If you don’t know we are smack dab in the middle of a melting pot of glorious and fascinating cultures present within Texas. As such, there are bound to be great selections of cuisine ranging from Soul, American, Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and more incredible choices to dine at. The following list will contain various different cuisines and as such will offer some pictures to observe the aesthetic of the restaurants as well as a quick summary of the place too.
Quick Disclaimer: The places listed will only be places that I’ve tried so that I can give the most authentic and honest review without going off word of mouth. Moreover, I tried to avoid major chains, but instead restaurants you most likely have never heard of if you’ve never been to Dallas. Thanks and hope you enjoy!
#10: Zalat Pizza (Address: 3909 W Parker Rd #102, Plano, TX 75023)
To start off our list we have good ole fashioned pizza, something you can never go wrong with. Located in Plano, Zalat is a nice spot to pick up some hot pizza and take it home to munch on. There are other locations including some in Frisco, Addison, Richardson, etc. The only con I would say is sometimes it can take a little longer to get the food but for me, it is well worth the wait. You can’t go wrong with their selections.
If you are feeling bored try one of their specialty pizzas like the Pineapple Express, Buffalo Chicken (my favorite specialty pizza), Loaded Notato, and the Nashville’s Hot Chicken and Pickles. If you aren’t feeling that, their basic cheese and/or pepperoni pizzas are also well made.
#9: Eatzi’s Market (Address: 5967 W Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75093)
Next, on our list is not exactly a restaurant but instead a market. I added this spot because so many people adore and cherish this place due to its fresh items, meals, and products as a whole. If you are looking to go on the healthier side, they have prepared meals like my favorite, the chicken, broccoli, and mashed potato entree. Furthermore, they also have various assortments of meats, deserts, salads, cheeses, etc. that will fill your appetite.
Another thing special about Eatzis is their red dot sale, a period of 15 minutes before they close in which they mark stuff as “buy one get one free” in order to get rid of their fresh produce for the day and restock a whole new batch for the following day. If you ever drive by Texas, I definitely recommend visiting this place. You won’t regret it.
#8: Cheesecake Factory (Address: 7700 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Tx 75225)
You may have heard of this place and although it is a chain, it still acts as a great place to enjoy a great meal with family or friends. The biggest strength propelling the cheesecake factory onto this list is the magnificent assortment of food, a precise number equaling 250. Yes, that’s right… 250! And don’t be fooled. Even though they serve a lot on their menu, their meals are high quality. For example, their handcrafted “glamburgers” are top-of-the-line and would compete with almost any other burger spot. Their fries are expertly cooked and salted to perfection. And don’t even get me started on the cheesecake. Come on, it’s Cheesecake factory!
My favorite is their Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake, an original cheesecake but only with layers of delicious fudge cake and caramel mixed into the batter. If that doesn’t excite you they also have Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake, their 30th Anniversary cake, Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake, and 30 more cheesecake options.
#7: Golden Pot (Address: 3245 Main St, Frisco, TX 75034)
The sixth spot is awarded to, Golden Pot, a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs of Frisco. If you’ve never been here or feel like you’ve already found a great Chinese place, go here. It does it better than most other places. Their chicken and broccoli remain some of the best I’ve ever had. The chicken is perfectly cooked to complement the broccoli, which is actually tasty here. It’s not like other places where you are basically forced to eat it in order to get the full experience of the meal.
Lastly, they envelop a sauce over the chicken and broccoli which truly brings the meal to a whole new level. I even use the remaining sauce to put it on their rice which is already good without it but once again takes the rice to another level in the food game. And don’t forget their spring rolls, a nice little appetizer if you aren’t that hungry but still in the mood for some Chinese food.
#6: MesoMaya (Address: 1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202)
After that, the next spot is a cozy and family-friendly Hispanic restaurant, in the heart of Dallas. This place not only specializes in Mexican food, but they excel at it. A big foreshadowing sign that the Mexican place I’m eating at will be good, is the first impression.
More specifically the chips. Every time I have not had good quality chips the place has not been a pleasant experience but if they do, you know you are in for a good time. Moreover, Mesomaya’s chips start the process off with a bang. Their appetizers are also delicious too, my favorite being the taquitos and tostadas.
In addition, they have flawlessly made quesadillas, delectable enchiladas, appetizing soups, extraordinary meats, and so many more mouthwatering options. Although I may be a bit biased since I ate here with my homecoming group, don’t be fooled. It remains a splendid spot especially if you are in need of some excellent Mexican food.
#5: Dave’s Hot Chicken (Address: 8315 Preston Rd Suite 400, Plano, TX 75024)
At the 4th spot, is one of my favorite restaurants of all time no matter where you go. This place’s chicken is basically like Chick Fil A’s but so much better. Furthermore, they have multiple flavors like lite mild, mild, hot, and other flavors. Additionally, their hottest flavor is called the “Reaper,” a piece of chicken smothered in the spices of the Carolina Reaper, a pepper so hot it’s considered the hottest in the world. Not only is their chicken delicious, but their crinkle-cut fries are literally out of this world, especially with the help of their sauce, a condiment deserving as much hype as the Chick Fil A sauce.
I know it’s a big claim but from my experience, they are the epitome of what a fast-food chicken restaurant should be. Lastly, every time I’ve gone there the staff has always been extremely friendly which is a make or break for many people thus allowing them to really submerge themselves in the culture of the restaurant.
#4: Kenny’s Italian Kitchen (Address: 5100 Belt Line Rd #764, Dallas, TX 75254)
Following that, the fourth restaurant is named “Kenny’s Italian Kitchen” which offers an array of delicious varieties in Italian cuisine. If you are feeling like you just want something basic then their spaghetti and meatballs with their complimentary bread remain a notable combination. Their appetizers like the calamari are some of the best I’ve had along with their crab-filled mushrooms flowing with loads of flavor swimming in my mouth.
If you are in a fancier mood, they also possess the esteemed Filet Mignon as well as other meats like veal, chicken, and seafood. But if you are desiring something healthier then they also offer delicious salads and mostly gluten-free options.
Finally, their Tiramisu is an authentic Italian masterpiece truly wrapping up my experience on a good note. The staff was also really friendly with my waiter continually comforting me to make sure I had the most optimal experience while dining there. I went here for my mom’s birthday, and no doubt was a perfect choice for the occasion.
#3: La Hacienda (Address: 4110 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75034)
Third on the list, is an all-time Mexican favorite of mine, La Hacienda. Although Mesomaya is a great place to eat at if you are desiring some good Hispanic food, La Hacienda separates itself from many others. Their food continually tastes fresh, each of their ingredients shines through the dish to allow your mouth to fully enjoy, and lastly, the simplicity of their meals has so many complex flavors continuing to keep people coming back. One of my favorite things is how they make their guacamole, preparing it right in front of you in a bowl and mashing it from scratch.
Although this is common in some Mexican restaurants, La Hacienda was the first to expose me to this practice, thus cementing it as a special place in my heart forever. On top of that, their rice and beans are some of my favorite sides from any restaurant as well as their acclaimed enchiladas. They also have fish tacos which are appetizing as well. In conclusion, this place will always be dear to my heart due to the emotional impact, of dining here two times for my birthday so although it may appear as me being biased don’t underestimate the authenticity of La Hacienda.
#2: Oki Japanese Grill (Address: 1855 Dallas Pkwy #400, Plano, TX 75093)
In second place on the list, sits a Japanese restaurant that has the potential to become first place but is not due to the even larger impact of first place on this list. After finding this spot recently, I immediately became hooked once I tasted the first bite of the Shrimp Tempura and Flying Shrimp Roll, now two of my regulars from there. They also have other delicious rolls like the Las Vegas Roll, along with others including the Dragon Roll, Caterpillar Roll, and 26 more rolls they have to offer. Every single roll although different is made fresh right behind the counter which is visible to customers as they walk in, and is also a nice experience to watch chefs doing their thing in the kitchen. This added benefit allows you to really immerse yourself closer into the Japanese culture, a perk of food connoisseurs like I.
Another thing that they do well at a high level is their ability to make one of the best fried rice I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. I usually get the chicken fried rice but they also have vegetable fried rice if you want to hit the sweet spot of healthy as well as tasty. The staff continues to be nice, recognizing me as a regular which shows their appreciation for the support of their restaurant, going the extra mile to keep me as a recurring customer. So, if you are in Plano, I would definitely recommend going to dine here because you sure won’t regret it. You can thank me later!
#1: Maggianos Little Italy (Address: 6001 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75093)
Last but not least, the epitome of fine and authentic Italian dining, leaves the top spot for the world-renowned Maggianos Little Italy, a place with an aesthetic made for royalty. This place remains my all-time favorite restaurant to dine out for special occasions, spending three of my birthdays here which like La Hacienda, has allowed me to build a special relationship with the restaurant and become familiar with the staff.
I cannot stress this enough but in order to make a good restaurant you need good food, but to make a great restaurant you need a great staff. You need a staff that will not only serve tasty food but makes it their mission to serve their customers to the best of their ability and Maggiano’s does this to a tee.
Although Maggiano’s isn’t flawless, they remain a consistently great place and experience every time I go. Their bread is cooked to perfection, their house salad is made with excellent quality, and they also offer a featured chef’s soup every day. Additionally, they offer various versions of pasta that will transport you to Italy, specifically their delicious lasagna which will have you craving it like Garfield the Cat. It’s that good. Also, their chicken parmesan is my favored selection from there if I had to choose only one thing. The crusted chicken has the ideal texture and stays hot for an extended period of time, an essential for me who loves to talk while I dine.
Finally, I always wrap it up with an order of Crème Brule, a heavenly dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar and then I walk out the grandiose doors wishing I could teleport hours before to taste it all over again.
That is in essence the greatness of Maggiano’s… the ability to create not just a restaurant but a community of customers that truly appreciate the food for what it is. A masterpiece.
CONCLUSION
Thank you for reading my list and I hope you enjoyed it. Additionally, check out these restaurants if given the chance, and be sure to continue following The Roundup. My name is Christopher Simington signing off. Have a great winter break!
