Chilaquiles date back to the late 1800s. For over a century, this traditional dish has nourished families with its crunchy, saucy texture; fortunately, it can be found on menus across Dallas. However, they aren’t all the same.
Chilaquiles are versatile, and Dallas chefs have made the dish their own by adding different salsas, garnishes and proteins.
Here's our list of the best chilaquiles in Dallas.
José
4931 W. Lovers Lane We’ve yet to taste a dish that José’s award-winning executive chef, Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, didn’t execute with the craftsmanship of a goddess. In 2019, the Observer praised José’s brunch and continues to do so. José offers a loaded plate of crispy tortilla strips, onions, queso fresco, sunny-side-up eggs, shredded chicken, refried black beans and tomatillo salsa on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $18 plate is a jam-packed plate of protein and flavor. Paired with José’s simultaneously laid-back and upscale ambiance, it’s the ideal way to kick off a relaxing weekend.Tacos La Gloria
2303 Mountain Lake Road The key to finding the best chilaquiles is looking toward family. Taco La Gloria, operated by Maria Gloria Serrato and her family, is an underdog success story of resilience and hearty plates made with love. For the chilaquiles, freshly fried corn tortillas are tossed in a frying pan with red or green sauce before being poured directly into a to-go container. A drizzle of refried beans is added along with other essentials. Be sure to request the shredded carne. A simpler chilaquiles plate served with rice, beans and a side salad is $10. There’s also a gooey chilaquile burrito teased on Instagram. 
Taqueria Vazquez
2410 S. Hampton Road Taqueria Vazquez, inside a gas station on Hampton Road, has a sign that reads "24/7 tacos," but that’s subject to change. You can order inside or at a window outside the building, Sunday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The no-frills spot serves up lightly crisped cut-up tortillas swimming in a tangy salsa verde. Red salsa is available as well. The huge portion is topped with crema, crumbled queso fresco and two well-fried eggs. Don’t be afraid of the salsa: it’s not spicy. Use the excess sauce to top the Mexican rice and refried beans that accompany the $11.99 chilaquiles plate.La Casita Coffee
5801 E. Northwest Highway La Casita Bakery expanded into Half Price Books' flagship location earlier this year under the name La Casita Coffee. Book lovers were ecstatic to get their fix of James Beard semifinalist chef Marisca Trejo’s sugary cruffins and buttery layered croissants. A month ago, the menu expanded, and La Casita Coffee is now serving breakfast, lunch and cocktails from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Thankfully, chilaquiles made the menu. La Casita Coffee coats tortilla chips in a smoky salsa rojo, and the sharable $14 plate is garnished with black beans, cotija cheese, two sunny-side-up eggs, avocado and sour cream. Mojo pork can be added for $4. The tortilla chips come out of the kitchen freshly fried and soaked. The tortillas are equally delicious crispy or softened.
El Encanto Café
3054 Webb Chapel Extension El Encanto Café is homestyle cooking. The charming cafe is located inside a reimagined home on Webb Chapel Extension, just north of Love Field. It's a cozy oasis with authentic Mexican dishes. There’s usually a wait, but it’s well worth it. The chilaquiles ($13) are a crowd favorite. This meal is intended for slow mornings and savoring. Start your breakfast by indulging in a concha and café de olla. Then, dive into a picturesque plate of chilaquiles. Drizzled crema, a blanket of crumbled queso fresco and eggs made your way lie on top of red or green salsa-tossed tortilla crisps. A cilantro garnish and flower crowns the plate. Add chicken ($4) to amplify texture. Xamán Café
334 W. Jefferson Blvd. Xamán Café is an Oak Cliff institution that prides itself on an authentic cultural experience. The basic chilaquiles plate ($14) is made with tortilla chips mixed with pico, crema and sunny-side-up eggs. Birria, chicken, carne and chorizo can be added for a $2 upcharge; chicken breast is $4. The chilaquiles Mexican sandwich ($18) transforms the long-established meal: saucy tortilla chips are paired with chicharron-breaded milanesa, which is sandwiched inside of ciabatta bread. There's also an option to get your chilaquiles as a mollete, which is a Mexican open-faced sandwich, for $15.
At Como en Casa, the chilaquiles are served with a bolilo roll. Carbs never felt so good.
Desiree Gutierrez
