Grand Prairie, October 4, 2025
News Summary
The grand opening of the third Michy’s Chino Boricua location is set for Saturday in Grand Prairie. Known for its unique Chinese-Puerto Rican cuisine, the restaurant aims to serve the community with made-to-order dishes including popular favorites like carne frita and sushi rolls. Founded by Michelle Lao, Michy’s has established itself as a social hub for Puerto Ricans looking for a taste of home, following its successful openings in Houston and Katy.
Grand Prairie
Lead: Grand opening, concept and founder
The grand opening of the third location in Grand Prairie is scheduled for Saturday, October 4. The new restaurant is an expansion of Michy’s Chino Boricua, a business owned and founded by Michelle “Michy” Lao that specializes in Chinese-Puerto Rican food. Michy’s Chino Boricua is known as the only place serving Chinese-Puerto Rican food in Texas, and the Grand Prairie opening marks the brand’s third site after locations in Houston and Katy.
Key operational details
Everything at Michy’s is made to order, including in-house sauces based on family recipes. Menu highlights that will be available at the Grand Prairie location include carne frita, tostones, pepper steak, plantains, fried pork, and unique Chinese-Puerto Rican sushi rolls. The restaurant aims to provide a comfort-focused experience that offers a taste of home for Puerto Ricans living in Texas.
Location and expansion timeline
Michy’s Chino Boricua began in Houston and later opened in Katy, Texas. The original Michy’s restaurant opened in May 2021 in Katy, Texas. Lao signed a lease for the new Grand Prairie location in May and anticipates opening three months after.
Founder background and family role
Michelle “Michy” Lao was born in Panama to Chinese immigrant parents who moved to Puerto Rico when she was two years old. Her parents opened a Chinese restaurant in Puerto Rico, where Lao developed her passion for cooking. Despite her parents’ initial wishes for her to pursue a corporate career, Lao opened Michy’s after gaining their support. Her father still works in the kitchen at Michy’s, helping to teach new cooks traditional recipes.
Cultural identity and cuisine definition
Lao describes the cuisine as what Puerto Ricans consider Chinese food, incorporating Puerto Rican and Chinese ingredients. Her dishes feature bold flavors, plantains, and fried pork. Lao feels ethnically connected to both her Chinese and Puerto Rican cultures, despite thinking primarily in English.
Customer base and community role
Michy’s has become a social hub for Puerto Ricans to gather and connect, reflecting a community of shared heritage. Michy’s has gained a customer base that includes locals and people traveling from far, including military personnel from Laredo. The restaurant is known for its nostalgic value, bringing customers back to their roots and memories of home.
Future growth and operations at other locations
The second location in Katy will focus on dine-in and takeout, without a drive-thru, and will have a larger dining area. Michy’s has plans to expand further with additional locations in Houston and Dallas.
Unique aspects and kitchen practice
Everything at Michy’s is made to order, including in-house sauces based on family recipes. The menu blends traditional Chinese techniques and Puerto Rican ingredients to create dishes identified by customers as a distinct Chinese-Puerto Rican cuisine.
Context and significance
Michy’s Chino Boricua represents a culinary fusion rooted in family history and migration: Lao’s parents migrated from China to Puerto Rico and established a Chinese restaurant there, creating the multi-ethnic culinary background that informs the brand today. The expansion to Grand Prairie reflects growing demand and the role of food businesses in maintaining cultural connections for diaspora communities in Texas.
FAQ
What is the opening date for the Grand Prairie location?
The grand opening of the third location in Grand Prairie is scheduled for Saturday, October 4.
Who owns and founded Michy’s Chino Boricua?
Michelle “Michy” Lao is the owner and founder of Michy’s Chino Boricua, which specializes in Chinese-Puerto Rican food.
Where did Michy’s Chino Boricua begin and what is the history of its original location?
Michy’s Chino Boricua began in Houston and later opened in Katy, Texas. The original Michy’s restaurant opened in May 2021 in Katy, Texas.
What distinguishes Michy’s cuisine?
Lao describes the cuisine as what Puerto Ricans consider Chinese food, incorporating Puerto Rican and Chinese ingredients. Michy’s Chino Boricua is known as the only place serving Chinese-Puerto Rican food in Texas.
How are the food and sauces prepared?
Everything at Michy’s is made to order, including in-house sauces based on family recipes.
Who is involved in the restaurant’s kitchen and recipe training?
Her father still works in the kitchen at Michy’s, helping to teach new cooks traditional recipes.
What menu items are popular at Michy’s?
The menu features popular items like carne frita, tostones, pepper steak, and unique Chinese-Puerto Rican sushi rolls.
What are Michy’s plans for further expansion?
Michy’s has plans to expand further with additional locations in Houston and Dallas.
How does Michy’s serve its local community?
Michy’s has become a social hub for Puerto Ricans to gather and connect, reflecting a community of shared heritage.
What is known about the lease and timing for Grand Prairie?
Lao signed a lease for the new Grand Prairie location in May and anticipates opening three months after.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Owner & Founder | Michelle “Michy” Lao |
| Cuisine | Chinese-Puerto Rican food |
| Unique claim | Michy’s Chino Boricua is known as the only place serving Chinese-Puerto Rican food in Texas |
| Grand opening | Saturday, October 4 (third location in Grand Prairie) |
| Preparation | Everything at Michy’s is made to order, including in-house sauces based on family recipes |
| Original location | The original Michy’s restaurant opened in May 2021 in Katy, Texas |
| Expansion plans | Additional locations in Houston and Dallas |
| Signature menu items | Carne frita, tostones, pepper steak, plantains, fried pork, Chinese-Puerto Rican sushi rolls |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Chinese-Puerto Rican Cuisine in North Texas
- Houston Eater: Michy’s Chino Boricua Openings
- Click2Houston: Puerto Rican Chinese Food in Katy
- Chron: Houston’s Bad Bunny Restaurant
- Houston Eater: Michy’s Chino Boricua in Katy
- Wikipedia: Cuisine of Puerto Rico
- Google Search: Chinese-Puerto Rican Cuisine
- Google Scholar: Chinese-Puerto Rican Cuisine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Puerto Rican Cuisine
- Google News: Chinese-Puerto Rican Cuisine
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
