Texas Bbq$$bishop-artsSun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
The Bishop Arts BBQ institution run by descendants of Kreuz Market's original bloodline, maintaining the Central Texas no-sauce butcher-paper tradition.
Order: Shoulder clod cooked 18-20 hours. Brisket on butcher paper with no sauce.
Tip: If you have not had shoulder clod, this is the place to start. Cooked 18-20 hours over post-oak, it is not available at most Dallas BBQ joints.
Texas Bbq$$planoWed-Fri 10:00-14:00, 1st Saturday of each month 10:00-14:00
The suburban BBQ pilgrimage: Michelin Bib Gourmand, Texas Monthly Top 50, Akaushi Wagyu and Duroc pork, and a loyal following that lines up before 10am.
Order: Akaushi Wagyu brisket. The Toddfather sandwich.
Tip: BYOB. Credit card only. Pre-order whole meats for the best selection. Closed most of the week.
Tex-mex$$uptownMon-Sat 11:00-21:30, Sun 11:00-21:00
A family-owned Lemmon Avenue institution since 1981 whose brisket taco created a Dallas archetype. Located in Uptown. Kitchen leans tex-mex.
Order: Brisket tacos. Cheese enchiladas. Mama's ribeye con hongos.
Tip: Expect a wait on weekend evenings. The brisket taco was created by founder Butch Enriquez in 1981; the recipe is unchanged.
Tex-mex$uptownMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Founded 1918 by Mike Martinez, this is the restaurant most historians credit with formalising the Tex-Mex combination plate in Dallas. Located in Uptown.
Order: Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. The daily combo plate.
Tip: The weekday lunch combo runs under $12. The chili gravy here is the reference version for the style.
Mexican Taqueria$$deep-ellumTue-Sun 17:00-22:00, Mon closed
The street-taco counter of one of Dallas's most creative Mexican operations. Kitchen leans mexican taqueria. Open tue-sun 5pm-10pm, mon closed.
Order: Al pastor tacos at the counter. The Sunday brunch taco buffet.
Tip: Sunday brunch buffet at the Elm St Gastro Cantina runs 11am-3pm. The main counter is more casual and faster.
Texas Bbq$$design-districtWed-Sun 11:00-15:00 or sold out
A Design District BBQ lunch room that built its reputation on the smoked pork chop, a cut most Dallas operations overlook. Kitchen leans texas bbq.
Order: Smoked pork chop. Beef brisket half-pound. The mac and cheese.
Tip: Go Tuesday or Wednesday for the most relaxed experience. Arrive at 11am on weekends or the pork chop will be gone.