Tea News

New coffee and tea shop in Frisco takes the art of chai to another level

Hold My Chai tea

dallas.culturemap.com

A new drink and dessert cafe has opened in Frisco, serving coffee, chai, and more: Called Hold My Chai, it opened June 29 at 5266 Independence Pkwy. #110, in a small center just north of SH-121.

The concept was founded by a trio with a goal of bringing the community together with a menu of great tea that highlights South Asian flavors: Fahim Ahamed who oversees operations and menu development; Ram Majji, a one-time Frisco City Council candidate who oversees community outreach, and Kumber Ali, in charge of business finance and logistics.

Each comes from a different background (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) and applies that culture to shaping their varied chai drink offerings.

"The reason we chose Hold My Chai was because there's a gap in the market when it comes to South Asian chais; we're very underrepresented," Ahamed says. "It's a very appropriated beverage that a lot of people are distributing, and we felt like there's a gap in authenticity."

Instead of the single "chai tea" offered at typical coffee shops, Hold My Chai has nine flavors, hot and iced, including:

duhood with classic milk tea — Bangladeshi chai only using milk and tea
railway with five spice milk tea (includes Indian blend of cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper)
ginger black tea
lemongrass
Kashmiri, originating from India, with a green tea base, infused with cardamom, and pink coloring

There are also coffees, lemonade, and refreshers. Prices range from $5 to $6.

"We wanted to provide authentic, fresh chai that's brewed on the spot," Ahamed says. "We don't make 50 gallons in the morning and brew it every hour — every cup is made fresh."

The menu features muffins cake, cookies, and chicken bites, but the "talker" is the croffle: a croissant that's been flattened by a waffle iron, so it looks like a waffle and tastes like a croissant. It's topped with condensed milk, choice of cereal, and vanilla ice cream.

A refrigerator case holds a selection of authentic Indian desserts such as rasmalai, a cake jar that's a little like an Indian version of tres leches cake, flavored with Indian spices like saffron and cardamom.

"We get a magnitude of every culture, every race," Ahamed says. "We open our doors to everyone, not just one demographic."

Henderson Avenue News

Dallas bar High Fives will close on Henderson Avenue after 10 years

High Fives/Facebook

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A nightlife staple on Dallas' Henderson Avenue is closing: High Fives, the bar located at 1804 McMillan Ave., will close in early January, after more than 10 years.

According to a release, the actual closing date will be tied to the Texas Tech Red Raiders' game schedule in January.

"To all our neighbors, the Red Raider faithful, and everyone who has made High Fives their home—we are saying goodbye by raising our hands high for one last High Five," says owner Phil Schanbaum. "This establishment was built on community, spirited rivalry, and countless memories. We are deeply thankful to every single patron and, especially, to all of our incredible staff who were the heart and soul of this place."

High Fives opened in mid-2015, part of the portfolio of This & That Hospitality, the company Schanbaum founded with partner Brandon Hays, next door to its sibling bar The Whippersnapper (which was rebranded into a concept called Boogies in October 2025.)

Schanbaum says that they're unsure of what will go in the High Fives space after it closes — but that the closure "paves the way for the ongoing evolution of Henderson Avenue."

The property is owned by Acadia Realty, the New York-based company that is partnered with Dallas development firm Ignite-Rebees on a 161,000-square-foot, creative, mixed-use development currently underway on Henderson Avenue between Glencoe Street and McMillan Avenue at the eastern end of Henderson Avenue.

High Fives' closure is part of that plan to transform the quarter-mile stretch into a walkable destination featuring restaurants, retail, and office space.

"To Henderson Avenue, we look forward to further expansion and to making this street even better. We are excited for the neighborhood's renaissance, which will bring new experiences, retail, and dining concepts to the area," Schanbaum says.

Moving target
The actual closing date will depend on the outcome of the season for Texas Tech's football team the Red Raiders.

"The final chapter for High Fives will be written alongside the almighty Texas Tech Red Raiders. The bar's ultimate closure is tied directly to the team's success," the release says.

The next game day is on January 1, when doors open at 10 am.

If the Red Raiders advance past the game on January 1, High Fives will remain open for subsequent Texas Tech game days until the team's run ends. Meanwhile hours in December will be Thursdays & Fridays from 8 pm-2 am, and Saturdays: from 2 pm– 2 am.