40 cheap eats places in Dallas, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Dallas: the places editors actually return to. All Dallas food.
Pecan Lodge (BBQ Line) ★ 4.7
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
The BBQ queue that defines Deep Ellum's food culture. Pecan Lodge's brisket, ribs, and sausage links draw lines before noon every day they are open.
Tip: Arrive by 10:45am to join the queue before noon. Wed-Fri wait times are shorter than Sat-Sun. The sold-out time varies but assumes 1:30pm on busy Saturdays.
Cattleack Barbeque ★ 4.7
plano · 13628 Gamma Rd, Dallas, TX 75244
Michelin Bib Gourmand pitmaster operation open only Thursday and Friday plus the first Saturday each month, producing what many critics consider the best.
Tip: Arrive at 9:30am. Sells out most days before 1pm. Closed every other Saturday and all of Sunday.
Pecan Lodge ★ 4.7
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Dallas's most celebrated BBQ pit is genuinely affordable: a half-pound brisket with a side costs under $20 and represents some of the best smoked meat.
Tip: Order one meat plus one side for a filling under-$20 meal. The desserts (peach cobbler, banana pudding) are worth the extra few dollars.
La Casita Bakeshop ★ 4.6
plano · 580 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 154, Richardson, TX 75080
James Beard Outstanding Bakery finalist 2024, from self-taught baker Maricsa Trejo. La Casita weaves Mexican baking traditions into European pastry technique.
Tip: Richardson location has the most parking. A Half Price Books Dallas pop-up location also operates select days.
Revolver Taco Lounge ★ 4.6
deep-ellum · 2701 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Deep Ellum's top taco destination. Regino Rojas nixtamalizes heirloom corn for house-made tortillas and serves Purepecha fillings: octopus, duck, short rib.
Tip: Closed Monday. Counter-service format with limited seating. The new storefront on Elm St has outdoor seating; arrive by 5:30pm for the best availability.
Village Baking Co. (Greenville Ave) ★ 4.5
lower-greenville · 1921 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Dallas's best French artisan bakery, founded in 2004, turning out some of the finest almond croissants, pain au chocolat, and sourdough in the state.
Tip: Almond croissants are baked fresh each morning and sell out by 10am on weekends. Arrive at 7:30am to guarantee one.
Oak Cliff Bread ★ 4.5
oak-cliff · 1300 S Polk St, Ste 230, Dallas, TX 75224
Family-run cottage bakery in Oak Cliff using slow fermentation and locally sourced grain from Barton Springs Mill. Kitchen leans sourdough and pastry bakery.
Tip: Opens at 8am Thursday through Saturday only. Loaves routinely sell out by 10am. Follow their Instagram for weekly menu updates and availability.
Pecan Lodge (BBQ Bakery items) ★ 4.5
deep-ellum · 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226
Deep Ellum BBQ institution producing scratch-made banana pudding, peach cobbler, and lard biscuits alongside the brisket. Booking recommended.
Tip: Desserts sell out before the meat sometimes. Order one immediately when you reach the counter. Weekday visits (Wed-Fri) have shorter queues.
Emporium Pies ★ 4.4
bishop-arts · 314 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
A specialty pie shop in a 1930s Victorian bungalow in Bishop Arts, with handmade pies that change seasonally. Kitchen leans american desserts and pie.
Tip: Whole pies can be ordered in advance. The patio is worth waiting for on warm evenings.
Emporium Pies ★ 4.4
bishop-arts · 314 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
Bishop Arts pie institution where all pies are handmade with seasonal ingredients. Known for signature flavors like Drunken Nut Pie and Honey, Honey.
Tip: Whole pies sell out by early afternoon on Sundays. The seasonal menu changes monthly; check the board when you arrive.
Haute Sweets Patisserie ★ 4.4
lake-highlands · 10230 E Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75238
Award-winning French patisserie from Chef Tida Pichakron, celebrated for scratch-made French macarons, elaborately decorated cookies, and gluten-free options.
Tip: Order holiday cookie boxes 2 weeks ahead. The macaron flavors rotate monthly. A Hillcrest Village second location also exists for North Dallas access.
Xamán Cafe ★ 4.4
oak-cliff · 334 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
Oak Cliff's most original cafe, rooted in pre-Hispanic Mexican culture. Kitchen leans pre-hispanic cafe, agave bar. At 334 W Jefferson Blvd.
Tip: Connects to Ayahuasca Cantina in the back evenings. The morning counter crew knows their single-origin beans; ask what's on the V60.
Encina (Coffee) ★ 4.4
bishop-arts · 614 W Davis St, Ste 100, Dallas, TX 75208
Bishop Arts farm-to-table restaurant that doubles as one of Dallas's best weekend brunch cafes, famous for the blue corn butterscotch pancakes with salted.
Tip: Brunch Saturday and Sunday only. Opens at 10am; arrive at 9:45am for walk-in tables on Saturday. A reservation a week ahead is recommended.
Resident Taqueria ★ 4.4
lake-highlands · 9661 Audelia Rd, Ste 112, Dallas, TX 75238
Lake Highlands cult destination for chef-driven breakfast tacos without the Deep Ellum crowds. Open tue-sat 7:30am-9pm. Booking recommended.
Tip: Arrives at 8am and has a queue by 8:15am on Sundays. Much calmer on Tuesdays. The tortillas are made to order; expect a 5-10 minute wait.
Mia's Tex-Mex ★ 4.4
uptown · 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Uptown Tex-Mex institution famous for brisket tacos, a dish that has become a civic touchstone. Order the brisket taco; chile relleno; house margarita.
Tip: The brisket taco is the most-ordered dish. Queue outside most evenings; reservations only accepted for parties of 8+.
Lockhart Smokehouse (Pit Window) ★ 4.4
bishop-arts · 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Bishop Arts outpost of the Central Texas-style BBQ family, serving beef ribs, brisket, and hand-crafted sausage links straight off the pit on butcher paper.
Tip: The beef rib is a weekend-only item and sells out by 2pm. Pit window service is the most authentic Texas BBQ experience.
Mia's Tex-Mex ★ 4.4
uptown · 4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
The brisket taco at Mia's costs around $6 individually, making it an affordable way to experience Dallas's most definitive Tex-Mex taco. Located in Uptown.
Tip: Happy hour runs daily from 4-7pm with discounted margaritas. Two tacos and a drink is the sweet spot for a budget Mia's visit.
Resident Taqueria ★ 4.4
lake-highlands · 9661 Audelia Rd, Ste 112, Dallas, TX 75238
Two chef-driven tacos and a coffee comes to around $13 at Resident, making it one of the best value breakfast experiences in the city. At 9661 Audelia Rd.
Tip: Taco prices range $4.50-5.50 each. A two-taco order with coffee is a satisfying and affordable breakfast under $15.
Lockhart Smokehouse (Bishop Arts) ★ 4.4
bishop-arts · 400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
The most accessible of Dallas's top BBQ spots, open seven days a week unlike Pecan Lodge or Cattleack. Open mon-thu 11am-9pm, fri-sat 11am-10pm, sun 11am-9pm.
Tip: The only top-tier Dallas BBQ open for dinner on weekdays. Come Monday evening for no queue and full pit availability.
Lubellas Patisserie ★ 4.3
lakewood · 10323 Ferguson Rd, Dallas, TX 75228
East Dallas fine-dining pastry chef Maria Becerra's neighborhood bakery, opened 2022, offering coconut tres leches cakes, cinnamon rolls, quiche.
Tip: Casa View location in a strip center, easy parking. The tres leches sells out by Saturday midday. Call ahead to reserve holiday orders.
Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters ★ 4.3
lakewood · 819 Exposition Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
Expo Park micro-roaster and coffee lab roasting with precision in small batches, offering tasting sessions and some of the most technically precise espresso.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Parking on Exposition Ave. The roasting lab is small; best visited mid-morning on weekdays for unhurried service.
Cafe Ciro ★ 4.3
oak-cliff · 1409 S Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75217
Pleasant Grove debut cafe from owner Brittany Guereca, serving one of the most inventive menus of lattes and coffee drinks in the region, all deeply.
Tip: Started as a pop-up for three years before opening as a brick-and-mortar in 2025. A genuine neighborhood success story worth the drive to Pleasant Grove.
Tacos La Banqueta ★ 4.3
oak-cliff · 813 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Oak Cliff counter serving Mexico City-style street tacos with housemade tortillas and traditional guisados. At 813 W Davis St. Booking recommended.
Tip: Cash only. Arrive early; the kitchen closes when they sell out. The salsas are made in house and vary daily.
Tacos La Banqueta ★ 4.3
oak-cliff · 813 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
Three Mexico City-style tacos and a agua fresca for under $10. The adobada and barbacoa are made from scratch and the tortillas are pressed fresh.
Tip: Bring exact cash. Closes when sold out, which can be as early as 1pm on weekends. One of the best taco values in Oak Cliff.
Slow Bone ★ 4.3
design-district · 2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
Design District BBQ spot with brisket plates under $17 that receive consistently high praise. Kitchen leans texas bbq. Open wed-sun 11am-3pm or sold out.
Tip: No reservations, first-come. The queue moves faster than Pecan Lodge. Thursdays and Fridays at 11am have the fastest service.
Herrera's Cafe ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2853 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75233
An Oak Cliff Tex-Mex hole-in-the-wall on W Illinois Avenue, serving loyal customers since 1949. Open mon-thu 8am-10pm, fri-sat 8am-11pm, sun 8am-10pm.
Tip: This is a cash-friendly neighbourhood place. Parking fills early on weekends. Worth the wait.
Herrera's Cafe ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2853 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75233
An Oak Cliff Tex-Mex hold-out in the same W Illinois Avenue spot since 1949. The enchiladas here are as honest as Tex-Mex gets: chili gravy, fresh tortillas.
Tip: Cash-friendly neighbourhood spot. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. The combination plate feeds two people if you order chips to start.
Kalachandji's ★ 4.2
lakewood · 5430 Gurley Ave, Dallas, TX 75223
Dallas's longest-running vegetarian restaurant, set inside a Hare Krishna temple in East Dallas. Located in Lakewood. Kitchen leans indian vegetarian.
Tip: The garden is the most peaceful meal in Dallas. The buffet changes daily. Call ahead if you want to know what is being made that day.
Empire Baking Co. (West Lovers Lane) ★ 4.2
uptown · 5450 W Lovers Ln, Ste 132, Dallas, TX 75209
Dallas's longest-running craft bakery since 1992, known for daily-baked sourdough loaves, baguettes, and lunch sandwiches. Located in Uptown.
Tip: Bakes fresh every morning. Sandwich fillings rotate daily. The West Lovers Lane location has the longest hours and most reliable inventory.
Village Baking Co. (Knox St) ★ 4.2
knox-henderson · 3219 Knox St, Ste 130, Dallas, TX 75205
Knox St outpost of Dallas's long-favored French artisan bakery chain, with the longest weekday hours of all five locations. Located in Knox Henderson.
Tip: Weekday evenings until 7pm are unusually uncrowded for this neighborhood. Pre-order bread loaves by calling ahead for same-day pickup.
Leila Bakery and Cafe ★ 4.2
lakewood · 6041 Oram St, Dallas, TX 75206
Woman-owned boutique bakery in the Lakewood neighbourhood run by chef Kelly Ball, turning out handmade kolaches, quiches, croissants. Open daily 7am-4pm.
Tip: The kolaches sell out by 11am on weekends. Go early for the quiche while it is still warm from the oven.
Merit Coffee (Deep Ellum) ★ 4.2
deep-ellum · 2639 Main St, Ste 140, Dallas, TX 75226
San Antonio-born specialty roaster with a growing Texas presence, known for meticulous sourcing and light-roast clarity. Located in Deep Ellum.
Tip: Wi-Fi available; good for remote work on weekday mornings. Gets crowded after weekend BBQ queue starts at Pecan Lodge.
Cultivar Coffee Roasting ★ 4.2
lakewood · 1155 Peavy Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
East Dallas micro-roaster operating inside Goodfriend Package, roasting single-origin beans on-site and pulling handcrafted espresso drinks.
Tip: Small shop with limited seating. The roastery is visible from the counter. Order beans to take home for a fraction of boutique prices.
Village Baking Co. (Bishop Arts) ★ 4.2
bishop-arts · 308 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
Bishop Arts outpost of Dallas's best French artisan bakery, offering almond croissants, pain au chocolat, and jambon et fromage sandwiches alongside quality.
Tip: Croissants and seasonal pastries sell out by noon on Saturdays. The outdoor bench seating on Bishop Ave is ideal on temperate days.
Fond ★ 4.2
uptown · 1401 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202
Downtown neighborhood bistro from husband-and-wife chefs Jennie Kelley and Brandon Moore, doing New American lunch and dinner in the Santander building.
Tip: Closed weekends. The lunch window is short (11am-2pm); arrive by 11:15am or it fills. One of the best weekday downtown lunches in the city.
Leila Bakery and Cafe ★ 4.2
lakewood · 6041 Oram St, Dallas, TX 75206
Woman-owned boutique bakery cafe in Lakewood run by chef Kelly Ball, serving house-made kolaches, quiche, croissants, and soups alongside single-origin.
Tip: Kolaches and croissants sell out by 10:30am on weekends. The strawberry rhubarb pie is the seasonal specialty to seek.
Taqueria El Si Hay ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2126 Fort Worth Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
True Oak Cliff staple serving authentic Mexico-style street tacos, open every day with consistently praised bistek and chorizo. Open daily 7am-10pm.
Tip: Cash strongly preferred. Weekend mornings bring the neighborhood crowd. A covered outdoor seating area keeps service running even in summer heat.
Herrera's Cafe ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2853 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75233
Tex-Mex institution since 1949, known for handmade enchiladas, chile con queso, and street-style tacos. Open mon-thu 8am-10pm, fri-sat 8am-11pm, sun 8am-10pm.
Tip: One of Dallas's oldest continuously operating Tex-Mex counters. The lunch special is the best value in the neighborhood.
Herrera's Cafe ★ 4.2
oak-cliff · 2853 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75233
Tex-Mex institution since 1949 with a lunch special under $12 that includes enchiladas, rice, beans, and a drink. The best-value sit-down Tex-Mex in Dallas.
Tip: The weekday lunch combo plate is the best deal on the menu. Parking in the side lot. Cash and card both work.
D'Vegan ★ 4.2
lake-highlands · 9780 Walnut St, Dallas, TX 75243
All-vegan Vietnamese inside Hong Kong supermarket where pho, banh mi, and com tam plates rarely top $12. Open mon 10am-7pm, tue closed, wed-sun 10am-7pm.
Tip: Bring cash. Inside Hong Kong supermarket at Walnut and Audelia. Dishes are consistently under $12; a full meal runs $10-12.