American BBQ$$$planoWed-Fri 10:00-14:00, 1st Saturday of each month 10:00-14:00
Michelin Bib Gourmand pitmaster operation open only Thursday and Friday plus the first Saturday each month, producing what many critics consider the best.
Order: Brisket (fatty end); pork ribs; house-made jalapeño sausage
Tip: Arrive at 9:30am. Sells out most days before 1pm. Closed every other Saturday and all of Sunday.
Taqueria$$$deep-ellumTue-Sun 17:00-22:00, Mon closed
Deep Ellum's top taco destination. Regino Rojas nixtamalizes heirloom corn for house-made tortillas and serves Purepecha fillings: octopus, duck, short rib.
Order: Duck carnitas taco; octopus taco; heirloom corn blue tortilla 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.
Mexico City-style Street Tacos$$oak-cliffMon-Thu 07:00-15:00, Fri-Sat 07:00-16:00, Sun 07:00-14:00
Oak Cliff counter serving Mexico City-style street tacos with housemade tortillas and traditional guisados. At 813 W Davis St. Booking recommended.
Order: Adobada tacos; barbacoa de res; nopales with egg
Tip: Cash only. Arrive early; the kitchen closes when they sell out. The salsas are made in house and vary daily.
Chef-driven Breakfast Tacos$$lake-highlandsTue-Sat 07:30-21:00
Lake Highlands cult destination for chef-driven breakfast tacos without the Deep Ellum crowds. Open tue-sat 7:30am-9pm. Booking recommended.
Order: Caramelized cauliflower taco; pork shoulder with salsa verde; egg and potato
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.
Taqueria$$oak-cliffDaily 07:00-22:00
True Oak Cliff staple serving authentic Mexico-style street tacos, open every day with consistently praised bistek and chorizo. Open daily 7am-10pm.
Order: Bistek taco; chorizo with egg; carne asada
Tip: Cash strongly preferred. Weekend mornings bring the neighborhood crowd. A covered outdoor seating area keeps service running even in summer heat.
Taqueria$$$deep-ellumMon-Thu 11:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-04:00, Sun 11:00-00:00
Deep Ellum creative taco concept from the Dallas-born chain, building globally inspired fillings like Nashville hot chicken, Thai shrimp. At 2624 Elm St.
Order: Nashville hot chicken taco; Thai shrimp taco; WTF (weekly taco feature)
Tip: The WTF (Weekly Taco Feature) changes every Monday and regularly draws crowds.