Restaurant Explosion
New crepes and churros restaurants hit hot Dallas foodie suburb
A new round of restaurants will open in Carrollton Town Center, specializing in crab, crepes, churros, and Thai food.
The just-opened restaurants are Kickin Crab, a Texas newcomer; Churro Alley, making its debut; and Rice Chicken, the second branch in the U.S.
Opening in mid-May will be T Swirl Crepe, its second location west of the Mississippi River, and Too Thai Street Eats, a new concept for a Dallas-based restaurateur.
"We're drawing all ethnicities, all ages, and lots of millennials to Carrollton Town Center," says Heather Nguyen, development partner on the project. She and John Nguyen, an associate with Houston-based NewQuest, are the moving forces behind the leasing activity.
"There is almost 100,000 square feet of small shop space that's been filled within 18 months. That's a good amount of leasing activity," Nguyen adds.
The Kickin Crab is a California-based chain and a fun-filled, hands-on fresh seafood destination with a distinctive ambiance and a Louisiana and Cajun-style down-home menu.
Korea-based Rice Chicken is opening its second location in North Texas, which is emerging as the company's test market for its specialty cuisine. Frisco may get the third site. Only rice flour is used in the preparation of dishes to achieve a crispier and healthier dining choice.
Churro Alley features handcrafted, dipped churros glazed with a variety of toppings and served chilled with ice cream or frozen yogurt.
T Swirl Crepe is a New York-based chain with 13 locations. Made from 100 percent gluten-free rice flour, the Japanese crepe fits into a paper wrap that is easily held in the hand for a "meal on the go" experience. The T Swirl menu features a wide variety of savory and sweet crepes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as in-between treats.
Carrollton Town Center has attracted 22 restaurants and retailers, many new to Texas. Nguyen says that they're drawing customers from Austin, Houston, and Oklahoma.
"We are ecstatic about the draw this center is receiving in the Dallas market. Carrollton Town Center has evolved into a foodie destination," she says.
