Everyone talks about Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts. Nobody talks about the strip malls in Garland and Mesquite that have some of the best food in the entire metroplex.
Garland (along Belt Line Rd and Walnut St):
- Intrinsic Smokehouse & Brewery (509 W State St, Garland) — BBQ + craft beer. The brisket competes with Pecan Lodge and the kolaches are perfect. $12-18 plates.
- Pho Bac (3956 W Walnut St) — Already mentioned in my Vietnamese guide but bears repeating. Gold standard pho.
- La Sabrosita Bakery (multiple Garland locations) — Mexican bakery. Conchas, tres leches cake, pan dulce. Everything under $3.
- Baris Pasta & Pizza (Firewheel area) — Handmade pasta from a Turkish-Italian family. The lamb ragu pappardelle is a showstopper. $14-19.
Mesquite:
- Big Daddy's Catfish & BBQ (310 S Galloway Ave) — Fried catfish that rivals any in East Texas. Plate with 2 sides: $12.
- Seoul Garden (1111 N Town East Blvd) — Korean BBQ in a strip mall. All-you-can-eat for $22. Legit quality.
- Empa Mundo (Mesquite) — Empanadas from 8 different countries. Argentine, Colombian, Filipino styles. $3-4 each.
Why nobody knows about these:
- Food media is Dallas-centric. Garland and Mesquite don't get Eater or D Magazine coverage.
- No trendy aesthetic. These are strip mall restaurants with fluorescent lights and incredible food.
- The ethnic food diversity east of 635 is unmatched in DFW.
Sources:
- Google Reviews — all locations 4.0+ stars
- Dallas Observer — occasional east DFW features
- Eater Dallas — Garland/Mesquite rarely covered
- Personal exploration — 50+ meals in the area over 2 years
Tell me I am not the only one.
The food east of 635 is DFW's best-kept secret. Lower rent = lower menu prices = better value for diners. Simple economics.