Beloved Arlington landmark Campo Verde has launched a comeback — one so popular that the restaurant had to hit a reset.
The iconic Dalworthington Gardens restaurant at 2918 W. Pioneer Pkwy. known for its Tex-Mex food and its festive Christmas lights — which closed in January 2025, after more than 40 years — reopened on June 6, after it was heroically rescued by chef Mouhssine "Moose" Benhamacht and partner Liesl Best of Barbary West Hospitality.
Benhamacht is acclaimed for his Arlington restaurant Cafe Americana and nominated for Chef of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.
Their plan: revive the restaurant with an updated menu, craft cocktails, and an emphasis on community while honoring its cherished legacy. They opened the restaurant on June 6, with their new take on Tex-Mex cuisine with flavors from the Southwest and traditional Mexican dishes.
That included a more authentic Mexican menu, margaritas made with fresh ingredients, a reinterpretation of Campo Verde’s festive decor, and a goal to serve as a gathering place rooted in community and tradition where family memories are made.
"Campo Verde is where sweet memories were made and celebrations were held by generations of families in this community — we’re bringing it back to life with heart, flavor, and joy," Benhamacht said in a release.
Their revival was clearly welcome, with diners lining up to see the legendary Christmas train up and running again, circling the ceilings from room to room.
Over the weekend, the restaurant got swarmed — prompting Benhamacht and Best to postpone the restaurant's soft opening. For now, there are no walk-ins, with reservations only, and some reservations being bumped back by a week.
Campo Verde has reopened its doors.Photo courtesy of Visit Arlington
A new menu has a more uspcale personality than the cheap cheese enchiladas of yore, replaced by steak flambe, pork ribs, a fried chicken Diablo sandwich, and Biscoff tres leches cake
The new team has a challenging road, juggling between nostalgic diners still stuck on the old Tex-Mex, including the inauthentic chili-powder-dusted chips and "glowing" queso which they used to get for free — while at the same time complaining about the poor quality of the food and the dirty status of the restaurant.
On the plus side, the restaurant no longer has dustballs on the ceiling and the grimy old carpet on the floor has been replaced.
The restaurant was founded in 1983 by ate restaurateur James “Smiley” Williams, then acquired by Tommy Stewart Jr. in 2022.
