The shop will open on Jan. 10 with half off all menu items
Pappalecco, the San Diego café known for its Italian-style coffee, gelato, pastries and understated hospitality, is making its Texas debut in downtown Plano. The new location opens Jan. 10, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. and a grand-opening weekend featuring 50% off all menu items, except alcohol.
The arrival of Pappalecco marks a new chapter for a brand built on genuine warmth and old-world craft. Owners Jolly Chen and Chi Yan are bringing the same spirit to Plano, blending the café’s Little Italy roots with a space tailored for the community they now call home.
“We’re honored to bring Pappalecco to Plano,” Jolly and Chi said in an official statement. “Our hope is that it becomes a place where people feel genuinely cared for and can experience the best of Italian café culture.”
A Café Built On Connection
Pappalecco Plano emphasizes simplicity, quality and an unhurried pace. The minimalist design, created by an Italian design team using several Italian-made finishes, creates a setting intended for conversation and community. Visitors can expect all the classics that made the original location a staple, including the Marocchino with espresso and Nutella, the Caffè Freddo blended with gelato and the signature affogato.
For Jolly and Chi, authenticity is more than a menu choice; it’s a mindset shaped by their first experience with the brand.
Photo: Pappalecco
Chi recalls stepping into Pappalecco’s Little Italy café long before the decision to bring it to Texas. It wasn’t the cappuccino or gelato that stayed with him, though both impressed him immediately. What made an impact was the atmosphere.
“Even in that short visit, I found myself chatting with the staff and customers who were so warm and welcoming,” Chi told Local Profile. “They made me feel like I belonged there, like a part of their family. That sense of connection and community is what made me fall in love with Pappalecco and ultimately inspired me to bring the brand to Texas.”
For Jolly and Chi, hospitality isn’t complicated; it’s intentional.
“The Pappalecco hospitality to us is to make every guest feel welcomed, valued and cared for,” Chi said. That philosophy shows up in small gestures: greeting guests by name, getting to know their stories and ensuring every visit feels personal.
Honoring Italian Roots In A New Home
Pappalecco’s heritage shapes every detail of the Plano café. Italy’s standards for espresso and hospitality set the tone, and Chi says the team is committed to bringing that same level of care to North Texas.
“We strive to create a warm and welcoming place that puts people at the center,” Chi said. “It’s about the community, authenticity, honoring the Italian tradition and creating a space where everyone is welcomed and feels like home.”
Opening the café hasn’t just been a business decision; it’s been a family project.
Photo: Pappalecco
The couple’s children have also been part of the process from the beginning, tasting menu items, suggesting flavors and imagining ways they could help in the shop. Chi says these shared moments have made the experience even more meaningful.
Working together, he adds, is “something we’re incredibly grateful for,” and the memories, from road trips to San Diego to daily gelato tastings, are ones the family will carry long after opening day.
What To Try First
Though the menu is full of staples, the owners have a few favorites. Jolly leans toward the Rising Sun toast paired with a cappuccino. Chi admits he has a sweet tooth, making gelato and the affogato his go-to choices.
And for Plano, they are introducing freshly-made gelato in 12 rotating flavors, crafted in full view of guests. Chi says the transparency is intentional: gelato tastes best when freshly made, and the team holds itself to a high standard of quality.
A Warm Welcome For Plano
Launching a beloved San Diego café in Texas brought its share of challenges, but also unexpected encouragement. Chi says one of the most surprising parts of the journey has been discovering how many DFW residents already know Pappalecco, and how many San Diego regulars have Plano ties. Their enthusiasm, he said, “has made this journey even more rewarding.”
As opening day approaches, Chi hopes the first impression is immediate. He wants guests to feel welcomed the moment they walk in, to notice the design, the aroma of freshly pulled espresso, the energy of the café and, above all, the warmth of the people behind it.
Pappalecco Plano will be located at 1009 14th St. Unit 600, Plano, and will be open Sunday – Thursday from 7am – 9:30pm and Friday – Saturday from 7am – 10pm.
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