McKinney - You + Dallas

West Coast Chain Del Taco opens in McKinney

Brad Holden — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:04:32 +0000

Chris Beattie with ACN papers gives us a great story about the latest food chain arriving in Collin County, Del Taco. Here is the story.

McKINNEY — Some Southern California flavor rang through McKinney this week to the tune of slow-cooked beans, grated cheese and lengthy drive-thru lines.

Del Taco, a Mexican fast-food restaurant that pairs burgers with burritos, opened its newest location Wednesday at 1614 W. University Dr. in McKinney.

Though its fellow West Coast chain, In-N-Out Burger, beat it to the area, Del Taco received the same jam-packed reception from Collin County foodies.

“I love Del Taco,” said Amy Jackson, one of the restaurant’s first customers. “It’s real food — it’s not processed — so it’s fresh and just different. Memories of having it as a kid make it even better.”Jackson and her friend, Erin Gordon,ventured from Frisco for a long-awaited revival at their childhood-favorite taco joint. Gordon grew up in Los Angeles, so Del Taco was to her like Taco Bell is to most Greater Dallas residents.”I like Taco Bell, too,” Gordon said. “It’s just comfort food for me, though, because I grew up with it.”Jackson spent her youth in Grand Prairie and frequented Del Taco. That location is now a pawn shop; so until Wednesday, Jackson could no longer get her favorite taco on trips home. Her several-mile drive to McKinney was certainly worth it, compared to her alternative.

“My sister lives in Phoenix, and they have Del Tacos there,” she said. “Every time I visit her, we go to Del Taco.”

The Frisco friends discovered their mutual adoration for Del Taco through recent Facebook posts as Gordon counted down the days until the grand opening. They weren’t the only area taco enthusiasts in the loop, though, evidenced Wednesday by the continuous lines curving outside the restaurant and around the parking lot.

Guests can stick to a typical Tex-Mex selection of burritos, tacos and “Macho Nachos,” or mix it up with variety meals that blend the taco choices with fries, burgers and shakes. Sizes come in small, medium and macho.

Its combination of Mexican and American foods is likely unfamiliar to most Collin County residents, but it won’t be for long. Paul Murphy, chief executive officer for Del Taco, said the restaurant’s Texas roots are just starting to grow.

“We’ll be opening a store in Texas roughly once a month during this year and next,” Murphy said. “It just took us awhile to get our foundations set. We have stores in 16 states, but we’re just now moving east.”

Del Taco is set to open a location in Plano in September and eventually two locations in Frisco. Though the restaurant comes from California, its brand has taken on a new look in Texas. The company implemented a different logo — the classic Del Taco buzz-saw sun and rolling hills with contemporary colors — and innovated its dining room with new seating arrangements and visuals such as “Chicken Grilled Here” signs. The McKinney location joins two others in California to open with the prototype, the company’s first brand update since the 1990s.

“We did some market planning for the Dallas Metroplex area, and McKinney came up as a really great place to do business,” Murphy said. “It met all the brand numbers and has grown a lot over the last several years, so we’re excited about being here. It just seemed like a natural fit for us.”

Del Taco prides itself on fresh food at a reasonable price. It grates the cheese, grills the chicken and slow-cooks the beans every day, yet sells tacos for 59 cents.

Cecilia Baeza, now a certified trainer in the area, has worked for Del Taco for 26 years. She was at Tuesday night’s VIP opening to make sure guests received proper service.

“People love us,” she said. “They know who we are and they keep coming back.”

As a mini-Mariachi band played the Macarena between tables, employees hustled around with food orders and prepared for a busy first day with one message in mind: Del Taco is here to stay.

“A lot of companies aren’t growing right now, but we are,” Murphy said. “I think that says a lot about this place. It’s an exciting time for Del Taco.”

McKinney’s Patina Green Home and Market is twice as nice…

Jenny Vitucci — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:40:15 +0000

Peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, bees and honey, Bert and Ernie…some things in life are just better together. Such is the case with McKinney’s own Patina Green Home and Market, which offers a (quite genius) dynamic duo of fresh, market goods and gotta-have-it home interiors. Located in McKinney’s quaint historic square, it’s the prime place to check not one, but two items off your lengthy to do list. (One-of-a-kind vintage hutch – check! Fresh greens and organic poultry for tonight’s meal – check!) Look’s like your laundry list of errands just got a little shorter, and with this hot, Texas summer refusing to fade into fall, who wants to run even one more errand than absolutely necessary?

Recently awarded Best Concept Store by D Home, news of this killer combo is spreading fast, inspiring even those with a 75208 zip code to endure the long drive up 75 to experience. So what are you waiting for? Whether you call McKinney, or somewhere south of there, home – take my word for it…this trip is a must, even in triple digit heat.

Oktoberfest

You+Dallas — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:21:15 +0000

You have all heard the name. Oktoberfest is coming to McKinney September 23-24. The McKinney Oktoberfest will generate an event that shows gratitude for the contributions that the German immigrants who settled in Texas had on this wonderful state. It will draw on the diversity that McKinney so wonderfully exemplifies.

Oktoberfest is a long-standing tradition that started in 1810 in Munich, Germany. It starts on the last weekend in September and goes through the first weekend in October. The real Oktoberfest is renowned for being the world’s largest fair and 5 million people attend each year. There are rides, lots of food and traditional costumes.

McKinney will begin is new tradition of “McKinney meets Bavarian culture” in September of this year.

Tucker Hill in McKinney Texas New Homes

You+Dallas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:09:39 +0000

Tucker Hill is a new home community in McKinney, Texas. Located on beautiful rolling land on the north side of U.S. 380, North of Dallas, Tucker Hill is a uniquely beautiful development. Providing McKinney new homes of distinctive design and architecture Tucker Hill is sure to become a favorite of Dallas new home buyers and the North Dallas residents of Plano, Frisco and the McKinney area.

Those aspiring for unique new luxury homes in Dallas and a master planned community will be pleasantly surprised by Tucker Hill’s attention to detail, walking trails, opens spaces and green preservation programs. Tucker Hill also plans to build a mixed-use town center an amazing amenity center and currently have a resort style swimming pool. You have many options for New Luxury Homes in McKinney and North Dallas, but you simply must see Tucker Hill.

The builders are Darling Homes, David Weekley Homes, Flagstone Custom Homes and Tim Jackson Custom Homes. Each builders has a unique style that gives the community a great mix of price point and architectural style to choose from.

McKinney is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. In fact, McKinney was recently ranked #14 on Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list. The City’s historic downtown, tree-lined streets and tight-knit community give McKinney a friendly small town feel. McKinney truly is Unique by Nature.

Located in the city of McKinney, many visitors are surprised to learn that Tucker Hill is served by Prosper ISD Prosper schools are consistently ranked in the top percentage of schools in DFW!

For a list of available homes call me directly at (469) 733-2723.

Tucker Hill in McKinney Texas New Homes

You+Dallas — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:49:07 +0000

Located in the city of McKinney, many visitors are surprised to learn that Tucker Hill is served by Prosper ISD Prosper schools are consistently ranked in the top percentage of schools in DFW!

For a list of available homes call me directly at (469) 733-2723.

Dunhill Homes opens at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas

You+Dallas — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:51:37 +0000

Dunhill Homes is one of the newest builders in the DFW residential new home market. But don’t let that fool you.

John Mann the Division President was at the Grand Opening on August 11,2011 and shared his background with us to help us understand who Dunhill homes was. He has over 20 years experience with big builders here in Dallas, David Weekley Division President for 14 years and Meritage Homes Division President for 6, and also mentioned Richard Dix with Winchester Carlisle as the owner.

Richard Dix was an executive with another National builder Pulte Homes and was over the entire South region. My point here is, they know what they are doing!

The homes they are building in Craig Ranch are fantastic! They start at 1,527 square feet priced at $216,990 and top out at 3,179 square feet at $370,000. Each home includes many features that other builders consider upgrades. The featured video highlights my top 5 amenities that is the reason to consider Dunhill Homes if you are looking for a new dream home.

J Sena the sales manager at Craig Ranch, is very excited about his opportunity in Craig Ranch and feels confident that they will sell 10 homes in the first month. “Brad, I honestly don’t know if you can find a better built home for the price in a location like this!” And boy is he right.

Craig Ranch is located off of Highway 121 and Custer Road in McKinney, Texas. This is actually the crossroads of where Plano, Frisco, Allen and Mckinney meet. 15 years ago this corner was empty fields, but today you will find every convenience you might need only 1 minute south of where Dunhill is building. Big names like Target, On the Border, Quik Trip, Petsmart and Lowe’s are a couple of retailers that are located on the corner.

My #1 favorite draw to the community is the 9,000 square feet private club house and pool for only residents inside the Dunhill Homes community. It is breathtaking when you walk into the clubhouse and as you near the pool you notice a couple of trees on an island in the middle with a back drop of a 7 foot waterfall. Now this is something you will not find in many other communities!

So what’s my point? It’s simple, go check out Dunhill Homes in Craig Ranch. It is a diamond in the rough!

Call me at (469) 733-2723 and I will take you on a tour personally!

Red, White and Boom!

You+Dallas — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:02:03 +0000

Get your 4th of July on in Historic Downtown McKinney. The family-friendly day kicks off with a Hometown Parade at 10AM followed by a car show and parade from 1-5PM.

After that, head over to the McKinney Soccer Complex at Craig Ranch for activities and food from 7-9:30PM. Hear live music (including former American Idol Stars Michael Sarver, Gina Glocksen, David Hernandez and Lakisha Jones) that begins at 8PM followed by a spectacular fireworks show at 9:45PM.

For more information call 972-547-7480

Craig Ranch to add One-Story Townhomes with CB Jeni

You+Dallas — Sat, 14 May 2011 19:18:11 +0000

Craig Ranch in McKinney is bringing a new product in the mix.

David Craig welcomes CB Jeni homes to build single story townhomes in the Settlement. The market in Craig Ranch has made a tremendous turn around after Beazer Homes picked up 92 lots and is selling very well.

CB Jeni will begin at $195,000 and ranging in square footage from 1,650 to 2,000. This is ideal for many people wanting to live in one of the most sought after communities in Collin County. The Chateau’s will be luxury with beautiful covered veranda’s and first class kitchens with courtyards.

Art Walk

You+Dallas — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:58:37 +0000

Many cities and towns pick one Saturday a month when shops will keep their doors open a few extra hours giving its citizens and visitors an opportunity to explore. McKinney, Texas is no exception. Many places in Historic Downtown McKinney will stay open from 7-10PM the Second Saturday of the month for what is known as the Art Walk.

Restaurants, galleries and music venues will have their doors propped open to welcome guests and allow people to taste delicious food unique to the restaurants found only in Downtown McKinney, see the talent of local artists and hear the amazing sounds of local and regional musicians.

For most Downtown McKinney merchants, Art Walk means party time. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alike are served along with hors d’oeuvres. At the last Art Walk, more than 500 people showed up to stroll the area.