Cedars Woodfire Grill is Turning Up the Heat With a Second Restaurant Opening July 30 in Frisco

Cedars Woodfire Grill, a new fast casual concept with a fresh approach to the restaurant business, announced today a second restaurant location opening in Frisco on July 30.

The grill will open its doors at 4710 Preston Road on the southeast corner of Preston and Lebanon.  Cedars is a North Texas born concept targeted at people of all ages who enjoy great food and live active lifestyles.  The first Cedars restaurant is on 6509 West Park Blvd. in Plano.

Founder Randy Gier, an active marathoner who grew up loving his family’s backyard barbecues and the active play time that came with them, wanted to create a restaurant serving delicious food that would also provide the nutrition to fuel people’s active lives. “Cedars was born at the intersection of culinary art and nutritional knowledge“, says founder and Chief Eating Officer Randy Gier. “Our mission is to help people Eat Well, Live Well and Feel Good.”

There are no freezers, no fryers, and no microwaves at Cedars. Ingredients are carefully chosen and include all natural meats and fresh produce prepared daily in a scratch kitchen.  Everything is cooked to order on a large open grill in the heart of the restaurant.  Dry heat is not only the healthiest way to cook, but it fills the dining room with warm aromas from the fresh grilled food.

“The truth is that I used to absolutely love fast food for the taste and convenience. But that didn’t mesh with an active lifestyle as a marathoner. My co-founder Laurie Curtis, a mother who knows how hard it is to get kids to eat healthy foods, helped create a new kind of restaurant where the food was still quick and delicious, but also good for you,” said Gier.

Guests are immediately captivated by the open, yet warm atmosphere of the restaurant.  Earthy stone and natural wood throughout, and a set of garage doors that open the patio into a seamless extension of the dining room continues the theme of active outdoor living.  Menu choices are listed on digital boards, orders are placed at the counter, while upbeat, enthusiastic servers bring food to your table. Guests can start up a conversation with the Grill Boss while they watch their food being freshly prepared in the open kitchen, or can chill with a beverage in the dining room.

In addition to being taste bud and waistline friendly, the menu is easy on the wallet. Salads, entrée bowls, sandwiches, and woodfire wraps are all under $10. Guests choose an entrée and then pair it with their favorite protein choice: all-natural chicken, lean USDA choice steak, fresh Atlantic salmon, or “baby bella” cremini mushrooms.

The signature entree is the California bowl that includes grilled veggies and fresh bruschetta tomatoes over a flavorful blend of wild and brown rice.  It is paired with the guest’s choice of all natural grilled chicken, lean USDA choice steak, Atlantic farm raised salmon or “baby bella” cremini mushrooms.  Then topped with a light balsamic glaze and freshly shaved parmesan.

A favorite salad is the Chophouse Salad, a “manly salad” with blend of romaine and iceberg lettuce tossed in a light blue cheese dressing, blended with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, green onion, grilled corn salad, and fresh shredded cheddar cheese.  Topped with the guest’s choice of protein, Cedars’ tangy homemade made barbecue sauce, and garnished with apple wood smoked bacon, grilled red onion, cilantro, and blue cheese crumbles.

On the lighter side, guests love the Summer Harvest Salad made with fresh mango and strawberries then tossed in a light lemon poppy seed dressing.

Other guest favorites include the Southwest Torta Wrap with the choice of protein, avocado, pico de gallo and a light cheese spread rolled in a warm fresh grilled flatbread, and the Cedars Signature Griller Sandwich with perfectly grilled protein on rustica bread, applewood smoked bacon, grilled red onion, lettuce, tomato, fresh cut cheddar, and homemade barbecue sauce.

Soups include a Black Bean and Steak, a Grilled Chicken and Veggie, and a Texas Steak Chili, all served with a slice of grilled bread.

Balanced nutrition is built into each entrée.  Customers can get nutritional information before ordering by sending a text message to codes on the menu board.  Or order their entrée as “Skinny Grill” and Cedars will hold the bacon and cheese, plus substitute low calorie dressing.  Guests interested in low calorie, low carb, gluten sensitive, heart healthy, diabetic friendly, or fuel for athletes, are guided through their choices by a specially created brochure.  Vegetarians also have a large selection of options due to the food preparation and ingredient choices.

Cedars only serves one dessert, but it’s a humdinger. The s’mores fondue is a sharable, “s’mazing” sweet that’s a decadent blend of milk and dark chocolates with a hint of peanut butter topped with toasted marshmallows and served with fresh strawberries and graham cracker dippers.