McKinney | July 2023

FIRST LOOK Shoagies Chicago-style food served up at McKinney eatery

W hen Erin “Sho” Lewis moved to Texas from Chicago, she noticed a culinary void. Using her vast restau- rant experience, she set about lling it by opening Shoagies. “We have a lot of dierent cultural restaurants in the area, but no Chicago-style food,” Lewis said. “I said, ‘I might as well bring it.’” Prior to opening Shoagies, Lewis said she was in the restaurant industry for 15 years, ve of which were spent as the owner of a seafood restaurant in Chicago. The restaurant hosted a grand opening in March. To enhance the ambiance at Shoagies, Lewis hired Kidane Jhons to paint a mural showcasing elements of Chicago, including the skyline; popu- lar West and South side street names; and Chicago musicians such as Queen Key, Twista and Kanye West. Solidifying the theme, Lewis incorporated Chicago landmarks into the names of menu items, such as The Shed, a hoagie featuring catsh and shrimp. She said this sh dish is named after Shedd Aquarium located on the lakefront in Chicago. Wielding her mixologist knowl- edge, Lewis created drinks that also trigger memories of Chicago. She said the Mag Mile references the Magnicent Mile. “There are a lot of people from Chicago who live here,“ Lewis said. “A lot of people here are homesick— they can’t go back [to Chicago] all the time, but this gives them a taste of home.” BY KAREN CHANEY

Since opening, she has had oppor- tunities to sway skeptics. “The rst thing they say is, ‘Are you really from Chicago?’ When they see all this stu and they taste the food they say, ‘Y’all are really from Chicago,’” she said. Lewis said she enjoys interacting with her customers, who tell her they like the vibe of the place. “They always say, ‘Y’all are cool; y’all are down to earth; y’all are nice.’ They relate to us,” she said. Lewis said she likes to see things she dreams become reality and is thrilled by how fast this dream came to fruition. She hopes to open three more Texas locations within the next ve years. “As long as people are enjoying it—smiling, happy and giving good reviews—that’s what makes me happy,” she said.

SHOAGIES’ SHOWSTOPPERS 1 The Shed ($16.99) is a hoagie sandwich loaded with fresh catsh and jumbo shrimp deep fried in a hand- blended Cajun batter, piled high and topped with lettuce, a three-cheese blend and signature sriracha sauce. 2 Wild 100’s ($10.99) is a turkey hoagie loaded with cheese, onions, banana peppers, with signature oil and spices. 3 Pizza Pu with fries ($9.99) is originally from Chicago and is a deep-fried pu pastry stued with cheese, tomato sauce, Italian sausage, pepperoni and Italian seasonings.

Shoagies 5121 Collin McKinney Parkway, Ste. 200, McKinney 214-842-8448 www.shoagies.com Hours: Tue.-Thu. noon-8 p.m., Fri. noon-9 p.m., Sat. 2-10 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.

PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Erin Lewis held a grand opening for Shoagies in March.

SRT TOLL

50+ ARTISTS IN ATTENDANCE McKinney Cotton Mill ArtFest Sat & Sun | August 26-27, 2023 | 11 am to 5 pm | 610 Elm Street 75069 Free Admission | Food & Beverages Available

www.millhousefoundation.org/artfest

MCKINNEY EDITION • JULY 2023