Richardson has experienced an uptick in retail activity the past few months with the introduction of new restaurant concepts throughout the city. These new establishments are shaping the way Richardson residents live, work and play.
Greg Cooney has hit another home run for his II Creeks Plaza on Custer Parkway at Lookout Drive with the addition of two exciting new establishments, Shady’s Burgers and Brewhaha and Pearl Cup Coffee.
Shady’s is a unique new burger joint located in II Creeks plaza in the heart of Richardson’s Canyon Creek neighborhood. Conceptualized by six Canyon Creek residents, Shady’s aims to offer great food at a reasonable price and a casual, family environment. The menu includes a variety of creative burgers, sandwiches, salads, beer and wine.
Pearl Cup Coffee, renowned for its award-winning Pearl Latte, has also opened in II Creeks Plaza. For now, owners Rita Davis and Carlene Saelg are only serving the coffee you know and love as well as a few select pastries. A full menu is coming soon. The new II Creeks location also has a gorgeous, dog-friendly patio. Be sure to check out all of the fantastic restaurants and shops that II Creeks has to offer!
Canyon Creek area isn’t the only area attracting new restaurants. Richardson Heights Shopping Center at the southwest corner of
Belt Line and Central Expressway is also home to a new burger restaurant. Haystack Burgers and Barley just opened on the south end of the same building where Alamo Drafthouse is under construction. Two local Richardson couples, Kevin and Jenny Galvan and Rob and Christine Wondoloski, own the restaurant together. The Galvans had a vision to start a different kind of fast casual restaurant with amazing food. The Wondoloskis had a vision of growing a business, so a great partnership was formed. Kevin is the fourth generation of restaurant owners in his family. Kevin and Jenny owned and operated Ricardos's Tex Mex in Allen for five years, and some of the family recipes can be found at Haystack. Kevin will be managing the daily operations of Haystack. Burgers are all made to order with a variety of toppings. If burgers aren’t your thing, the menu also includes salads and chicken options. The restaurant also has a patio for outdoor dining. Haystack fits well with the culture of Alamo Drafthouse, which will open later this summer.
Another new restaurant has opened at the northeast corner of Arapaho Road at Plano Road. Zuki Japanese Bistro (formerly Hanabi) is receiving great reviews. As one diner quoted on Yelp, “Here at Zuki, it’s all about the rolls”. Also a family-owned venue, Zuki offers a great selection of rolls (20+), a variety of Bento Box meals, bowls, grilled salmon, chicken and beef entrees.
Mena’s Tex-Mex Grill, a new Mexican restaurant concept, will open sometime in June at Eastside. The restaurant will be a 2nd location by this Carrollton-based family operation, in business for more than 25 years. Mena’s is located in the ground floor corner space directly across (east) from the high-rise office building at 740 E. Campbell.
Also newly opened this year, Snappy Salads is at 320 W. Campbell just behind Luby’s Cafeteria. Finally, a great new salad venue for Richardson that is “so good, even guys like our salads!” This is their 4th location with other sites at North Park, Plano, and Preston/Forest; a 5th location will open soon in Southlake. In business since 2005, Snappy’s is a Dallas-based company founded by Chris Dahlander. Chris takes pride in emphasizing the company’s environmental awareness and sustainability through the use of recycled materials throughout the restaurant, energy conservation and by bringing in more organic and humanely-raised food products. Read about the restaurant in this Nation’s Restaurant News article.
Each of these restaurants is a fine example of the quality of venues that are coming to Richardson. We look forward to more growth throughout 2013!