Evan’s Meat Market/The PoBoy Shop

Evan’s Meat Market to Close August 18, But Its Legacy Lives on Through The PoBoy Shop

Founder Evan Meagher reflects on the butcher shop that started it all — and the path it paved forward

 Evan’s Meat Market, the beloved Dallas butcher shop celebrated for its premium meats, Louisiana-inspired po’boys, and Cajun sides, served its final customers on Monday, August 18—closing a chapter that began with a dream and built a community. Its legacy, however, will live on through The PoBoy Shop in Preston Center.

Founded in January 2023 by Lafayette native Evan Meagher, Evan’s Meat Market marked his first foray into hospitality—a concept born from a deep passion for butchery, premium meats, and personal connection. The shop quickly became a Dallas favorite, celebrated for its house-cured products, educational approach, warm customer service, and signature Louisiana flavors.

“This was an incredibly hard decision to make,” said Meagher. “Evan’s Meat Market was my first hospitality concept, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. The butcher shop allowed me to share a piece of my Louisiana roots with Dallas for the first time. I’ll be forever grateful to every loyal patron, every piece of media coverage, and every conversation at the counter that helped shape this journey. This shop was built as much by the people who walked through the door as by the team behind it, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.”

While Evan’s earned a loyal following and citywide recognition, the decision to close was not made lightly. Like many independent hospitality operators, Meagher faced a perfect storm of rising product costs, staffing shortages, and shrinking margins—challenges that made it increasingly difficult to sustain the retail butcher model long term. After exploring multiple solutions, the numbers simply didn’t support continued operations. Still, he takes pride in the shop’s remarkable run, the loyal community that rallied around it, and the partnership with Stockdale, landlord of the Preston Center shopping center. “Most landlords don’t take such an active role in helping tenants succeed, but Stockdale went above and beyond to try and find solutions,” said Meagher. “The shopping center was the perfect home for Evan’s Meat Market, providing incredible visibility and foot traffic from day one, and I’ll always be grateful for the support they showed me.”

Though the butcher shop is closing, its recipes, team, and spirit continue just a few miles away at The PoBoy Shop in Preston Center—where the same passion and products are now served on fresh French bread with a side of Cajun-seasoned fries.

The menu showcases signature house-cured meats, authentic Louisiana hot and cold po’boys piled high, and bold Cajun sides—infused with the community-first spirit of the fan-favorite lunch specials once served at the butcher shop. Every sandwich is crafted from scratch with premium meats prepared in-house at the group’s production facility near Dallas Love Field, the culinary backbone of both concepts. Fresh French bread arrives daily from Langlinais Bakery in Lafayette, where Meagher held his first job, giving each bite an authentic Louisiana flavor.  It’s the same flavor that made Evan’s a neighborhood staple—now reimagined in a fast-casual format designed for long-term growth.

“The truth is, The PoBoy Shop wouldn’t exist without Evan’s Meat Market,” Meagher said. “We didn’t know it at the time, but that butcher counter was laying the foundation for something with the potential to grow even bigger. I wish there were a world where both could operate and thrive side by side, but the reality is I had to make a choice—one that gives our team the best opportunity to grow, sustain, and expand our impact. Sometimes what feels like the end is just the beginning. You don’t always understand the ‘why’ while you’re in it, but eventually you realize the path led you exactly where you were meant to go. I’m lucky I still get to do what I love, alongside the same team that started this journey with me—just in a new way: wrapped in butcher paper, served on French bread, and delivered in a more scalable format.”

The PoBoy Shop represents the continuation of the mission Evan’s Meat Market started—bringing a taste of Louisiana to Dallas through quality sourcing, warm hospitality, and bold Southern flavors—now in a fast-casual setting built for today’s diner.

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, The PoBoy Shop stands as the next chapter for Meagher and his team—rooted in the same values, but built for long-term sustainability.

“I never imagined that carving up meat behind the counter and whipping up a po’boy for lunch would lead me here,” he said. “But I’m thankful. This isn’t goodbye—it’s the next step in our story. To every patron, friend, and media outlet who supported us: thank you from the bottom of my heart. We’re excited to keep sharing our passion with Dallas through The PoBoy Shop—and to see where this chapter takes us next.”

August 18,from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., was the final day Evan’s Meat Market was open to the public. Following the closure, the team will share a complete list of available products for purchase via email and on Evan’s Meat Market social channels on Friday, August 22.  Customers will have the opportunity to place orders, with all pickups scheduled for Wednesday, August 27. For additional questions, please email Brer Wyant at brer@evansmeatmarket.com.

About Shops Hospitality Group:

Shops Hospitality Group is a Dallas-based restaurant group founded by Lafayette native Evan Meagher, rooted in the belief that great food starts with great sourcing — and even better storytelling. With a mission to bring authentic Louisiana flavors and Southern hospitality to Dallas, the group creates thoughtful neighborhood concepts that blend premium ingredients with a strong sense of place.

The group debuted with Evan’s Meat Market, a modern butcher shop in Highland Park known for its house-prepared meats, classic po’boys, and ready-to-serve dishes inspired by Meagher’s Cajun heritage. Building on those core values, Shops Hospitality launched The PoBoy Shop in Preston Center, serving handcrafted po’boys, craveable Cajun sides, and scratch-made sauces—all grounded in the same commitment to quality, community, and flavor.

About Evan’s Meat Market

Founded in 2023, Evan’s Meat Market was a neighborhood butcher shop with a modern Lafayette, Louisiana twist—serving premium meats, traditional po’boys, and prepared Cajun sides. Known for its unmatched hospitality and quality, the shop built a loyal community following and laid the foundation for what came next. Its legacy lives on through The PoBoy Shop and the continued work of the Shops Hospitality team.

About The PoBoy Shop

The PoBoy Shop is a locally owned, fast-casual sandwich shop from Shops Hospitality Group. Located at 8421 Westchester Drive in The Plaza at Preston Center, The PoBoy Shop serves authentic Louisiana-style handcrafted hot and cold po’boys, house-prepared deli meats, and craveable Cajun sides — all made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.

Inspired by the success of its sister concept, Evan’s Meat Market, The PoBoy Shop is rooted in Southern hospitality and bold Cajun flavor. The concept brings a taste of Louisiana tradition to Dallas in a casual, community-driven setting, celebrating handcrafted food and approachable service.

For more information, visit www.thepoboyshop.com, email info@thepoboyshop.com or call 214-377-8800. Follow along on Instagram @thepoboyshopdallas and Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Photo Cred: Kathy Tran Photography and White Unicorn Agency

(This Philanthropy Lifestyles eBuzz courtesy Evan’s Meat Market and The PoBoy Shop.)