Yesterant

The Flying Tomato at Prestonwood in Dallas

1983 - 1991

Photo of Former Location of The Flying Tomato — 5301 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, Texas 75248

Formerly

5301 Belt Line Rd, Dallas, Texas 75248

(214) 788-1717

Description — Permanently Closed

The first Flying Tomato location in Texas opened in 1983 in the original Prestonwood Town Center in Dallas,1 an indoor shopping center commonly called “Prestonwood Mall” that was later rebuilt as an outdoor shopping center.2 Pizza by the slice and individual pizza in a pan were relatively new concepts to mall shoppers in the early 1980s.3

In 1971 a small piece published in The Daily Illini announced that Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan was born on Saturday, April 17 measuring 15 inches and weighing 4 pounds, 6 ounces.4 Over the next several years the “Flying Tomato Brothers”5 Ralph Senn and Joe Ream grew an innovative, cleverly-marketed pizza parlor at the University of Illinois into a multi-state college and shopping mall tradition.6 The two soon literally became the Flying Tomato Brothers as they incorporated hot-air balloon rides and other balloon-related promotions into their business.7 As Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan expanded, “Flying Tomato” was chosen as the restaurant name in southern states.8

In the 2000s business was tough for the Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan and Flying Tomato restaurants, and many of the locations shut down. Today, only a small number remain in operation.9 10

Unfortunately, this location of Flying Tomato closed in 1991.

References

  1. Article: A Decade After the Fry Street Fire: An Oral History of The Tomato, The Dentonite, Jun 27, 2017 ↩

  2. Article: Retail center planned for former Prestonwood mall site, Dallas Business Journal, Feb 23, 2004 ↩

  3. Ad: The Evolution of Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan, Herald and Review, Mar 19, 1993 ↩

  4. Ad: A Blessed Event, The Daily Illini, Apr 23, 1971 ↩

  5. Ad: Pan Pizza, The Daily Illini, Oct 22, 1971 ↩

  6. Article: A slice of tradition, The Illio, 1982 ↩

  7. Ad: Would you ride in a balloon with these two?, The Decatur Herald, Nov 9, 1979 ↩

  8. Ad: Now Open!!, The North Texas Daily, Sep 4, 1984 ↩

  9. Guide: Garcia’s Pizza in a Pan - 313 N Mattis Ave, Champaign, IL, Yelp ↩

  10. Guide: Garcia’s Pizza - 1099 W Main St, Decatur, IL, Yelp ↩

FAQ

  1. Is The Flying Tomato at Prestonwood in Dallas really gone?
    Yes, it really is.
  2. It’s permanently closed?
    Yes. Sorry.
  3. Do you understand my pain right now?
    Just try to remember the good times.

Feedback

Timeline

  • 1991

    The Flying Tomato closed its Dallas location in 1991. Ski recalls the pizza shop being inside a mall.
    • “A Decade After the Fry Street Fire: An Oral History of The Tomato”
    • The Dentonite
    • Jun 27, 2017
    • www.thedentonite.com

  • 1987 January 30

    Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know
    • “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know”
    • North Texas Daily
    • Jan 30, 1987
    • page 7
    • texashistory.unt.edu

  • 1985 November 6

    Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know
    • “Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know”
    • North Texas Daily
    • Nov 6, 1985
    • page 8
    • texashistory.unt.edu

  • 1985 September 5

    We’ve stuffed your pizza

  • 1984 November 29

    How to Fit a Flying Tomato

  • 1984 November 1

    Sorry Pizza Hut

  • 1984 October 25

    Have pizza by the slice

  • 1984 October 12

    Free Spinach Salad

  • 1984 September 28

    Scram!

  • 1984 September 27

    Go For It

  • 1984 September 21

    How to Stuff a Flying Pizza

  • 1984 September 6

    We’re open

  • 1984 September 4

    Pizza as Simple as 1-2-3

  • 1983

    A year prior to the Denton store opening, The Flying Tomato opened a location in Dallas.
    • “A Decade After the Fry Street Fire: An Oral History of The Tomato”
    • The Dentonite
    • Jun 27, 2017
    • www.thedentonite.com