Middle Eastern$$lower-greenvilleMon-Sun 11:00-04:00
Plano halal Mediterranean grill serving shawarma wraps, falafel bowls, and garlic chicken plates with scratch-made sauces and Zabihah-verified meat sourcing.
Order: Chicken shawarma wrap; falafel plate with garlic sauce; mixed meat plate
Tip: Zabihah-verified halal certification on-site. The garlic sauce is made from scratch daily; order extra. Good for group halal dining in North Dallas suburbs.
American BBQ$$$bishop-artsMon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
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.
Order: Texas-size beef rib (weekend only); brisket by the pound; jalapeno sausage link
Tip: The beef rib is a weekend-only item and sells out by 2pm. Pit window service is the most authentic Texas BBQ experience.
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.