Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine on May 11, 1971 at his original East Dallas restaurant. The Skillman location carries that legacy forward with Tex-Mex combination plates and the signature frozen margarita.
Must order: The frozen margarita, made from the tradition of the 1971 original machine invention. Combination plate with cheese enchiladas.
Tip: The history of the margarita machine is on the wall. The original machine is now in the Smithsonian, but the recipe continues here.
Address: 6300 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75231
Chef Matt Balke's Bishop Arts New American, where weekend brunch draws the neighbourhood and dinner runs a more serious menu Wednesday through Sunday in the former Bolsa space.
Order: Blue corn pancakes at brunch. The Southern-inflected small plates at dinner.
Tip: The blue corn pancake mix is sold at H-E-B if you want to make them at home. Dinner is easier to book than brunch.
A Greenville Avenue halal counter open until 4am every night, inspired by New York street food. One of the best late-night options on the city's most active nightlife corridor.
Order: Shawarma plate. Halal rice bowl with beef and chicken.
Tip: Open every night until 4am. The crowds after midnight are lively; midweek evenings are calmer.
A fully halal Knox Street Lebanese institution that has anchored the Knox-Henderson dining corridor for years, serving mezze and grilled meats in a room that works for both quick lunch and long family dinners.
Order: Mezze spread with hummus and fattoush. Shawarma plate.
Tip: Order three cold mezze dishes to share before the mains; the overall meal works out to better value than ordering entrees alone.
A Deep Ellum mezcal bar and Oaxacan kitchen open until 2am Thursday through Sunday. The tacos and tortas carry a serious Oaxacan flavour profile that sets them apart from the general taco options on the same block.
Order: Oaxacan tacos with slow-cooked meats. Mezcal cocktails.
Tip: The patio is the best seat in warm weather. Start with mezcal and build from there; the cocktail programme is one of the best in the neighbourhood.
The Dallas outpost of the Richardson family BBQ, opened in 2025 in the Devonshire neighbourhood near Inwood Village. Burnt End Fridays have quickly become a local ritual.
Order: Brisket. Burnt ends on Fridays. House-made sausage.
Tip: Go on a weekday if you want burnt ends without a long wait. The Friday queue starts forming before 11:30am.
Gothic architecture, dark interiors, Eastern European comfort food, and cocktails until 2am in the most atmospheric room in Deep Ellum. The Hungarian food element is the city's only version of this offer.
Order: Hungarian comfort food bites. A classic cocktail or one of the house originals.
Tip: The bar opens at 4pm on weekdays; arrive early for a quieter start. Weekends fill by 9pm.
