How Katy Trail Ice House became Dallas’ Ultimate Beer Garden

In this episode of Building Dallas, we sit down with Kiyundra Jones, President of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, to talk about the transformation of Dallas' most misunderstood and fastest-growing communities.

Discover the untold story of Dallas's iconic billboards and how one family's legacy helped shape the city's skyline and culture. In this episode of Building Dallas, we sit down with Ben Ralston of Ralston Outdoor, the largest independent billboard company in North Texas.

In this episode of Building Dallas, we sit down with Buddy Kramer — co-founder of the iconic Katy Trail Ice House — to uncover the wild origin story of one of Dallas' most beloved social landmarks. From nearly giving up on a risky 5-year lease to serving over 800 guests on day one, Buddy shares how a few picnic tables and an idea turned into a $350,000/week hospitality powerhouse. We dive into the expansion of the original Uptown Dallas location, the vision behind its tree-filled atmosphere, and what's next — including a massive mixed-use project in Allen, the Lucky Dog Saloon, and the upcoming Detroit-style pizza launch. Learn how real estate savvy, community focus, and atmosphere-first thinking turned a beer garden into a cultural cornerstone of North Texas.

Join us on 'Building Dallas' presented by Arrington Roofing as we explore the rich history and revival of the Longhorn Ballroom with Diana Cox, Vice President of Kessler Presents.