January
Monkey King Noodle Co. shares Taiwanese cuisine with Richardson
The first Monkey King Noodle Co. started in 2013 in what used to be a taco stand in Dallas’ Deep Ellum. There were not any tables or chairs, just lines of hungry patrons wrapped around the block waiting to try Andrew Chen’s authentic Taiwanese street food, co-owner Sonali Kumar said.
February
Fast-casual fusion restaurant Char'd provides Asian alternative
Dominic Doan wanted to provide a new experience when he created Char’d: Southeast Asian Kitchen. Doan is familiar with the restaurant industry after working in his parents’ fried chicken restaurant in Arlington as a child. In 2018, he partnered with his brother Martin to split from the family business and create their own restaurant in Mansfield.
March
Fish City Grill offers variety, affordability at CityLine Market in Richardson
Bill Bayne has always held a special place in his heart for seafood. Growing up in the Texas panhandle, he began to associate seafood with family after vacations to his father’s hometown of Baytown. He paid his way through college by waiting tables, eventually meeting his wife, Lovett Bayne, while serving as general manager of a Cajun restaurant in Addison.
April
Palio's Pizza Cafe offers owner community bond with Richardson
Chuno Chi said he never anticipated entering the restaurant industry. Immigrating to the U.S. from South Korea in 1982, Chi grew up in Colorado, where he met his wife, Chungbin. After feeling a calling to the ministry, he moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to receive divinity training from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
May
Lucky Bamboo Fine Chinese Kitchen co-owner gets to know regulars in Richardson
Alice Ong said she has always worked in restaurants. She started out delivering food from her father’s shop in Malaysia. When her family moved to New York in 1989, she got a restaurant job and worked her way up from busser to cashier to manager.
June
Hot Crab offers a variety of Cajun dishes with an Asian influence in Richardson
Evan Zheng, manager of Richardson restaurant Hot Crab, said he thrives when the restaurant is busy. Evan’s Uncle Yong Zheng co-owns the Cajun food restaurant with Shirley Tam. The restaurant is located in the southern portion of Richardson on Spring Valley Road, just west of US 75.
July
Strong family bond brings Sueño Modern Mex-Tex to Richardson
Cousins Julio Pineda and Christian Lujano said they did not always get along as kids, but the two eventually bonded over their shared dream of opening a restaurant. Pineda and Lujano come from a family that mainly worked in the food industry.
August
Popularity of Richardson-based food truck Waffle O’licious fueled by unique cuisine
In 2021, engaged couple Nam Ngo and Ngoc Mai purchased the Waffle O’licious food truck business from Mai’s longtime friend Rick Rackley. Mai occasionally worked on the food truck when Rackley owned it and enjoyed the experience. Although Ngo did not work on the truck prior to buying it, he felt like this was a journey they were meant to take.
September
Tamaleria Nuevo Leon owners bring authentic tamales, tacos to Richardson
When Antonio and Doris Quintanilla met, they had two things in common: their culture and their love for cooking. Both hailing from Linares, Nuevo Leon, a small city in the northern state of Mexico, the two share the same love for the country’s cuisine.
October
Richardson bakery Reverie Bakeshop offers vegan, gluten-free items
Nancy Castillo said she has been an animal activist since she was 15 years old and a vegan for 21 years. When she and her business partner, Racene Nguyen, opened Reverie Bakeshop in 2013, her lifestyle choices played a big role when planning their menus.
November
Greenville Avenue Pizza Company serving late-night slices in Richardson
Sammy Mandell, Greenville Avenue Pizza Company’s owner, opened the chain’s Greenville Avenue location 15 years ago after noticing the absence of a late-night pizza spot in the area.
December
Northside Drafthouse & Eatery regularly has 50 beers on draft in Richardson
Blake Jutton is the owner, operator and majority shareholder of Northside Drafthouse & Eatery, which he opened with General Manager Jared Herrera in 2017.
