Leasing paperwork points to a big culinary flip on Douglas Boulevard, where a dumpling-first concept is lined up for the former Romano's Macaroni Grill space in Roseville. If the deal crosses the finish line, Lao Hu Tong Dumpling House would trade a large casual-Italian footprint for a menu centered on soup dumplings, pan-fried potstickers and noodle dishes, adding another Asian-focused option to the restaurant cluster around Rocky Ridge Town Center.
Leasing materials reviewed by the Sacramento Business Journal list Lao Hu Tong Dumpling House as the incoming tenant for the former Macaroni Grill site. The documents identify the prospective operator but stop short of providing a firm opening date.
Where it's headed
The space sits at Rocky Ridge Town Center on Douglas Boulevard, where the shopping center's site plan shows Romano's Macaroni Grill taking up about 7,328 square feet. According to the Rocky Ridge Town Center site plan, that footprint is one of the larger restaurant pads in the center and is built out for a sizable kitchen and dining room.
About Lao Hu Tong
Lao Hu Tong operates dumpling-focused restaurants in other markets and highlights handmade soup dumplings (xiao long bao), along with steamed and pan-fried varieties, on its menus. The chain's Schaumburg location lists soup dumplings and noodle dishes as staples, suggesting the Roseville outpost would lean heavily into dumplings rather than anything resembling the former Italian menu.
Local context
Across the region, large-format casual chains have increasingly been replaced or reworked as shopping centers reshuffle their lineups. One recent example: an independent restaurant group is converting a former Macaroni Grill space in Elk Grove's Laguna Gateway, as reported by the Elk Grove Citizen.
For now, leasing paperwork is the main public sign that Lao Hu Tong is targeting the Roseville site, and the Sacramento Business Journal report based on those documents did not include an opening timeline. Expect more concrete details once city permits, tenant filings or an official announcement hit the record.
