Founded 1918 by Mike Martinez, El Fenix is the oldest Tex-Mex chain in the US, credited with formalising the enchilada-chili-gravy combination plate Dallas loves.
Must order: Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. The combination plate that opened in 1918.
Tip: The McKinney Ave location is the flagship. The weekday lunch combo runs under $12 and changes daily.
Address: 1601 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
The all-day French brasserie from Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon and co-founder Stephan Courseau, opened in Preston Center in June 2025. Brunch, lunch, dinner, and a 1,200-sqft covered patio.
Order: Steak frites; croque-monsieur at lunch; Paris-Brest dessert that Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon carries from his former Michelin-starred kitchen.
Tip: The patio is the destination on warm evenings. Weekday lunch is relaxed; weekends fill from noon.
The Dallas outpost of the Lockhart BBQ tradition, run by descendants of the original Kreuz Market bloodline. The no-sauce ethos and post-oak smoke produce shoulder clod unavailable at most other Dallas BBQ operations.
Order: Shoulder clod cooked 18-20 hours over post-oak. Brisket with no sauce on butcher paper.
Tip: The shoulder clod is a Central Texas rarity worth ordering over brisket on your first visit if you have not had it before.
Street tacos at the counter and, through a separate entrance, Purepecha: a prix-fixe tasting menu built on ancient Mexican techniques and corn imported weekly from Oaxaca. The Purepecha room is among the city's most ambitious tasting-menu formats.
Order: Al pastor tacos at the counter; if you can get into Purepecha, the eight-course tasting menu at $150.
Tip: Purepecha runs Thursday-Saturday by reservation only; the counter tacos are available all week without booking.
A Design District lunch institution that closes when the meat runs out. The smoked pork chop has built a cult following since the restaurant opened, standing apart from a brisket-dominated market.
Order: Smoked pork chop, a cut most Dallas BBQ joints skip. Beef brisket by the half-pound.
Tip: Lunch-only, closes by 3pm or earlier. The pork chop sells out before noon on Saturdays.
Chef Matt Balke's Bishop Arts neighbourhood restaurant in the former Bolsa space. The blue corn pancake with cajeta became so well-known the mix is now sold at H-E-B. Dinner brings a New American menu with Southern roots.
Order: Blue corn pancakes with cajeta drizzle; weekend brunch tasting menu.
Tip: Weekend brunch is the draw. Dinner is quieter and easier to book. The blue corn pancakes are on both menus.
The all-day French brasserie from Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon and co-founder Stephan Courseau, opened in Preston Center in June 2025. Brunch, lunch, dinner, and a 1,200-sqft covered patio.
Order: Steak frites; croque-monsieur at lunch; Paris-Brest dessert that Culinary Director Bruno Davaillon carries from his former Michelin-starred kitchen.
Tip: The patio is the destination on warm evenings. Weekday lunch is relaxed; weekends fill from noon.
An Oak Cliff Tex-Mex hole-in-the-wall on W Illinois Avenue, serving loyal customers since 1949. The enchiladas here are considered among the most authentic in Dallas.
Order: Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy. The combination plate is the reason regulars drive across the city.
Tip: This is a cash-friendly neighbourhood place. Parking fills early on weekends. Worth the wait.
