Old downtown Plano is about to get a new spot for burger cravings, courtesy of Patty Lou's Smashburgers. The family-owned counter joint is sliding into a historic corner of the Ice House, with plans to sling smash-style patties, milkshakes and old-school counter service by late this spring.
Where it's going
As reported by CultureMap Dallas, Patty Lou's is taking over 1004 E. 14th St. #105, a space in the Ice House that dates back to 1917 and most recently poured coffee as a licensed Starbucks. The concept from Urban Family Concepts is slated to debut in late spring as the group's quick-service burger outpost in downtown Plano.
Who's behind it
Patty Lou's is the latest project from Urban Family Concepts, the local hospitality group behind Urban Seafood Co., Urban Rio Cantina & Grill and Urban Crust, according to Urban Family Concepts. Company materials list Bonnie Shea and Nathan Shea as co-founders, with Dana Blaugrund, Payton Hickey and Michael Lee among the partners overseeing operations.
Building history and timeline
A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing previously reviewed in local coverage outlined a plan to flip the space from a coffee shop to a burger cafe, with construction initially expected to start in May and wrap in September, per Community Impact. The ownership group now points to a late-spring opening, a shift from that original construction schedule.
Menu and diner vibe
Urban partners say the core of the menu will be a straightforward smashburger: potato bun, American cheese and onions pressed right into the patty, with a short list of optional toppings. Also on deck are smashed chicken burgers, hand-cut skin-on fries, lightly battered onion rings and milkshakes, along with bottled beer, wine by the glass and a signature frozen cocktail, according to CultureMap Dallas. The interior is expected to lean into a diner feel, with counter seating and family memorabilia in the mix, including Patty Lou Peters' original guitar.
How it fits the local scene
Smash-style burgers have carved out serious territory in the Dallas-Plano market, and Patty Lou's will be joining a busy lineup of local burger favorites and newer fast-casual players. Area guides highlight Plano's enthusiasm for crisp-edged patties and wallet-friendly burger counters, per Plano Magazine. The owners say their tight, no-fuss menu and accessible pricing are designed to make Patty Lou's a regular stop for downtown workers and nearby residents.
The team plans to roll out rotating specials, including a burger-of-the-month, and will lock in an official opening date as construction winds down. For now, the target remains late spring, with a focus on a simple, value-minded menu served up alongside a bit of local and family history at the counter.
