Hawaiian News

Ono Hawaiian plate lunch chain will open 10 restaurants around Dallas

Ono Hawaiian Aloha Plate with Chicken Katsu & Island Fire Chicken

dallas.culturemap.com

A new chain specializing in Hawaiian plate meals is coming in big to the Dallas area: Ono Hawaiian BBQ, a Hawaii-inspired fast-casual chain known for its island-style plate lunches, has 10 new restaurants under construction across the Dallas–Fort Worth.

This expansion represents an important next step for the brand as it continues to grow its footprint from the West coast and across the U.S.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a family-owned chain, founded in 2002 in West L.A. by brothers Joe and Josh Liang, who shared a passion for Hawaiian culture and cuisine. There are now more than 115 restaurants across California and Arizona.

Like other similar Hawaiian chains, they specialize in the plate lunch, which is generally a combination of starch + animal: some form of meat plus two scoops of white rice plus a scoop of mac & cheese, served in not particularly eco-friendly packaging. Ono seems to also add a broccoli floret or two.

The meats on Ono's menu include BBQ chicken, Kalua pork, kalbi short ribs, fried chicken katsu, and Spam musubi, consisting of a block of rice topped with a slice of Spam and wrapped in seaweed.

Plate lunch prices range from $13 to $18.

“At Ono Hawaiian BBQ, we’re passionate about sharing the spirit of Aloha with every plate we serve,” CEO Joshua Liang says in a statement. “Texas offers the perfect opportunity to introduce our fresh, made-to-order Hawaiian comfort food to a community that embraces bold flavors and the joy of gathering around great food.”

The Texas locations represent the brand’s first significant move outside the West Coast, paving the way for further expansion. One amazing thing is the fact that they've signed so many leases at the same time. Chains often broadcast that they have plans to open multiple locations but it's rare to see it come to fruition as it has with Ono.

The locations are as follows:

Burleson, TBD – SWC Summerset & SW Wilshire
Carrollton, 3328 E. Hebron Pkwy. #101, in a former Schlotzky's
Dallas, 6216 Retail Rd., in a former Del Taco at Skillman and Northwest Highway
Haltom City, 6360 N. Beach St., in a former Schlotzky's
Hurst, 1840 Precinct Line Rd., in a former Taco Cabana
McKinney, 4610 W. University Dr. #110, in a new complex
Plano, 8724 Preston Rd. , in a former Chick-fil-A
Rowlett, 4510 Lakeview Pkwy., in a former Dairy Queen
Royse City, 506 W. Interstate 30, in a former Dairy Queen
Wylie, 2020 N. State Hwy 78, in a former Hwy 55 Burgers & Shakes

Each restaurant will feature Ono’s fast-casual format with dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru options. They're expected to open in early- to mid-2026.

openings

Now open

French bakery-cafe Maman from New York makes chic Plano debut

Photo courtesy of Maman

Maman has opened a cafe at Legacy East in Plano.

A fast-growing New York bakery-cafe chain has expanded into a new North Texas city: Maman debuted a new location Friday, August 7 at Legacy East in Plano.

The cafe is at 7200 Bishop Rd., Ste. D, where it serves coffee, breakfast, lunch, pastries, and baked goods in a 2,650-square-foot space with seating for 78 indoors and another 34 on an outdoor patio, according to a release.

Plano is the brand's third Dallas-area cafe in about a year, with more on the way.

Founded in New York's Soho in 2014 by partners Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, Maman has grown to about 60 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The company made its Texas debut in November 2025 with a cafe at The Plaza at Preston Center, followed by a Lakewood location that opened earlier this year. Another location is planned at Fields West in Frisco, as well as in Dallas' Casa Linda Center.

Maman Coffee and croissants at Maman.Photo courtesy of Maman

The menu features espresso drinks, tea, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast and lunch items, plus seasonal offerings and a few Dallas-area exclusives, including:

Magnolia Sweet Tea Fizz: Cold-steeped magnolia bud tea with Topo Chico, Texas wildflower honey syrup, lemon, and mint.
Lone Star Cinnamon Bun: A cinnamon roll topped with vanilla glaze and a signature pastry star.
Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Roll: A pastry swirled with salted caramel, vanilla, and toasted Southern pecans.

Known for its French provincial-inspired interiors, Maman's cafes feature vintage furnishings, wood accents, and the brand's signature blue toile details. The Plano location also offers catering and private event space.

"We're so excited to continue growing in the Dallas area with our newest location in Plano," says co-founder Elisa Marshall in the release. "Legacy East has such an incredible energy and strong sense of community, making it the perfect home for Maman. We can't wait to welcome both longtime guests and new neighbors into the space to enjoy coffee, pastries and meaningful moments together."

Maman New York Lemon meringue tarts from Maman. Photo courtesy of Maman

The company also sells coffee, tea, matcha, merchandise, and its cookbook, Maman: The Cookbook, All Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart, and continues its collaboration with Martha Stewart through limited-time menu items and retail products.

Doors opened at 8 am August 7. To celebrate the opening, the first 100 customers who make a purchase will receive a complimentary tote bag and chocolate chip cookie. From 1-3 pm, the first 50 customers who spend $15 or more can receive a complimentary croissant charm at an on-site charm bar hosted by Charmed Haven.

Regular hours are 7:30 am-6 pm Monday-Friday and 8 am-6 pm Saturday-Sunday, with the kitchen closing daily at 4 pm.

bakery legacy east maman plano openings