Coffee News

Coffee shop chain full of kindness to open its first location in Fort Worth

La La Land Kind Cafe

dallas.culturemap.com

A Dallas-based coffee shop chain known for its kindness is coming to Fort Worth: La La Land Kind Cafe, which serves coffee and mentors foster youth, will open a location in Fort Worth in a former Smoothie King at 5733 Camp Bowie Blvd.

This will be the first location for the chain in Tarrant County. Construction is underway, with an estimated opening date of late fall. According to a release, it's part of a larger expansion plan for 2025.

Founder and CEO Francois Reihani debuted the La La Land Kind Cafe concept on Greenville Avenue in 2019 as a place to serve coffee but also to hire and mentor foster youth. Since then, La La Land Kind Cafe has opened 13 store locations throughout Texas and California, with seven shops in Dallas, and he's lured in a $20 milllion investment for further expansion.

Each location is designed with a bright aesthetic, joyful music, and staff doling out messages of kindness and compliments. The stores are all created to evoke a feeling of nostalgia with bright yellow cups filled with colorful drinks in the brand's signature sippy cup designs.

There are espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, but they're known for their extensive menu of 10 flavored lattes such as a French toast latte with cinnamon and maple syrup, and a purple rain latte which has lavender and CBD. There are also a menu of matcha drinks in 10 flavors such as the "Strawberry Fields," with strawberry and beet.

Food options include toasts and pastries such as croissants, muffins, cruffins, and even a vegan strawberry pop tart.

In addition to Fort Worth, they're also opening a location in the Shops at Legacy at 5717 Legacy Dr. #155 — brought on by customer demand as the brand expands its footprint in Texas. There are plans to open two locations in southern California, in Glendale's mixed-use property The Americana At Brand, and at The Promenade in Westlake Village.

Hot Dog News

Hot dog king Portillo's debuts new design at new location in Grapevine

Portillo's

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Chicago-style hot dog chain Portillo's is opening a new location in DFW, and it'll be the first of its kind for the chain. The restaurant is headed for Grapevine, at 460 W. SH-114, next door to Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Son of a Butcher, where it will open its doors on December 5.

According to a release, the location is the very first to feature the chain's "restaurant of the future" design comprising a smaller, more efficient footprint.

Most Portillo's are about 8,000 square feet (and some from the early days could go up to 10,000 square feet). The Grapevine location spans 6,250 square feet, with seating for up to 125 inside, and 40 on the patio. It will feature a Southwest Garage theme, and will also have their signature double drive-thru.

The menu will be the same: Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and two-layer chocolate cake.

Grapevine is not the only location in Texas to follow this new design: A similar location measuring 6,200 square feet is opening in Stafford, near Houston, as well.

Portillo's exteriorPortillo's

The driver with this smaller size is a greater emphasis on take-out and (probably) an effort not to pay so much rent.

Grapevine officials are enthusiastic about having the chain within city limits and what it says about the great city of Grapevine.

“The addition of Portillo’s to the more than 200 curated dining options in Grapevine is a testament to our city’s commitment to offering diverse and exceptional culinary experiences,” says Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate in a statement.

Portillo's made their first debut in DFW with a location at Grandscape in The Colony in January 2023.

The Illinois-based chain has six other locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Allen, Denton, and Mansfield. Grapevine will be the seventh to open. There are also plans to open a location in Grand Prairie.

Founder Dick Portillo opened the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Illinois in 1963. There are now more than 90 locations across 10 states.

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