The history of queso goes back to 19th-century Mexico, but it could be even older. The first known recipe was written in 1896 and published in an American magazine called “The Land of Sunshine.”
The dish originated in Chihuahua, Mexico, and was originally called chiles verdes con queso, which translates to “green chilis with cheese.” Initially, queso focused more on the chilis than on the cheese. Of course, nowadays, everyone’s favorite part is the cheese.
This National Queso Day, you can celebrate by making your own queso dip at home or going out to enjoy some queso at a local Dallas restaurant.
Here are some local restaurants that serve the best-reviewed local queso.
At E Bar Tex Mex, you can get their normal queso or their E Bar Queso with added beef, guacamole, and sour cream.
Meso Maya Comida y Copas offers their signature guacamole and queso combo. One review describes the combo as “fresh and delicious.”
At Torchy’s Tacos, you can order their green chile queso topped with guacamole, cotija cheese, cilantro, and diablo sauce. One Trip Advisor review described it as the “best queso anywhere.”
If you don’t want to go out and would rather make your own queso at home, here is a recipe for “Texas-style” queso.
- 1 lb. Velveeta Mexican cheese
- 12 oz. cream cheese
- 3 fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 1 bunch green onion, tops only, chopped (to taste)
- 3–6 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (to taste)
- 2–3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1⁄2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (to taste)
- black pepper, cracked
Simply melt the cheeses together in a microwave or on a stovetop, stir with the other ingredients, and serve warm.
To celebrate the holiday, Moe’s Southwest Grill offers a free side of queso to all its customers.