New Flavors in Frisco

There’s nothing we love more than finding a new favorite lunch or dinner spot in Frisco. Recently, we’ve been lucky enough to find two—Estilo Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse and 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House, plus two more set to open soon that are sure to become local favorites—NOLA and Jakes Hamburgers.

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Estilo Gaucho —that’s “gaucho style”—is an upscale authentic Brazilian Steakhouse that specializes in delicious, tender cuts of meat served tableside, carved right off a skewer. After a trip to the extensive gourmet salad bar with selections from around the globe, turn your marker to green to begin the parade of gauchos who stroll throughout the dining room serving any of 15 choice meats to each diner’s specifications.

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Carrying on Texas’ tradition of great BBQ is 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House.  Owner and pitmaster, Trace Arnold, and his larger-than-life smoker* recently traveled the country serving his delicious fall-off-the-bone fare as part of “Cross Country Cookout” on The History Channel.  More recently, Trace and his team dropped anchor in West to serve the volunteers, and even sent Boston ER doctors some of his BBQ to thank them for their dedication during such a tumultuous week.  You can read more about that from ABC News. 

Everything at 3 Stacks is made in-house, from the rubs and BBQ sauces to the bread, sides and lemonade. Last, but certainly not least, are the 36 beers on tap that include several local craft brews. Check in with the resident cicerone (read: beer equivalent of a sommelier) for a recommendation on the perfect BBQ-and-beer pairing.

*His smoker really is larger-than-life, and currently holds the position as the world’s largest smoker!

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Set to open in Frisco Square later this spring, NOLA will take us on a culinary tour of New Orleans cuisine with its made-from-scratch Cajun and Creole menu. An extensive wine list and cocktail menu of martinis and infusions round out the upscale-yet-relaxed experience. Head chef and owner Nick Totten completed his apprenticeship in New Orleans, so we know we’re in for a treat!

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And finally, just in time for summer, when a great burger is practically ubiquitous with the season, DFW institution Jakes Hamburgers will open a new location in Frisco Square. Look forward to an extensive menu of award-winning burgers served on poppy seed buns, hand-cut fries, salads, milkshakes and more. Personally, we can’t wait for a Jakes Special with a side of sweet potato fries.

 

 

 

The Roberston Cup is Coming to Frisco!

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Don’t miss your chance to watch all of the action live in person as the NAHL’s top teams compete for the 2013 Roberston Cup at Frisco’s Dr Pepper Arena May 10–13! Frisco’s own Texas Tornado is the defending five-time champ, and of course, we’re hoping they’ll win their division playoff and advance to the main event. Check out each of the division playoff finalists:

  • South Division: Amarillo Bulls vs. Texas Tornado
  • Central Division: Austin Bruins vs. Bismarck Bobcats
  • North Division: Soo Eagles vs. Jamestown Ironmen
  • West Division: Wenatchee Wild vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs

Only four teams will move forward to play for the Roberston Cup, and it’s sure to be a great competition—hopefully we’ll be cheering the Texas Tornado on to its sixth victory! Click here for ticket and hotel information.

***UPDATE AS OF 5/2: Unfortunately our hometown team is out of the running.  But don’t miss the rest of the action in Frisco!***

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Countdown to Summer in Frisco

The official start of summer—Memorial Day—seems so close, yet so very far away. Luckily, time flies when you’re having fun, especially in Frisco. Our May social calendar is practically bursting! Here’s a peek:

 

May 3–5: 2013 U.S. Elite Challenge at Dr Pepper Arena

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Watch as the top gymnasts from across the country compete in this USA Gymnastics trampoline and tumbling championship! Better yet, we’re giving away family four-packs of tickets once a week up until the event, and you can enter to win every 24 hours! Click here to enter now! 

May 4: Jimmy Buffett live in concert with the Jackson Browne Band at FC Dallas Stadium

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What better way to put yourself in a “summer” state of mind than by “wasting away in Margaritaville” with Jimmy and his Coral Reefer Band? Get tickets here! 

Update: as of 4/16/13, these hotels still have rooms for May 4: Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Suites at Frisco Square, and the Aloft Frisco.

May 10–13: NAHL Roberston Cup Championship at Dr Pepper Arena

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Frisco’s own Texas Tornado took the title in 2012. Who will take it in 2013? Click for ticket info and special room rates. 

May 10–12: Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Tournament at Fieldhouse USA

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It’s sure to be a showdown as underdogs and all-stars alike go head to head! Click for more information.

May 25–27: Memorial Day Weekend

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Yes! We made it! Summer is here, and what better way to kick it off than with some retail therapy in Frisco?—You know there will be TONS of Memorial Day sales.

Why Wait ‘Til Summer? Frisco Fun Starts in April!

Forget April showers—we’re all about April FUN! Spring ushers in a new season of outdoor events and activities throughout Frisco, making it a prime time to plan your visit.

The Frisco RoughRiders kick off the 2013 season with an exhibition game on Tuesday, April 2 at the Dr Pepper Ballpark.  The regular season begins on Thursday, April 4 when Frisco visits the Arkansas Travelers.  The RoughRiders kick off their home schedule on April 11 vs. the Arkansas Travelers, complete with post-game fireworks. Their home game stand continues through April 16. Click here for tickets. (Check out our post about their season opener.)

On April 20, the annual Downtown Frisco StrEATS festival brings 14 gourmet food trucks to downtown Frisco, ranging from Cajun to Korean to Spanish and everything in between. When you’ve had your fill (or maybe just in between courses), check out the children’s play area, local vendors, the video game truck, and beer garden with live music. There will even be a classic car show just down the street, so there will truly be something for everyone. And as always, dogs are welcome too! 

Last but not least, April concludes with one of the biggest music events of the year—EdgeFest—  which returns to FC Dallas Stadium on April 27! Names like Bush, Paramore, Phoenix and Deftones will take the stage during the all-day event. Click here to get your tickets.

Lest you think these events are all Frisco has to offer in April, check out our event listings to see just how much is going on in our fair city.

The Top 3 Reasons to be at the RoughRiders April 11 Home Opener

Root, root, root for the home team! The Frisco RoughRiders’ 2013 season home opener is in just a few short weeks—Thursday, April 11, to be exact—and we’re counting down the top three reasons why you just have to be there!

#3: The home opener just happens to be on a “Dr Pepper Thursday,” when you can purchase a Dr Pepper at the game for just $1!

#2: A fireworks show will follow the game, kicking off the season in true festive style!

#1: The RoughRiders have led all AA teams in attendance for the past eight seasons, so they need YOU to be there to cheer them on to victory vs. the Arkansas Travelers!

Single game tickets for the 2013 RoughRiders season go on sale March 23. Click here to purchase.

Shoptimization

Here in Frisco, we’re all about “shoptimization”—optimizing both your shopping time and your shopping budget while you’re here.

Shoptimization Part I: Discounts

NorthTexasShopping.com: Visit NorthTexasShopping.com for exclusive Frisco discounts including 20% off at Sussie’s, one of Frisco’s “Best Stores in Town” as chosen by ShopAcrossTexas.com.

Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau: The Frisco CVB has a stash of coupons posted online, serving up savings on everything from shopping to dining to attractions. Simply register with your email address to start browsing offers like 10% off your purchase at Sam Moon Trading Co.*

ShopAcrossTexas.com Discounts:  Visit ShopAcrossTexas.com on your computer or mobile device to browse literally hundreds of discounts in Frisco, for everything from boutiques to malls to groceries.

Shoptimization Part II: Where to Stay, Where to Shop

Home2 Suites by Hilton and Embassy Suites  are only half a mile from Stonebriar Centre, Furniture Row and IKEA, making them prime locations to stay if shopping is on your agenda.

Inn at Stonebriar and Holiday Inn Express are closest to The Shops at Starwood, where boutiques like Pappagallo Classiques are situated.

Comfort Suites at Frisco Square is the perfect place to stay if you plan on shopping Market Place at Frisco Square, which houses several boutiques under one roof.

For more scoop on Frisco’s top shopping spots, check out our post on Boutiquing in Frisco. 


*Shoptimization Part III: Style Me Minty

Frisco’s Sam Moon Trading Company was recently mentioned in Shop Across Texas’ post about spring style!

Take Us to Margaritaville!

Jimmy Buffett is returning to Frisco’s FC Dallas Stadium this spring on his “Songs from St. Somewhere” Tour, and we couldn’t be more excited. Every time Jimmy’s in town, the whole city transforms into a regular Margaritaville. For those of you who will be first-timers at this year’s concert, consider this your official handbook:


TERMS TO KNOW:

• Parrothead: Name given to Jimmy’s devoted fans. The children of Parrotheads, who grew up listening to his tunes, are referred to as Parakeets. 
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• Fins Up!: The directive shouted from the stage when Jimmy begins to play his hit, “Fins.” This is done by raising up one’s arms and clasping one’s hands together over one’s head, as to create a “shark fin.” During the chorus, you are to sway your self-made fin “to the left” and “to the right.” Follow along with the crowd and you’ll do just fine.
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• License to Chill: the namesake of one of Jimmy’s greatest hits, everyone who attends his concert automatically has one for the evening.
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THE DAY OF:

• Arrival: Get there early. Tailgating is virtually mandatory for any Jimmy Buffett fan. You’ll see cars and RVs in the venue parking lot completely decked out in Parrothead regalia that have traveled cross country for the event, along with tiki stands.
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• Attire: think tropical. Hawaiian shirts, tie-dye, grass skirts, leis, and coconut bras are just the tip of the iceberg. Beach balls are encouraged for tossing about the stadium before the show starts. We suggest a stop at Frisco Party Station to pick up the essentials. 
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• Sustenance: Treat yourself to a “cheeseburger in paradise” at Burger Girl, just steps from FC Dallas Stadium, before or after the show. Recommended toppings include lettuce, tomato and Heinz 57, and be sure to pair it with “french-fried potatoes,” a “big Kosher pickle” and a “cold draft beer.
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• Margaritaville: If you’d really like to “waste away in Margaritaville,” head to Mattito’s, just across Main Street from FC Dallas Stadium, for a classic margarita before or after the show. And as always, remember to drink responsibly!

Embassy Suites Frisco Goes Eco-Chic

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Going green is not only important; it’s downright chic. In fact, Pantone even recently named emerald green the official color of 2013. Coincidence? We think not.

That being said, we love it when a major Frisco player makes an effort to go green. Case in point: Embassy Suites & Frisco Conference Center. Recently, the hotel has acquired two electric vehicle charging stations by Blink, a new network of public power sources for eco-friendly electric cars. The stations are easily accessible in the hotel’s north and south parking lots.

They say “it ain’t easy being green,” but it sure is getting easier in Frisco.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Frisco Square also has two charing stations located directly behind Cinemark

That’s “Friendly Frisco” to you!

It appears that six is our lucky number, because we’re #6 on Forbes’ list of “America’s Friendliest Towns”. What makes us so darn friendly, you ask? Well, according to Forbes:

  • Our beautiful community centers around sports with a public athletic center (Frisco Athletic Center),  along with our impressive venues that host four professional teams: FC Dallas, Frisco RoughRiders, Texas Legends, and Texas Tornado. 
  • 80% of our residents own their homes, and our community has strong neighborhood watch groups dedicated to reducing crime and improving quality of life
  • Our Parks and Recreation Department hosts a 5K “Frosty Run” complete with breakfast with Santa every year, and our neighborhoods are known for planning social events throughout the year such as barbecues and Easter egg hunts

Forbes compiled its list of America’s Friendliest Towns based on the following criteria: percentage of owner-occupied homes, crime rate, charitable giving, and percentage of college grads in cities with populations of 5,500 – 150,000. 

Thanks for making us #FriendlyFriscoTX!

Frisco Offers NCAA Championship Game, Food and Fun via TheDallasSocials.com

Congratulations to North Dakota State University for winning the NCAA Football National Championship.

We arrived right when the game began and the crowd was so energized and ready to start the game. Our section was evenly divided between Sam Houston State fans and North Dakota State fans but it seemed that North Dakota State had a larger fan base at the game. At least 65% of the stadium was wearing Green and Yellow.  They screamed louder, danced during plays and showed enthusiasm that Sam Houston State lacked. It was amazing to see the amount of cars that drove down from North Dakota State to root on their home team. Talk about true fans!

The game was neck and neck at halftime, with a tied score at 10. The NDSU team came out after half time ready to take home the championship. They pounded Sam Houston State with a final score of 39-13.

I hadn’t been out to Frisco in a while and didn’t realize all of the amazing bars and restaurants that I had been missing out on. The FC Dallas Stadium is located next to Frisco Square which was the perfect spot to pre-party and after party. I’ve listed some of my favorite spots in Frisco for you to check out.

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House is right down the road, they offer home cooking food in a casual environment. If you like fried chicken and homemade pies, this is the place to be. If you’re looking for a fun place to bring your friends for a birthday, Babe’s is the place to be. They’ll make the birthday boy sing and dance while wearing a silly hat.

Nothing beats a delicious sandwich, which is why Firehouse Subs is on the top of my list for favorite sandwich joints. Their sandwiches are HUGE, you won’t leave this place hungry.

Of course, there has to be a bar on the list of fun places in Frisco, so I chose The Londoner. This is the Londoner’s 5th location the DFW area, so you know it’s a hot spot. Not only do they have great drink specials throughout the week, they also feature soccer games from the Premier League!

There are many, many more retail and restaurants in Frisco and I encourage you to head North to check them out for yourself. If you’re not sure where to go, just ask us or head over to Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau for the latest events, most delicious restaurants and sporting events in Frisco.