Chef Scott Hoffner Blends Culinary Greatness with Genuine Hospitality in the Heart of Frisco
By Ashli Urano
Chef Scott Hoffner began his culinary journey as a nine-year-old dishwasher, driven by an early passion for food that would ultimately shape his future. Today, after working in prestigious kitchens across the country, the owner of Didi’s Downtown and LottieBird’s has built a career spanning over three decades.
A native Texan born and raised in Plano, Hoffner learned the value of hard work from his father while developing his love of cooking from his mother. She introduced him to sophisticated flavors as a child, serving steamed whole artichoke hearts with drawn butter as an after-school snack. He fondly remembers learning the process of reaching the heart through the artichoke’s many layers.
“My mom constantly cooked. When family and friends would get together, everyone would be talking and laughing, and when the food arrived, the room would become silent,” Hoffner explained. “People would start to eat and then say, ‘Oh God, Diane, that was so great!’ The matzo balls or the brisket - it was all so good.”
As a teenager, Hoffner split time between the kitchen and music after forming a band with his friends. They practiced in his parents’ garage, complete with a drum riser and recording equipment. The band even produced a demo tape and began performing in Dallas’ Deep Ellum district.
By 16, Hoffner was already working as lead sauté cook at Macaroni Grill, mastering the controlled chaos of a professional kitchen. It was there he managed 36 pans at once on the sauté station. His teenage years were also spent helping with restaurant openings, including El Norte in Plano at age 17.
After high school, Hoffner chose to attend Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island over New York’s Culinary Institute of America (CIA), earning degrees in culinary science and hospitality marketing. “At the time, CIA and Johnson & Wales were the two best schools in the country - it would be like Harvard and Yale,” Hoffner explained. “I think having double degrees really helped set me apart from other chefs. I’m hyper-creative, but at the same time, I have to push out my product.”
Following graduation, he spent time in Europe before moving to Austin, where he worked with a talented chef at the Old Alligator Grill. “Ace is the guy who taught me everything about Cajun food,” Hoffner said. “There are so many different textures and feels with it - unique flavors that work really well in combination.”
During this time, he continued pursuing music, touring colleges throughout Texas with his band. They played regularly on Austin’s infamous Sixth Street, opening for acts including Blues Traveler, Edie Brickell, and Deep Blue Something. After the band went their separate ways, Hoffner decided to focus solely on his culinary career.
At 22, his career took off after becoming executive chef at Wild Horse Grill in Marble Falls. Hoffner soon found himself cooking for celebrities and dignitaries, from country music legend Willie Nelson to President George H.W. Bush. By 25, his talent had caught the attention of the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Southern California, where he was hired as chef de cuisine.
Hoffner spent a decade on the West Coast, which included time at the independent restaurant Pangea, where he was able to develop signature dishes. It was in California where he met his wife, Shannon. After welcoming their first daughter, the couple decided to start a new chapter in Colorado. His culinary path would then take him to Montana, where he served as executive chef at the Ranch Club in Missoula.
After returning to Texas, Hoffner took on roles as executive chef at Agave Bar and Grill before becoming executive chef and general manager at TJ’s Seafood on Oak Lawn in Dallas. He also spent time at J. Macklin’s Grill in Coppell. His expertise led to positions as a personal chef for several professional athletes, including NBA star Tyson Chandler during the Dallas Mavericks’ 2011 season and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher.
In 2018, Hoffner opened Didi’s Downtown in one of Frisco’s oldest houses, built around 1912 along Main Street. He named the restaurant in honor of his mother, Diane “Didi” Hoffner, who passed away unexpectedly. Didi’s has become a beloved spot within the community and is widely known for its delicious food and warm atmosphere. “Depending on the weather or the band or the way the wind is blowing, you may feel like you’re in Austin or on the base of a mountain in Colorado on a snowy day,” he said with a smile.
Each year at Didi’s, Hoffner hosts a special dinner on the Tuesday before Valentine’s Day that is limited to 60 guests. “This is my favorite event of the year. Nobody knows what they're going to eat or how much it’s going to cost, and it sells out every year,” he explained. “I call it my ‘Trust Dinner.’ I get to pull out my tweezers and have fun.” This year’s dinner will take place on February 11.
The appetizer menu at Didi’s ranges from Smothered Fries and Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls to the Hummus Plate and Tempura Fried Artichoke Hearts. Salads include the Orient Express with fried chicken and Seared Ahi Spinach Salad, alongside classics like Caesar and Cobb. Hoffner also serves a Texas-style bean-free chili that can be ordered as a cup, bowl, or Frito pie.
The menu also offers sandwiches and burgers, from a Hot Honey Buttered Fried Chicken sandwich to fish tacos and traditional gyros. In addition to their signature House Burger, there’s a Texas Chili burger and vegetarian portabella option, with Beyond Burger substitutions available.
Main dishes showcase Churrasco NY Strip and Grilled Atlantic Salmon alongside comfort foods featuring Scratch Chicken Tenders and The Best Meatloaf. Signature dishes include Blackened Catfish Pontchartrain with red bell pepper cream sauce and redfish over jalapeño smoked gouda grits with caramelized leek mascarpone cream sauce. The menu offers classic sides like hand-cut fries and Mac & Cheese, while desserts feature Hot Fudge Pie, Beignets, and a rotating dessert of the week.
Hoffner’s newest venture, LottieBird’s, brings a unique blend of crepes, ice cream, bagels, and coffee to Frisco's beloved Rail District. Located at 8981 2nd St., the creperie opened on January 3 and is named after his daughters Charlotte (Lottie) and Bird. “I built LottieBird’s for the community. This street needed an ice cream shop and a creperie. This street needs culture,” he explained. “I plan on having string quartets in the spring doing everything from Disney soundtracks to Beethoven’s Fifth when kids and families are out there on the patio looking at downtown.”
The crepe menu is divided into three categories - savory, breakfast, and sweet. The Norwegian Crepe combines smoked lox with shaved red onion and whipped cream cheese, while the Lemon Chicken Crepe pairs herb-crusted shredded chicken and fresh asparagus with lemon beurre blanc. The Philly Cheesesteak Crepe reinvents the classic sandwich, offering marinated skirt steak with caramelized peppers and onions, melted Swiss and cheddar, and jalapeño cilantro aioli.
Breakfast crepes include the Californication Crepe with scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese. The Texas-style Cowboy Up Crepe features marinated skirt steak with scrambled eggs and southwestern toppings. Didi’s Favorite Crepe keeps it classic with smoked lox, scrambled eggs, red onion, and capers with whipped cream cheese.
For those with a sweet tooth, Hoffner’s dessert crepes range from simple to elaborate. The Tiramisu Crepe elevates the Italian classic, spreading espresso-flavored mascarpone inside, finishing with caramel and chocolate sauce. The Little Suzie Crepe combines orange slices with honey-sweetened mascarpone, while the Nutella Crepe comes filled with bananas and strawberries, topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar.
Beyond crepes, the restaurant partners with local businesses, serving award-winning Starship Bagels and Henry's Ice Cream from Plano. “I grew up on Henry’s,” Hoffner said. “While I still love a scoop of Blue Bell, there's just another level that we're talking about with Henry’s.” Hoffner even adds entire slices of homemade cobbler into the shakes.
LottieBird’s offers a full coffee and espresso menu, with options like lattes and americanos, as well as specialties like the Cubano with raw sugar and Romano with lemon. Cold options include frozen lemonade, Italian soda, and various iced coffee drinks.
Hoffner believes in absolute transparency with his customers, especially when things don't go as planned. “I don't hold back – if your burger isn't cooked right,” he said, “I’m going to say, ‘Give me a second,’ and then I’m going to fix it.” This approach to hospitality stems from Hoffner's early days in the kitchen and his understanding of what makes dining truly memorable.
He recognizes that successful restaurants require more than excellent food. “If you’re not ready to please people and show them true hospitality, you won't succeed,” he explained. “My goal is for you to have a unique experience and to know that you are special.”
Hoffner stands firm in his belief, explaining, “There’s service, and then there’s hospitality. Hospitality is a mentality, and service is an action. It's like me getting you a Coke – that’s service. But if it’s raining outside and you don’t have an umbrella, and I’ve got a pizza box and walk you out – that’s hospitality. It’s taking it a step above.”
In addition to such elevated levels of hospitality at both of his establishments, it’s easy to see how much Scott values the community he calls home, and much of that stems from his appreciation for all that Frisco is and has become in the time he’s both lived and grown his family here. He recalls, “…Watching our kids grow in this community. It’s just an unbelievable deal. I’ve cooked from the East Coast to the West Coast, and I've never seen anything like it. I’ve never seen a community like it. It's incredibly special…so what I have to say is thank you – to all of you. You’re always welcome here – with open arms, and we hope we get to continue providing you with hospitality and great food and fun.”
After almost 20 years of marriage, Hoffner balances running two restaurants with family life. His wife, Shannon, a Montessori teacher, has supported every step of his journey. While Bird heads toward high school graduation and Charlotte prepares to start her freshman year, Hoffner divides his time between Didi’s Downtown and LottieBird’s. When he’s not in the kitchen making sure every guest feels at home, he recharges by fishing for walleye in Minnesota, skiing, or playing golf - always coming back ready to serve the Frisco community he now calls home.
Ashli Urano is a freelance writer obsessed with competitive tennis, true crime, and her Golden-doodle named Sadie Kirenia.
