NFL linebacker Matt Judon chooses Dallas for his first restaurant venture

By Imelda García - 12:00 PM on Jan 17, 2024 CST

NINE Kitchen and Lounge will be in the former Hard Rock Cafe space on Houston Street in Victory Park.

New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, has chosen Dallas for his first restaurant venture.

NINE Kitchen & Lounge will open in March 2024, and it will be located in Victory Park, in the building occupied by Hard Rock Cafe until 2019.

NINE aims to be a high-end dining option offering a fusion of Southern comfort food with other cuisines in an environment with music and good drinks.

“This is my first restaurant. I had a previous experience with a franchise, tried to get into that, but it didn’t work out, so I just said, ‘I’m gonna start my own thing,’” Judon said in an interview with The News.

Eat Drink D-FW

The latest food and drink reviews, recipes and info on the D-FW food scene.

The player, who wears the No. 9 jersey for the Patriots, has lived in Colleyville for three years, so he decided to start his business in the D-FW area.

Judon’s partners in the business include Robert Morris, co-founder and managing partner, and local music executive Shamar Willis, co-founder and CMO overseeing the brand. Willis will also be in charge of curating the nightlife offerings.

“It’s not gonna be a club, it’s just gonna be a restaurant, but we’re gonna play music,” Judon said. “But we also will have some places where people can go and not be bothered if they come to eat, so they can go to some private rooms and some private sections.”

The name “NINE” stands for Niche Community, Innovative Menu, Nightlife Experience, and Elevated Entertainment, the company explained in a press release.

9NINE Kitchen & Lounge will open on March 16, with a soft opening March 11-15, at 2211 N. Houston St., in Dallas.