Dallas Enchilada All Star Line Up

by Steven Doyle

Growing up in Dallas it would be difficult to avoid the enchilada. The Tex-Mex beauties delicately filled, rolled and sauced for your dining pleasure. And what great memories most Texans have as children growing up noshing on the humble enchilada each Wednesday in our public schools, the same day that El Fenix  offers their inexpensive deal on enchiladas. Perhaps some lay in puddles of grease, but we know how to sop that up with a tortillas for an extra side-car treat.

This past week I craved enchiladas and sought them out with vengeance. This began as my five favorites, but as I started in on them the list grew. Enjoy these enchiladas are in no particular order. Be sure to let us know your favorites.   

Herrera's was featured in this issue of National Geographic in 1984

One of the first restaurants that I fell in love with as a child was Herrera’s. I remember going to the restaurant with my brother and watching people sit on beer coolers in front of the five table restaurant on Maple. As you finally walked into the restaurant there was a kitchen to the immediate left and a woman made tortillas in front of us. If you were polite she would toss you a hot one.

The Grapevine Bar now resides on the hallowed ground and Herrera’s moved after a fire. As a child I would order the Jimi’s Special which includes pretty much everything on the menu; today it is a 2C which is a few beef enchiladas and a taco. My favorite location is in Carrollton on Josey Lane in a converted Dairy Queen (as it should be).

Last year Komali opened and gave us a glimpse of another childhood memory, this time through the eyes of owner Abraham Salum. This particular plate of enchiladas are slathered in a rich house-made mole and served with handmade tortillas. Over the past year I have had untold plates of these enchiladas. (pictured above)

Another new restaurant that has captured our love for the enchilada is this version from Meso Maya. This plate is made with house-made blue corn tortillas, slowly cooked brisket with caramelized onions, cilantro, roasted poblanos, topped with roasted tomato guajillo sauce & crema.

Last night I was discussing enchiladas with friends and they reminded me that Meso Maya also serves the best French press coffee with chocolate and cinnamon to spice things up a bit. (pictured above)

Last year Cuquita’s was named one of the top five Mexican restaurants by Texas Monthly. The tiny hide-a-way in Farmer’s Branch offers big plates of delicious enchiladas wrapped with Cucuita’s own tortillas. So sublime that the crave staff had these again just hours ago. This photo was captured by Robert Bostick who after snapping the picture had little else to say as he kept his head low and close to the fork.

Escondido means hidden in Spanish, and that is exactly how you might describe Escondido the Tex-Mex restaurant located near Parkland Hospital on Butler. The tiny Mexican restaurant ladles thick layers of chili con carne onto the supple tortillas making it one of the absolute best in the area. The place is so escondido there is no website or Facebook presence.

Naming your restaurant the “best ever” takes huevos, but that is just what Monica Greene did. The owner of Monica’s Aca y Alla in Deep Ellum and now the BEE (Best Enchilada Ever) in Bishop Arts has a knack for creating fun food. This concept allows you to select everything about your enchilada including the type of tortilla, the fillings and sauces, and bangs it out in record speed. The only decent enchilada in a fast food environment. Ever.

Since the grand opening Mr Mesero  has been a regular activity for me. Everything about the restaurant reeks delicious. Owner Mico Rodriguez is Dallas Tex-Mex and makes contact with the ball and knocks it out of the park at the former Burger Girl location on McKinney Avenue.

Mia Enriquez is one happy gal and she makes what most consider the best brisket tacos in Dallas at her namesake restaurant, Mia’s Tex Mex. What she also makes is one hell of a great brisket enchilada. When visiting Dallas most tourists make a beeline to Mia’s and join the locals as we sup on amazing Tex-Mex.