Steakhouse News

New Brazilian steakhouse will hoist the skewers at Plano's Shops at Legacy

Now that is some meat.

Photo courtesy of Brasao

Dallas loves Brazilian steakhouses and just in time comes another: Brasão Brazilian Steakhouse, which specializes in rodizio-style dining, will open a location at the Shops at Legacy in Plano.

According to a release, it will open in spring 2021 at 5741 Legacy Dr. #100, aka the former Henry's Tavern space. They are bravely taking on a 15,169-square-foot space which hopefully by spring they'll be able to fill with abandon and COVID-19 will be a distant memory.

Brasão is your quintessential Brazilian-style steakhouse, with meats roasted slowly over an open flame in the Churrasco style, a method of cooking that is supposed to preserve juices and flavor.

Rodizio-style service is when the meats, which include beef, lamb, poultry, and pork, are carved tableside by gauchos, servers dressed in swashbuckling uniforms.

True to Brazilian steakhouse form, Brasao has a salad bar with vegetables, cheese, cured meats, plus a selection of rotating international and gourmet side dishes.

They'll have a full-service bar and an outdoor patio, where you can also enjoy a cocktail, craft beer, or fine wine. They'll have happy hour specials and will also be available for private events.

They'll join a busy Brazilian steakhouse market populated by concepts that include Fogo de Chao, Texas de Brazil, 12 Cuts, and Villas Grill, not to mention another newcomer, Palmas Brasil, opening in Addison in the fall. When all restaurants have closed, apparently all we'll have left is pizza and rodizio.

Brasão originates in San Antonio where it debuted in 2019, taking over what used to be an Asian restaurant called Wangchao. Wangchao was owned by AZ Oriental Food Concepts, who also own Brasao.

Manager/front person Julie Ferro says in a statement that Brasão will combine traditional tastes and modern ambiance, and that guests will be transported to Brazil with every bite. That's good news; with COVID-19, who feels like flying these days.

Jason Kasal of Retail Properties of America, Inc., which operates The Shops at Legacy, says the new concept is a good fit for the center. "When you combine straightforward, authentic cuisine with an attention to service and experience, you have a wonderful way to enjoy lunch or dinner out. We look forward to the restaurant’s opening this spring," he says.

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Fried Chicken News

Chicago restaurant debuts its fried chicken and boba tea in Frisco

Chi Tea

Chi Tea burgers and chicken sandwiches.

A new restaurant serving boba tea and fried chicken just opened in Frisco: Called Chi Tea, it's a chain from Chicago that opened its first location in Texas at 4760 Preston Rd. #228, in a former Bonchon Korean in Frisco Village.

According to a release, It opened November 1.

The concept was founded in Chicago in 2020 by brothers Zak Ayyubi, Aman Siddiqui, and friend Abdurahman Sharif, with an unusual goal to pair fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and bubble tea drinks. They've since opened two more locations in Illinois; Frisco is the fourth and the first outside the state.

The name is a little misleading, as it implies it's a beverage place, but there's equal emphasis on the sandwiches and fries. They also tout their welcoming vibe, encouraging customers to eat, drink, and linger.

Their menu features three sandwiches — Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich, a grilled chicken, and a burger with grilled onions, jalapenos, pickles, cheese, and Chi-sauce — which can also be ordered in a smaller slider size.

There are also fries, loaded fries, popcorn chicken, chicken tenders, and mac & cheese, which can be customized with bacon, beef, fries, and other toppings.

Prices typically range from $5 for a single Chi Tea Classic slider to $13 for four-piece chicken tenders.

Boba drinks are entirely customizable, starting with choice of blended smoothie or over ice, with choice of flavor ranging from pineapple to brown sugar milk tea to horchata; and toppings, like popping pearls or cream cheese foam. A regular starts at $5 and a large starts at $6.

Notably, Chi Tea was among the restaurants selected in the recent Spongebob Krabby Patty promotion during October that took place in 12 cities across North America, included a dozen restaurants in Dallas.

"We are very excited to finally bring a taste of Chicago to the Greater Dallas area," says Ayyubi in a release. "This move has been very promising and we cannot wait for the community to welcome us and for us to serve this beautiful city."

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