Michy's Chino Boricua in Grand Prairie blends Chinese and Puerto Rican cuisines

While Dallas-Fort Worth may have its share of Chinese restaurants and Puerto Rican restaurants, it recently got its very own Chino Boricua, a Chinese-Puerto Rican restaurant.

Say “Hola” to Michy’s.

Owner Michelle Lao (the restaurant’s name “Michy” is her nickname) grew up working in her family’s Chinese restaurant in Corozal, Puerto Rico. There, her family created Chinese dishes to the tastes of Puerto Rico, fusing the two cuisines.

Lao used to be an accountant, but growing up in the family business influenced her to open her first restaurant. Though it was a success, she split ways with her business partner and wanted to start her own restaurant, her own way, with her own goals.

So, Michy’s opened in Houston in 2021. After just a few years, Lao opened a second location in Katy. Then, last October, Michy’s was introduced to North Texas, with the opening of a location in Grand Prairie.

“Our good friends are from Fort Worth, and they would always tell me that there is a large Puerto Rican population in DFW, and we knew that there was demand,” Lao told the Star-Telegram. “We realized after opening Michy’s that people would travel all of Texas just to come and eat our food. We would get messages that our food reminded them of the island. It brought them nostalgia and a sense of home.”

The Chino Boricua is very popular. Global pop star Bad Bunny had Michy’s catered for his concert crew in Houston. The Puerto Rican native loved it so much, he had it catered twice.

What is on the menu at a Puerto Rican-Chinese restaurant?

The menu at Michy’s has Chinese and sushi dishes, with slight twinges of Puerto Rican influence.

For example, their chicken stir-fry options have the classic orange and sweet and sour flavors, but also feature an “enchilado” chicken dish. Their steak stir-fries have churrasco options. And carne frita is a popular fried pork dish in Puerto Rico, served with a side of fried plantains called tostones.

Lao says the most popular dish, by far, is the boneless barbecue ribs with fried rice.

“People also love the pepper steak, the fried chicken, orange chicken and mofongo relleno de churrasco,” she added. “The everything lo mein is also a popular hit, and you absolutely cannot leave without trying our fresh garlic butter tostones.”

Michy’s Chino Boricua

You can find Michy’s Chino Boricua at 2155 N. Highway 360 in Grand Prairie. The fast-casual restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Guests can order at the counter and dine-in or order online for takeout. Delivery options are also available through their website, Door Dash or Uber Eats.