Tex-Mex News
New restaurant inspired by Texas Hill Country cues up in McKinney
There's a new Texana restaurant in McKinney from a storied Tex-Mex family: Called Texana Grill, it's from Gilbert Cuellar, of the famed El Chico family, and it's open at 1222 N Central Expwy. in McKinney, in what used to the El Corazon, the restaurant owned by Gilbert's cousin John Cuellar.
Texana Grill is a revival. The concept originally debuted in Nashville in 1991, and drew lines for its smoked brisket and baby back ribs. After eight years, it closed. Gilbert reopened the concept in Texas in 2006, and now here he is, reviving it again.
He says it's his favorite amongst the many restaurant concepts he has done. "Simply put, I missed it! Also, my family has been begging me to bring it back," he says in a statement.
Texana Grill is a Hill Country-inspired restaurant that captures favorite dishes found in the heart of Texas:
- chicken fried ribeye, regular or cowboy-style with queso and red onion
- Joe Bob’s Chicken
- Baby Back Rib Sandwich topped with Dr Pepper BBQ sauce
- chicken fingers
- "Texas Twinkies": brisket-stuffed jalapeno peppers
“The menu is a road trip through Hill Country serving up diner fare that’s a little more refined than you might expect, with plenty of cold Texas beer to wash it all down,” Cuellar says.
Due to COVID-19, Texana Grill will initially be open for take-out only. You can order their smoked BBQ meats by the pound or pick up a Family Pack, complete with sides. Order at 469-631-0011 or online via Toast.