Restaurant Guide Main Index

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Texas

Austin | El Paso | Houston | Rio Grande Valley | San Antonio

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• Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
• Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources

Addison

Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill–5000 Belt Line Rd. (Steakhouse) Open Daily. The reviews here are excellent, and it is not over the top in price (steaks are about $35 and other entrees, such as salmon, are about $25). Has other choices besides steak, such as a Seattle style smoked salmon. Both lunch and dinner menus start at about $15 for entrees. Side dishes are very good, as are the complimentary popovers. This looks like a worthy special occasion restaurant. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Allen

A Bite of Lao and Thai–945 W. Stacy Rd. (Lao & Thai) Closed Mon (and closed from 3 to 4 pm weekdays).  Reviews are good and they say the spice level is good. Menu is extensive, and the selection of Lao food looks good. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Arlington

Fork in the Road–1821 S. Fielder Rd. (American) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sun-Tue).  Positive reviews, and people especially like the burgers, sandwiches (such as Ruben) and mac and cheese. Many people say these items are the best they have ever tasted. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Halo Hawaiian BBQ & Poke–2613 W. Park Row Dr. (Hawaiian) Closed Mon.  Reviewers say the food is very good, and the choice of items seems to be very large compared to the typical Hawaiian restaurant. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Havana Bar & Grill–3701 Cooper St. (Cuban) Open daily (late night Sat).  Reviewers say this is legit Cuban food, and is a very good place to get a Cuban sandwich. The setting is very downscale, though (too much for some)–this happens mainly after 8 pm when they turn down the lights and go into “night club mode” with Spanish language TV playing. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Ocean Chinese Seafood–1510 New York Ave. (Chinese) Closed Mon.  Seems to be the best choice in the Mid-Cities for authentic Chinese food (also has Americanized items on the menu). Is a little bit fusion with Vietnamese fire pot and Vietnamese coffee. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Taste of Europe–1901 W. Pioneer Pkwy. (Russian) Lunch Fri-Sun; Dinner Wed-Sun.  I was looking for German restaurants, but this one had better ratings, and seems worth a visit.  All food is made from scratch, and takes a while to prepare. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Thai Basil Leaf–805 W. Park Row Dr. (Thai) Open daily (closed from 3 to 4:30 pm).  Seems to be an authentic Thai restaurant in an area where authentic food is less well known or appreciated, but local people do appreciate how delicious it is (according to most reviews).  For very spicy items they warn you about it and give you a chance to order it less spicy. Prices seem very good and menu is fairly extensive with some less common dishes such as papaya salad. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Bedford

Jan Thai Kitchen–313 Harwood Rd. (Lao) Closed Tue (and closed from 3 pm to 4 pm).  Reviewers say it is Lao style (not Thai) and that it is so good it is a “must try.” Papaya salad, tom yum soup, and curry are recommended, but reviewers order a wide range of items and seem to like them all. Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Burleson

Jamaican Summers–217 W. Renfro St. (Jamaican) Dinner only (open Wed-Sat).  Jerk chicken is the most well know dish in Jamaican cuisine but reviewers seem to like everything here. Map (Temporarily closed 1-3-22)

Rice Master–1185 N. Burleson Blvd. (Korean) Closed Mon.  Reviewers say this is very good Korean food served in an inexpensive and casual setting (I think it doesn’t have the side dishes served in traditional Korean restaurants). Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Carrollton

A1 Chinese BBQ–1927 E. Belt Line Rd. (Chinese) Closed Mon. Formerly First Chinese BBQ-reviews indicate that the new restaurant is even better. Authentic Cantonese style food. Roast duck and roast pork are a couple of the biggest sellers, but it has a full menu of Cantonese food. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Cuban Dulceria–2662 N. Josey Ln. (Cuban) Open Tue-Sat 9 am to 5 pm. One of several good Cuban restaurants in the city, but reviewers especially like this one.  It is a hole in the wall market and grocery with limited hours, but sandwiches and guava pastry are especially good (the food menu is limited to sandwiches). Map (Dining room is open 2-22-22)

Taste of Chengdu–2532 Old Denton Rd. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 10 pm.  This appears to be authentic Sichuanese food. Most really like the food provided they can find the right spice level. This is a relatively new restaurant with only a few reviews, but it appears that a good approach is to find an interesting looking dish (all of them seem to be good) and be very conservative on the spice level until you know you would be comfortable with it being higher (which would require return visits). Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Cockrell Hill

El Mana–4448 W. Jefferson Blvd. (Salvadorean) Open 8 am to 9 pm (closes 5 pm on Sun). Reviewers say the pupusas here are the real deal, and many others are Americanized (and also say that these are better). Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Dallas

400 Gradi–2000 Ross Ave. (Italian) Lunch Wed-Sun; Dinner Tue-Sat (closed Mon).  Looks like the most authentic Italian food in Dallas, and prices run from quite expensive for large meat items to really reasonable for some of the more modest dishes. However, its biggest draw may be the authentic Neapolitan pizza that is VPN certified. Patrons get 2 hours of validated parking at the Harwood Garage (and I think reservations are recommended) Note: Partenope is the other VPN restaurant in Dallas and is a few blocks away on Main St.. Map (Dining room is open 8-4-22)

Abyssinia Grocery–9191 Forest Ln. (Ethiopian) Open 7 am to 7 pm (closed Sun evening).  Grocery store where they also serve food platters that have really good reviews. They say the food is spicy. Map (Dining room is open 10-30-21)

Avila’s–4714 Maple Ave. (Tex-Mex) Open Daily.  Very popular Tex-Mex (but you can get authentic items also). Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Baboush–3636 McKinney Ave. (Moroccan) Open Daily.  Very good reviews. Tajine is recommended. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Banana Leaf–17370 Preston Rd. (Thai) Closed Mon.  Many say it’s the best Thai in Dallas (I am suspicious of this because it is located in an upscale neighborhood, while the authentic places are usually hole-in-the-wall places). Nevertheless, it gets very good reviews. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Caribbean Cabana–920 S. Harwood St. (Trinidad and Tobago) Open 11 am to 7 pm (closes 6 pm Sat) (closed Mon).  With all the other Caribben restaurants in town, there is still room to put this on the list because the food is so good (according to reviewers, and I would say based on the photos also). Located in the Farmers Market, it has some tables but all orders are served in to-go containers. People say the price is a little steep, though. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Celebration–4503 W. Lovers Ln. (American) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5:30 pm).  Said to be good southern style food. Chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, rosemary chicken, banana pudding. Farm to table restaurant–open since 1971. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Damasita–2564 Royal Ln. (Korean) Closes at 6 pm. & closed Sun.  D Magazine says this is a good traditional Korean restaurant with a varied menu. Map (Dining room is open 6-14-24)

El Fenix–1601 McKinney Ave. (Tex-Mex) Open Daily.  This is a sentimental favorite of mine because it is where I went for Tex-Mex when I lived in Dallas. Reviewers say the food has not changed (for better or worse), but I’m glad one of the original Tex-Mex restaurants is still serving the same food. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Ellen’s Southern Kitchen–1790 N. Record St. (Southern) Open daily except Sun evening (serves breakfast).  Some say it has some of the best chicken fried steak in Texas, but other notable items include pot pie, shrimp & grits, and mac & cheese. Map (Dining room is open 6-23-22)

Havana Cafe–1152 N. Buckner Blvd. (Cuban) Open Daily.  High priced for what you get, but this seems to be the place to come in Dallas where you will be assured of getting food as it would be served in Miami. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Ka-Tip Thai Street Food–1011 S. Pearl Expwy. (Thai) Closed Mon (and closed from 2-5 pm except weekends).  This is Isan style Thai street food from a Farmer’s Market food stall. One reviewer says he does not like the made up version of Thai at some restaurants but the authentic Thai served here is amazing. Another reviewer says this is better than the Thai food in New York City. Map (Dining room is open-I think they also have outdoor dining 11-13-24)

Ka Thai–8185 Walnut Hill Ln. (Thai) Open Daily.  The specialty here is the northern Thai (Isan) food. Serves regular restaurant dishes along with Isan style street food (called tapas on the menu). Texas Monthly reviewed it and said ordering it three out of five stars will give plenty of heat for the spice lovers. Map (Dining room is open 11-13-24)

Meso Maya–1611 McKinney Ave. (Mexican) Open Daily. Authentic Yucatan food (reviews are very good). Prices are $20 and up for their special dishes, but plenty of choices are available that are less expensive (but many of these may not be Yucatan style). Has several locations in the Metroplex (including Ft. Worth). The one on McKinney has the best reviews on Yelp. Map (Dining room is open 6-14-24)

Nalinh Market–11407 Emerald St. (Lao) Open 11 am to 7 pm (closed Mon). Small hole in the wall with Lao food that is said to be very good. At the old restaurantnin Irving it appeared to be serve yourself and sit at a long table–I’m not sure about now. Map (Dining room is open 6-14-24)

Partenope–1903 Main St. (Italian) Closed Sat lunch & Sun (and closed from 3 to 4:30 pm).  A few blocks from the other VPN certified pizza restaurant (400 Gradi) but this one is Southern Italian style, has more inexpensive choices on the menu, and appears to be more casual. Like 400 Gradi the Neapolitan pizza is the big star here, and the pizza is about the same price at both places–it is probably a matter of whether you want your other dishes to be the Southern Italian here or the more upscale (I think both Northern and Southern Italian) that are served at 400 Gradi. Their web site tells where recommended parking is located, including free on-street parking after 6 pm. Map (Dining room is open 11-13-24)

Pecan Lodge–2702 Main St. (BBQ) Open daily except Mon evening.  There seems to be a consensus that this is the best BBQ in Dallas. Many people stand in line and wait for it to open at 11 am. Brisket, pork ribs, mac & cheese, hot mess potato. Food seems to be more consistent than at many BBQ restaurants. Sausage is German/Czech style. Warning: may have to use pay parking to find a parking spot. Another warning: they often sell out of some items before the closing time. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Pupuseria Los Gemelos-116 S. Carrol Ave. (El Salvadoran) Open daily except Mon evening & Tue evening. According to reviews, is a great place to get authentic El Salvadoran food and also a great place to save money compared to other Latin American restaurants. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Veracruz Cafe–408 N. Bishop Ave. (Mexican) Open Daily. A\Said to be authentic food of good quality–a nice change from typical Tex-Mex food. Food comes from various towns in Veracruz. Pipian chicken, mole, adobo de puerco, and pescado veracruzano are some of the specialties. Prices I have seen seem to be the best of the Dallas authentic Mexican restaurants. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Denton

Boca 31–207 S. Bell Ave. (Latin American) Lunch only (closed Sun & Mon).  According to Yelp reviewers this is one of the best restaurants in Denton, and in the entire DFW area. Empanadas are especially popular, but has other items (and they are good as well). Also in Keller. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Thai Square–209 W. Hickory (Thai) Closed Mon (and closed from 3 to 5 pm weekdays).  Good reviews, especially for the curries and noodle dishes. Sometimes I think Thai restaurants get good reviews because they make the food sweet for American tastes. I could not tell if that was the case here, but someone said the Thai tea was not too sweet, so I am assuming that the food is the same way. In any case, it looks like a good choice for Denton dining. Some say the panang and masaman curry are best (better than red or green). Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Everman

Madea’s Down Home Cooking–1019 W. Enon Ave. (Soul Food) Open 11 am to 7 pm (Closed Sun evening & Mon).  Seems to be higher quality than mosst other soul food places and ratings are very good. Meat loaf, oxtail, and catfish are some of the recommended items. Map (Dining room is open 10-30-21)

Farmers Branch

Catleack Barbecue–13628 Gamma Rd. (BBQ) Open Thu, Fri, and first Sat of the month from 10:30 to 2 pm.  Texas Monthly rates it as one of the top ten BBQ restaurants in Texas, mainly for its innovative dishes. Most reviewers, though, seem to like the traditional food such as brisket. Reviews indicate that it is located in a warehouse area and there are long lines (and the reason for the long lines is the great food). Map (Dining room is open 6-23-22)

Roots Southern Table–13050 Bee St. (American) Dinner only (closed Mon),  Duck fat fried chicken is considered to be one of the best chicken dishes in the country by some influential food celebrities. Gumbo and cornbread are also popular, but all the food here is said to be gourmet. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24).

Fate

Four Czechs Bakery–104 E. Fate Main Pl. (Czech) Open until noon (closed Mon & Tue).  Reviewers say these are some of the best kolaches they have ever had. Has both fruit and sausage varieties. Located between Rockwall and Royce City. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Flower Mound

Curry’s Indian Cafe–1901 Long Prairie Rd. (Indian) Closed Mon.  Authentic South Indian food (dosa, biryani, etc.). Also has northern food such as chicken tikka masala (reviewers like this as well). Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Rustico Wood Fired Grill–3701 Justin Rd. (Pizza) Dinner only (closed Sun).  Known for it wood fired pizza, but has a pretty large menu of upscale dishes (steak, etc.). Has a number of Italian dishes but is not exclusively Italian (it is more like New American). I think this is part of a chain that had a restaurant in El Paso that I never got to try, but many people said it was the best pizza in El Paso. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Forney

Stiky Ribz BBQ–9705 Helms Trail (BBQ) Open Thu-Sun (Sun open to 5 pm only).  Good reviews in an area of the country where people are very particular about BBQ. Brisket and beef ribs are particularly recommended. Mac & cheese and banana pudding are said to be excellent. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Fort Worth

Cousin’s BBQ–6262 McCart Ave. (BBQ) Open 11 am to 9 pm (closed Sun).  Winner of the Red River BBQ Shootout. Brisket, ribs, chicken. 2 other locations in SW Ft Worth. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Del Campo Empanadas–10724 N. Beach St. (Argentinian) Open daily except Sun evening.  Serves Argentina style empanadas. Chimicurri is also popular (it is a sauce they serve on an Angus beef empanada, sausage, or other items. Empanadas come with meat, vegetable, and sweet options. Map (Dining room is open 8-4-22)

El Merendero–3000 South Freeway (Honduran) Open daily 8 am to 10 pm.  I’m reluctant to put this on the list because it has so few reviews, but how they describe the food is why it’s on the list. Serves traditional Honduran food (several items look like food that is not typical of any other Central American country). Not spicy like Mexican food, but reviewers say it tastes good. Also in Dallas. Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Enchiladas Ole–2418 Forest Park Blvd. (Tex-Mex) Closed Sun.  From the reviews I gather that this is very good Tex-Mex (good quality with good flavors), and is known for the beef (the beef is actually from a friend’s barbecue restaurant). Serves mole enchiladas (which reviewers say has an excellent flavor). Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Esperanza’s–2122 N. Main St. (Mexican) Open daily 6:30 am to 7:00 pm.  Down home style Mexican restaurant that is known for its breakfasts. It is also a bakery, so pan dulce is popular. Lunch items (enchiladas, etc.) appear to be Tex-Mex style (this is a spin-off from Joe T. Garcia’s). Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Gia Phu–913 E. Berry St. (Vietnamese) Open Daily.  Normally people think of the best Vietnamese restaurants as being in Haltom City, but this one is very good, located on the south side of town, and has a varied menu which includes pho, vermicelli bowls, and pork chop. It’s in a small bldg. with a divey atmosphere, but the food looks as good as anyplace. Map (Dining room is open 2-22-22)

Goldee’s Barbecue–4645 Dick Price Rd. (BBQ) Open Fri-Sun 11 am to sellout.  This is the new Number 1 restaurant on Texas Monthly’s list of the best barbecue joints in Texas largely on the basis of the ribs, sausage, and brisket. TM also says, though, to check out the Lao sausage here. Map (Dining room is open 2-4-22)

Heim Barbecue–1109 W. Magnolia Ave. (BBQ) Open Daily.  One of the highest rated barbecue restaurants by Yelp reviewers. This is traditional Texas BBQ. Many people like the meat combo, but brisket and ribs are particularly recommended. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Joe T. Garcia’s–2201 N. Commerce St. (Tex-Mex) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm weekdays). Good food, but maybe not up to level of the best places in San Antonio and Houston. Very long running restaurant, and I assume it still has old style Tex-Mex. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Little Germany–6737 Camp Bowie Blvd. (German) Open Daily.  Seems to be the highest rated German food in the Ft Worth area. Small restaurant where you are paying for the food and not the atmosphere or the “show” they sometimes have in German restaurants. Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Los Asaderos–1535 N. Main St. (Tex-Mex) Closed  Mon & Tue.  Reviewers say it’s as good as Joe T’s at half the price. Enchiladas poblanas, asado de puerco, fajitas (I think it is Tex-Mex combined with some traditional items). Map (Dining room is open 3-14-24)

Ol’ South Pancake House–1509 S. University Dr. (American) Open 24 hours.  An independent pancake house (not a chain) that has been around for as long as I can remember. German pancakes are recommended by reviewers. Also in Burleson. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Panther City BBQ–201 E. Hattie St. (BBQ) Opens 11 am; open to 5 pm Thu-Sat (closed the last Sunday of the month).  Texas Monthly rates it as one of the top ten BBQ restaurants in the state. It seems to have gotten on the list with its traditional meats (brisket, sausage, turkey, etc). Dining is outdoors on a covered patio, and it does not seem to have the long lines that other BBQ places do. Google Maps seems to have the old location so I am not including a map. (Outdoor patio is open 6-23-22)

Reata–310 Houston St. (Steaks) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  Normally I don’t list steakhouses, but considering this is “Cowtown” and is so highly rated, it’s probably worth trying. Has a number of Mexican or Mexican-inspired dishes such as tamales, tortilla soup, etc. (these are recommended). Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Swiss Pastry Shop–3936 W. Vickery Blvd. (Sandwiches) Food served to 3:30 but bakery is apparently open until 5 pm (closed Sun & Mon).  German themed sandwiches and hamburgers are served for lunch. Most people, though, especially like the pastries. The black forest is popular. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Frisco

Chennai Cafe–3301 Preston Rd. (Indian) Closed Mon (and closed from 2:30 to 5:30 pm).  South Indian (spicy). Dosa is the specialty. Thali is good (available at lunch and on weekends). I’m impressed by the variety on the menu. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Everest–2300 McDermott Rd. (Nepali) Closed Mon (and closed from 3 to 5 pm).  Although Frisco has quite a number of Indian restaurants and this is one of the highest rated, people are as excited about the Nepali and Himalayan style food as they are with the standard Indian food. Map (Dining room is open 6-23-22)

Platia–2995 Preston Rd. (Greek) Open Daily. Reviewers say the Greek food here is the same as can be found in Chicago (which to them is a very good thing). Prices are reasonable, and menu runs from gyros to more elaborate dishes. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Sweet Rice–252 W. Stonebrook Pkwy. (Lao) Open Daily.  Seems to have the real deal Lao food. Curry is a favorite (as it has been with me when when I have gone to Lao restaurants). Restaurant says they mostly serve Lao street food. Also in Allen, Carrollton, Mansfield, Tacoma, WA and Auburn, WA. Map (Dining room is open 6-23-22)

Garland

Gloria’s Indian Kitchen–1546 Rowlett Rd. (Indian) Open Daily.  Small family run business and Indian market that serves South Indian food from Kerala province. Not much on decor but you get the “real deal” Indian food. Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Meshack’s BBQ–240 E. Ave. B (BBQ) Open 10:30 am to 5 pm (closed Sun & Mon). Some of the best barbecue in Dallas, according to locals. The down sides are that it is take-out only (this is not an actual restaurant), the lines are long, they usually run out of food before closing time, and side dishes (such as potato salad) do not always get good ratings. Meat is cooked on pecan wood. Ribs and beef are recommended (my rule of thumb is to get chopped beef if you like lots of sauce and sliced beef otherwise). Map (Takeout only 6-19-21)

Mi Pueblito Colombiano–2030 W. Buckingham Rd. (Colombian) Closed Mon.  Small restaurant that is not well known, but reviewers say they put out excellent food. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Grapevine

Cafe Italia–2647 Ira E. Woods Ave. (Italian) Open Daily.  Based on the reviews I think both this and Ristorante Mulino in Southlake are excellent, but this seems to be a little more upscale. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Tommy Tamale–1689 W. Northwest Hwy. (Mexican) Open 10 am to 7 pm–open to 8 pm Fri & Sat (closed Sun).  Has several menu items, but tamales are what reviewers say are best. Located inside a shopping center–has both a restaurant and a market where they sell tamales by the dozen. Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Weinberger’s Deli–601 S. Main St. (Sandwiches) Open 11 am to 7 pm (closes at 6 pm on Sun).  Northeastern style deli with a wide selection of excellent sandwiches. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Haltom City

Bun Dong Ba–4023 E. Belknap St. (Vietnamese) Closed Tue.  This seems to be a Vietnamese restaurant for the adventurous eater–to get things you can’t find in other places. For pho, reviewers recommend the spicy pho with spices you can’t find anywhere else. Banh xeo is especially recommended. Map (Dining room is open 8-4-22)

My Lan–4015 E. Belknap St. (Vietnamese) Open 9 am to 9 pm (closed Wed).  There are a lot of good Vietnamese restaurants in Haltom City and the surrounding area, but this is one of the most popular. People say to get the vermicelli noodle dishes, egg rolls, and boba drinks. Also can get hard to find items such as banh hoi and tau hu ky (bean curd skin). Map (Dining room is open 4-14-24)

Sikhay–3301 NE 28th St. (Lao) Open Daily.  Seems to be good and authentic Lao food. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Hurst

Sweet Basil Thai–977 Melbourne Rd. (Thai) Open Daily.  Reviewers say this is one of the top tier Thai restaurants in the Metroplex. Reviewers like the curry, stir-fried, soups, and noodle dishes equally (it’s good across the menu). Menu has Lao dishes, and I think some of the Thai dishes may be Lao style. Map (Dining room is open 12-23-21)

Irving

Cuzco–1910 N. Story Rd. (Peruvian) Closed Mon. Said to be authentic and very good Peruvian food. Photos indicate that it has a very large variety of dishes. Map (Dining room is open 12-14-21)

Empa Mundo–3977 N. Belt Line Rd. (Argentinian) Open Daily.  Argentinian style empanadas with various fillings. Some say the best ones are the daily specials (check the board behind the cash register). Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Fortune House–8150 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Chinese) Open daily (closed from 3 to 5 pm).  Google Maps says it has Shanghai style dim sum. Specializes in soup dumplings (xiao long bao), other dumplings, buns, etc. Quite a few choices on the menu. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Via Real–4020 N. MacArthur Blvd. (Mexican) Open daily except Sat lunch.  $$ on Yelp, but I think it’s more expensive than this. This is upscale with “Santa Fe” style food. Some dishes look authentic, but they are things like steak, adobo shrimp enchiladas, pork tenderloin, etc (expensive items).  The “Tex-Mex” portion of the menu has items such as squash enchiladas (at a very reasonable price). The food may not be totally authentic, but it appears to be a very big player in the list of upscale Dallas Mexican restaurants (with good reviews of the food). Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Justin

The Cafe in Justin–417 N. Sealey Ave. (American) Open 7 am to 2 pm (closed Sun).  Home style cooking, but ratings are higher than most similar cafe/diner type restaurants. Chicken fried steak is popular, but the menu has just about everything (and reviewers like all of them). Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Keller

Sea Siam–940 Keller Parkway (Thai) Closed Sun (and closed from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm).  Dining room looks very small (so don’t come here for the atmosphere). Most popular items are drunken noodles, coconut soup, and yellow curry. I have found a very good coconut soup to be very hard to come by, so I think it would be worth coming here for this. Down side is that curries other than yellow do not have great reviews. Map (Dining room is open 6-14-24)

Lewisville

Dingdi Myanmar–1165 S. Stemmons Freeway (Burmese) Breakfast & Lunch only (closed Sun).  Mohinga noodle soup (the Burmese national dish) is recommended (it is spicy). Has a number of dishes (I think more choices than Inlay). I don’t see reviews of tea leaf salad (I think because there are so many other choices). Food is said to be authentic–combination of Thai, Chinese, and Indian flavors. Map (Dining room is open 8-4-22)

Inlay Burmese–500 E. Round Grove Rd. (Burmese) Open 11 am to 9:30 pm (closed Sun).  Family owned, and reviewers say you get home cooked Burmese food here. Tea leaf salad is an iconic Burmese dish that they have here. Chicken curry, chili chicken, and anything with coconut or basil are popular. Map (Dining room is open 8-4-22)

Maia’s Asian–1890 S. Old Orchard Ln. (Cambodian) Open 2:30 pm through dinner time (closed Mon).  Has some Thai and more familiar dishes, but reviewers seem to like the Cambodian food the best (such as the noodles). This and Rumdoul in Rowlett seem to be the highest rated Cambodian restaurants. Map (Takeout only 8-23-22)

Pho One–2305 S. SH 121 (Vietnamese) Open Daily.  Good pho and banh mi. Menu is not as large as in the Dallas restaurants, but quality is similar. Reviewers say it’s popular with people from Denton who want to get good food without driving into Dallas. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Note: Addresses on SH 121 are on Business 121–not the new SH 121

McKinney

Hutchins BBQ–1301 N. Tennessee St. (BBQ) Open Daily. One of the best BBQ restaurants in the Metroplex, but one thing that makes it special is that it is an actual restaurant (and is open until at least 9 pm every day). Long list of good meats–brisket seems to be the most popular. Burnt ends get very good reviews. Another location in Frisco but in Jun 2020 it is takeout only. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Noodle Wave–2775 S. Central Expwy. (Thai) Closed Mon (and closed from 3 to 5 pm weekdays). High quality Thai food, although some are not impressed by the fried rice. Reviewers mentioned that there is no alcohol, and they do not allow BYOB. There are 4 locations in the north Dallas area. Map (Dining room is open 6-14-24)

Mesquite

Jamaica Cook Shop–2033 Military Pkwy. (Jamaican) Open daily except Sun evening.  Counter service that serves food in to-go containers (but there are tables in the restaurant). Jerk chicken and stew chicken are popular. I think most items come on a plate with side dishes, and this seems to be the best Jamaican food experience for most people. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Plano

Boxochops–8500 Ohio Dr. (Nigerian) Open 11 am to 7 pm–8 pm on Fri & Sat (closed Sun & Mon).  I do not automatically put all ethnic food on this list, but I do when they have almost a 5 star rating. Many like the “snack box” with a variety of items. Much or all of the food is something you eat with your hands but they are not snacks–this is the real food that Nigerians eat. Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Kumar’s–1301 Custer Rd. (Indian) Open daily to 10 pm (closed from 2:30 to 5:30pm). Most items on the menu are South Indian–has both vegetarian and meat items. Thali for weekend lunch. Advertise that food is organic and never frozen. Sat & Sun noon to 3:30 pm has a South Indian style meal served on banana leaves (is all you can eat). Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Latin Pig–3131 Custer Rd. (Cuban) Open Wed-Sat.  Good reviews, and people say it is authentic. Some swear by Havana Cafe in Dallas, but this looks good also (and I believe it’s cheaper–has more of a sandwich shop atmosphere). Map (Dining room is open 2-1-22)

Little Sichuan–240 Legacy Dr. (Chinese) Open Daily 11 am to 9:30 pm. Unlike many restaurants that serve Sichuan food, reviewers say this is authentic and has the proper spice level (but does have Americanized dishes if you want them). Get a white board special. Has a picture menu to show you what you are ordering. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Oceanic Thai–1501 Preston Rd. (Thai) Open daily (closed from 3 to 5 pm weekdays). People say it is authentic, very good, and reasonably priced (by Dallas standards). Everything is good–there is nothing reviewers say to skip or is not as good as the other dishes. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Wu Wei Din–2909 W. 15th St. (Chinese) Closed Mon.  Taiwanese and Chinese restaurant. Specialty is noodles and noodle soup (Singapore noodles and dan dan noodles are popular). Has xiao long bao, Shanghai and Sichuan dishes. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Richardson

Bambu–1930 N. Coit Rd. (Thai) Closed Sun.  Isan style Thai. I think this is the real deal. Check out the blackboard specials. Map (Dining room is open 1-3-22)

Jeng Chi–400 N. Greenville Ave. (Chinese) Open daily (closed from 3 to 4 pm).  Taiwanese and Chinese restaurant that has dishes from  Shanghai, Sichuan, and other areas. Known for its soup dumplings (xiao long bao).  Ask server which dumplings are the best seller. Pork with garlic sauce is also an excellent choice. Map (Dining room is open 4-15-24)

Kirin Court–221 W. Polk St. (Chinese) Open Daily. Dim sum all day, 7 days a week (but the “special” dim sum is Sun. until 3 PM). People say dim sum is not west coast quality, but it is good. Also serves menu items (I liked the tofu and assorted meat hot pot). Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Roanoke

Doc’s Street Grill–200 James St. (Caribbean) Dinner Tue-Fri; Lunch Wed, Fri, & Sat (closed Sun & Mon).  Check their web site for exact hours because it is kind of complicated. Reviewers say this is really good (and actually addictive) Jamaican food, but it is takeout only (and not just because of Covid). Map (Takeout only 1-3-22)

Rockwall

Curry Express–2014 S. Goliad St. (Indian) Closed Mon (and closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  Reviews are so good, I get the impression it is worth the drive from other parts of the Dallas metro. Prices are good (they have a lunch special with limited choices but especially good prices). It is small and seems to be basic (I don’t know if they have Indian pickle for added flavor to the food) but reviewers say the food is so flavorful you don’t need anything else. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Rowlett

Rumdoul–8602 Lakeview Pkwy. (Cambodian) Closed Sun & Mon (and closed from 2 to 5 pm).  Reviewers say the lemongrass chicken, lemongrass tofu, red curry, loc lac beef, caramelized pork, and many others are must-tries. Has excellent reviews, not only for the flavor but also the freshness of the food. Map (Dining room is open 6-23-22)

Sabaidee Lao & Thai–5701 President George Bush Hwy. (Lao) Open daily 11 am to 10 pm.  This is a Lao & Thai restaurant, but the word “Sabaidee” is a greeting in the Lao language, and this tells me which type of food is really the specialty here (although reviewers like both of them). Small restaurant with limited table space (it might be best to go during the “off” hours). It is said to be “street food,” but if you order curry, pad thai, etc. the orders are full size. Also at 5200 Lemmon Ave. in Dallas. Map (Dining room is open 1-20-22)

Sansom Park

El Paseo–5436 Jacksboro Hwy. (Tex-Mex) Closed Mon.  Has Tex-Mex food with some items that would never be found in Mexico (such as taco salad, cheese tacos, and chimichangas), and the food writer for the Fort Worth Star Telegram says it is the best Tex-Mex in Ft. Worth. One reason may be that reviewers on Google Maps point to a wide variety of items as being excellent. Map (Dining room is open 8-19-22)

Southlake

Ristorante Mulino–1125 Davis Blvd. (Italian) Closed Mon.  Reviewers say it is authentic and very delicious, and BYOB (this is a good thing for most people). Chicken parmesan and chicken marsala are recommended. Customers also like the brick oven pizza. Map (Dining room is open 4-15-24)

University Park

Bubba’s–6617 Hillcrest Ave. (American) Open daily 6:30 am to 10 pm. Known for its fried chicken (which is almost universally praised, although some say it is too salty). The owner of this restaurant also has Babe’s (with several locations throughout the Metroplex), but Bubba’s stands out because the side dishes are better (although at Babe’s you get all the sides you can eat).  Some say the chicken and dumplings are the best dish here. Banana pudding is good for dessert. Map (Dining room is open 4-15-24)

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• For additional explanation of this list see Index
• Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.

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Barbecue

Texas Monthly published a list of the top 100 barbecue restaurants in Texas for 2021. The following are the ones in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:

Top Ten

• Goldee’s Barbecue–4645 Dick Price Rd. (Fort Worth). No. 1 in the state.  The judges from Texas Monthly said the food here is close to perfection (has the state’s best spare ribs and spectacular sausage and brisket). They don’t put too much salt on the brisket or too much sugar on the ribs, as many places do. They trust the meat and the smoke more than the seasonings, as many places do. Sides are great, and a bonus is the Lao sausage they serve. Map Fri-Sun 11-sold out
• Cattleack Barbecue–13628 Gamma Rd. (Farmers Branch). No. 6 in the state.  This is innovative barbecue with beef bologna, spicy beef boudin, and Wagyu pastrami ribs. Also has standard barbecue which is quite good as well. Map Thu & Fri 10:30-2; first Sat of the month 10:30-2
• Panther City BBQ–201 E. Hattie (Fort Worth). No. 10 in the state.  Standout items include spare ribs, smoked turkey, house-made sausages, and burnt ends inside jalapeño halves. Map Sun & Wed 11-2; Thu-Sat 11-5

The Rest of the Best (No. 11-50)

• Hurtado Barbecue–205 E. Front (Arlington).  Brisket, pork ribs, and turkey are good. Also good for more unusual fare such as barbacoa tacos. Map Wed-Sun 11-5 or sold out
• Slow Bone–2234 Irving Blvd. (Dallas).  Sausage and turkey are so good they don’t need sauce. Pork ribs and brisket are also excellent. Map Daily 11-2:30
• Smokey Joe’s BBQ–6403 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (Dallas).  Judges’ favorite item was the Maxi sandwich with sliced sausage and chopped brisket. Map Tue-Thu 11-8:30; Fri & Sat 11-9:30; Sun 11-5
• Terry Black’s Barbecue–3025 Main (Dallas).  Brisket is peppery but not so much that it detracts from the smoke. Turkey was also a win. Map Mon-Thu 11-9; Fri & Sat 10:30-9:30; Sun 10:30-9
• Dayne’s Craft Barbecue–2735 W. 5th St. (Fort Worth).  Brisket, ribs, and pork belly are popular, and from there you can branch out to some of the more innovative dishes such as blueberry and Gouda sausage. Map Fri-Sun 11-4
• Smoke-A-Holics BBQ–1417 Evans Ave. (Fort Worth).  Brisket and ribs are good but so are others that are not stars at most BBQ places such as turkey and chicken. Banana pudding is a must try. Map Tue-Sat 11-sold out
• Hutchins BBQ–9225 Preston Rd. (Frisco).  Recs for meat include chicken, sausage, burnt ends, and beef ribs but the sides are equally notable. Map Daily 11-9 or sold out
• Zavala’s Barbecue–421 W. Main (Grand Prairie).  Beef ribs are the star with sausages being especially notable as well. “Sloppy Juan” has several meats with green sauce (tomatillos, serranos, and poblanos). Map Thu-Sat 11-“no más”

Our 50 BBQ Honorable Mentions

• Argyle: 407 BBQ Map
• Arlington: 225 Degree BBQ Map
• Cedar Hill: Harris Bar-B-Que Map
• Dallas: Oak’d BBQ Map, Pecan Lodge Map
• Fort Worth: Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue Map, Heim Barbecue Map
• Garland: Meshack’s Bar-B-Que Map
• Plano: Lockhart Smokehouse Map
• Royse City: Smoke Sessions Barbecue Map

Note: Texas Monthly is now putting more weight on “modern” barbecue that they think tastes good. For traditional BBQ they do not like brisket to be too salty or ribs to be too sweet.

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Chicken Fried Steak

Wide Open Eats “The 10 Best Chicken Fried Steaks in Texas That’ll Change Your Life” (May 2019):

• Dallas: Ellen’s Southern Kitchen–1790 N. Record St. Chicken fried steak with perfectly spiced cream gravy. Map

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Mexican Food

Fort Worth Star Telegram “Where’s the best Tex-Mex food in the Fort Worth Area?” (Aug. 19, 2022):

• Sansom Park: El Paseo–5436 Jacksboro Hwy.
• Sansom Park: Mezcales Mexican Bar & Grill–5532 Jacksboro Hwy.
• Sansom Park: Pura Vida–5103 Azle Ave.
• Fort Worth: Restaurants in the 1500 block of N. Main St. (Google Maps lists the following: Amy’s, Los Asaderos, La Playa Maya)

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James Beard Foundation America’s Classics

The following are locally owned restaurants that are distinguished by their timeless appeal, and which serve quality food that represents the character of their communities:

• Dallas: The Original Sonny Bryan’s–2202 Inwood Rd.
• Fort Worth: Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Food Restaurant–2201 N. Commerce St.

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Note About “50 States, 50 Dishes” (Condé Nast)

Condé Nast published an article on Jul. 3, 2018 using various sources to compile a “list of the dishes that capture the hearts, souls, and (oh, yes) stomachs of these 50 states (plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico), and where you should order them.” For Texas it was BBQ beef brisket (the writer highlights the fatty meat, but says lean brisket is very good also). Cattleack BBQ in Farmers Branch is said to be an excellent choice in the Metroplex.

 

Note About “50 States, 50 Cuisines” (Condé Nast)

Condé Nast published an article on Sep. 14, 2020 explaining how they set out to go beyond a previous article that had identified the signature dish for each state, and to find food that goes beyond the classics and “to highlight a cuisine worth traveling to each state for, much of which you truly can’t get anywhere else.” For Texas it was Lao cuisine, as a result of a large number of refugees settling in Texas–primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Many restaurants offer authentic flavors that are uncompromised for Western palates, although the one mentioned in the article is now closed. Khao Noodle Shop in east Dallas has both Lao food and Texas cuisine (such as tripe chicharrones).

My note: there is another concentration of Lao restaurants in the northeast suburbs of Fort Worth

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Closed (Formerly on the Restaurant Guide)

• Khao Noodle Shop–4812 Bryan St, Dallas (closed 2022) Tapioca rice noodles were made by hand, and was generally considered to be one of the better Lao restaurants with an award winning chef.
• Pho B.A.E.–2120 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake (closed 2022) authentic Vietnamese food with good reviews for p. ho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls. Had Mie Goreng (an Indonesian dish), pad thai, and several Chinese dishes.
• Secret Recipe–2304 Coit Rd., Plano (closed 2024) Said to be the best place in Dallas for Malaysian food. Menu was very large.

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Sources:

James Beard Foundation (America’s Classics Award Winners)

Chowhound (former web site)

City-Data (Dallas)

Condé Nast Traveler “50 States, 50 Cuisines: The Food Worth Traveling For in Every State”

Condé Nast Traveler, “50 States, 50 Dishes: America’s Favorite Foods and Where to Get Them”

D Magazine

Eat This Not That, “The 16 Best Fried Chicken Dishes in America, According to Chefs”

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Google Maps

Texas Monthly “The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints 2021 (TexasMonthly.com). Note: This is a subscription site.

Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)

VPN Americas (Texas)

Wide Open Eats (The 10 Best Chicken Fried Steaks in Texas That’ll Change Your Life)

Yelp (Dallas)

Zomato (Dallas)