After we spent the first half of summer in Dallas eating burgers for our Best Burgers list, you’d think we’d dive straight into salads. But cyclosporiasis changed our plans, so we retreated to safety: barbecue, burgers, chicken-fried steak and pasta, all of which you’ll find in this August 2026 edition of where to eat in Dallas-Fort Worth
That’s right, this summer we’re making the drive to iconic restaurant Ranchman’s, which is back in business and nearly 80 years old. We’re showing up at a tiny East Dallas coffee shop impacted by construction. We’re stopping in Fort Worth for Turkish food, ceviche, burgers and barbecue. And we’re sipping cold sake cocktails at a new sushi restaurant on Dallas’ Oak Lawn
Tell me which restaurant you’re most excited about by emailing sblaskovich@dallasnews.com. We may feature your picks on our Eat Drink D-FW podcast, which will soon return from summer vacation
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Restaurants listed in alphabetical order
Bavarian Grill in Plano
German restaurant Bavarian Grill recently lost its owner, Juergen Mahneke, who died in June at age 67. He worked at the restaurant for over 30 years and introduced Texans to his family’s German recipes like hühnersuppe (chicken soup) and a list of schnitzels. Reading Kathy Wang’s obituary will make you want to raise a glass to longtime Plano restaurateur Mahneke, whose restaurant will remain open and run by family members
Bavarian Grill is at 3425 Premier Drive, Plano
Beren in Fort Worth
It was tough to see Fort Worth vegan tasting-menu restaurant Maiden close, but the new Turkish restaurant that replaced it is just as interesting. Beren comes from a Turkish couple who sold baklava at markets and festivals in D-FW for years. Their new full-service restaurant would make for a great business lunch midday, and you can’t beat the price: $20 for three dishes, including grilled kabobs. For date night, Beren’s mezze trio is a great option — and don’t miss the girit ezme, or whipped feta and yogurt — followed by generous portions of salmon, lamb chops, steak and more.
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Beren is at 1216 6th Ave. Fort Worth
Bharat Bhavan in Irving and Frisco
The owners of Bharat Bhavan tell our Imelda García they’ve opened “the world’s largest Indian vegetarian restaurant.” That’s hard to fact check, but it sounds possible: The new Irving location can seat up to 1,000 people and has the square-footage of about two Trader Joe’s. The menu is all vegetarian, and it’s large as well. Signature dishes include paneer pasanda in an onion-tomato sauce, jackfruit biryani and a spicy cauliflower dish called karampodi gobi
Bharat Bhavan has two locations: The nearly 20,000-square-foot restaurant at 530 W. Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Irving, and another restaurant at 13355 Main St., Frisco
Gustos Burger Bar in Fort Worth
Despite what you may have seen on social media, Gustos Burger Bar was not damaged in a fire in Fort Worth on July 4. Videos show a neighboring house ablaze, with orange flames reaching high into the trees, but firefighters arrived before it spread to Gustos. Happily, then, it sounds like it’s time to head back to the little house near Magnolia Avenue for a smashburger and tots
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Gustos Burger Bar is at 1229 7th Ave., Fort Worth
Juju’s Coffee in East Dallas
Ignore the large excavator in front of Juju’s Coffee in East Dallas. Oncor crews are digging underneath Skillman Street and have set up orange blockades feet from Juju’s doorstep. The important part: Juju’s is open, and husband-wife owners Nick Rocha and Julia Rocha are asking customers to come back this summer, even if parking is trickier than usual. Its peanut butter milk latte called the Do-Si-Do is worth the trek
Juju’s Coffee is at 6038 La Vista Drive, Dallas. Closed Tuesdays
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Mariscos Cortez in Fort Worth
Check out a series of successes for the family who just opened seafood restaurant Mariscos Cortez. The story starts with their Fort Worth food truck, Birrieria Cortez, which opened in February 2020. The timing could have been a death sentence, given the COVID-19 uncertainties one month later, but Birrieria Cortez was an outdoor business, and it thrived. By 2021, Birrieria Cortez moved into a bricks-and-mortar restaurant and sold as many as 6,000 tacos per day. In 2024 and 2025, Michelin named it a Recommended restaurant. The Cortez family is now cooking at Mariscos Cortez, a Jalisco-style seafood restaurant selling ceviches, tostadas and more, reports García. I can’t wait to try it.
Mariscos Cortez is at 1151 Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, Fort Worth. Closed Mondays
Neighborhood Sushi on Dallas’ Oak Lawn
In a city flush with omakase restaurants, Dallas diners might desire more casual Japanese dining, said Austin restaurateur Larry McGuire. At his Neighborhood Sushi, which opened this summer, diners order by the piece: sashimi, nigiri, tempuraed veggies, grilled proteins and a few rolls. If you’re drinking, don’t miss Neighborhood Sushi’s inventive list of sake cocktails
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Neighborhood Sushi is at 4216 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas
Ono Hawaiian BBQ in Plano
So you’re looking for a restaurant that won’t cost big bucks. Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a chain from California that just opened its first-in-Texas restaurant in Plano. Soon, you’ll see them all over Dallas-Fort Worth, as the company has picked 10 cities for its initial Texas expansion. Most meals cost $13.99, but deal-seekers might like the $8 special of chicken teriyaki over rice with a small drink
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Ono Hawaiian BBQ in Plano is at 8724 Preston Road (at the southeast corner of Preston Road and State Highway 121), Plano
Pablo Pete’s in northwest Dallas
If you read one of my food stories this month, make it Pablo Pete’s. This small smashburger shop is tucked inside a warehouse full of commercial kitchens, where chef John “Chormaic” Sullivan is quietly making food that wants to be heard. Like, have you ever seen a burger slathered with caperplexed by — the food coming out of this small, mighty kitchen
Pablo Pete’s is at 1499 Regal Row, Dallas. Closed Sundays and Mondays, and hours may vary. Go if you want to, but customers are alsoordering delivery
Patty Lou’s Smashburgers in Plano
New Plano restaurant Patty Lou’s is named after Texas musician Patty Lou Peters, who fronted an all-female band in Texas in the 1940s. Patty Lou’s daughter, Plano restaurateur Bonnie Shea, opened the restaurant in July 2026 in honor of her mom, and Wang has an inside look. I love a story about history-making women — and I’m always on the hunt for a great burger — so first up for me to try is the Texas Sweetheart ($10.50): a double smashburger with American cheese, grilled onions and jalapeño relish on a potato bun.
Patty Lou’s Smashburgers is at 1000 14th St., Plano.
The Pony in Denton
Have you been to a pottery studio that’s also a restaurant? I haven’t. When The Pony opens in mid-August, it’ll offer Denton a place to mold clay, paint ceramics, listen to live music, look at art and eat Italian food. I’m intrigued. Check out García’s story and you might be, too
The Pony is at 314 E. Hickory St., Denton. It’s expected to open in mid-August 2026
Ranchman’s by Marty B in Ponder
Texas roadtrippers, Ranchman’s is back. This historic chicken-fried steak spot in the tiny Texas town of Ponder closed around its 75th birthday, struggling under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic. It seemed like this small restaurant with a big personality might have retired for good. But no, Denton restaurateur Marty Bryan (of Marty B’s in Bartonville and a dozen other eateries) bought it and reopened Ranchman’s this summer. A lot has changed, but plenty more hasn’t. Go get another look.
Ranchman’s by Marty B is at 110 W. Bailey St., Ponder. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.Follow on social media to see live music schedules
Scilla in Dallas
Looking to impress? Head to Scilla, the new coastal Italian restaurant near the Park Cities, from the team that owns Mister Charles and El Carlos Elegante. Your first glance inside is a stunning pink bar, a great spot for a drink or dinner if you can’t get a seat. Which will be tough, as Scilla is a top spot in Dallas right now for fine food like cap. I’ll be back as soon as I can; don’t take my seat!
Scilla is at 8111 Douglas Ave., Dallas.
Terry Black’s Barbecue in Dallas and Fort Worth
We’ll probably spend years debating whether the World Cup brought D-FW the shine we hoped for. Not up for debate is that Terry Black’s Barbecue won big. Its pinnacle moment was when David Beckham ate at the Deep Ellum barbecue joint, then posted photos on Instagram about it. Norwegian football player Erling Haaland gave Terry Black’s a shoutout on social media the same week. How’d they attract two of soccer’s most famous athletes? Right place, right time, said co-owner Mark Black: “Barbecue is an experience people want to have when they come to Texas.”
Terry Black’s has two locations in North Texas: 3025 Main St., Dallas, and 2926 W. 7th St., Fort Worth
Tortas Insurgentes near Dallas Love Field
With the State Fair of Texas about 50 days away, it’s time to get in festival shape. Head to Tortas Insurgentes, where owners Oscar and Haydee Rodriguez challenge customers to eat a massive Mexican sandwich in 20 minutes or less. Specifically: Gulp down 1 pound of breaded chicken, 1 pound of breaded beef, 1 pound of ham, 1 pound of sausage, a half-pound of chorizo, quarter-pound of bacon, three eggs, an avocado, beans, cheese, pineapple, tomato, onion and jalapeño. I was pretty sure this would be impossible, but can you believe one guy did it? Those who succeed get $150, García reports. Those who don’t have to pay $75 for the sandwich and leave with a stomachache.
Tortas Insurgentes has several locations in the D-FW area, but the Mega Torta is served at the location at 3701 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas
Walkers’ in East Dallas
When Greenville Avenue restaurant Walkers’ opened this summer, I said it “could be the next restaurant and bar Dallas needs.” It’s been fun watching Dallasites discover this neighborhood spot for great food and drinks. Walkers’ is a coffee and sandwich shop at lunchtime, a refined dinner spot at dinnertime and a wine bar most of the time. As a fun bonus, it also sells the scent of the season
Walkers’ is at 3016 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Reservations not needed for sandwiches.Reservations recommended for dinner. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
