Family Barbecue and Waterice Shop Opens in Plano, Adds Halal Options
Yearby’s Barbecue and Waterice, a family owned barbecue concept relocating from Pilot Point, began soft operations in Plano the weekend of December 6, 2025. The new restaurant offers traditional barbecue and Philadelphia style waterice, it will operate on weekends initially and plans to expand service days in January, creating a new dining option for Collin County residents.
Yearby’s Barbecue and Waterice began soft operations the weekend of December 6, 2025, at 3201 Alma Drive, Ste. 100 in Plano. The restaurant is a family owned concept relocated from Pilot Point and is led by owners Sabrina and CJ Henley. They opened with a compact menu aimed at classic Texas barbecue fans while also offering distinctive regional and dietary options.
The menu includes brisket, homemade sausage, ribs and turkey alongside traditional sides such as mac and cheese, street corn and potato salad. The Henleys are also introducing halal barbecue offerings to the local market, expanding access for residents who observe halal dietary rules. In a nod to combined family food traditions, the restaurant will serve waterice, a frozen dessert rooted in Philadelphia culinary culture, alongside its smoked meats.
Yearby’s began operations on weekends with plans to increase the number of days open starting in January. That staged approach allows the owners to calibrate supply chains and staffing while building a local customer base. For Plano and greater Collin County residents, the arrival of Yearby’s adds a new family owned option to a competitive restaurant market and broadens the range of culturally diverse offerings available to diners.
Beyond consumer choice, small businesses like Yearby’s contribute to local economic activity through employment, supplier relationships and sales tax revenue. A weekend launch followed by expanded days also creates a pathway for gradual hiring and operational scaling. The inclusion of halal menu items may attract customers from a wider geographic area, helping the business establish steady weekday volumes once it expands hours.
As Yearby’s moves into full operations in January, residents can expect another locally owned restaurant on Alma Drive that blends Texas barbecue tradition with cross regional flavors. The weekend soft opening presents an early opportunity for neighborhood feedback and for the Henleys to refine service before broader hours begin next month.
