Mexican Street Tacos$deep-ellumMon-Sun 09:00-23:00
The $1.50 street taco counter that makes every best-cheap-eats list in Dallas. Suadero, al pastor, counter service, and plastic trays. Located in Deep Ellum.
Order: Suadero tacos at $1.50 each. Al pastor off the spit.
Tip: Order ten minimum per person. The salsas are the differentiator; try all three.
American Diner$deep-ellumMon-Tue 07:00-14:00, Wed-Sun open 24 hours
The 24-hour Deep Ellum diner open Wednesday through Sunday, where musicians, bartenders, and everyone else converge for breakfasts at 3am without requiring.
Order: French toast. Full breakfast plate. Egg sandwich at any hour.
Tip: Wednesday morning is the quietest. Weekend nights between midnight and 2am are the liveliest. Both are valid reasons to come.
Tex-mex$$lakewoodTue 16:00-21:00, Wed-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Mariano Martinez invented the frozen margarita machine on May 11, 1971 at his original East Dallas restaurant. Located in Lakewood. Priced at $$.
Order: The frozen margarita, made from the tradition of the 1971 original machine invention.
Tip: The history of the margarita machine is on the wall. The original machine is now in the Smithsonian, but the recipe continues here.
New American$$$bishop-artsWed-Thu 17:00-21:00, Fri 17:00-21:30, Sat 10:00-21:30, Sun 10:00-14:00
Chef Matt Balke's Bishop Arts New American, where weekend brunch draws the neighbourhood and dinner runs a more serious menu Wednesday through Sunday.
Order: Blue corn pancakes at brunch. The Southern-inflected small plates at dinner.
Tip: The blue corn pancake mix is sold at H-E-B if you want to make them at home. Dinner is easier to book than brunch.
Halal Mediterranean$lower-greenvilleMon-Sun 11:00-04:00
A Greenville Avenue halal counter open until 4am every night, inspired by New York street food. Located in Lower Greenville. Open mon-sun 11am-4am.
Order: Shawarma plate. Halal rice bowl with beef and chicken.
Tip: Open every night until 4am. The crowds after midnight are lively; midweek evenings are calmer.
Halal Mediterranean$$knox-hendersonMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-20:30
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.
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.