Revolver Gastro Cantina

Earlier this year, owner and chef Gino Rojas told us that when he opened Revolver Gastro Cantina in Deep Ellum he wanted a place where you can take your family during the day for tacos and go back and get “fucked up on margaritas at night.” As he sees it, a proper cantina serves that dual purpose. Like Rojas, this family-run space is a culinary gem with party vibes. The only seating is a long black bar spray painted with graffiti. Boozy overflowing frozen drinks are served in blender-like pitchers. Purists can choose from the wall of tequila and mezcal. This is his second restaurant on our Top 100 list, along with the original Revolver Taco Lounge, a casual taco spot. There’s also La Resistencia, which is a reservations-only tasting menu restaurant. At this spot you can still get the tacos that put Revolver on the map; other dishes include a tostada tower, fajita norteña, rellenos stuffed with cochinita and quail guisada enchiladas.

Top Pick: One bite of the delicate cabrito wontons served over a salsa roja reduction and you realize Rojas is, in fact, as serious about his food as he is about having a good time. He told us those wontons are a “pretty presentation style of Michoacan birria cabrito,” an ode to his native western Mexican state.