The 6 Best Things We Ate in May: Filet O’ Fish, Churros & More

We covered a lot of calories in May. We tried about a dozen dips from H-E-B to determine the best and also visited a few spots to update our list of the best Tex-Mex in Dallas. And we’re all obsessed with Samad’s Cafe now. But after all is said and done, there are a few dishes we can’t forget.  Here are the highlights from our camera rolls in May

Rayo Lounge

Filet O’ FishOne night, after a show next door, we went to Rayo Lounge in Exposition Park and tried a couple of sliders from six options, not expecting much, just getting a bite to eat. Well, we were wrong. The Royal ($6.50) is pulled together like a piece of art with smoked ketchup, garlic mayo, caramelized shallots, Rayo pickles and Swiss cheese. The only problem is that it’s a slider, and we only ordered one; we could have eaten four.

But then we tried the Filet O’ Fish ($6.50) and we’re never looking back. This was the best fish sandwich I’ve ever had; it comes with panko-breaded cod with a crispy fried exterior, flaky, not-at-all dry fish, caviar tartar sauce (yeah, caviar) and – because real ones know – “government cheese.” Again, the only problem was that we ordered one. I want to go back and order seven. We got an order of fries that was also fantastic. Rayo Lounge is open Tuesday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – midnight and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Go eat the entire menu. Find it at 841 Exposition Ave. – Lauren Drewes Daniels

Partenope

LasagnaSince it landed a No. 12 spot on the list of the top 50 pizzas in the U.S., most people go to Partenope for its award-winning coal-fired pies. But don’t sleep on the pastas, which are also done in its signature Neapolitan style. The lasagna is one of the house specials, available only on Friday and Saturday nights in limited quantities and not available for takeout. If you’re lucky enough to snag a piece before its gone, it’s light, layered, and a far cry from your Nonna’s noodles. Think smoked mozzarella, a layer of house meatballs flattened into paper-thin sheets like savory strata and bright, beautiful tomatoes that taste like they’ve seen the Amalfi Coast. Partenope is at 1903 Main St. downtown. – Lauren Durie

Bella Flan Cafe

ChurrosI joined some friends as we popped into Bella Flan Cafe for lunch recently. This Cuban-inspired bakery and cafe makes one of the best Cuban sandwiches around, but gems are all over the menu. We got an order of churros ($5.99), which are fried to order and filled with cajeta, a type of caramel. Two bits of warning: the melty caramel center is piping hot when they come out of the fryer, so best to let them cool a bit before biting into one. Second, each bite is phenomenally decadent that you’ll risk burning your mouth for another taste. One friend commented, “I don’t even like churros and these are incredible.” Welcome to the party. Find it at 819 W. Arapaho Road in Richardson – Chris Wolfgang

Waco Surf, The Saloon

Crispy Chicken Caesar SandoThe good news: we found one of the best riffs on a chicken Caesar salad. The bad news: it’s in Waco. The Saloon at the waterpark serves the Crispy Chicken Caesar Sando ($14), and it’s enough to make the nearly 100-mile trek south more than worth it. This TikTok-viral-worthy sandwich starts with a fried, hand-battered chicken breast that’s topped with Caesar-dressed crunchy lettuce and a bun-sized Parmesan crisp, all tucked inside a toasted ciabatta bun. It’s heavenly after a day in the sun and puts those viral $25 Caesar salad wraps to shame. It’s located at 5347 Old Mexia Road in Waco. – Desiree Gutierrez

Ari’s Pantry

Two Guys from Verona GelatoThis new Italian market in downtown (an expansion from the original in Oak Cliff) has many gems to discover, but on our first stroll through the aisles, a small cup of Amarena gelato made the day brighter. Ari’s is carrying gelato made by Two Guys from Verona, which is a chic spot on the square in Denton. It’s wonderful to have a local dealer. Get hooked up at 1800 Main St. – Lauren Drewes Daniels