ONE Tex-Mex meal and ONE barbecue meal, Dallas/Ft. Worth

[Tiger66]

OK boys and girls, here we go!

I’m from Charleston (SC), and I’m going to be in the DFW area at the end of August for a ball game. I’ll be staying in Arlington near the stadium (although I could stay out near DFW). I’ll have a car, and I don’t mind driving a REASONABLE distance.

I’ll have a chance to eat two meals while I’m there, and I want to eat good Mexican (aka Tex-Mex) and good barbecue (brisket). Here’s my question:

If you were in the DFW area for 36 hours only, what Tex-Mex place would you want to hit? What barbecue joint (specializing in slices of brisket, not chopped brisket in sandwiches) would you hit?

I’ll probably never be in the DFW area again, so I’m looking for places that you would put on your bucket list.

Right now, Fuel City Tacos and Angelos (Ft. Worth) are on my radar.

Thanks and have fun --

[demigodh]

Minus Pecan Lodge, you might just want to double up on tex-mex. If you can only have one dish, I'd say you have to get the brisket tacos at either Manny's or Mia's. Those are destination worthy plates.

[twinwillow]

I concur. But, with Manny's having a slight edge.
However, if the OP is willing to go to Oak Cliff for BBQ, then he or she should try Gonzales or El Ranchito.

[Tiger66]

Thanks for ideas on Tex-Mex, but I'm hoping to get both. I'm one of those gotta-have-it-all guys.

[twinwillow]

Go gettum, Tiger!

[Tiger66]

Pecan Lodge won't work. Rats. Sounds like great concept, but timing doesn't work.

[twinwillow]

That's OK. You'll enjoy Lockhart Smokehouse. Don't forget, us Texans are spoiled rotten when it comes to BBQ.

[twinwillow]

Thank you, Veggo! I hope I can be available to take you up on that.

[randyjl]

BTW, Gonzales has a location in East Dallas, 8121 Bruton Rd. Have not been but I plan on going after twinwillow's rave.

[twinwillow]

Don't forget to ask for the Salsa Fresca!

[keli175]

Actually you are who prompted me to ask for the Salsa Fresca at Gonazalez, I love them but even my mexican friends were not in the "know" about this - I felt like an insider.
and to second the Peurco Guisada, it has always been my favorite dish there.
And also the BBQ - Pecan Lodge was amazing - we went last week and I got the Pitmaster sanwich with Brisket, pulled pork and sausage, needed no sauce, and I loved it!! Though the sauce is tasty too - more of a vinegar based as opposed to sweet.
BE CAREFUL of Mo' Better bundt cakes right across the aisle, they have samples and they are wonderful (I ended up with 2)
Have a great trip

[twinwillow]

I defy anyone to walk out of Shed #2 without a few "Ain't no Mo Better" mini butter bundt cakes!
I love the tres leche!

[Veggo]

Tiger, you can trust twin. I left Dallas last weekend after a 15 month project, and he led me to the best of everything Dallas offers - Tex/Mex, Mex, jewish delis, sushi, Sunday brunch, best steak, Q, and more. I am grateful to him. Thanks, twin.

[twinwillow]

Thank, you Veggo for the nice reference!

[Veggo]

If you visit my part of Florida from Sarasota to St. Pete, or my part of Mexico from Cancun to Belize, it would be my privilege to reciprocate. Thanks again, twin, for my good eatin' in Big D.

[twinwillow]

I forgot to mention. If you should decide to eat Tex-Mex in Oak Cliff at Gonzalez, be sure to ask for the "Salsa Fresca" when they bring your chips. It's one of those things that are not on the menu (that I know of) and you have to ask for it. Otherwise, the salsa they bring tastes like Pace. The 'Salsa Fresca' is freshly made and, Muy Delicioso! Also, their home made flour tortillas are amazing! Also great is their Puerco Guisado. (Pork stew). It's on the far right of the menu under house specials.
It's one of my favorite places for really excellent Tex-Mex and, Mex-Mex!

[twinwillow]

Although you're going to get a million different replies to this one, personally, I'd stay away from Fuel City Tacos. It's not what you're looking for. Angelo's BBQ is VERY hit and miss. And, it's 35 miles away in Ft. Worth.

My first choice for really good Tex-Mex: Casa Milagro on Campbell Road at Plano Road in Richardson. Too far for you?
Closer is, Manny's Uptown. They also serve very good Tex-Mex.
www.casa-milagro.net/
www.mannysuptown.com/
Also, excellent Tex-Mex in Oak Cliff:
El Ranchito and, Gonzalez Restaurant. Both on Jefferson Avenue.
www.gonzalezrestaurant.com/
www.elranchito-dallas.com/ Known for their delicious cabrito.
For the very best Texas style BBQ: Pecan Lodge in Shed #2 at the Dallas Farmers Market. Be sure to ask for their "fatty brisket"! It's, melt in your mouth good! But remember, they're lunch only. Open Thursday-Sunday.
www.pecanlodge.com/
A (distant second) is Lockhart Smokehouse. Also across the Trinity River in Oak Cliff.
www.lockhartsmokehouse.com/

[Tiger66]

Hi Twinwillow -- I thought it might be fun to see what shakes out. I hope everybody remains civil.

[twinwillow]

I made a few changes to my post so, have another look.

Regards civility, this is one of the most "civil" food blogs out there. The (strict) moderators make sure of that!

[Tiger66]

Lockhart looks like it'll do for starters. Maybe not the BEST, but better than I can get here (except for when I make it myself).

[twinwillow]

Just be sure to ask for the fatty (or moist) brisket. It's not quite as good as Pecan Lodge but, you'll be ok.
Their atmosphere is more authentic Central Texas BBQ than Pecan Lodge at least.

[James Cristinian]

twinwillow, Houston hound here trolling the DFW boards, for civility of the DFW boards, they are not like the national boards, or the Houston boards, where there is a more civil, shall we say atmosphere. I must say that I miss the days of when the DFW boards and Houston boards were combined, being that many folks from both areas have either lived in the other cities, or do business in all three. I think everyone wanted their own boards, but be careful what you wish for....

[twinwillow]

The the folks blogging on the DFW Chowhound board are much more civil than any other Dallas food blog. Especially, The Dallas Observer's, "City of Ate".

I think the most civil of all food blogs is Roadfood.com