Dallas Casual Dining: The 2026 Consensus Picks

What three independent food experts would agree on if they merged their reports into one list of top recommendations.

Cattleack Barbeque (Farmers Branch), Smoked Brisket. All three experts rank this at or near the top. Limited hours, salt-and-pepper rub, post oak smoke.
Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q (Allen), Al Pastor Pork Belly Burnt Ends. Two experts highlight this dish specifically. Smoked pork belly with pineapple and achiote glaze.
Pecan Lodge (Deep Ellum), Brisket and Sausage Platter. Got fresh attention in 2026 through the American Airlines partnership. The two-meat plate with mac and cheese is the go-to order.
Hurtado Barbecue (Dallas Farmers Market), “El Jefe” Platter. Brisket, ribs, sausage, and Mexican street corn. Built for sharing.

Fito’s (multiple locations), Taco de Trompo. All three experts name this one. Spit-roasted pork on a corn tortilla with onions and cilantro, full meal under $10.
Herrera’s Oak Cliff, Combo No. 1A. Cheese enchilada, tamale, beef taco, and bean tostada. Straightforward Dallas Tex-Mex.
Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch (DFW locations), Beef Fajitas. The consensus pick for fajitas, with fresh tortillas.
Las Palmas Tex-Mex (Uptown), Queso and Cheese Enchiladas. Multiple experts flag the garlic-herb queso as one of the best shareable starters in the city.

Ba Lee (Carrollton), Grilled Pork Bánh Mì. All three experts agree on this. In-house processed meats on a crusty baguette, around $6.50.
Phở Xóm (Carrollton), Phở Tái Lăn. A 14-hour bone broth with wok-fried beef in beef tallow and garlic. Northern Vietnamese preparation that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Lua Kitchen (Garland), Bún Chả Hà Nội. D Magazine’s 2026 standout for grilled pork and meatball noodles.

Keller’s Drive-In (multiple locations), No. 5 Double-Meat Cheeseburger. Every expert includes it. A 1960s carhop drive-in with poppy-seed bun burgers starting at $4.99.
Roots Chicken Shak (Plano, Legacy Hall), “The Big Bird” Sandwich. Chef Tiffany Derry’s duck-fat fried chicken sandwich, under $10.
Aunt Irene’s Kitchen (South Dallas), Fried Fish Sandwich or Black Box Seafood Boil. The $10 fish sandwich works for lunch. The $35 Black Box (crab, shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes) is the bigger commitment.