When Dallas-Fort Worth cuisine comes up, the first things we think of are barbecue and Tex-Mex, the unique iteration of Mexican food that marries authentic flavors and techniques with a totally Texas twist. Of course, Dallas-Fort Worth has much more to offer in terms of cuisine than smokers and salsas — although those are very good!
The Best BBQ
Everyone will tell you something different about the best in Dallas-Fort Worth BBQ, but there are a few places that everyone can agree on. Pecan Lodge, in Deep Ellum, is beloved for its mesquite-smoked family recipes and dedication to cooking from scratch — all their sausage is ground and stuffed by hand. Smoke, the chic but no-nonsense BBQ joint that focuses on locally and regionally sourced food, also has legions of fans — head chef Tim Byres’ cookbook just won a prestigious James Beard award. Slow Bone is famous for not only its barbecue, but its out-of-this-world sides — potato salad, mac and cheese, cornbread and hushpuppies good enough that you’ll take a break from eating your brisket to make sure you have room.
In Fort Worth, if you are looking for authentic Texas BBQ, then Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ doesn’t disappoint. Home of the World Famous Big Chop, Coopers is just a stone’s throw from Billy Bob’s in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Stockyard District, you can’t go wrong with H3 Ranch if you are looking for the authentic taste of Texas. Named one of the best steakhouses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area H3 Ranch offers a wide variety of steaks, rainbow trout, lip-smackin’ ribs, chicken, spit-roasted pig and much more.
Tex-Mex
When it comes to Tex-Mex and Mexican, the options are dizzying. For the classic Tex-Mex that defines the Dallas-Fort Worth area, check out Pepe & Mito’s for brisket tacos and Mia’s for an amazing brunch. For breakfast tacos, Texas’s greatest gift to the world, you need to try Luna’s Tortilla Factory, where they make them like no one else. If you need an even more unique taco fix, Velvet Taco fits the bill — their surprising “global flavor inspirations” will keep you on your toes, from buffalo chicken to Nashville hot tofu to cuban pig, and of course a side of red coconut curry queso. If the occasion calls for something a little more high-end than a taco stand, head to Mesa to enjoy lobster enchiladas, ropa vieja and more in a serene, upscale atmosphere.
In Fort Worth, check out Chuy’s for that Fresh Tex-Mex where their commitment to food is still the core of everything they do today. For the best tacos and mambos in Sundance Square, head on over to the Taco Diner.
Dallas / Fort Worth Dining
There’s more to life than barbecue and Tex-Mex, though — well, sometimes there is. There are lots of great options for classic Southern cooking outside of those two options in Dallas — like Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, the family-owned fried chicken restaurant that will stick to your ribs all night. There’s more than just Southern food, too — believe it or not, there’s fantastic Japanese food in Dallas, from the mouthwatering ramen at Ten Ramen to the beautifully crafted full meals at Tei-An Soba House, some of the finest dining in the city.
Dallas-Fort Worth is an intriguing and dynamic mix of cultures and communities, “high” and “low” culture, where you can eat from a taco truck on your way home from the opera, and its cuisine reflects that — refined, surprising, and always a great time.
If you are looking for something a bit more romantic for you and that special someone, Lili’s Bistro on Magnolia Avenue can’t be beat. From their amazing seafood to their doughnuts for dessert, their food cannot be beat and is noted as one of the most romantic date spots in the entire DFW metroplex.