Situated in the lively dining district of Dallas’s Lower Greenville area, Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen offers refined Vietnamese staples reflecting Hanoi’s essence. Influenced by cherished family recipes and a vibrant street food scene, Ngon’s offerings are colorful and bursting with taste. The servings are generous, yet not “Texas sized,” so you needn’t fret about post-lunch fatigue. A remarkable success prior to receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, Ngon has established itself as a fundamental dining spot in the community. You can’t go wrong selecting any dry or wet noodle options for your main course, but the mango salad appetizer is a must-have. It provides an ideal mix of tangy, crisp green mango alongside delicately poached shrimp and squid, all combined with a delectable fish sauce dressing and garnished with fried shallots and peanuts. It’s an extraordinary blend of sweet, salty, pungent, and aromatic flavors. There’s a reason it’s a popular choice at every table.
Just beyond the city borders in nearby Richardson, TX, the finest Iraqi cuisine in the Metroplex can be found. Although the sandwiches and small plates are excellent, Al Baghdadi‘s Salam Grill stands out for its family-style dining. Opt for a platter featuring succulent lamb tikka, yogurt and spice-marinated chicken called shish tawook, saffron rice, hummus, and baskets of freshly baked khubz (flatbread). Dishes are cooked over charcoal grills, imparting an irresistible char and aroma that electric grills simply cannot achieve. After your meal, take a stroll to the bakery section and indulge your sweet cravings. Gorgeous spiraling displays of z’labia (akin to a funnel cake) are fried fresh right before your eyes. Trays of diamond-shaped baklava adorned with pistachios are pulled from the ovens stationed in the back. Thick squares of daheen, a rich and gooey cake infused with cardamom syrup, are cut to order. In summary, the bakery is unmissable, regardless of how stuffed you feel.
From trendy, modern Western aesthetics to timeless steakhouse grandeur, these venues go all in on Texas-style cuisine
The tall, rounded ceiling of this converted Quonset hut frames the horseshoe bar of local hotspot Far Out. With cozy seating and terra cotta-clad cacti inside and outside, it boasts a rugged Texas charm. Nestled near the fairgrounds in a predominantly unpopulated area just outside Downtown, Far Out feels insulated from the urban frenzy. The menu showcases familiar influences from chef Misti Norris (formerly of Petra and the Beast), incorporating ferments, pickles, and preserves throughout. The offerings are fun and draw on various inspirations, but Texas remains the heart of its concept. On a warm summer evening, try the duck confit salad: A medley of fresh herbs (mint, basil, cilantro) mixed with red cabbage, crunchy pickled jicama, and a creamy chile emulsion dressing topped with succulent duck confit and a crispy black rice crisp. With a plentiful dose of Western flair (and an even larger outdoor area), Far Out fosters a welcoming, laid-back environment that invites further storytelling (and cocktails) under the Texas stars.
