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    Tastemaker Awards

    The 10 top neighborhood restaurants in Dallas keep it close to home

    Teresa Gubbins
    Mar 21, 2022 | 5:25 pm
    Carverpark
    Meat, potatoes, and green beans from Carverpark.
    Photo courtesy of Carverpark

    CultureMap Dallas brings back the 2022 edition of its annual Tastemaker Awards, our culinary celebration shining a light on the top talent in Dallas-Fort Worth's restaurant and bar communities, as determined by their peers.

    As part of that celebration, we are launching a 10-part editorial series in which we'll profile nominees for Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, Chef of the Year, and more. Check out our page with all the nominees, all of which have been voted on by a panel of judges consisting of former CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners and local F&B experts.

    It'll culminate in a party on May 12 at Fashion Industry Gallery, emceed by comedian CJ Starr, where attendees get to dine on bites from nominated restaurants and find out who the winners are in all the categories. (Tickets are on sale here.)

    We begin that series now with the category of Neighborhood Restaurant. These are the places that are nearby, convenient yet good, and that often reflect the neighborhood in some way.

    Here are the 10 nominees for best Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:

    Tiki Loco
    Extremely practical restaurant that opened in 2018 has celebrity ties: It's owned by tattoo artists Dean Williams and Olive Peck (star of TV show Ink Master), whose Elm Street Tattoo shop has been in Deep Ellum for 20-plus years. The duo has created a place where you can get healthy food options — both vegan and GF — and local coffee from White Rock Coffee, including tacos, nachos, smoothies, juice, grab-and-go items, and even cocktails, with happy hour deals. Deep Ellum has become deluged with restaurants, many from out of town, and Tiki Loco stands as a bit of a throwback, a sweet reminder of the quirky, funky Deep Ellum vibe that has attracted so many newcomers.

    Partenope Ristorante
    Partenope has all the traits that every neighborhood wants: authenticity, doting local ownership, a sense of family, and of course, pizza. Everyone loves pizza. Husband-and-wife Dino and Megan Santonicola met when they worked at the Cane Rosso chain, but came with extensive restaurant industry experience they put to good use at this place of their own, which they opened in the gorgeous Titche-Goettinger building in downtown Dallas in 2019. They've won over the downtown residential community with their diligence and reliability, not to mention spot-on Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta, and other specialties from Dino, a native of Italy.

    Open Sesame Lebanese Grill
    Dallas has plenty of Middle Eastern restaurants, but those that serve Lebanese specifically are in the minority, and this is a wrong that Open Sesame rights. The restaurant opened in 2017 in a busy part of Oak Lawn Avenue, serving the trademark sharp flavors and superb execution for which Lebanese food is known, in their signature kafta, ground beef with onions & parsley, as well as their superior versions of Middle Eastern staples like tabouleh and hummus. Their prices are low — finding truly good quality food at a reasonable price is a rarity in Dallas — they offer wine and beer, and they're open for both lunch and dinner. Maybe it's time to move to Oak Lawn.

    Lockwood Distilling Co.
    Distillery and craft kitchen in Richardson serves small-batch spirits and a chef-devised menu featuring enticing dishes with creative yummy twists such as "dirty" tater tots with melted pimento cheese and hot sauce; and Southern bean dip with marinated butter beans, arugula, and toast points. They opened in Richardson in 2019, and are really just a small spirits distillery with some indoor dining and outdoor/patio seating, where they host local musicians on weekends. But founders Sally and Evan Batt have a genuine love for the community and have created a laid-back place where you can enjoy crafted food and beverages.

    Lochland's
    Irish pubs are beloved in Dallas, and this one comes with unimpeachable credentials: Co-owner Peter Kenny is a native of Ireland and pub veteran who also owns the Dubliner on Greenville Avenue. Its menu of Irish comfort food such as fish & chips and shepherd's pie, a great selection of beer, and cocktails, too, would be a hit anywhere, but it's all especially beloved in their Lake Highlands/Lochwood neighborhood of East Dallas, deeply grateful for something cool. Lochland's accommodates with friendly service, a dog-friendly outdoor space, and a popular weekend brunch.

    Hillside Tavern
    Neighborhood tavern is the Lakewood entry from the owners of Rapscallion, Boulevardier, and Veritas Wine Room, located in suddenly buzzy Hillside Village, where they serve bar eats, stiff cocktails, a 40-bottle wine list, TVs, and a friendly staff. The menu has a Houston's vibe, with bold versions of classics such as a wedge loaded down with blackberry-hoisin glazed bacon, blue cheese, tomato, sesame seed spice, scallion, chili sauce, and roasted peanuts. Smoked meats are a thing here, and chef Nathan Tate is not shy: Consider his smoked bologna sandwich with smoked mortadella, American & provolone cheese on Texas toast. Boo-yah.

    Jalisco Norte
    Authentic Mexican kitchen and bar at Turtle Creek Village was originally founded by Tim McEneny (Sloane's Corner) and acclaimed chef Jose Meza, whose resume includes the famed NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2020, it was acquired by restaurateur Mike Karns (Local Favorite Restaurant Group), and in great news, he's kept the formula of flavorful authentic food and craft cocktails mostly intact. Meza is a culinary whiz who knows how to pack a punch, distilling loads of flavor and technique into sauces and ingredients that can seem simple but beneath the surface are gratifyingly complex.

    Taco Ocho
    Small acclaimed family-owned taqueria chain serves tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and more with locations in Richardson, Frisco, and Flower Mound. Founder Mani Bhushan worked for companies such as PepsiCo and Yum! Brands before founding Taco Ocho in 2011 as a Mexican restaurant inspired by Latin cuisine with classic techniques. Every item is made-to-order using fresh ingredients, with inspiration from Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. The food is good, they're ultra-responsive to customers, the prices are low, and they keep long hours: open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.

    Honor Bar
    Restaurant-bar at Highland Park Village is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston's, R+D Kitchen) and has three other locations, in Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, and Miami — and yet it's quintessential Park Cities (although keep in mind that it's a Hillstone-quality version of Park Cities, IE better than what the Park Cities would muster on its own). It has the same polished self-assurance (and a few similar dishes) as R+D, but with a hair more of a casual/bar-food focus — burgers and such — not to mention a bright patio with yellow umbrellas that lets you keep an eye on who's doing what and headed where at HPV.

    Carverpark
    What a treasure to find this small, careful cafe from a food & beverage team with tons of experience tucked inside a 14-story office building at 7557 Rambler Rd., near 75 and Walnut Hill Lane. Open for breakfast and lunch to occupants of the office building, or anyone else who wants to drop in, it stars James Rowland, the well-regarded veteran chef (Beau Nash, Bistro Nous, Greenville Avenue Bar & Grill); and Fana Yohannes, the former front-of-the-house pro from York Street and Lucia Dallas, who are turning out fresh, homey sandwiches, pastas, soups, and hearty vegetarian dishes.

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    Roundup Time

    Dallas restaurants heat up new summer menus in this roundup of news

    Raven Jordan
    Jun 17, 2025 | 6:39 pm
    Mirador whipped fet
    Mirador
    Whipped feta at Mirador

    Mid-June means it's time for a roundup of restaurant news around Dallas, and this one is perfect for people craving something new. Everyone's doing new menus and dishes, from a fancy lobster roll and wine pairing to a new ranch dip at one of America's most popular chains.

    Here's what's happening in Dallas restaurant news right now:

    Al Biernat's has a new special 3-course dinner at its Al Biernat’s North location, available on weekend nights only from Friday-Sunday, featuring dishes like grilled pear soup, snapper, short rib, steak frites, and Al’s Famous coconut cream pie, for the bargain price of $55.

    Mirador in downtown Dallas has a new summer menu for brunch and lunch featuring $18 seasonal crudo, $14 heirloom tomato salad, $11 chocolate donut, and a $18 Foie-ffle with buttermilk waffle, duck confit, cultured butter.

    The Porch has a new summer menu with $30 wood-fired salmon, $16 pork belly burnt ends, and $38 shrimp & grits. Plus, there are $10 "inflation-free" cocktails featuring a margarita and hibiscus hybrid.

    Te Deseo in the Harwood District has a new menu at their La Terraza rooftop with corn soup, salsas flight with three salsas, cheese and chicken stuffed arepas, tacos, ceviche, and churros. Dishes range from $9 for an appetizer to $29 for fajitas.

    Elm Street Cask & Kitchen in downtown Dallas has a new summer menu with $34 blackened redfish, $14 Gulf shrimp ceviche, $34 chargrilled pork chops, and lighter bites like $14 watermelon & feta skewers.

    Winsome Prime the steakhouse at Trinity Groves has a new weekend brunch with $17 spinach-artichoke dip, $25 six-ounce Kobe burger, $46 oxtail hash, and $47 lobster Benedict. Hours are Saturday-Sunday from 11 am-4 pm.

    Culpepper Cattle Co. has a new Sunday brunch buffet for $28 with omelets, chicken fried steak, cheddar grits, monkey bread, biscuits & gravy, chicken tenders, pancakes, waffles, French toast sticks, migas, tacos, plus $5 mimosas and $8 build-your-own bloody Mary bar.

    Eddie V's has a new special pairing a lobster roll and wine for $38, with choice from Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay, Whispering Angel Rosé, or Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir. Available at both Plano and Fort Worth locations until July 25.

    Jinya Ramen Bar has new summer chef specials: tan tan men noodles in a chilled chicken broth, topped with pork and bok choy for $17; and buffalo cauliflower with ranch for $8. Available through August 31.

    Tacodeli is bringing back the salmon pistachio taco, with includes salmon wrapped in a pistachio crust, pistachio salsa + spicy habanero escabeche, and a sprinkle of pistachios for $6.50.

    Fish City Grill has a new "handhelds" menu of tacos and sandwiches, starting at $14, including fishwich with beer-battered cod, honey chipotle shrimp tacos, lobster & shrimp grilled cheese, shrimp po’boy, and bacon cheeseburger.

    Dog Haus, the hot dog restaurant and biergarten, has teamed with chef Josh Elkin for an Aloha Soopah Slider featuring fried Spam, tater tots, chili crunch, furikake, eggs, and maple sriracha on grilled King's Hawaiian rolls. Available for $8 through July 21.

    Culinary Dropout is celebrating its one-year anniversary in the Design District with new summer dishes, zero-proof sips, and frozen cocktails. There are two-for-one sushi rolls, whipped feta and tahini dip, strawberry spinach salad, short rib, and cocktails like Pancho's Paloma and the Irish Goodbye with whiskey, Borghetti Italian liqueur, cold brew, and cinnamon cold foam.

    Barcelona, the Knox-Henderson wine bar, has a menu designed for patio dining that includes asparagus a la plancha with charred lemon; corn zucchini buñuelos with dill and citrus; burrata topped with onion pesto and blistered tomatoes; or a whole roasted branzino served with salsa verde, potatoes, and lemon.

    Corner Bakery is offering low priced sandwiches such as ham and Swiss, bacon & egg, and chicken salad sandwich for $4 and $5. The sandwiches are typically $8-$10.

    Bellagreen has six new limited-time dishes including cucumber & avocado gazpacho, watermelon salad, falafel burger, and lemon crumble bar. Priced at $5-$20. Available through the end of August.

    First Watch has a new summer brunch with blueberry lemon cornbread, elote breakfast burrito, shrimp & grits, and strawberry tres leches French toast with spiced gingerbread cookie crumbles. A new summer drink is the Watermelon Wake-Up with watermelon, pineapple, lime, and mint. Available through August 11.

    MilkShake Factory, the Grapevine dessert shop, has added the buzzy Dubai-style chocolate bar with pistachio crème and toasted kataifi wrapped in milk chocolate for $6. They have also added a limited-time strawberry pretzel pie shake withstrawberries, salty pretzels, and frosting, topped with whipped cream and a strawberry for $10, available through July 27.

    Menchie's frozen dessert chain has partnered with Hi-Chew candy for a limited-edition flavor: Hi-Chew Blue Hawaii Tropical Candy. The flavor combines citrus and pineapple in a creamy frozen dessert, available through June 31.

    Bahama Buck's has a limited-edition lineup of Bomb Pop shaved ice and sodas. Flavors include Watermelon Bomb Pop Sno topped with sprinkles and a Watermelon Bomb Jr., Bomb Pop Cherry Bahama Soda, Bomb Pop Lime Bahama Soda, and Bomb Pop Blue Raspberry Bahama Soda. Available at Dallas locations from June 26-July 6.

    Einstein Bros. Bagels, the fast-casual bagel chain, has morning mocktails in fruity flavors like Bros. Bay Breeze with cranberry, lemonade & passion fruit; Passion Fruit Sunrise with OJ, lemonade, & passion fruit; and an Energy Spritz made with Monster Energy. Starting June 18.

    Duro Hospitality and Socorro Tequila have launched Socorro Tequila Joven Duro Edition, a collaboration that brings an exclusive tequila experience to all Duro Hospitality concepts. Cocktails include “El Martini” at Mister Charles with Makrut Lime and Cointreau; the “Sandro Pertini” at The Charles with mezcal, Campari, and lime; and the “Tio Rosso” at El Carlos Elegante with grapefruit soda and rosemary.

    Taco Bell has new chicken strips for a limited time. They come solo, in tacos, or in a burrito. The chain keeps dabbling in chicken: They launched chicken nuggets with a tortilla chip breading in 2024, then brought them back again in 2025. The chicken strips are marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated with tortilla chip breadcrumbs and can be ordered with choice of spicy ranchero or avocado ranch. The taco features one chicken strip, purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo, and cheddar on a tortilla. The burrito has all the same ingredients, but two chicken strips instead of one. Items are $3-$6.

    Chipotle is launching adobo ranch, the chain's first new dip in five years since queso blanco. the sauce features adobo pepper, sour cream and a blend of herbs and spices. Available starting June 17.

    7-Eleven, Inc. has a new Spicy Hot Link Sausage featuring a slow-smoked, paprika-packed sausage. They've also launched a summer Craveables Value Menu with 5 bone-in wings for $5 and a glazed doughnut for $1.

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