe and a mission-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the Good Foundation. “Rooted in kindness and purpose,” Ruthie’s serves up comfort food while creating meaningful impact in the community.