DFW Food & Local Favorites
DFW is home to one of the most diverse food scenes in Texas, with everything from legendary barbecue and classic Tex-Mex to international cuisine, old-school burger joints and local dessert favorites. Whether you are looking for a longtime neighborhood institution or a new place to try, these popular spots offer a great starting point for exploring the flavors of Dallas–Fort Worth.
Barbecue Favorites
Goldee’s Barbecue — Fort Worth
Known for brisket, ribs, sausage and traditional homemade sides.
Hurtado Barbecue — Arlington
A popular barbecue destination combining traditional smoked meats with Mexican-inspired flavors.
Hutchins BBQ — McKinney
A North Texas favorite known for brisket, ribs, sausage and classic barbecue sides.
Zavala’s Barbecue — Grand Prairie
A neighborhood smokehouse serving barbecue alongside Mexican-inspired specials.
Cattleack Barbeque — Farmers Branch
A celebrated barbecue restaurant known for brisket, beef ribs and limited operating hours.
Tex-Mex and Mexican Favorites
Joe T. Garcia’s — Fort Worth
A historic institution known for fajitas, enchiladas, margaritas and its large outdoor garden.
Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch — Arlington
A longtime Tex-Mex favorite connected to the invention of the frozen margarita machine.
El Fenix — Dallas
One of the area’s best-known Tex-Mex institutions, serving enchiladas, tacos, tamales and queso for generations.
Mi Dia From Scratch — Grapevine
A local favorite blending traditional Mexican, Tex-Mex and New Mexican flavors.
Burgers and Casual Favorites
Keller’s Drive-In — Dallas
An old-school drive-in known for affordable burgers, poppy-seed buns and nostalgic carhop service.
Ye Ole Butcher Shop — Plano
A longtime butcher shop and casual restaurant known for burgers, sandwiches and its buffalo burger.
Rodeo Goat — Fort Worth
A DFW-born burger destination offering creative burgers, fries and unusual topping combinations.
LSA Burger Co. — Denton
A Texas-themed burger restaurant overlooking the Denton Square.
International and Local Favorites
Prince Lebanese Grill — Arlington
A family-owned Arlington institution serving shawarma, hummus, kabobs and falafel since 1989.
Jeng Chi Restaurant — Richardson
A longtime Chinese restaurant known for handmade dumplings, noodles and steamed buns.
Empa Mundo — Irving
A casual local favorite specializing in handmade Argentine empanadas.
Bavarian Grill — Plano
A longtime German restaurant serving schnitzel, sausages, pretzels and traditional specialties.
Ari Korean BBQ — Carrollton
A popular Korean barbecue restaurant offering table-grilled meats and traditional side dishes.
Longtime Local Institutions
Tolbert’s Restaurant & Chili Parlor — Grapevine
A Main Street institution known for Texas red chili, burgers and live music.
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House — Roanoke
The original Babe’s location, serving family-style fried chicken and homestyle sides.
Reata Restaurant — Fort Worth
A Texas-focused restaurant serving steaks, chicken-fried steak and Southwestern dishes. Visit Fort Worth identifies it as one of the city’s signature dining destinations.
Kuby’s Sausage House — University Park
A family-owned German restaurant and market known for sausage, schnitzel and breakfast.
The Classic Café at Roanoke — Roanoke
A longtime restaurant serving seasonal American dishes using regional ingredients.
Sweet Treats and Desserts
MELT Ice Creams — Fort Worth
A local ice cream shop offering handmade and rotating seasonal flavors.
Emporium Pies — Dallas
A neighborhood pie shop known for handmade seasonal pies.
Hi, Sweetie — Plano
A dessert shop offering rolled ice cream and creative sweet treats.
Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream — Denton
A Denton Square favorite serving homemade ice cream in a nostalgic setting.
Swiss Pastry Shop — Fort Worth
A longtime bakery best known for its signature Black Forest cake.
Food Halls and Markets
Legacy Hall — Plano
A large food hall featuring numerous dining concepts, bars and live entertainment.
Harvest Hall — Grapevine
A European-style food hall featuring several local restaurant concepts.
Dallas Farmers Market — Dallas
A downtown market district featuring restaurants, vendors, produce and artisan goods.
From smoky barbecue and sizzling Tex-Mex to handmade dumplings, burgers and sweet treats, there is always something new to discover across DFW. This list is not meant to be a complete ranking, but a collection of popular local favorites from throughout the Metroplex.
Restaurant menus, hours and locations may change, so check directly with each business before visiting.