North-American Food and Cooking

Finding Chicken Tacos That Don't Suck: Harder Than You Think

Yesterday I was back at La Banqueta for lunch. While I was waiting for my plate of suadero tacos, I chatted with a few guys who'd stopped in to give the place a try. One of the gentlemen had obviously fallen in love with La Banqueta's delicious street tacos previously, and talked his officemates int ... More >>

Six Restaurants for a Proper Fat Tuesday

The Free Man Cajun Café in Deep Ellum is a small, dark, shotgun bar and restaurant with marginal lighting that keeps things dim, which is certainly a prerequisite for any proper New Orleans-ish bar. So, if you're going for a truly comparable experience, this is your place. Three Quarters Fast Jazz ... More >>

El Ranchito's Beef Fajitas Beat Out Dallas' Popular Tex-Mex Mainstays

Mia's, Rafa's, Desperados, Matt's, El Fenix -- certainly I haven't eaten all the beef fajitas in Dallas, but I've eaten quite a few versions. I've been looking for perfectly cooked skirt steak, and most renditions I've had have been extremely tough and dry. See also: - Tasting the Worst Fajitas Eve ... More >>

For the Love of Deep Fried Little Debbie: This Week in Dallas Dining

Hello? Is anyone out there? Is this thing on? It's quiet around the Observer today. The cubes are empty and everyone is tweeting about wrestling with TWA, Greyhound and other modes of transportation. I think the holidays are in full swing, and I'm excited to jump into the fray myself, but first the ... More >>

Soleo Steps Up

Owners Maria and Roberto Velasquez started with a taco cart. Now they're in Preston Hollow.

The Christmas Tamale Tradition: Grandma's Was Always Best

The moment I realized that food comes from animals was during one of my family's tamale making sessions. I was about 4 or 5 and after waking from a nap I wandered down the hallway of the temporary trailer my grandparents were living in while they awaited the completion of their house on the family r ... More >>

Dining Critic John Kessler Says Mi Cocina's Tex-Mex Doesn't Travel Very Well

Certainly if there's one food genre Dallasites would defend to the bottom of a bowl of queso, it's Tex-Mex. My blog post that lists my nine favorite spots for sour cream enchiladas and beans drew scores of comments overnight. Most either professed a support of my picks, or demanding I be removed fro ... More >>

An Englishman Reviews the Whole Christmas Tamale Thing

Apparently you guys celebrate Christmas by eating tamales. No, me neither. I've no idea what you're doing. What screams Christmas about a tamale? I suppose you could take this reductionist argument to any Christmas food (what's Christmassy about slaughtering a turkey and then roasting it, or, as s ... More >>

Velvet Taco's Not-So-Taqueria

Taco purists don't love this Henderson Avenue restaurant, but that doesn't stop the hungry masses.

Komali's Safe Bet

An almost authentic restaurant panders to the local palate.

Why Did Alice Cross the Road? To Get to Taqueria Mezquite.

Times I kicked myself for every time I've eaten at Ojeda's in my life instead of eating across the damned street at Taqueria Mezquite: 126,229 Credit card machine count: 0 Taqueria Mezquite is across the street from Ojeda's. And you want it in your face. The murals on the outside say "Taqueria Mezq ... More >>

Rock And Roll Tacos Opens The New Kitchen at La Grange

Rock and Roll Tacos, previoulsy just a food truck, has completed their non-hostile take over of the kitchen and dining room at La Grange in Deep Ellum. The owners of La Grange wanted out of the kitchen (admitedly not their specialty) and the owner of Rock and Roll Tacos wanted a non-mobile kitchen w ... More >>

Are There Different Kinds of Mexican Food?

At El Padrino, Meatless Monday Means Meatless Tortas, and That, Oddly Enough, is a Good Thing

After last week's vegan pho fiasco, I wasn't too jazzed about another meatless meal, but reading Scott's V-Spot review inspired me, and I was encouraged to seek out tasty vegetarian options once again. El Padrino means "godfather", and that awesome name was enough to get me to stop here rather than ... More >>

The Great Dallas Brisket Taco Hunt

Five brisket tacos at five places in five hours: It's more meat -- and more fun -- than it seems.

Meatless Monday Is Harder Than I Thought

Ed. note: Along with our booze correspondent, food critic Scott Reitz is trying his mouth at going meatless on Mondays. They'll occasionally relay their experiences. So far Scott sucks at it. It sounded soooooooo easy. Drop meat on Mondays -- it'll help save the world and shit. And it's only one da ... More >>

Despite Recent Closings, Cuquita's is Holding On by Serving Simple Food

Cuquita's doesn't look like much from the outside. Just another strip mall Mexican place, right? I paid the restaurant a visit the other day on the recommendation of a friend. I wanted an excuse to eat outside the loop, and Cuquita's, on Josey Lane in Farmer's Branch, promised traditional garb and ... More >>

Avila's Off-Menu Shrimp Tacos: An Appreciation

Catherine Downes​On Thursday afternoon, a blackboard out front of Avila's Mexican Restaurant boasted -- in bright pink and blue chalk -- an enchilada lunch special. After being seated, and having chips and salsa thrust at me, I nearly ordered the enchiladas, but was swayed when I noticed anoth ... More >>

El Pambazo Brings the Goods, Leaving You Muy Lleno

​ Each week, Justin Bitner goes hunting for DFW's most interesting sandwiches. Have a sandwich suggestion? Leave it in the comments and he'll check it out. Venue: Tortas La Hechizera Sandwich: El Pambazo ($5.69) Bread: Bolillo well-soaked in scarlet enchilada sauce Toppings: Chorizo, fried ... More >>

Meso Maya's Hands of God

Behold, the truly hand-made tortilla.

Raul's Corral: Tex-Mex and Giant Animal Statues. What More Do You Need to Know?

​Each week, the Cheap Bastard goes looking for a new place to eat a meal for less than nine million dollars. This week, she haunts Raul's Corral, 200 Corinth St., 214-428-4500. Her mind wasn't blown by the food, but it was kind of nicely felt up. Times I wondered if I'd seen this place in a m ... More >>

The Phones Are Open and Dallas' Tamale Purveyors Are Ready For Your Order

Flickr​Don't be the pinche gringo who jacks up your Christmas Eve celebration. It's tamale ordering time, and while some places make a few extra bazillion to sell to all the assholes who don't call ahead, others are more than willing to send you home tamale-less if you don't pick up the phone. ... More >>

La Victoria: Man With 4 out of 32 Teeth Agrees -- It's "Yeeeeeees"

Alice Laussade​Each week, the Cheap Bastard goes looking for a new place to eat a meal for less than nine million dollars. This week, she finds the man of her dreams at La Victoria, 1605 N Haskell Ave., 214-827-0101. Dinosaur toy guarding the barbed wire fence count: 1 Times I've driven past ... More >>

Fried Chicken and Enchiladas: It's What We Do, According to Food and Wine and Serious Eats

Delicious fried chicken as submitted by Bubba's Cooks Country​Dallas' food has gotten attention from all corners of the internet recently. Food and Wine put together a slideshow that compiles the country's 30 best renditions of fried chicken. Local favorite Bubba's Cooks Country is listed amon ... More >>

Chef Nico Sanchez Interview, Part 2: On Getting Back to Basics with Authentic Mexican Food

Chef Nico Sanchez of Meso Maya​Yesterday Chef Nico Sanchez of Meso Maya told City of Ate a bit about his background. In part two of our interview, we learn his thoughts on the Dallas food scene, particularly Tex-Mex, and the simple art of actually Mexican Mexican food. What are your three fa ... More >>

A First Look at Meso Maya, the Latest Addition to Dallas' Actually-Mexican-Mex Scene

Lauren Drewes DanielsCarne Asada at Meso Maya​Meso Maya, the new Mexican restaurant at Preston and Forrest, describes its food as an "adventure into the roots of regional Mexican food." Don't let that scare you off, though. No, the plates aren't covered in melted orange cheese, but I think we ... More >>

The Free Man Cajun Cafe Brings Cajun Food, with a Side of Jazz, to Deep Ellum

Lauren Drewes DanielsCranberry wheat bread pudding at The Free Man.​The other day I drove past The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge in Deep Ellum, where Sol's Taco Lounge used to be at 2626 Commerce, and later Googled them to see what the buzz was. One reviewer wrote that they had the best bread ... More >>

Wild Salsa Helps Dallas Wean Itself Off Tex-Mex With, You Know, Mexican Mexican

​Oh Tex Mex, must you be such a gut bomb? The heavy cream sauces, beans laden with lard and cheese cheese cheese. I've eaten at a few local spots, and while the selection in Dallas is undoubtedly better than other cities, it's still Tex-Mex. It's still a little boring. I like the flavors. I ... More >>

Velvet Taco Is Open For Business, the Purity in Your Taco-Loving Heart Be Damned

Chicken and Texas burger tacos​The hours are somewhat mushy, but this weekend things should be in full swing at the new Velvet Taco (3012 North Henderson), and the "open really late" line stamped on their black and yellow sign will finally ring true. This ain't no Texas taco. The menu details ... More >>

Cool & Hot Tacos Brings the Fire and Ice

Delicious, trashy stand could be heaven, except that it let Alice in.

Taqueria La Tejanita at Flash Mart: Nothing Flashy, But Go

Free (FREE!) Food at Café Brazil Today

Cafe BrazilHuevos Rancheros​Do y'ever do something nice just for the sake of doing something nice? No? Well luckily, the good people at Lower Greenville's Café Brazil do, as today, they'll be treating any and all patrons to a FREE entrée from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that glorious nine-hour ... More >>

Five Tortillerias That Trump Tequila

​Today, we celebrate the victory of Mexican armed forces over the French. The event is usually honored with copious amounts of sour margaritas and bad Tex-Mex food. Take, for example, the Bob Armstrong Queso-eating contest at Mattito's Uptown. Not all must be sour day-glo beverages and paperw ... More >>

Alma: Great Mexican Food, but Give Us Tea for Texas.

Komali Aims to Elevate Authentic Mexican Food. It Misses.

La Paloma Taco-Taco: Can a Taco Joint Ever be Redundant? Sometimes.

Best Enchiladas Ever: Tons of Choices- Most of Them Good- at Monica Greene's Latest.

Mexicali Restaurant: Hey, Grandpa, What's for Supper?

10 Cheap Party Spots for Fat Tuesday

​ You don't need an excuse to party tomorrow night because it's Fat Tuesday, the official holiday of fatty foods, booze and general debauchery. Restaurants and bars are offering some cheap food and drink deals, but unfortunately many of them are amping up their Fat Tuesday festivities with c ... More >>

New Vegan Enchilada Buzz at BEE

​Based on the constantly buzzing (ha!) parking lot, and the word of mouth (some call it buzz) about BEE: Best Enchiladas Ever, it's become clear that the Oak Cliff counter-service enchiladeria is a neighborhood and willing-commuter favorite. People dig the options, the service, the people behind i ... More >>

Cool & Hot is Sweet

Jose Ralat Maldanado​My 2-year-old son loves three things: cars; his teddy bear, Rupert; and tacos. So, after a morning spent at a local vintage and custom car show, tacos were in order, this time at Cool & Hot. The Oak Cliff taquería inhabits a converted gas station with an operational car w ... More >>

BEE (Best Enchiladas Ever) Lives Up to Its Name

El Paisai: Worth The Drive-Thru

Gumbo Rune

DaZa offers a dash of Creole poetry

Chili-ing Out

Why can't they make Texas food outside Texas?

Zzzzz

Order the coffee black; you'll need it at the dull Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill

Born-again Baja

Baja California Grill transforms itself again

Taco Star

Taqueria Cañonita

Boonies kitsch

Theme-soaked La Hacienda Ranch is worth the drive to Frisco

Transcendent Tex-Mex

Casa Rosa defends its turf with an exceptional take on Dallas' favorite cuisine