“We have a lot of different cultural restaurants in the area, but no Chicago-style food,” Lewis said. “I said I might as well bring it.”
Prior to opening Shoagies, Lewis said she was in the restaurant industry for 15 years, five of which were spent as the owner of a seafood restaurant in Chicago.
To enhance the ambiance at Shoagies, Lewis hired Kidane Jhons to paint a mural showcasing elements of Chicago, including the skyline; popular West and South side street names; and Chicago musicians such as Queen Key, Twista and Kanye West.
Solidifying the theme, Lewis incorporated Chicago landmarks into the names of menu items, such as The Shed, a hoagie featuring catfish and shrimp. She said this fish dish is named after Shedd Aquarium located on the lakefront in Chicago.
Wielding her mixologist knowledge, Lewis created drinks that also trigger memories of Chicago. She said the Mag Mile references the Magnificent Mile.
“There are a lot of people from Chicago who live here,“ Lewis said. “A lot of people here are homesick—they can’t go back [to Chicago] all the time, but this gives them a taste of home.”Since opening, she has had opportunities to sway skeptics.
“The first thing they say is, ‘Are you really from Chicago?’ When they see all this stuff and they taste the food they say, ‘Y’all are really from Chicago,’” she said.
Lewis said she enjoys interacting with her customers, who tell her they like the vibe of the place.
“They always say, ‘Y’all are cool; ya’ll are down to earth; ya’ll are nice.’ They relate to us,” she said.
Lewis said she is the type of person who likes to see things she dreams become reality and is thrilled by how fast this dream came to fruition. She hopes to open three more Texas locations within the next five years.
“As long as people are enjoying it—smiling, happy and giving good reviews—that’s what makes me happy,” she said.
Shoagies’ Showstoppers
- The Shed ($16.99) is a hoagie sandwich loaded with fresh catfish and jumbo shrimp deep fired in a hand-blended Cajun batter, piled high and topped with lettuce, a three-cheese blend and signature sriracha sauce.
- Wild 100’s ($10.99) is a turkey hoagie loaded with cheese, onions, banana peppers, and signature oil and spices.
- Pizza Puff with fries ($9.99) is originally from Chicago and is a deep-fried puff pastry stuffed with cheese, tomato sauce, Italian sausage, pepperoni and Italian seasonings.
5121 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste. 200, McKinney
214-842-8448
www.shoagies.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. noon-8 p.m., Fri. noon-9 p.m., Sat. 2-10 p.m., Sun.-Mon. closed
