Mask Off: Frisco's Chído Taco Lounge Reemerges as Casa Alma

For four years, Chído Taco Lounge was the go-to spot for tequila-slinging, calavera-mascoted counter service, street tacos and affordable eats in Dallas and Collin counties. Except, it wasn’t.

“We were not ever getting credit, or full credit for what we were,” owner Blaine McGowan says. “We're a full-service sit-down restaurant where people can come in and have date nights and have family dinners and birthday celebrations and all of those things.”

Maybe it was the name. Chído, "cool" in Spanish, was exactly that. Shelves were lined with if-you-know-you-know premium tequila brands, including the prized Fortaleza and “Mexico’s best-kept secret” El Tequileño. Neon lights glowed “No Bad Vibes” above an electric-blue Chido-hat-wearing skullhead. Dallas-Fort Worth dismissed it as a high-end Torchy’s Tacos, more than a go-to destination for world-class tequila, killer cocktails and meticulously crafted plates.

On March 6, Chído Taco Lounge Frisco reemerged as Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano after a week’s closure.

“I promise you, there's no one who was more sad about letting go of Chído than me,” the first-time restaurateur says. “And I joke, but it's not a joke, I have the tattoos to prove it. It was hard, but at the end of the day, it's a business, and it was a business decision.”

The rebranding was prompted by traffic. Chído had regulars, and it got by, but Frisco residents called for something different.

Casa Alma invited the Observer out on March 16. We stopped by to see the reimagining.

Nestled into The Shops at Starwood, Casa Alma is surrounded by a fine jewelry store, facial bar, pilates studio, spa, lash lounge, several culinary offerings and, of course, a Chick-fil-a.

Casa Alma’s roots trace back to pre-COVID days, when McGowan hosted the Frisco Supper Club. The usually sold-out 14-person dinners in his home featured cocktails, a five-course meal and wine pairings, he told Local Profile in 2020. McGowan’s sophisticated approachability shines again at Casa Alma.
Warm lights shine through sheer curtains. Gone are the playful signs. In their place are neutral crisp tones: white counters, two-toned stone brown and cream walls and rippled scallop pendants that resemble flowers. Natural wood, mirrors, vases of dehydrated fruits and potted greenery surround a backbar shrine of tequilas.

Tequila remains one of Chído’s most prominent threads. A wall of bottles reflects the friendships McGowan cultivated during his travels. He frequently visited Guadalajara, Jalisco, where he met tequila distillers and their families, many of whom are hands-on owners. Their dedication to the craft sparked McGowan’s passion for the spirit.

“I feel as kind of an ambassador for the industry, that it's my job to help educate people,” he says. He does so through quality pours.
Casa Alma’s bar program is cocktail-heavy, specifically margaritas, with a selection of wines and beers as well. Beverages average $12 to $14, with the standout El Jefe margarita priced at $24. It features El Arenal, Jalisco’s Tequila Cascahuín Blanco Tahona. The spirit is crafted with a tahona, a traditional volcanic stone mill wheel. We opted for a fruity mangonada ($14), a mango margarita served with a tamarind candy straw, and the Uber ($14), a sangria swirl margarita.

Their beloved happy hour has carried over: $4 off cocktails and half-priced wines can be enjoyed during all-day happy hour on Wednesday and Sunday. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday enjoy happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chído favorites and Mexican staples like the avocado ceviche ($11), grilled short ribs ($18), cotija-topped bean dip ($6), Chido burger ($18) and quesabirria tacos ($16) remain on the menu.

Order the albondigas ($14): Instead of breadcrumbs, Casa Alma's chef Francisco Guerrero, formerly of Ida Claire and Sugar Bacon, chars tortillas until nearly burnt, then grinds them into the meatballs. The added depth complements the flavorful guiso gravy.
The new menu additions reflect Casa Alma’s polished identity, like the sous vide Duroc pork chop ($26) served on the bone with salsa-macha-drizzled roasted sweet potatoes and chipotle vinaigrette Brussels sprouts. The ancho butter-glazed salmon filet ($26) is plated with green rice and sweet chili-glazed roasted carrots. Casa Alma features a weekend brunch. Think churro waffles and avocado tostada.
Save room for dessert. The rich and gooey Mexican-spiced Abuela’s chocolate cake ($9) is topped with Plano-based Henry’s Homemade Mexican vanilla ice cream.

Casa Alma won’t be coming to Dallas, however. The Dallas Chído Taco Lounge (7949 Walnut Hill Lane, suite 130) is tentatively slated to unveil a rebranding as Ella Dine + Drinks in June.

The concept will offer dressed-up comfort foods, such as chicken salad served on crispy chicken skin crackers and topped with sliced grapes — a dish created by Kyle Farr, formerly Boulevardier and Sachet. Look for Devils on Horseback, a bacon-wrapped date and prosciutto-wrapped apricot duo.

The sure-fire hit bar program will be led by 2024 Michelin Guide Exceptional Cocktails award recipient Julian Shaffer, who earned the distinction while at Rye.

While that's the plan for Dallas, Casa Alma in Frisco is already a hit.

“It's amazing seeing more people come in because I truly believe that we have a great product, we have a great story to tell, and I want to share that with as many people as we can,” McGowan says.

Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano, 6959 Lebanon Road, suite 123, Frisco. Monday, 11 a.m. –9 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.