Hot dogs and lawsuits

Trinity Groves welcomes Hofmann Hots and, soon, restaurant incubator Kitchen LTO

Trinity Groves ushered in its new hot dog diner concept, Hofmann Hots, with a reception for friends and family on February 6, as a preview to the official opening February 8. Hofmann Hots showcases hot dogs from Hofmann Sausage Co., a Syracuse, New York-based company that's been making hot dogs since 1879.

The restaurant is the first in a chain whose investor-owners include Trinity Groves founder Phil Romano. Romano and company recently filed a lawsuit against company CEO Frank Zaccanelli for misuse of company funds. Zaccanelli is accused of racking up personal expenses, including $34,000 for an employee named Megan Lucas.

But there was no talk of the lawsuit at the opening event. Instead, attendees including Susan and John Cuellar, owners of Corazon de Tejas restaurant soon to open in Oak Cliff, and Dotty Griffith, the new executive director of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association, lined up for gourmet hot dogs, spicy chili mac and cheese, and tater tots.

The restaurant has a cool '50s diner design, with white tiled walls, stainless steel countertops, gleaming red tables, and blue-and-white vinyl chairs. Also spotted in the hungry crowd: Cindy and Tony Waldrop, Kristy Nail, Melanie Weiser, Summer Graham, Michael Swaim, and Beaux Wellborn.

In other news, Trinity Groves recently announced a mini-incubator project called Kitchen LTO, created by Greenz founder Casie Caldwell. LTO, which stands for "limited time only," will be a pop-up restaurant site with a new set of chefs and designers moving in and out every quarter.

A screening committee will review applicants, but the public will decide who's in, by voting through the company's website and social media channels. Chefs and designers are invited to submit applications by February 27.

Chefs must have culinary training and five years of experience, but design applicants can be students. To apply, visit the website or email contact@kitchenlto.com.

Hofmann Hots showcases hot dogs from Syracuse-New York-based Hofmann Sausage Co., available with all manner of toppings. Dogs, left to right: Asian, Himalayan, fajita.

Photo by Jerry McClure

Hofmann Hots showcases hot dogs from Syracuse-New York-based Hofmann Sausage Co., available with all manner of toppings. Dogs, left to right: Asian, Himalayan, fajita.

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Crepe News

Sweet Paris crepe chain folds in another Dallas location in Addison

Photo by Julie Soefer

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Sweet crepes are coming to Addison via Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, the Houston-based crêpes chain, which is opening a location in Prestonwood Place, at 5290 Belt Line Rd. #110, with doors expected to open in early 2026.

Sweet Paris was founded in Houston in 2012 by Ivan and Allison Chavez with a mission to revive the art of eating crepes. There's a location in Southlake, which opened in 2024, and another in McKinney, which just opened in June. (There's also a location coming soon to Dallas' Snider Plaza.)

The menu offers 20 crepes in varieties savory and sweet including dulce de leche, lemon & sugar, s'mores, chicken enchilada, Philly cheesesteak, and a vegan option with portobello mushrooms, black bean purée, corn salsa, and chipotle sauce.

While crepes are the signature, they also serve waffles, egg breakfasts, panini, and salads. A "croque madame" crepe has scrambled eggs, gruyère, smoked ham, & béchamel sauce, while an Alaskan has smoked salmon, pickled red onions, capers, and scrambled eggs, topped with dill sour cream, & scallions. Everything is $20 or less.

They also serve beer and wine, mimosas, milkshakes, espresso drinks such as lattes, and hot chocolate.

This new location marks the third of four units to be developed by franchisee duo Ludo and Yi Le Gall.

“We fell in love with Sweet Paris the moment we discovered it,” Ludo says in a statement. “Bringing this unique experience to Texans has been a dream come true, and we’re thrilled to grow our presence throughout the state with a new location in Addison.”

Situated within Restaurant Row at Belt Line & Montford, Prestonwood Place includes hot hot restaurants like Mendocino Farms, Flower Child, Loro, Postino, Original Pancake House, and more. All it was missing was crepes. Now that niche has been filled by Sweet Paris, with crêpes, coffee, and charm.

Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has been growing and now has 21 stores in operation in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, and Mexico.

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