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# The Family Trade

Kona Grill · NorthPark Center, Dallas

In 1975 the first Chi-Chi's opened. Marno McDermott's boy Michael was nine. In that family, the trade was starting restaurants.

Michael learned it in Scottsdale. Sushi on Shea, 1994, his first. Kona Grill, at Scottsdale Fashion Square, in the late 1990s, his second. In 2002 he sold the first to bet on the second, and by July 2004 he had taken Kona Grill public in a $30 million IPO.

The bet reached Dallas. By December 2008 a Kona Grill was open at NorthPark Center, and the regulars made it theirs. Laurie K wrote in 2015: "This is the restaurant we return to, almost weekly because it always tastes wonderful, service is great and it's so pretty. And they have a great Aquarium behind the sushi bar." She came with grandchildren, with friends, on date night - coconut sushi, the avocado egg rolls, the heated patio at happy hour.

On April 30, 2019, the company filed for Chapter 11. On October 7, 2019, The ONE Group Hospitality completed its acquisition. The Dallas room came through open, its regulars still at the bar. "Tanei is the best bartender, hands-down," Robert S wrote. "We loved our server Columbus," wrote Jeff, in July 2026. Khiem, the same month: "We're regulars and will be back soon!"

McDermott is in Minneapolis now, reviving Chi-Chi's - "I want to bring back something my dad did." The trade is starting restaurants. What a restaurant becomes belongs to the people in it.

So take the heated patio at happy hour, or a seat at the sushi bar by the aquarium - coconut sushi, a coconut mojito - before the movie at the AMC next door. Then come back next week. That is how regulars are made.

## THE FACTS

**Kona Grill** · 8687 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75225 (NorthPark Center)

**DFW Restaurant Week 2026** · Participating - Preview plus Weeks 1–4, through September 7. Lunch, $29 for two courses. Dinner, $49 for three courses.

## TEAR. TAKE. TURN UP TOMORROW.

Hangovr180® is three capsules you take before you go out. One pouch. One person. One night. That's it.

**Where to grab one near Kona Grill:**

Goody Goody - Northeast, 7124 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231. [Map](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Goody%20Goody%20-%20Northeast)

Liquor Depot - NW Hwy, Dallas, TX. [Map](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Liquor%20Depot%20NW%20HWY)