MY DAY OFF

Froy Gutierrez's Wholesome Day Off in Dallas Means Trips to Parks and Food Carts With Family

The actor explores the city’s spacious parks and reminisces on his time as a student wandering through the Dallas Arts District.

By Opheli Garcia-Lawler and Froy Gutierrez

Published on 4/28/2022 at 11:25 AM

Froy Gutierrez | Photo by David-Simon Dayan

Froy Gutierrez is a 24-year-old actor from Dallas, Texas, who most recently starred in Disney’s long-awaited Hocus Pocus 2. Back in 2017, he had a recurring role on Netflix’s underrated sitcom One Day at a Time and MTV’s reboot of Teen Wolf. In 2021, he co-starred in Freeform’s addictive high school crime drama Cruel Summer. Gutierrez is currently in filming the remake of the 2008 cult home invasion thriller The Strangers alongside Ema Horvath and Madelaine Petsch.

Froy Gutierrez is a 24-year-old actor from Dallas, Texas, who most recently starred in Disney’s long-awaited Hocus Pocus 2. Back in 2017, he had a recurring role on Netflix’s underrated sitcom One Day at a Time and MTV’s reboot of Teen Wolf. In 2021, he co-starred in Freeform’s addictive high school crime drama Cruel Summer. In 2023, Gutierrez will be starring in a remake of the 2008 cult home invasion thriller The Strangers alongside Ema Horvath and Madelaine Petsch.

Normally, when I’m in Dallas I’m spending time with family. It’s nice just to have time, hanging out and relaxing. I’ll spend the day with my half siblings — they’re 11. We’ll go to White Rock Lake, which is just so beautiful and big. During the fall you can hear the cicadas, and there are so many trails that you can walk and explore. It’s really wonderful to connect with nature and feel calm.

At the lake, there is also the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. There are gardens with tons of flowers and sculptures, and my favorites are the glass sculptures that seem like they are completely blended into the landscape. It almost seems magical. Around October, one part of the Arboretum called Pecan Grove is transformed into this incredible pumpkin patch, with houses that are actually constructed out of pumpkins. It is the coolest thing.

White Rock Lake | Photo by chalita_k/Shutterstock

“The Arts District, in general, is fantastic and, to me, that feels like a thriving creative community.”

Then, for lunch it's definitely Kirin Court Dim Sum. I’ve never had anything that wasn’t absolutely delicious there. I always order something new. There’s always a long line because it’s so popular. They say it's the best dim sum in DFW and I definitely agree. There’s everything from shrimp dumplings to steamed lotus seed paste buns. My family and I always have an amazing time here. After lunch, I’d probably take a little walk around NorthPark Center, mainly for the nice stroll through the air conditioning. There are a lot of really nice stores there, plus there’s art throughout the mall, so even if you aren’t shopping, it is still an experience. There are sculptures by Tony Cragg, Kaws, Joel Shapiro, and many others.

By my old high school, which is a performing arts magnet school, there is Klyde Warren Park, which is built over a highway. I love it there because there is always something going on, no matter when you go. There are dance and yoga classes, food trucks, and a big dog park.

Right by the park, there’s the Dallas Museum of Art, which is also part of my old stomping grounds. Really, whenever you are going to Klyde Warren and the museum, you’re going to stumble across something cool. The Arts District, in general, is fantastic and, to me, that feels like a thriving creative community. The Dallas Theater Center is one of the most interesting theaters I’ve ever been in and I love the performances there. The performers are also so talented, and it's nice to be back somewhere that I used to be a part of.

Chicken & Waffles | Photo Courtesy of Bubba's Cook's Country

Waffle Sandwich | Photo Courtesy of Bubba's Cook's Country

“The food brings me comfort, and the restaurant is just very relaxing.”

For dinner, my favorite place of all is Bubba’s Cook's Country. It is the best proper southern comfort food. Just thinking about it makes me hungry. I usually order fried chicken tenders and fried okra. And oh! The bread rolls with honey. They’re yeast rolls. The food brings me comfort, and the restaurant is just very relaxing.

If I’m going to Bubba’s for dinner, I’ll be too full to eat anything else. But there’s this bubbly strip with a ton of bars and restaurants and live music venues in an area called Deep Ellum. I really like Twisted Root and Monkey King. Twisted Root has tasty burgers and Monkey King is a nice place to get noodles and dumplings. But the best part about the area are the live music venues, like Club Dada, The Factory, and The Bomb Factor. It's always a good place to catch some really awesome shows from great indie bands.

To end the night after a wholesome day with the family, I’d head to Taqueria La Ventana. They have really good margaritas there, and getting one and drinking it out on the patio is excellent. You’re in the heat of Dallas, but also nestled into this patio with music and a good drink. It’s really a perfect way to close out a fun day.

"The East Village is still one of these spots that is really holding on to the artist's spirit. It's what I love about the area, and the fact that it is still a neighborhood."