Even before internet celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe (better known as “Salt Bae”) opens his Dallas restaurant, the steakhouse is already embroiled in legal troubles according to a Dallas Eater article from February 3rd. In it they say:
“Even though the doors haven’t yet opened, social media star Nusret “Salt Bae” Gökçe’s Dallas restaurant Nusr-Et Steakhouse is already embroiled in legal and financial drama. In a lawsuit filed in Dallas County District Court on Thursday, January 21, Dallas-based construction company BengeTexas alleges that Nusr-Et owes more than $933,000 in unpaid bills due to both BengeTexas and its subcontractors for construction on the restaurant at 1900 Pearl Street in Downtown Dallas. According to the affidavit filed by owner Jim Benge, Nusr-Et’s ownership has failed to pay for everything from the installation of the kitchen’s refrigerators to the custom-cut ceiling tiles in the restaurant’s dining room.”
Salt Bae has responded with a countersuit according Central Track article from February 3rd. In it they say:
“To throw salt on the wound (sorry, we had to), Nusr-Et filed a countersuit alleging that BengeTexas had diverted $182,000 in subcontractor payments to former Nusr-et employee Steve Regan. Nusr-et alleges this was a scheme in order to defraud the restaurant. The countersuit also alleges that the $574,000 mentioned in lien affidavit is false. Legal drama is a dish best served medium-rare, we suppose! Or at the very least, in the house.”
It is currently not clear how this will affect the restaurant’s opening date, which has been continuously pushed back.
