Have you ever felt like you were born to do your job? Business partners Preston Lancaster and Tony Smith of 33 Restaurant Group can relate. Raised in food-loving families, Heritage Pizza and Taproom is their tribute to the families’ restaurant legacy, while doubling down as a nostalgic, American pizza parlor.
Heritage Pizza and Taproom opened their doors on Feb. 20 in the booming Grandscape area surrounding Nebraska Furniture Mart in The Colony. The new concept from 33 Restaurant Group features a selection of artisan pizzas, craft beer and wine in a relaxed, coastal-feel setting.
Preston Lancaster, Founder/CEO of 33 Restaurant Group, was born and raised in Dallas with restaurant business DNA. His grandparents worked in the business for over 50 years, and his mom owned a pizzeria where he worked as a youngster. Preston eventually obtained a business degree intending to work in the hospitality industry. Always an entrepreneur, he began his first business as a child (mowing lawns), started a financial services firm and now owns a number of restaurants throughout DFW.
VP of Operations Tony Smith, also from Dallas, is from a family in the service and entertainment industries as well. He traveled and lived abroad for many years before returning to the Dallas area, joining 33RG for their first restaurant venture. Mentored by his grandfather who worked as a regional executive for a motion picture company, Tony has worked in country clubs and restaurants for all of his adult life. He says he loves living his dream while elevating the craft pizza and bar scene to a higher level.
You might recognize a couple of the menu items at Heritage. That’s because 33 Restaurant Group also owns Taverna Rossa locations in Plano and Southlake and Cadillac Pizza Pub in McKinney. Though they’re borrowing a few of their favorite dishes from these two successful concepts, they are also adding several other creative options. Heritage is the most casual concept of the three, with a walk-up counter and fast casual tempo, but rest assured they will be keeping the brick oven taste and top quality ingredients from their other ventures.
You’ll find several brand new pie choices at Heritage Pizza, available in Big Guy (14″) and Little Guy (10”) variations. From a Hawaiian style Big Kahuna Pie to a spicy southwestern Sante Fe, there’s something for every member of the family to choose from. Apps, baked pastas, salads and hot sandwiches complete the menu, with an ice cream sandwich made with Plano’s own Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream for dessert!
One of the coolest features at the new spot is that they’ll sell growlers to go, and they will eventually deliver them to the doorsteps of Denton County residents, as long as your preferred brew is below 5% ABV. For in-restaurant imbibing, Heritage offers 40 taps featuring many local beers plus root beer, cold brew coffee and even kombucha. This fast casual eatery will still make you feel the need to stop, sip and stay awhile.
Shannon McCarthy, head of marketing and PR for 33 Restaurant Group, explains the intent of the menu at Heritage is to be family-friendly. “The flavors we try and create here are something the entire family can enjoy that’s still original,” says Shannon.
The inviting, east coast classic décor is light and bright, filled with cool accents at every turn. Look closely and you’ll see a decades-old menu and framed newspaper cutout restaurant feature on the owner’s grandmother. Family is the most important thing here; the owners, wives and children buzzed about excitedly as I talked with Shannon and toured the 3,000 square foot space. Truly a family affair.
Shannon summed up Heritage Pizza and the team behind it well: “We’re local, homemade, and home grown.“
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Heritage Pizza and Taproom hours of operation are Sunday 11am – 9pm, Monday – Thursday 11am-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am – 11pm.
PS: Don’t take your eyes off of 33 Restaurant Group just yet, as they plan to open two more concepts, The Yard in McKinney and Union Bear in Plano’s Granite Park, later this summer.
Heritage Website > Heritage Facebook > [codepeople-post-map]
