Bubble Tea News

New Plano sweet shop SnoTea will do all the cool exotic desserts

Shaved snow is like the cotton candy of ice cream.

Courtesy photo

If you're in Plano having a salad at Snappy Salads, being all virtuous, then you can follow that up with a visit to the shop next-door called SnoTea. Located at 5930 W. Park Blvd., just east of the Dallas North Tollway, this new sweet shop will open in March with all the cool dessert trends: bubble tea, shaved snow, and crepes, all in one convenient location.

Owner Kevin Drawe is a 25-year-old entrepreneur and bubble-tea savant who wanted his own business. But he didn't think it wise to put all of his eggs in the bubble tea basket.

"I wanted to do bubble tea, but as a side thing, with my main focus being the shaved snow," he says. "The boba is an add-on."

Shaved snow, also called snow ice, is the Taiwanese treat in which ice is shaved so finely that it becomes light and airy, and dissolves instantly in the mouth — unlike the pebbly, crunchy shaved ice you get at arena concession stands.

"Snow ice is a really creamy shaved ice, so creamy that it's like ice cream," Drawe says. "It's like an ice cream version of cotton candy."

Snow ice uses milk instead of water, so it's not dairy-free, although the milk that's used is generally low-fat. So basically you are getting an extra-creamy dessert that is lower fat than ice cream.

The milk base is made with flavorings added, which is then frozen. When it gets shaved, it comes out in thin ribbons, rather than pellets. In Taiwanese style, you add toppings such as fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, chewy mochi, and condensed milk.

Hedging his bets further, Drawe will also offer crepes. But unlike most creperies, he'll skip savory entrée-type crepes and stick to sweet fillings instead.

"I just want to keep it a dessert store," he says.

desserts openings

outta this world

Cowboys superfan launches pizzeria with Tex-Mex twist in Dallas food hall

Photo courtesy of Starboy's

Check out the cheese pull on Starboy's birria pizza.

A new pizza restaurant is slinging a variety of innovative pies in the Dallas Medical District: Called Starboy’s Pizzeria, the new shop is part of Food Nation Cinco Cocinas, the eclectic food hall at 4711 Maple Ave. The food hall was created by Ray Quintanilla and legendary restaurateur and "Godfather of Dallas Tex-Mex" Mico Rodriguez, who died earlier this month at age 68.

John Flores, an IT professional and self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys super-fan, created Starboy’s Pizzeria, which is now open in the former Sal’s Pizza and Restaurant space. Friends call Flores by the nickname "Starboy," which combines his love for the Cowboys and his fascination with NASA and space, he explains.

Flores met Quintanilla and Rodriguez while hosting karaoke at Mico’s Bar, another food hall occupant. When Sal’s closed earlier this year, they saw an opportunity to fill the void with a refreshed pizza concept.

“It is because of Mico that I even thought about starting this project: he was part of this, he was always happy, and we really hit it off, so I miss him,” Flores says.

Starboy's Pizzeria joins Mico’s Bar, Picazo Sushi and Poke, Wing City, and JJ’s Cafe, which opened a location in the food hall earlier this year.

Lupe Ibarra, a chef from the closed Sal’s Pizza with 25 years of experience, stayed on at Starboy's to continue perfecting traditional recipes while creating signature new ones tied to Flores’ Mexican heritage.

The result of the collaboration is a menu that includes traditional favorites alongside creative pies with a Mexican-inspired twist like the Pizza Birria (resembling the flavor profile of popular birria tacos), elotero, chicken fajitas, and pastor, among more than 15 specialty offerings.

Flores' passion for the Cowboys is especially evident in several unique creations:

Cry Eagles Cry: Inspired by the Philly cheesesteak, topped with beef, green peppers, onions, and mozzarella.
Starboy’s Classic (Blue): Red sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, sausage, and fresh arugula.
Starboy’s Classic (Silver): White sauce, chicken, mushrooms, onions, arugula, mozzarella, and a balsamic glaze.
Cowboy: Brisket, onions, barbecue sauce, and smoked gouda.

Starboy's 16-inch pizzas range from $14-$25, with individual slices priced around $4. The menu also features sub sandwiches, pastas with a variety of sauces, and chicken Parmesan, all under $14.

To cater to the busy medical, residential, and retail crowds nearby, Starboy's offers lunch deals for under $12, which include pasta and garlic knots or a slice of pizza and a salad, complete with a drink.

Flores explains that his heritage and his mother’s influence serve as the primary driving force behind his new venture.

“My mom would always host family gatherings. She always fed people, and I got that from her. I like to see smiles on people’s faces from the things I do,” he says. “I have big dreams for this place. I want us to be part of the community and give back.”

Flores remains involved with karaoke at Mico’s Bar and is focused on driving traffic to the entire complex. He hosts Cowboys watch parties, while his adult children — Nathan, Natalie, and Amy — assist with social media, website management, and overall promotion for Starboy’s.

“When people try our pizzas for the first time, their eyes light up, so we know we are on the right track,” Flores says.

Starboy’s Pizzeria is open daily from 11 am-10 pm.

dallas pizza starboy's food nation cinco cocinas maple street food hall dallas medical district lunch pizzeria locally owned latino owned business pizza dallas cowboys tex-mex