Texas is known for many things: cows, oil, and food (not necessarily in that order). But when it comes to great food, nearly every big Texas city has a restaurant described as “the best.” Texas Monthly released its list of the best new restaurants in Texas, and it’s no surprise that several reside in Dallas-Fort Worth. The Dallas Express lists them for you here.
Meridian offers patrons a trip around the world with dishes inspired by Brazilian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and African cultures. There is something for everyone. If you are dining as a group, you can share a whole octopus (don’t knock it until you try it), and for beef lovers, there is a 60-day, dry-aged Wagyu ribeye. Save room for dessert as Executive Chef Junior Borges creates his favorite childhood treat, yuca-and-coconut cake topped with lime ganache over a pool of condensed milk anglaise.
Sister took over the location of 40-year Dallas staple, Grape, on Greenville Avenue. Serving Italian and Mediterranean-style dishes, Sister offers up creations that treat the eye and the stomach. The signature dish, Charred Eggplant Dip, features char-roasted eggplant, black sesame seeds, tahini, and a hint of garlic with colorful pepper and sliced watermelon radish as garnish.
Tango Room, one of Dallas’ newest steakhouses, features Seared Foie Gras, a starter that includes pear Tarte Tatin and crushed pink peppercorn. Their signature Tango Burger includes dry-aged beef, raclette, yuzu aioli, IPA pickles, and, for an extra $20, splurge on the fresh black truffle.
If you are looking for something a little more casual, Fort Worth’s new grocery store, Roy Pope Grocery, has a signature burger that is everything you want in a hamburger: messiness and a potato bun. The Roy Pope Burger features a thick patty with a slice of cheddar, lettuce, a slice of tomato, bread and butter pickles, and onion with your choice of housemade Dijon mustard or mayonnaise.
Keeping with the casual theme, Thunderbird Pies opened a Fort Worth location that operates as a ghost kitchen inside Zoli’s Pizza every Monday through Thursday. There is also a stand-alone location in East Dallas on East Gaston. Known for their Detroit-style pizza, Thunderbird Pies makes ordering pizza fun with names like “Budd,” “Honey Bastard,” “Zuko,” and “Drip Pan.” Texas Monthly spotlighted their Smashburger, a thin burger topped with American cheese, homemade secret-recipe double stamp sauce, horseradish pickles, tomato, and shaved lettuce. For an extra kick, add bacon-chile pepper marmalade.
A former Dallas subway post is the new home to Cry Wolf, described on its website as “a cordial, intimate space focusing on seasonal fare and refined cocktails.” The Junis Heights neighborhood restaurant caters to East Dallas residents but welcomes all who are open to trying new foods. Although Cry Wolf has yet to post their full menu, Wagyu tongue has appeared with chopped red chile, fresh greens, and fennel pollen.
Roots Southern Table in Farmer’s Branch serves the best from co-owner and chef Tiffany Derry. Known for her appearances on Top Chef, Derry’s Jerk Lamb Chops includes a mix of spices, namely allspice and habanero, served with hoppin’ John (jasmine rice and either East Texas crowder peas or field peas).
