Food Lover’s Guide to Dallas

Dallas, a city that epitomizes Texas life, has long been a showcase for Tex-Mex cooking and grilled meats. A new wave of immigrants from outside and inside the US has added flair to the culinary scene, reimagining classic dishes and cooking up some of the best Vietnamese and Mexican dishes this side of the Rio Grande.

Must-Try Dishes

Make like the locals and stand in line for barbecue. Meat cooked low and slow over hardwood coals personally selected by the pit master, barbecue is a statewide passion at the hub of Dallas food life. Brisket with burnt ends and sausages are a must. Dallas denizens and cowboys alike also share a love for chicken-fried steak — a breaded and fried beefsteak served with gravy — and every local has their favorite spot. Combining the best of Texas and Mexican flavors, Tex-Mex fare is as Texan as it gets. Fajitas served with corn or flour tortillas or queso with toasted tortillas exemplify the ease with which flavors cross borders. For the true expression of Mexico, Dallas falls hard for the octopus taco or really, any taco. More recent arrivals to the Big D, the Vietnamese and their iconic bowls of pho have made a soupy splash in this meat-loving city.

Must-Do Experiences

• Eat and drink your way through traditional sweets and meats on a food tour of the Deep Ellum neighborhood.
• Relive history on a walking tour of the architectural landmarks that map John F. Kennedy’s assassination before heading to a seated food tour of modern Dallas.
• Combine Dallas history with an eating tour of the city’s best Tex-Mex and Mexican taco houses, sipping margaritas in between stops on a luxury motor coach.