Dallas Visitors Guide: Food and Restaurants
We've planned out a few days' worth of gourmet heaven. You can thank us later.
Day Three: Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Dining
Morning: Today is a day that you must vow not to count calories—and be prepared to drive all over town to dig into the most delicious dives. Begin with a steaming cup of coffee served by a “Hi-Hun” waitress at The Mecca. Every morning the joint swells with cops, lawyers, and trade workers—probably because the house-made cinnamon rolls are legendary. If you’d like a little more of a Texas accent in your meal, try the huevos rancheros with a side of peppered bacon and biscuits and gravy at AllGood Café. For a true Mexican breakfast (or lunch), there is no place finer than El Jordan. Here, breakfast burritos, tacos, egg dishes, and flour tortillas are the real deal—and real cheap.
Afternoon: You may think that because you are in Dallas, you should eat barbecue. If the truth be told—and we will tell it—Dallas is not a great barbecue city. Everyone thinks Sonny Bryan’s is a must, but we beg to differ. Instead visit Meshack’s Bar-B-Que Shack, where the meat is smoked with pecan, the state tree of Texas. Brisket is moist, hot links are a must-try, and the sides—particularly the mustard-based potato salad—are divine. Chicken-fried steak is another must-eat in Dallas. We love the hand-battered-to-order version at Ozona Grill served with fluffy mashed potatoes and cream gravy. Also noteworthy: the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar is the best in town. Looking for a great burger? Wingfield’s in South Dallas. It’s a funky take-out only spot, but the half-pound burgers are worth the chance of dripping mustard on the seat of your car.
Late Afternoon: Have you ever eaten authentic Texas tamales? Then get over to Lower Greenville Avenue and grab a seat on the patio at Dallas Tortilla and Tamale Factory, where you can sample the fine Mexican street food they have been making since 1950: barbacoa tacos, tamales, and menudo.
Evening: If you haven’t had your fill of Tex-Mex, then head to Little Mexico, home of Avila’s and the best chiles rellenos in Dallas. For an all-you-can-eat gluttonous meal, try Babe’s Chicken Dinner House. All the dinners are served family-style and include monstrous pieces of crispy fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, and Grandma’s corn.
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