Iconic Dallas Dishes
Dive into the heart of Texas cuisine with our guide to Dallas' most well-known dishes and drinks.
Whether you're sipping on a frozen margarita, savoring a mouthwatering plate of Tex-Mex, or indulging in the city's renowned barbecue and burgers, Dallas offers a diverse and delectable culinary experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Check out some of the Dallas must-try restaurants and the iconic staples that the city is known for.
![A person picks up a tex-mex appetizer from a plate at El Fenix](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2ae08b0de26f63f90616b141e082ccad 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=672475d33b0a7deb6d68d01e00a66bc4 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=02938a111c5a78c67c21ad0ecb45e7b1 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b54192118dc02871a6d928ba6f63d998 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=cdd1ca9174192b5608b0339387cfabad 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=06d4bfd5d9509b070a4c99e1df6f7135 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=184e3376702c6e06c02f99becee500b0 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/restaurants/El-Fenix-Digging-into-Food-2G4A1667.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=cb8ea8834fc792bc336009ad31f7b380 2100w)
Tex-Mex Cuisine
The influence of Tex-Mex cuisine is deeply woven into the fabric of Dallas's food culture. Local favorites like Mia's, Rafa's, and the iconic El Fenix restaurant have been serving up iconic dishes like sizzling fajitas, hearty enchiladas, and creamy queso for generations. Meanwhile, the Mi Cocina chain, although a local favorite, has also expanded its Tex-Mex empire nationwide.
![An array of BBQ dishes with pulled pork, fries, macaroni, and pickles.](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=9df9398b35b92a911ab671b809deeb4e 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b45052ae9b53bbe032ba52e7a800b14d 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=fa8e5d166fa0d0c9b318c6f9730088e5 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bed3598b627166f704c97935a68455f8 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=828be8ba1cc49a88679402f4cc34b9ba 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e90ba8a01ecc7a19c2698638a5d908b3 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=895ea700526f1adb351a8256779a9e9e 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4f21c5484ae925e72436fa389a398ac3 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/off_the_bone_bbq.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=515c374e726b88694a3af5c61a842589 3840w)
Texas-Style Barbecue
No visit to Dallas is complete without indulging in the city's renowned Texas-style barbecue. Establishments like Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse, which has been smoking meats since 1910, have perfected the art of slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and more. Diners can savor the smoky flavors accompanied by classic sides like creamy mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw, and sweet peach cobbler.
![Owners Box Burger on a plate from Dallas TX](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6cb3b05a01f1a02c6fbd64e7e68a502e 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=496178dab08a131125af6f3fd3c6bc38 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2e39a235b0fa11627ad33382ab10ce26 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=582523bbdc1c319f2b97a2f3d4ba0fc9 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3c44bc82350817d98408afc0de19a883 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=71a4356ebddad25b1524959874b0c624 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=ad5c2cce70514a432afd23cf064d8a93 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=e83efb822d0c5cddacbeeefb415e2fc3 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/Business-Listings/Owners-Box-Burger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=1e1d847fc5d8f60ec3ecfe3780f5a96e 3840w)
Burgers and Steaks
Dallas is also celebrated for its exceptional burgers and steak offerings. Craving a juicy masterpiece? Head to Maple & Motor, a local favorite known for their mouthwatering creations. The half-pound 70/30 chuck to brisket patty is legendary - the combination of chuck for richness and brisket for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness creates a truly unforgettable burger experience. For steak aficionados, iconic spots like Bob's Steak & Chop House, Al Biernat's and Fogo de Chão are must-visits.
![](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1a944bd43f9bfdbe26585a609ca01b8a 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=37bc788557555b705eabc2893f341f33 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7ce204cefb31f6769f5455b6bc25c0ba 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8ee02b59b15715c82ecaaae155f486de 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9f5d068b81dfd1ed0be08e285fbb4260 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=251a3acafdd4d4613b034556a1195f52 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/food-and-drink/margarita-mile/Mariano%E2%80%99s-Mariano-Martinez-1991-Frozen-Margarita-Machine.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=648a1dbf28477d5977320a3fbe90207f 1464w)
Frozen Margaritas
The frozen margarita is undoubtedly a Dallas signature drink. In 1971, local entrepreneur Mariano Martinez revolutionized the classic margarita by adapting a slurpee machine to create the "World's First Frozen Margarita Machine." This refreshing, slushy concoction quickly became a beloved staple at Tex-Mex restaurants across the city, forever cementing Dallas's place in margarita history.
![Fletchers corndogs](https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5b33d96ae7f4c3a53475f4bb877b6872 320w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b796abe84fc70a40c670eea67bc70f86 540w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=662556b7d8b5398fee65f6731e66a2f2 768w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d8b03b6ace93599ebca3186b917466ee 1024w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8d0c6f7bb72cf3affdb8f1320f151652 1200w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=789d9ff40c605812357adad904fdf1cc 1440w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=c91b2b5aa14edc5d121975abf7adab24 1920w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=8569618f2a1eaab1b8c45dba92370d65 2560w, https://visit-dallas.imgix.net/images/blog/Fletchers-corndogs-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=37d5556008cbf38651eca40b32f59d07 3600w)
Iconic State Fair Treats
The State Fair of Texas has long been a source of culinary inspiration for Dallas. From the invention of the famous Fletcher's Corny Dogs in 1942 to the origins of the snow cone, which can be traced back to the fair in 1919, the city's love for indulgent, fried treats is undeniable.
Beyond the Plate: A Foodie Footnote
Dallas's culinary scene is packed with history. Kirby's Pig Stand, considered the country's first drive-in restaurant, was established in Dallas in 1921. They're also credited with inventing classics like fried onion rings, chicken-fried steak sandwiches, and Texas toast!
Dallas offers a vibrant food scene that goes beyond stereotypes. Sure, you'll find some of the best barbecue and Tex-Mex around, but Dallas boasts a surprising variety of twists on classic dishes and a rich culinary history. Let's dig into some of the must-try bites and sips that capture the essence of Dallas!