1. Frisco Rail Yard

What we reported The food truck park is the first of its kind to come into Frisco. It opened in October and offers a variety of local food truck vendors. The park also features outdoor games and live music.

The latest Owner Tamme Leff said since opening the food truck park, the response has been better than she had expected. In its first month, Frisco Rail Yard came in eighth in liquor sales within the city, she said.

“There are so many residents that have been here for a long time that really wanted an outdoor venue,” Leff said.

Leff said the deck has been extended and a roof has been placed above the bar.

What’s next In 2017, Leff said Frisco Rail Yard is going to host more events in which a portion of the proceeds will go toward a different local charity. The first event in 2017 will be held around Valentines Day.

There are plans to expand the park by placing a pavilion that would open up the park more and have a separate bar. The expansion would accommodate 125 people.

Polenta is one of the appetizers at Tavolo Italia in Frisco Square.[/caption]

2. Tavolo Italia

What we reported When the fine-dining Italian bistro first opened last January in Frisco Square, owner Jeffrey Frankel said he wanted to provide authentic Italian cuisine in Frisco and have guests feel like they have stepped into a restaurant in Boston or Manhattan.

The latest Since opening, Tavolo Italia has added outdoor patio dining, takeout and new specialty drinks.

What’s next In 2017, Frankel said he and his partner are discussing having half price wine nights, wine dinners and Sunday brunches.

Walnut pancakes is a customer favorite at Eggsellent Cafe.[/caption]

3. Eggsellent Cafe

What we reported Eggsellent Cafe opened its second location on Sept. 28 in Frisco after the success of the first in Carrollton. The cafe’s menu items include candied pecan crepes, avocado eggs benedict and turkey pesto panini.

The latest Owners Brian and Raymond McGaw said they have received positive community feedback on the Frisco location.

“A lot of people hear about us through word of mouth, which I think is a great testament to our service and our food,” Brian McGaw said.

Did you know Eggsellent Cafe is only open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. so the menu includes a lot of breakfast and brunch menu items.

@nerdvana.food+spirits offers fine dining cuisine such as their steak melt.[/caption]

4. @nerdvana.food+spirits

What we reported @nerdvana.food+spirits opened in November offering a unique dining experience. The restaurant, which has bits of video game culture spread throughout the dining room and menu, offers contemporary American cuisine.

The latest @nerdvana.food+spirits marketing director Nolan Lee said the Frisco community has been responding to the restaurant’s unique concept.

“As we are a very new concept restaurant, being both fine-dining and celebrating video game culture, a lot of our guests have been eager to discuss their excitement about our restaurant,” Lee said.

What’s next Lee said in 2017 the restaurant will include the addition of brunch and lunch menus.

Andy’s Frozen Custard offers frozen custard, malts, milkshakes and sundaes.[/caption]

5. Andy’s Frozen Custard

What we reported Andy’s Frozen Custard opened its first location in October next to Lebanon Trail High School. The ice cream shop gave away free custard a few days before its grand opening in October. The shop is known for its frozen custard mixed with a variety of toppings and candies, as well as malts, milkshakes, soda blends, floats and sundaes.

The latest Owner Eric Reed said the Frisco location is a top performer within the national chain even though the winter months are not necessarily the best time to open a frozen custard shop. Reed said he expects the Frisco location to do well during the spring and summer months.

In 2016, the company opened locations in Grapevine, Lewisville and Carrollton.

What’s next The company plans to open a second Frisco location at Eldorado Parkway and Custer Road.

Reed said the company is hoping to open three to four stores in 2017 in addition to the second Frisco location. 

Frisco Star Cafe serves a variety of breakfast foods.[/caption]

6. Frisco Star Cafe

What we reported Frisco Star Cafe opened last May at the location that was formerly Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, which closed a few months prior. The cafe now offers American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Menu items include eggs benedict, waffles, chicken-fried steak, burgers and fried jumbo shrimp. A few Italian dishes, including spaghetti and chicken piccata, are also on the menu.

The latest Owner Tony Mehmedi said there are not many restaurants that serve breakfast in Frisco. So when Frisco Star Cafe opened, he said many people were very appreciative.

“I’ve heard a lot of customers describe our restaurant as a hidden gem in Frisco,” Mehmedi said. “For us it means that we’re providing good food and good service. We want to keep pushing forward and for all of our customers to leave these doors happy.”

What’s next Frisco Star Cafe will introduce a new menu in 2017, Mehmedi said.

The new, bigger menu will include new breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees. Some of the new items include Oreo pancakes and a steak and shrimp platter.

Mehmedi also said there are plans for a second location, but he has not determined whether the second location will be in Frisco.