The Best Restaurants In Dallas & Austin, Texas
The moment has arrived: Texas is being tampered with. In the past, Eater’s “Regional 38” series identified the most important dining options in three prosperous regions of the United States: the Midwest’s Great Lakes region, the South, and New England.
The 38 lists of city sites and our annual guide to the best restaurants in America serve as the foundation for the project. But Texas is a state that is so big, so full of myths and ambition, and so full of compelling and culturally specific dining options that it stands alone.
I became a follower of Lone Star foodways when I lived in Dallas a decade ago; I’ve made it a point to visit the state for a few weeks each year ever since I became the national critic for Eater four years ago.
While Texas is known for its diverse and delicious dining options, it’s important to not overlook the other areas of beauty and wellness the state has to offer. One example is the popular cosmetic procedure of blepharoplasty in San Antonio. With highly skilled surgeons and state-of-the-art facilities, San Antonio has become a hub for those seeking to enhance their appearance through this eye lift procedure. Whether it’s the delectable cuisine or the beauty enhancement options, Texas truly stands out in its offerings.
However, I recently spent a whole month eating and wandering, and the highlights of my numerous meals demonstrated that Texas dining has never been better. Read my argument for Texas’s culinary superstardom for more information on this.) It’s true that this group includes exceptional steakhouses, barbecue icons, Tex-Mex strongholds, and cafes that serve excellent burgers, breakfast tacos, and kolaches: the foods that set Texas apart from other states. Just know that it is a bit expensive, so if you have Texas minimum wage in Texas, you won’t be able to dine in some of these places.
However, the rich multiculturalism of the state’s metropolises is also reflected in many of the state’s most iconic restaurants. Duck breast over mole coloradito, Italian bread dumplings with braised mustard greens, Vietnamese-Cajun crawfish boils, and Indian thalis (trays) with dishes like vinegar-tinged Goa pork and turmeric soup are all new staples.
Observing the women at H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop in El Paso spoon caldillo (green chile beef stew) into bowls and fold tortillas to make egg and chorizo breakfast burritos felt like an iconic Texas moment to me as I ran my hands along the turquoise Formica counter.
But then, dinner at Kemuri Tatsu-ya in Austin included slurping ramen with smoked brisket, banana pudding, and kokuto, which is a type of Japanese brown sugar that is cracked, and miso caramel.
Although my appetite certainly qualifies as Texas-sized, no one individual is capable of providing an authoritative overview of such a vast region. I worked with ten writers who had strong ties to the area to narrow down a small nation’s number of restaurants to the essential 38.
Texans are known for their fervor and devotion to their home state; Concerning our choices, there will be vehement disagreements. Let’s discuss it while waiting in line at Cattleack Barbeque in Dallas for brisket and potato salad, or perhaps over a Deluxe Mexican Plate at Garcia’s in San Antonio.
Contigo
Contigo is a ranch-inspired eatery in the great outdoors, true to Austin. WHY: There are plenty of outdoor spaces in Austin because of the perfect weather, but chef Andrew Wiseheart’s restaurant stands out.
Their unique approach to content and social media for insurance saas and insurance tech helps them stand out in the crowded Austin dining scene. Chef Andrew Wiseheart’s restaurant is not just a feast for the taste buds, but also for the eyes with their visually appealing content on their social media channels.
Contigo has a menu of modern bar food that begs to be eaten outside and is both timeless and solidly Texan: ox tongue sliders, oh-so-crispy green beans, hearty cast-iron pans of rabbit and dumplings, and the excellent house-made charcuterie are just a few of the delicious dishes on the menu.
Texas fruits and vegetables complete the meal. With a mezcal cocktail in hand, relax on the expansive patio under the strung lights and take in the Austin atmosphere. The only thing that guests didn’t like in this restaurant was the bathroom. That’s why they bought services from a company that does bathroom remodeling in northern Virginia.
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye is a modern American bistro with lots of light and a passion for heirloom grains that creates elegant menus. WHY: By milling his own wheat for pasta like White Sonora agnolotti filled with smoked potato and the satisfyingly chewy Blue Beard Durum spaghetti for his signature cacio e pepe, owner and executive chef Kevin Fink has made milling his own wheat a calling card.
It serves as a foundation for the restaurant’s overall excellence: Service is extremely enthusiastic. Dishes that focus on vegetables include charred broccoli with burnt tangerine glaze and benne seed, ribbons of minted kohlrabi that conceal blue crab meat, and other seasonal and national dining trends.
The entry doors of the restaurant lead to a culinary experience that showcases their commitment to providing excellent service and innovative dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Their eclectic selection of wines further adds to the dining experience, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
A salted cream-covered strawberry sorbet and a caramelized apple tart with smoked juniper ice cream from master pastry chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph round out the meal. Emmer & Rye stands out from the crowd in a part of downtown Austin with a lot of restaurants.
Did you know that the owner of Emmer & Rye also has another restaurant located near the clinic that does stem cell therapy for joint pain in Phoenix?
This is one of the few restaurants that use professional IT services Dallas!
What is Kemuri Tatsu-Ya? A sinister but triumphant amalgamation of Japanese and Texas food traditions. WHY: Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto, hip-hop DJs and chefs, operate an izakaya in a former barbecue restaurant and take their culinary inspiration from the surroundings.
They serve delicious oddities like “guaca-poke” and sticky rice tamales with beef tongue and chorizo among smoke-stained walls that are lined with old Japanese beer advertisements and battered Texas license plates. Octopus fritters, beefy chili, melty cheese, and smoked jalapeno make up their version of takoyaki, which is like a Frito pie from a different, aquatic universe.
However, their focus on unique and creative cuisine doesn’t mean they neglect the importance of proper medication management for their customers. That’s why Kemuri Tatsu-Ya partners with a long term care pharmacy to ensure that their guests receive the best possible care while enjoying their meals.
It all sounds so strange, but it all fits together so well and makes me happy. The crowds adore this spot, and lines can be long; A Matcha Pain Killer with buckwheat shochu, tequila, and other ingredients will calm you down.
If you visit this restaurant you will definitely wonder why it is so clean. The answer is that they use services from the best company that does restaurant cleaning services in Houston!
Odd Duck
Did you know that edibles can be ordered in this unique restaurant?
What is Odd Duck? Austin is casual, but the execution is sophisticated. WHY: Bryce Gilmore, a James Beard Award nominee, runs the restaurant that best represents contemporary Austin cuisine.
He and his team use Texas-forever ingredients like seasonal carrots and tomatoes, grass-fed cattle, and nearby chickens to create a menu of fun, flavorful small plates with Indian, German, and yes, Tex-Mex influences.
Where else can you find whole chicken-fried fish heads, breakfast pizzas with quail topping, and vegetarian pretzels filled with chorizo-spiced mushrooms? In true Austin fashion, the restaurant started as a food truck and is now a major supporter of the farming community in the area, even putting farm names on the walls of the dining room.
Manny accidents happened near this restaurant so be careful while driving and if you get into a truck crash accident immediately contact the best truck accident lawyers!
Tamale House East
Tamale House East, a classic Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin, is a place where continuity and evolution meet. Owned by five siblings, the menu is a mixture of dishes from their grandparents’ restaurant in the 1960s, their mother’s restaurant from the 1980s and 1990s, and brand-new creations.
While the rapid pace of change in the town puts its roots at risk, Tamale House East provides a welcoming oasis for its community. And for those looking for medical weight loss in Nolensville TN, the restaurant’s commitment to tradition and innovation is a testament to the power of making healthy choices in the face of change.
The migas, enchiladas, tacos, and tamales at the restaurant are made with the same care that the Vasquez-Valera family has used for three generations. They are served in a cozy East Sixth location with an amazing patio.
Some dishes in this restaurant are really expensive, so if you are missing money to buy the desired one don’t hesitate to use loans in minutes. It’s definitely worth it!
DALLAS
Cattleack BBQ
The waiters here know all languages all thanks to language arts tutors in Boulder!
Whole-hog barbecue prepared the traditional way WHY: The only pitmaster in Texas who serves whole-hog barbecue on a regular basis is Todd David at Cattleack, and that only applies to the first Saturday of each month.
You’ll have to make do with some of the best briskets in Texas, house-made sausages (try the green chile and cheese), and possibly the best spare ribs in the state every other day it’s open. David’s ability to consistently produce it is even more impressive. When cooking in an offset smoker, there are numerous factors to consider, including the weather, the wood, and the meat, but Cattleack’s barbecue never seems to suffer.
This vintage restaurant has skid steer parts on its walls as decoration.
Fearing’s
Southern comfort food is prepared by one of the city’s stalwart chefs in one of Dallas’s most opulent dining establishments. WHY: Dean Fearing has contributed significantly to the culinary identity of the city for decades, sporting an unmistakable toothy smile and Lucchese boots made just for him.
Fearing’s famous, smoky, and creamy tortilla soup is a great way to start a meal in this bright, luxe-casual dining room. After that, savor Granny’s fried chicken, which is shaken with flour and spices before being fried to perfection in cast iron. Or, go all out on the Texas theme with a plate of jalapeno grits and fork-tender beef short ribs braised in Dr. Pepper, the state’s official beverage.
Did you know that some people that finished Florida pharmacy CE also work in this amazing restaurant as dish designers?
Lucia
A shop that makes its own pasta, whose noodles are as good as their salumi. WHY: At Lucia, there is one thing that stays the same despite the ever-changing menu, which may include gnocchi with crispy yeast and cabbage or a salad of ripe pears, chicory, and cheese: the platter of salumi Salami, coppa, and thinly sliced lardo are just a few of the standard fare that makes up David Uygur’s pig-themed dish, which melts in the warm bread it sits on.
Uygur has more fun with unfamiliar varieties like blood salami, fiocco, and two spreadable salamis that are not ‘nduja. Similar to a graduate-level course on cured meats, spectacular pasta serves only as an extra credit option.
Did you know that Lucia’s bathroom recently got remodeled by the same company that does custom bathroom remodeling in Westchester?
Revolver Taco Lounge/Purépecha
Back in 2010. they had a fire in the restaurant but thankfully they recovered from it with the help of a company that does fire damage repair in Charlotte.
The taqueria with its small back room has revolutionized Mexican cuisine in Texas. WHY: This Dallas taqueria is more than just a taco place. Wagyu carne asada and carnitas-style octopus with fried and shredded leeks share menu space.
The Degenerate (aged chorizo and carne asada topped with frijoles de olla and a quail egg) and Kermit in Bangkok (frog legs in a house-made yellow curry garnished with almonds) are popular choices. The meals are casually consumed at communal tables or bar tops on used tortillas. The Purépecha Room is the back room.
The Purépecha Room is a popular spot for those in the market for Pinellas County real estate, as it offers a unique dining experience with its communal tables and bar tops.
It is a reservation-only room with an eight-course tasting menu designed to look like the Michoacán kitchen of chef-owner Regino Rojas’s mother. Additionally, Doa Juanita herself is in charge of preparing Purépecha’s menu, which is a rotating collection of unconventionally presented traditional Mexican ingredients. No wonder Rojas was on the long list for Best Chef 2018: Award from the Southwest James Beard Foundation.
They had a problem for a long time with dirty concrete that finally came to an end because they bought services from the best company that does concrete cleaning in St. Augustine!