"It's Chído, but all grown up," Chance Williamson, general manager at the newly-minuted Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano. Chído Taco Lounge opened in Frisco in 2021, with metallic surfaces and neon graffiti-style skull art. On the surface, Chído's latest carnation in Frisco, Casa Alma, couldn't be any different. But you know what's the same? The food is still great.
“It’s been an honor to welcome Frisco diners into Chído over the past four years, but we felt like it was time for a change,” Blaine McGowan, the concept’s founder, previously said in an official statement. “This area needs more full-service, sit-down dinner spots, and we always want to serve the community the best way we can. We listened to our guests’ needs and made the decision to re-concept, and we’re confident that Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano will become a favorite among our regulars and new customers alike.”
Update: March 28, 2025 - 8:51 a.m. An earlier version of this story stated that Chído in Dallas also will turn into Casa Alma. It will actually be revamped as Ella, a totally different concept. Our original story follows below.
Different Vibes At Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano
Out, are the big wooden door, the dark and moody interior, and the neon metallic vibes. (I did spot one Chído skull sticker on the house-made Chído hot sauce — something I hope they keep — as well as a skull painting in the bathroom.) In, are earth tones, air curtains, light and white tablecloths. These days, many fine dining restaurants eschew white tablecloths for bare tables, and that is fine (it's fine!). But there is something about sitting down, eating a meal, tablecloth and all. "It's an extra step for us, but it's worth it," says Williamson. You can feel that effort as soon as you walk in.
Before it was darker inside, but now, the restaurant feels more inviting — with guests, as it happened while we were there, wandering in off the street.
"Some people say they feel like they have to dress up, but they don't — we are the ones dressing up," adds Williamson. "We were doing a good job, but now we want to do a great job. Be the change you want to see, right?" Right.
"Some people say they feel like they have to dress up, but they don't — we are the ones dressing up."
Have The Food And Drinks Changed?
The majority of the menu is Chído's, and that's excellent because the food was always delicious. Around 90% of the menu is the same, with oldies but goodies like the bacon-wrapped shrimp holding steady, but there are some new additions, including the dorado taco (chicarones, potatoes, salsa verde — fried crispy in a corn tortilla), glazed salmon filet with ancho butter, green rice and roasted carrots as well as the pork chop (sous vide duroc chop, ancho bourbon glaze with batatas bravas and roasted Brussel sprouts).
Everything was delicious.
Good news — the Chído burger is still on the menu. And it's still one of the best burgers you can get in Collin County, if not all of North Texas. It's juicy and meaty, but also light and airy, almost like the burger equivalent of cotton candy. We love it.
Under the Chído banner, the cocktails were on point, and they still are now. Priced well, too. "We do to-go drinks so," says Williamson, "and our paloma is excellent by the pool."
Must-Order Dishes
Definitely get the aforementioned salmon or pork chop for dinner. If you are going for lunch, don't miss the Chído burger — or heck. Get that for lunch. Get it anytime. Just get it.
We could not stop eating the Mexican shrimp cocktail. It's not spicy. It's tangy. It's sweet with a hint of citrus, which brings out the sweetness in the shrimp. One of the best shrimp cocktails we've had. Ever.
The tacos are excellent as are the shareables. Top to bottom, everything is good, and you can't go wrong.
For Those With Dietary Restrictions
Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano has a gluten-free menu with appetizers, sides, salads and bowls, tacos and house specialties. The menu either lists what is gluten-free or how each dish can be made so. For example, the Chído burger is served sans buns, but the caramelized onions must be removed from the carne asada tacos — and so on.
How Has The Reaction Been?
"The reaction," says Williamson, "has been very positive." Good news, because rebrands do come with risk.
The renovation was quick — done in four and a half days. According to Williamson, "We had excellent contractors, and there was lots of coordination to get us back open on March 7 at 4 p.m." The new interior was designed by Coeval Studio, the same firm behind Coupes champagne bistro, Quarter Acre and Lombardi Cucina Italiana.
"The rebranding was an ideal Blaine [McGowan] had," says Williamson. It was an idea whose time had come. While Chído was vibrant and fun, Casa Alma is lovely, relaxing and upscale. Don't get me wrong, it's still fun! Anyone who puts a skull on a hot sauce bottle is up for a good time — and the old logo looks extra cool in the fancy new digs.
What About The Dallas Location?
Located in Preston Hollow Village, the second Chído is now the only one. And not for long — the restaurant will also be re-concepted as Ella Dine + Drinks, a totally new concept, sometime in early summer. McGowan hired Julian Shaffer, 2024 Michelin Guide Texas Exceptional Cocktails Award winner, from Rye as the Dallas location's new GM and beverage director — a massive coup.
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