Home Care In Plano, TX

Work crews are making their way along West Park Boulevard between Ohio Drive and Country Place Drive, addressing trees planted in the median, according to a project update.

The purpose of the project is to replace trees near the end of their lifespan in a roadway median and replace them with trees that should last 30-35 years into the future, Plano Urban Forester Marc Beaudoing said. He added that funding comes from the 2021 bond.

What you need to know

Beaudoing emphasized that work crews are not needlessly removing healthy trees as part of the project but are removing trees that are starting to decline because of the tough growing conditions within a median. He added that ash trees are being proactively removed and replaced because of the threat from the invasive emerald ash borer, which is known to destroy the trees.

Work crews will replace removed trees with native species, which are more likely to do well in the Texas climate and tough growing conditions. Funding for the project totaling about $700,000 is sourced from the 2021 bond and included in the 2023-24 Community Investment Program.

“We’re cutting down trees that suffered damage from Winter Storm Uri and others that have had really tough summers with droughts,” Beaudoing said. “They need to be removed and replaced with young, healthy native species.”

What else?

To allow for crews to perform the necessary work, Beaudoing said crews will close the lanes closest to the median on both sides of Park Boulevard, which helps improve safety at the work sites. The project also satisfies goals of the urban forest master plan, which calls for tree plantings along city streets.

“This project fits within the urban forest master plan to increase the tree canopy coverage in the city of Plano,” Beaudoing said.

The work began in April and is expected to be completed Aug. 13, he added.

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Plano is a suburb not to sleep on, especially in terms of food. The short drive north of Dallas offers one’s palate a mix of Texas standards — steak, tacos and brunch — with the addition of Asian cuisines from China and Japan in the far east to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the south, and the Middle East, and Western European classics. These include traditional dishes, flavors and ingredients folded into American favorites.

Head up to this ‘burb for great eats.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Though it was made popular by Samina Qazi’s pink Kashmiri chai, Chai Walla is not just a cafe. Specialties from Peshawar, a northwest city in Pakistan, such as the chicken or beef pulao (seasoned Basmati rice with nuts, and dried fruit), the chicken or beef karahi (a spicy meat stew) from Qazi’s own family recipes, also make it worth a visit.

This restaurant specializes in Japanese curry served over steamed white rice — a dish outside the wheelhouse of sushi and ramen, and a world apart from its Indian equivalents. This variety is from Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa prefecture. Pick a choice of protein from breaded pork, chicken or fish cutlets, sausages, shrimp, or veggie tempura. Or have them all on one platter.

Hadramout’s Yemeni specialties, mandi and haneeth, are a feast to behold when they land on the table. Roasted spiced meats including lamb, chicken and fish over a mountain seasoned fluffy basmati rice embody ancient flavors and traditions.

If you’re hoping to find a good lobster roll in Plano, this is your first stop — it serves New England- and Connecticut-style rolls. The menu is heavy with lobster, from lobster grilled cheese to a whole lobster. It also has a seasonal selection of fresh fish, and the chef’s specials are a wealth of delightful ideas.

With a mesquite wood grill and a kitchen full of fresh farm food with sources noted on the menu, Whiskey Cake (which started in Plano) is a solid choice. The rotisserie farm bird is a signature item, as is the whiskey cake for which it is named.

Bavarian Grill has been serving Bavarian beer and specialties since 1993, and it is one of the best places to go during Oktoberfest for schnitzels, brats, brot (bread), and Bavarian beers. Order from of the seasonal menu featuring items such as white asparagus from April through the July 4 and mushrooms in the summer.

SauceBros Pizza adds a South Asian spin to thin crust New York-style pizza. Venture outside the bestselling meat lovers and try the Naga (a North Indian-Bangladeshi chili pepper) beef, chicken, mushroom. The balachao (Bangladeshi style fermented shrimp) is also excellent, as are the signature Bengali beef pesto and the harissa chicken. All meats used in the pizzas and pasta are halal.

Kumar’s specializes in South Indian village cuisine, including the coastal foods that focus on seafood. Kumar’s special nandu boneless is a dish for crab lovers who don’t like the shells. The crab meat is already picked out and tossed in a pepper sauce. Finish the meal with a cup of chai or kaapi, a south Indian style of coffee frothed with milk and sugar.

Combine barbecue and tacos? Obviously yes. Grab a plate of barbecue or a tray of tacos — or both. The portions are large, so order accordingly. The Navajo fry bread taco and the pulled pork (on a taco or not) are worth trying

Sichuan Folk is for those who love diving deep into spice. Szechuan dishes including deep fried chicken, fish with dry roasted chilis, and home style lamb with cumin are great paired with an ice cold can of herbal sweet tea to quell the heat.

The folks at this Plano spot take Mexican traditions and remix them with French and Mediterranean culinary methods. The seafood-heavy appetizer menu features a ceviche tasting menu and lobster tostadas, while the dinner options are loaded with Tex-Mex favorites and street tacos. This is also a great spot for brunch.

Fast expanding xiao long bao go-to restaurant Wu Wei Din has its roots in Plano. Go straight to the dumpling and wonton section of the menu and take your pick. Other Taiwanese favorites such as the national dish, beef noodle soup, and street food snacks like popcorn chicken and scallion pancakes, are also solid choices. Expect a second Plano location on 15th Street later in 2024.

Chef Jörg Fercher relocated from Austria to Texas and brought some of his homelands with him. For Plano residents, that means terrific schnitzel, German potato salad, and bratwurst.

Get great seafood in Plano at this spot from chef Kevin Ashade. Don’t miss the crab stuffed shrimp, Texas redfish, and blackened catfish, and the five cheese mac and cheese is a must, as are the Not Your Mama’s Greens.

Though it was made popular by Samina Qazi’s pink Kashmiri chai, Chai Walla is not just a cafe. Specialties from Peshawar, a northwest city in Pakistan, such as the chicken or beef pulao (seasoned Basmati rice with nuts, and dried fruit), the chicken or beef karahi (a spicy meat stew) from Qazi’s own family recipes, also make it worth a visit.

This restaurant specializes in Japanese curry served over steamed white rice — a dish outside the wheelhouse of sushi and ramen, and a world apart from its Indian equivalents. This variety is from Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa prefecture. Pick a choice of protein from breaded pork, chicken or fish cutlets, sausages, shrimp, or veggie tempura. Or have them all on one platter.

Hadramout’s Yemeni specialties, mandi and haneeth, are a feast to behold when they land on the table. Roasted spiced meats including lamb, chicken and fish over a mountain seasoned fluffy basmati rice embody ancient flavors and traditions.

If you’re hoping to find a good lobster roll in Plano, this is your first stop — it serves New England- and Connecticut-style rolls. The menu is heavy with lobster, from lobster grilled cheese to a whole lobster. It also has a seasonal selection of fresh fish, and the chef’s specials are a wealth of delightful ideas.

With a mesquite wood grill and a kitchen full of fresh farm food with sources noted on the menu, Whiskey Cake (which started in Plano) is a solid choice. The rotisserie farm bird is a signature item, as is the whiskey cake for which it is named.

Bavarian Grill has been serving Bavarian beer and specialties since 1993, and it is one of the best places to go during Oktoberfest for schnitzels, brats, brot (bread), and Bavarian beers. Order from of the seasonal menu featuring items such as white asparagus from April through the July 4 and mushrooms in the summer.

SauceBros Pizza adds a South Asian spin to thin crust New York-style pizza. Venture outside the bestselling meat lovers and try the Naga (a North Indian-Bangladeshi chili pepper) beef, chicken, mushroom. The balachao (Bangladeshi style fermented shrimp) is also excellent, as are the signature Bengali beef pesto and the harissa chicken. All meats used in the pizzas and pasta are halal.

Kumar’s specializes in South Indian village cuisine, including the coastal foods that focus on seafood. Kumar’s special nandu boneless is a dish for crab lovers who don’t like the shells. The crab meat is already picked out and tossed in a pepper sauce. Finish the meal with a cup of chai or kaapi, a south Indian style of coffee frothed with milk and sugar.

Combine barbecue and tacos? Obviously yes. Grab a plate of barbecue or a tray of tacos — or both. The portions are large, so order accordingly. The Navajo fry bread taco and the pulled pork (on a taco or not) are worth trying

Sichuan Folk is for those who love diving deep into spice. Szechuan dishes including deep fried chicken, fish with dry roasted chilis, and home style lamb with cumin are great paired with an ice cold can of herbal sweet tea to quell the heat.

The folks at this Plano spot take Mexican traditions and remix them with French and Mediterranean culinary methods. The seafood-heavy appetizer menu features a ceviche tasting menu and lobster tostadas, while the dinner options are loaded with Tex-Mex favorites and street tacos. This is also a great spot for brunch.

Fast expanding xiao long bao go-to restaurant Wu Wei Din has its roots in Plano. Go straight to the dumpling and wonton section of the menu and take your pick. Other Taiwanese favorites such as the national dish, beef noodle soup, and street food snacks like popcorn chicken and scallion pancakes, are also solid choices. Expect a second Plano location on 15th Street later in 2024.

Chef Jörg Fercher relocated from Austria to Texas and brought some of his homelands with him. For Plano residents, that means terrific schnitzel, German potato salad, and bratwurst.

Get great seafood in Plano at this spot from chef Kevin Ashade. Don’t miss the crab stuffed shrimp, Texas redfish, and blackened catfish, and the five cheese mac and cheese is a must, as are the Not Your Mama’s Greens.

Plano City Council on Feb. 12 approved an economic incentives package for the company worth more than $2.4 million.

PLANO, Texas — Read this story and more North Texas business news from our partners at the Dallas Business Journal

A Taiwanese technology company that specializes in automotive electronics and power management systems aims to expand to Plano and hire more than 150 employees by 2029.

Sysgration America Corp. will move into a 98,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Research-Technology Crossroads, the city’s 800-acre technology and industrial park. The company plans to move into the space by 2025, once construction is complete on the facility at 3724 East Plano Parkway, just north of President George Bush Turnpike, according to city documents.

Plano City Council on Feb. 12 approved an economic incentives package for the company worth more than $2.4 million, through a grant agreement that comes with some stipulations. Sysgration will receive $2 million in cash if it spends at least $16 million on real property improvements, and it will receive up to $115,175 to cover any permit, inspection or related construction costs.

Plano will award the remaining grant amount once Sysgration meets certain job thresholds, with up to $235,600 possible for creating 124 jobs by the end of 2027 and up to $53,200 for an additional 28 full-time jobs by the end of 2029. If the company meets all of those goals, it would create at least 152 jobs by the end of the decade.

Plano Mayor John Muns said in a statement the city is looking forward to the company’s impact on the community and for future collaboration.

"We are confident that their presence will contribute to enhancing the economic and cultural fabric of the City of Plano," Muns said in a statement.

Founded in 1977, Sysgration Ltd. is a publicly traded company on the Taipei Exchange that is known for designing various advanced technologies. Sysgration’s new Plano facility fits into an effort to expand in the United States and be closer to customers, as well as to optimize its supply chain. The global company employs a total of 600 people and operates several facilities in Asia.

"The Plano facility will be operated under state-of-the-art automated processes to expand Sysgration’s services to worldwide customers with high-quality products," Mark Lee, chairman of Sysgration, said in a statement.

Its main customers include recognized brands in the automotive, data centers, satellite communication space among other technology related industries. The company’s subsidiaries include Leadman Electronics U.S.A. Inc., Ancher Technology Inc. and Sysgration (Huizhou) Co. Ltd.

The move comes as other global technology companies have moved to southeast Plano’s Research-Technology Crossroads, including Assa Abloy Global Solutions, which announced its move Jan. 22 along with plans to create 350 jobs. The light industrial park is located near a University of Texas at Dallas campus, Texas Instruments' semiconductor plant, Creation Technologies, Luminator Technology Group and ABB Power Electronics Inc.

The City of Plano, Texas, paired Esri’s ArcGIS with OpenGov’s asset management software to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) inventory requirements and continue to provide safe drinking water to the community. Here’s how the city did it.

The LCRR has a series of requirements that all water systems in the United States—over 60,000 different water systems—must meet by October 24, 2024.

The City of Plano, Texas, is a rapidly growing metropolis dedicated to using modern practices to optimize its work. Located a half-hour from Dallas, its water system has over 81,000 individual lines serving a population of almost 300,000 residents. The city is leveraging Esri’s ArcGIS and other digital tools to make data-driven decisions. The city leadership expected the challenge of meeting the LCRR requirements to be difficult and may take months or even years. So, they rolled up their sleeves and began looking for the best way to get the work done.

Challenge

One of the most challenging requirements of the LCRR is that the city needed to create an inventory of all its service lines on both public and private sides. A service line is a smaller waterline that delivers water from the city’s main waterline to homes or businesses. In the City of Plano, the public side is from the water main to the water meter, and the private side is from the water meter to the home or business. To put this inventory requirement in perspective, a small water system could easily have tens of thousands of service lines—the City of Plano has more than 81,000. The service line inventory must contain not only information about the line’s materials but also the age of the line, the precise location, and the address for the line.

But how do you go about tackling such a massive project? Using a spreadsheet quickly becomes cumbersome. Plus, it won’t help you understand the locations of all your lead service lines in a way that best supports the work to replace them, which is one of the main goals of creating the inventory.

Partner

OpenGov, an Esri partner, makes software specifically for local governments. One of its offerings—Cartegraph Asset Management—is a platform designed to help public works and other city departments track assets and manage work orders tied to asset maintenance. The platform integrates with Esri’s ArcGIS, allowing personnel to capture vital data on asset location, work history, and conditions; combine maps and data for robust planning; and analyze data in both platforms to prepare high-performance reports and analyses.

Solution

To create its service line inventory, the City of Plano turned to OpenGov’s Cartegraph Asset Management, knowing it could leverage the system’s integration with ArcGIS to help identify and locate the service lines in its purview. The city planned to lay GIS data over asset data, creating layers with vital information to inform its service line inventory work.

“OpenGov’s Cartegraph Asset Management and the ArcGIS integration were crucial in our work to create a lead service line inventory. It lets us track historical records and repairs. It gives us information that allows us to go out and see trouble spots and how they correlate with the rest of our system. It’s a game changer.”

Brendon LocketteAsset Management Coordinator, City of Plano, Texas

The Public Works Asset Management Team for the City of Plano spearheaded the effort to create the inventory. With assistance from the Technology Solutions/GIS department, line features were added using water meter locations and the closest water main to represent the water service line at each address. The goal was to build an inventory that could be easily visualized and provide accurate locations for the lines and other information for maintenance.

To begin populating the public-side service line material for the inventory, the Asset Management Team drew from historical records and as-built drawings. The desktop analysis was the first step to narrowing the number of service lines where the material type was unknown, so field crews didn’t have to inspect every location.

To populate the material type, three data sources were used:

Field verification is required when staff don’t have sufficient data to determine service line material. During field verification, a crew visually inspects each service line at the water meter to see what it’s made of.

Result

Using Esri’s ArcGIS integration with OpenGov’s Cartegraph Asset Management, the team successfully created an inventory of over 81,000 water service lines in the City of Plano water system and pushed the needed data to the software to be used by Public Works personnel.

After reviewing these records, the city determined that over 92 percent of public service lines and 50 percent of private service lines contained no lead. This meant that significantly fewer locations would have to be field verified by crews. Using the inventory and associated data, it developed a public comprehensive dataset for property owners to see the material of the public and private water service lines at their addresses. The city’s goal is to have 100 percent of the service line material identified by October 2024 and hopefully demonstrate all services contain no lead.

Without Esri’s ArcGIS, this project would have been incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to complete. The ability to locate every water service line on a map and lay other data on top of each line’s location was a powerful tool in the City of Plano’s efforts to meet the EPA’s requirements.

What’s Next?

On November 30, 2023, the EPA shared a draft rule calling for 100 percent replacement of all lead pipes in US water systems over 10 years. Called the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), the rule goes past the inventory requirement covered in this case study and creates a deadline for replacing the pipes inventoried under the LCRR. The LCRI is currently open for public comment, after which the EPA will finalize it. See the draft rule at regulations.gov.

ArcGIS and Cartegraph Asset Management will be crucial for this next phase in the lead replacement project, helping to identify the location of these pipes and organize the tremendous work that will be required.

Stay Connected with Esri’s Water Team

ArcGIS is an extensive information system that enables modernization of workflows with easy-to-use applications for the field and office. Strengthen your organization with smart water solutions that will increase efficiency and provide insight for decision-makers. Visit the Esri Water Utilities web site for more information.

Join the Water Utilities Community

Follow #EsriWater on social media: Twitter | LinkedIn

Subscribe to the Water Industry newsletter “Esri News for Water Utilities and Water Resources“

About the author

Esri's Water Team focuses on all things water: water utilities (water distribution, wastewater, stormwater), water resources and everything in between. The team works with colleagues across Esri (solutions, professional services, product and more) to provide the best support for our customers and partners.

What is the best internet provider in Plano?

Frontier Fiber is the best internet provider in Plano, offering the best combination of speed and price. Plans start at just $40 per month for 500Mbps upload and download speeds -- one of the best deals you’ll find anywhere -- and there are no equipment fees, data caps or contracts.

Spectrum offers the cheapest internet in Plano, with plans starting at just $30 monthly for 100Mbps download speeds. That said, Spectrum’s prices increase significantly after a year or two, and you’ll get much slower upload speeds than download.

T-Mobile Home Internet is a good backup option if you can’t get Frontier and don’t want to deal with Spectrum’s price increases. It uses a wireless connection, which can be more erratic than cable or fiber, but T-Mobile still has some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry.

Our methodology

CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Plano across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.

Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.

Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what's available in Plano. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.

To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.

Best internet in Plano, Texas

Cheapest internet in Plano, TX

Our take - If you’re looking for low prices, Spectrum has the cheapest internet plans by far in Plano. But there are a couple of downsides: you’ll get significantly slower upload speeds than download, and Spectrum’s prices increase significantly after a year or two. You’re not tied to a contract, so you can always switch if the service becomes too expensive.

Read full review

...

Connection

Cable

Speed range

300 - 1,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 - $80 per month

Show more details

Best internet provider in Plano, TX

Our take - Frontier’s fiber internet service is one of the better internet providers you’ll find anywhere in the country, and it’s widely available in Plano. Prices are extremely low for the speeds you get, and Frontier is one of the only providers in the area that offers upload speeds that are just as fast as downloads -- an important consideration for online gamers or remote workers. Frontier also received an above-average score for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s most recent survey in Plano’s region.

Read full review

...

Connection

Fiber

Speed range

500 - 5,000 Mbps

Price range

$50 - $155 per month

Show more details

Best fixed wireless internet in Plano, TX

Our take - T-Mobile has all the finer details you’d want from an internet provider: no price increases (ever), no data caps and no equipment fees. It uses a wireless connection, which can be a little more unreliable than Spectrum’s cable or Frontier’s fiber internet. But T-Mobile’s download speeds go up to 245Mbps, which is more than enough for most homes.

Read full review

...

Connection

Fixed wireless

Speed range

Show more details

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Plano

The best internet deals and top promotions in Plano depend on what discounts are available at any given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.

Plano internet providers, such as Spectrum and Verizon, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including Frontier Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Plano

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

Internet providers in Plano FAQs