Spam musabi arriving

California's Ono Hawaiian BBQ chain makes big Texas debut in Plano

Ono Hawaiian BBQ's Island White Fish Aloha Plate.

Photo courtesy of Ono Hawaiian BBQ

A Hawaiian fast-casual chain from L.A. is bringing its plate lunches to Texas for the first time, and Plano is the place: Ono Hawaiian BBQ will make its Lone Star State debut at 8724 Preston Rd., Plano, in a former Chick-fil-A.

According to a release, doors will open Friday, July 24.

Plano is the first of multiple Texas locations the company says it plans to open. The California-based chain has more than 130 locations in California and Arizona. Texas is a new frontier.

"In a state celebrated for its iconic barbecue heritage, Ono Hawaiian BBQ brings a unique perspective to the table, offering Texas diners an exciting new BBQ experience rooted in Hawaiian flavors and hospitality," says the release.

Founded in 2002, Ono Hawaiian BBQ specializes in Hawaiian-style plate lunches, featuring grilled meats served with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad.

Menu options include BBQ chicken, BBQ beef, kalbi short ribs, Island Fire Chicken, chicken katsu, and seafood dishes, plus Hawaiian favorites like Spam musubi. Food is freshly prepared, made from scratch daily in each restaurant, and grilled fresh to order, they say.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ's Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate.Photo courtesy of Ono Hawaiian BBQ

Plate lunch prices range from $13 to $18.

The Plano location will also feature a perk Texans love: a drive-thru.

"Texas has long been a market we're excited about, and we're thrilled to introduce Ono Hawaiian BBQ to Dallas," says Joshua Liang, co-founder and CEO of Ono Hawaiian BBQ, in the release. "Our goal has always been to share the flavors, and aloha spirit through fresh, quality food and genuine hospitality. We look forward to becoming part of the Dallas community and welcoming guests to experience what has made Ono Hawaiian BBQ a favorite for more than two decades."

The opening marks the latest restaurant chain to choose North Texas for its first Texas location, underscoring just how hot DFW is right now. Ono follows Canadian dessert chain D-Spot, making its U.S. debut in Carrollton; ice cream sensation Salt & Straw making its Texas debut in Dallas, and more.

Ono Hawaiian BBQ will celebrate its grand opening on July 24 with a buy-one, get-one-free offer available all day.

Other locations that will follow Plano include:

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
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.

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Taking the field

Dak Prescott-backed Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux kicks off in Wylie

Photo courtesy of Walk-Ons

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is opening in Wylie on August 10.

A Louisiana sports bar chain that counts Cowboys QB Dak Prescott as a partner continues to build its fan base in Dallas-Fort Worth: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is set to open a new location in Wylie on Monday, August 10.

Announced earlier this year, the restaurant is at 906 FM 544, near the intersection of Highway 78 and FM 544. The opening marks the chain's 20th Texas location and its second operating restaurant in the DFW area.

Founded in Baton Rouge in 2003 by former LSU basketball "walk-ons" Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, Walk-On's has grown to more than 80 locations nationwide. The company is co-owned by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (an Austin native), and franchise partners include Prescott, along with former NFL player Derrick Brooks, and college football coach Dabo Swinney.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux Wylie The new Walk-On's is at 906 FM 544, Wylie.Photo courtesy of Walk-On's

The menu is centered on seafood and classic Louisiana dishes: fried seafood platters, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, po'boys, fried oysters, gumbo, fried alligator, and boudin balls. Prices range from $10 to $20.

Starters include waffle cheese fries, fried pickles, boneless wings, cheeseburger sliders, spinach-artichoke dip, and venison nachos. They have a bread pudding made with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

There's also a plentiful selection of beers on tap, plus margaritas and other crafty-ish cocktails.

The Wylie restaurant is owned by franchisee Cooper Thomson, who says the community made the city an appealing place to expand.

"I am thrilled to expand Walk-On's presence in Dallas, and particularly in the community of Wylie," Thomson says in a release. "To be a part of the growth in this area - to serve families and be a place where little league teams celebrate and football fans cheer on their team - is such a special opportunity."

Although Walk-On's has been in the DFW market since pre-pandemic times, Wylie will be its second restaurant in DFW open currently, joining a location at Grandscape in The Colony. Earlier Dallas-area locations in Irving and Arlington have closed, although the company has previously said it plans to reopen the Arlington restaurant at a new location.

The Wylie restaurant features a sports bar with dozens of TVs, a large outdoor patio, and a family-friendly dining room designed for game-day crowds.

Grand opening festivities will kick off at 10:30 am on Monday, August 10, with a ceremony featuring Walk-On's founder Brandon Landry, franchise owner Cooper Thomson, Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter, city officials, and representatives from Wylie High School and Wylie East High School.

The celebration will include donations to the two schools' athletic departments, followed by a ribbon-cutting at 10:45 am. Doors open to the public at 11 am, and the first 100 guests to dine will have a chance to win free Walk-On's for a year.

Walk-On's will be the second sports bar concept with celebrity cred to open in DFW within a few days' time. Shark Club, from Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi, opened Friday, August 7 in Northlake.

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