Tolbert's Restaurant first opened in Dallas in 1976. Located at 802 Main Street, the restaurant was started by Frank X. Tolbert Sr. (1912 - 1984) and his son, Frank X2. His daughter, Kathleen, began working and managing the restaurant in 1977 along side her brother. Frank Sr. was a Texas Journalist, historian and storyteller. His books on Texas history, novels and short stories were his distinctive contributions to the literature of the Southwest. He was also co-founder of the Terlingua Chili Cookoff which is held the first Saturday in November, in the Big Bend Area of Texas.