Frisco Eats

Chef opens restaurant in one of downtown Frisco's coolest buildings

Fine fare coming to Frisco.

Courtesy photo

While food is important, location also matters, and Didi's Downtown aims to have it both. This new restaurant is opening in mid-December in the heart of historic downtown Frisco at 7210 W. Main St., in one of the oldest homes in the city.

Didi's will serve scratch-made food, with an emphasis on hospitality, family-friendly environment, live music, and a dedication to its hometown Frisco.

Owner Scott Hoffner is a chef with a long and impressive resume, ranging from a golf resort in Montana to serving as private chef for celebrities such as Tyson Chandler. He's worked at notable restaurants such as TJ's Seafood and J Macklin's Grill in Coppell, and also helped restaurateur Ed Bailey launch his Bailey's Prime Plus steakhouse chain, now closed.

Currently residing with his family in Frisco, Hoffner wanted to open a neighborhood place.

"I opened a creperie in 2011 and it has remained my dream to have my own place," he says. "I'm one mile away from the restaurant. I can ride my bike there. My kids' schools are close by. It just seemed like a great opportunity."

He's going into what used to be a bar-restaurant called Stan's Main Street, which left the space in late August.

"It's the third oldest house in Frisco, it was built in 1912," Hoffner says. "It's a cool, funky joint and there's no other patio like it around. It also has its own parking lot which customers love, right in the heart of the Rail District, which is rare."

To honor that, he commissioned a quirky mural on the side of the building featuring a 36-foot-long train. But the mural is a double-take, because it looks as if a dad and his two kids are painting the train, when they are actually part of the mural.

The menu will have a little bit of everything, from blackened tuna to salads to smothered cheese fries.

Texican chicken sounds good: It's a fried chicken breast topped with salsa verde and pickled jalapenos served with elote and sourdough bread. There are half a dozen burgers and another half-dozen sandwiches, including a patty melt and a Philly cheesesteak.

"We're doing dishes that I know people love: hummus, catfish, burgers, and tacos, with more creative nightly specials," Hoffner says.

There'll also be an 8-foot smoker for weekend projects like a whole hog. Prices will range from $6 to $22.

"We're definitely going to be Frisco- and family-centric," he says. "I just want to make people happy and offer great hospitality."

openings

Cool new hang

Rollin Joe's coffee shop to open in old New York Sub space by SMU Dallas

Rendering courtesy of Rollin Joes

Rollin Joe's is going into the old New York Sub space across from SMU.

The iconic former New York Sub space across from Southern Methodist University is being amped up as a cool new off-campus hang: Rollin Joe's, an all-day, music-driven, coffee and beverage shop, will open at 3411 Asbury St., Dallas.

It will debut in late summer or early fall 2026, says a release, in time to serve espresso drinks, matcha, smoothies, and teas to a new crop of undergrads who need caffeine.

Rollin Joe's comes from SMU alumnus (and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' nephew) Jerry W. Mooty, Jr. and hospitality veteran Kirk Thompson, who are transforming the longtime campus-area location into an all-day destination "pairing quality beverages with curated music, comfortable spaces and a community-focused atmosphere," the release says.

The location is notable for generations of SMU students and Park Cities residents who loved New York Sub, which had occupied the space since 1974, before closing earlier this year.

According to the release, Rollin Joe's will encompass 1,373 square feet with seating for 45 to 50. Features will include a covered patio, walk-up ordering, and a "Quick Sip" window for customers on the go.

The menu will focus on beverages, including coffee and espresso drinks, matcha beverages, specialty teas, smoothies, protein drinks, refreshers, energy beverages, grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks.

Notably, it will not sell alcohol. This is not a bar, frat boys.

Rollin Joe's will be an all-day coffee spot.Rendering courtesy of Rollin Joe's

Rollin Joe's will operate from morning through late evening, transitioning from coffee runs and study sessions to afternoon meetups and evening gatherings.

Music will also be a priority. According to the release, house music will be part of the daily soundtrack, with live DJs performing several nights per week and occasional guest DJs to help set the vibe.

For Mooty, the location was a key part of the project.

"The former New York Sub location holds a special place in the hearts of generations of SMU students and Park Cities residents," Mooty said in a statement. "When the opportunity arose to bring new life to the space, we saw a chance to honor that legacy while creating a new gathering place built around great drinks, music, community and meaningful connections."

Mooty is CEO and principal of Christie's International Real Estate @properties Lone Star. He says the idea for Rollin Joe's dates back more than a decade.

To clarify, the namesake "Joe" is not necessarily a person, but a concept, and what he's "rollin'" is, well, left to the imagination. As the release explains, "At the center of the brand is 'Joe' - a laid-back, music-loving personality who embodies the culture and spirit of Rollin Joe's. More than a host, Joe represents the welcoming, upbeat experience the founders hope to create for every guest who walks through the door."

Mooty explains, "The Rollin Joe's concept - and Joe's distinctive look and personality - has been a passion project of mine since I left the legal profession in 2012. I always believed in Joe as the focus of a beverage concept, but I knew bringing him to life would require operational expertise I didn't yet have."

Thompson joined the project after moving to Texas in 2024. His background includes owning and operating Panera Bread franchises in Kentucky and Florida, as well as Jimmy John's locations in Austin.

"When Jerry showed me what he had created, I immediately saw the potential," Thompson says. "The beverage category is evolving rapidly, and there was an opportunity to build something different - something that combines exceptional drinks, hospitality, music, and community."

The space was designed by Alexander Quintanilla of Q-ARC. According to the release, the design draws inspiration from music culture, vinyl listening lounges, and modern cafés, with comfortable seating, greenery, and lighting intended to complement the music-focused atmosphere.

coffee shop smu openings coffee