Hank Vaughn
Audio By Carbonatix
There were many bites taken in December, but some stood out. From high-end dining to hole-in-the-wall burgers, here is a list of our most memorable bites from December.
Tacos dorados from La Viuda Negra.
Lauren Drewes Daniels
Tacos Dorados at La Viuda Negra
2513 N. Fitzugh Ave. La Viuda Negra is a hidden speakeasy next to El Come Taco in East Dallas that should be on everyone’s radar. It’s one of the best mezcalerias in the city, and you could gleefully spend an evening getting lost in tequila and mezcal cocktails. But there’s going to be a point when you need a bite to help balance the alcohol. Fortunately, they work in tandem with the attached taqueria. Tacos dorados come three to a serving with your choice of protein, and the crunchy fried shells are packed with flavor. We ordered ours with chicken, which came dressed with a pile of shredded lettuce, tomatoes, crema and crumbled queso fresca, along with two salsas for dipping. Chow down, then avail yourself of uno mas Vampiro, por favor. – Chris Wolfgang
Grilled Leeks at Pillar
408 N. Bishop Ave.Listed under the salads at Pillar is this warm dish of grilled leeks with tender, buttery crab and crunchy hazelnuts in an orange and brown butter sauce. It’s chock full of interesting textures and both sweet and earthy tastes courtesy of the charred leek, toasted hazelnuts and succulent crab. Oh, and the butter sauce doesn’t hurt, either. – Hank Vaughn
Deviled eggs from Stillwell’s.
Lauren Drewes Daniels
Deviled Eggs at Stillwell’s Bar
2575 McKinnon Ave. (Inside the Swexan Hotel) Dinner at Stillwell’s might blow your allowance for the month in one hour, but for every will there’s a way. I visited during Cowboy Hour (happy hour, which runs 4-6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday) and ordered half-priced classic cocktails and a plate of deviled eggs that ruined any other such appetizer I’ll ever eat. Fresh, cold and cloud-soft, with salty, soft slivers of bacon and garlic hot sauce, they were the best damn thing I ate all month. Walking out of a Michelin-anointed, white-jacket service spot and spending less than $40 (with tip) on two drinks and a plate of five deviled eggs is winning. – Lauren Drewes Daniels
The Chicken-Fried Steak Sandwich at Flaming Burger
11255 Garland Road Ah, the glorious chicken-fried steak sandwich at Flaming Burger. How we love you so. A perfectly golden, fresh out-of-the-fryer slab (cut down the middle) of crispy-crunchy chicken-fried steak in a toasted poppy seed bun with mayo, lettuce and tomato. It’s a dangerous sandwich – recurring daydreams are a common side effect. And don’t sleep on Flaming Burger’s hand-cut fries, either. – Nick Reynolds
Wagyu Aguachile at Ayahuasca Cantina
334 W. Jefferson Ave. I’ve had ribeye aguachile only in Cancun. Aguachile originated in Sinaloa and is usually made with seafood. It was refreshing to see this version available at Ayahuasca in Dallas (see video below). The wagyu was lightly seared and the citrus flavors weren’t overpowering. The pickled onions and thinly sliced cucumbers complimented the meat’s heartiness. – Desiree Gutierrez
