Frisco Restaurant Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

California Pizza Kitchen: The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza

We went to California Pizza Kitchen on our last night in Frisco, with our daughter and her family. We didn't get underway until later in the evening, and we had to wait a short time to be seated.

The menu says: In the beginning there was pizza...

We call it our canvas and the art is in our toppings. First there was the BBQ Chicken. Then came Thai Chicken, BLT and Peking Duck. Then Vegetarian and Jamaican Jerk Chicken. And for the traditionalists, Mushroom, Pepperioni and Sausage.

Since we opened our first California Pizza Kitchen in 1985, we have been playing with this simple, yet classic dish. Our goal is to translate America's favorite flavor's and tastes onto a great pizza crust. The result has been a complete redefinition of the traditional concept of pizza.

Favorite Dish: Their menu features hearth-baked pizzas. There is a special menu for the kids.

Bob had a half Waldorf salad for $7.29 (pictured). The other three adults, had two regular pizzas - the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza ($10.49) and Five Cheese Pizza ($8.99). The BBQ pizza had barbecue sauce, smoked Gouda and Mozzarella cheese, sliced red onions and cilantro. To tell the truth, I didn't really care for either of the pizzas. I would have rather had one like the kids had.

Iced tea and Dr. Pepper were $2.19, and peach iced tea was $2.79.

In addition to pizzas, they also have salads, soups and sandwiches, and of course (at a hefty price) desserts. For instance one of us (don't remember which) had the Caramel Pecan Cheesecake for $5.99 and I had a Caramel Fudge Sundae for $6.99 for dessert.

The bill before tax was $57.19 + $4.72 tax.

Address: 2601 Preston Rd.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Right in Stonebriar Mall and next to the Cheesecake Factory

Phone: 972-712-0884

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pizza

The Hacienda Ranch: Fresh Tortillas

After we visited Fort Worth, we went to La Hacienda for dinner. There are four of these in the Dallas area. In addition to Frisco and North Dallas, there is a La Hacienda in Colleyville and Carrollton.

Favorite Dish: In addition to steaks, they have

King Ranch Shrimp
Mesquite-grilled shrimp filled with Cotija cheese and jalapeno, wrapped in bacon. Spanish rice and drunken beans. 19.99

Grilled Farm - Raised CatfishTM
Seasoned catfish filet, cooked on a flat grill (not fried), rice, grilled veggies, pico & green tomatillo dipping sauce. 12.99

Chicken TampiquenaTM
Chicken breast with sauteed onion, poblano and tomato, cheese enchilada, guacamole, rice & beans. 12.99

Chicken LightTM
Grilled chicken breast, rice, grilled veggies, pico & salad. 11.99

They also served margaritas, trail blazers (appetizers), tex-mex combos, and fajitas,

There is a children's menu and they have party rooms and cater.

I had a pecan praline ($1.79) for dessert..

Address: 4110 Preston Road

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 972-335-2232

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: Mexican

Texas Land & Cattle Steak House: Steak and More Steak

This chain is a favorite of my daughter's family. It was our last night (a Friday) so we met our SIL there from work. They gave the children a menu/game booklet and crayons.

Favorite Dish: I had the steak special and got it with spinach instead of fries (pictured). It was fairly inexpensive, but the steak was tiny and they didn't ask me how I wanted it. It was about $12.99

The rest of the group had smoked sirloins which came with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
and a choice of House Salad, Caesar Salad, cup of Steak Soup or cup of Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup. This was between $11 and 18 depending on the size of the steak. There was also some very good hot bread.

The children had chicken strips and fries.

I was the only one who wanted dessert (as my dinner wasn't that large) and I had the Toasted Pecan Ball which was Blue Bell vanilla ice cream rolled in toasted pecans, covered with chocolate and caramel sauces
$4.99

Address: 3191 Preston Road, Frisco

Comparison: about average

Directions: In the shopping center next to Appleby's

Phone: 972-668-2832

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Steakhouse

Gloria's: Locations in Texas

On our last night, we decided to take our daughter's family out to dinner and we picked this place because our SIL was coming from work and this was nearer to where he worked. The place was quite dark (hard to take photos), and somewhat noisy, but the service was good and they brought the kids their dinners right away.

After we ate here, I found out that this is a Texas chain with several locations in TX

Favorite Dish: Between us the four adults had:

Sour cream enchiladas $11.95
Beef enchiladas $11.95
Spinach Quesadillas $7.00
Fish Tacos $13.95

The children had a child enchilada, chicken fingers and fries

The total bill was $65.76 before tip.

Address: 8600 Gaylord Pkwy, Frisco, TX

Comparison: about average

Phone: (972) 668-1555

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Mexican

Website: http://www.gloriasrestaurant.com/