“Life-changing.” It’s a phrase tossed around so frequently that it often loses much of its weight. But at Café Momentum, the idea that a meal can truly change a life isn’t hyperbole; it’s the mission. Founded by chef Chad Houser, this nonprofit restaurant pairs fine dining with a 12-month paid internship program for justice-involved youth, giving them not just culinary skills but also a chance to build a future.
Through the act of preparing and sharing meals, Café Momentum creates a space for connection, growth, and transformation. In this interview, Chad explains how it all started, the impact of shared meals, and the ambitious plans to bring this life-changing model to cities across the nation.
Chad Houser in front of Café Momentum in Dallas. Chad is the Founder & CEO of Café Momentum and the Momentum Advisory Collective; photography by Chad Windham.
A celebratory moment at the Café Momentum pop-up dinner in Miami, Florida, for the 2020 Super Bowl; photography by Chad Windham.
What’s the origin story of Café Momentum?
In 2008, I was co-owner of a successful restaurant and had been nominated as Dallas’ best up-and-coming chef. During that time, I had the chance to teach eight young men in juvenile detention how to make ice cream, and that experience struck me to my core. The experience exposed a harsh truth: a justice system failing its youth. I witnessed firsthand how much the current model for juvenile justice is designed to affect our youth negatively. Rather than building a better system, we are trying the same thing over and over again. I realized that I wanted to open a restaurant and let these kids run it.
The idea of Café Momentum took off through a series of pop-up dinners throughout Dallas — events in top restaurants where our interns worked alongside professional staff, serving fine-dining cuisine. These weren’t just meals but powerful narratives of resilience and potential. By 2015, the vision found a permanent home on 1510 Pacific Ave. in Dallas, offering a 12-month internship for justice-involved youth. The program starts with an intensive orientation, allowing our team to develop personalized plans addressing these youths’ complex challenges.
We affirm, “We believe in you, and we’ll continue to do so until you believe in yourself.”
How did you create a sense of community and belonging allowing young people to feel valued and supported as they learn and grow?
At Café Momentum, we’ve created a community and sense of belonging by first and foremost listening. Our youth told us what they needed, and we responded by creating a safe haven where they are seen, heard, respected, and empowered. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a home where these young individuals can showcase their capabilities and strengths, shedding the societal labels that have long shadowed them. We didn’t just open doors; we built bridges.
Café Momentum extends beyond our youths’ familiar neighborhoods, bringing them into a vibrant community of opportunities, networks, and resources. This immersion is essential; it’s a gateway to a world they haven’t been exposed to, instilling a sense of belonging that becomes a cornerstone of their journey with us. But we know that their challenges often run deeper, which is why our ecosystem of support addresses the roots, not just the symptoms. Our dedicated team stands steadfastly beside these young people as they tackle complex personal challenges, from trauma recovery to addressing feelings of abandonment. We affirm, “We believe in you, and we’ll continue to do so until you believe in yourself.”
What role does the act of preparing and sharing a meal play in fostering connection and healing?
Preparing and sharing a meal is deeply woven into the fabric of human connection, and at Café Momentum, it’s the heartbeat of our healing process. The winner of the ice cream competition, Rambo, said something I’ll never forget that encapsulates our ethos: “I just love to make food and give it to people and put a smile on their face.” This simple yet profound joy in serving others ignites a journey of self-discovery and connection. Each pre-shift meeting commences with a family meal. The family meal programming includes financial education and Restaurant Ready lessons. Family meal is also when stories and life-skills training are shared over dishes, like Jordan, Café Momentum Dallas’ executive sous chef, introducing the youth to the many ways to cook salmon, or our interns exploring new flavors, sparking curiosity. These moments aren’t just about food; they’re gateways to new worlds.
How do you balance the business aspect of running a restaurant with the social impact mission of Café Momentum?
Balancing Café Momentum’s business operations with our social mission hinges on viewing our establishment as a restaurant and a dynamic classroom. Our commitment is two-fold: achieving culinary excellence to satisfy our patrons and providing a transformative platform for our interns. We have a high standard, ensuring that our youth strive for and reach excellence, reflected in our status among the top restaurants. This excellence magnetizes consistent patronage, individuals who seek a quality meal and actively participate in our interns’ journey by believing in them. Their presence is a powerful affirmation for our youth, a tangible display of trust and support.
Financially, our model is community-driven. While about a third of our operational income is generated from the restaurant’s revenue, the majority is sourced from individual contributions and local philanthropic organizations. Every customer and donation is an integral part of the financial tapestry supporting our 12-month program, a communal investment in the futures of our interns.
What do you envision for the future of Café Momentum, both in terms of expanding its reach and its continued impact on the lives of young people?
In 2020, we launched a capacity-building team to manage and oversee the expansion of Café Momentum nationally. This effort led to the opening of our first location outside of Dallas in Pittsburgh, PA, in March 2023. In 2024, Café Momentum completed construction on its brick-and-mortar program and restaurant in Atlanta, with a grand opening planned for March 2025. Meanwhile, we will break ground on construction in Denver, set to open in 2026.
2025 marks Café Momentum’s 10th anniversary — a significant milestone toward achieving vision for a more just and equitable future for young people impacted by our justice system. In Dallas, we are embarking on a capital campaign to build the Café Momentum Flagship, a transformative space representing our commitment to breaking the cycle of incarceration for justice-involved youth, confronting racial inequities and systemic barriers, and advancing meaningful juvenile justice reform.
Beyond serving as a restaurant, the flagship will house a national learning hub. This hub will welcome organizations, changemakers, and professionals from across the country to engage, learn, and advocate for justice-involved youth, expanding our mission and amplifying our impact well into the future. This ambitious vision is part of an ongoing effort to secure the resources needed to make this dream a reality, ensuring our youth and mission thrive for years.
These moments aren’t just about food; they’re gateways to new worlds.
