All 13 Dallas restaurants featured on ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’

Dallas’ food scene is as diverse and delectable as culinary epicenters like New York City and Los Angeles, and these Guy Fieri-approved restaurants featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” prove it.

Diners, drive-ins, dives, and … Dallas. If Guy Fieri’s so-called “Triple D” were to ever become “Quadruple D,” it should add our fair city’s name — after all, 13 of the city’s restaurants have been featured on the show over the years.

For comparison’s sake, that’s only about 10 less than eateries from New York City that have appeared on the hit Food Network series — and Dallas is a lot smaller than NYC. Still, its food packs a punch, and Fieri knows it.

Dallas’ cuisine is rich and diverse, lifting up food from all walks of life. The city boasts incredible BBQ and Southern comfort food, as well as excellent Tex-Mex, Asian, and new American cuisines. Basically, you can find any food you want in Dallas, and Fieri’s trips to the Big D have more than proven this.

So, without further ado, let’s break down all 13 Dallas restaurants that have been introduced to the world through “Diners, Drive-Ins and Drives.”

1. Louie’s

Address: 1839 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

Episode: “Family Favorites” (Season 5, Episode 13; 2009)

Description: Louie’s is a Chicago-style tavern that serves pizza, beer, martinis, and more, all in the name of bringing a slice of the Windy City to the Big D. This chill hangout spot has been open since the late ‘80s, but the namesake owner, Louis, has since passed, leaving the restaurant in brother Chris’ hands. His memory lives on his food and the establishment’s vibe, which continues to enrapture everyone who sets foot through the threshold — especially since its appearance on “Triple D” in 2009.

At Louie’s, you can start with enticing starters like grilled portobello mushrooms, meatballs, and crab claws before diving into myriad burgers, pasta, and other entreés, including steaks, shrimp scampi, and pork chops. That said, Louie’s is best known for its pizza, with the restaurant’s website claiming that it keeps “the toppings heaped high.” But what toppings does Louie’s have? Well, most of the usual suspects: olives, anchovies, pepperonis, peppers, mushrooms — you get the gist. The kicker is that Louie’s claims its products are extremely fresh, so you should feel good with each bite.

While everything should point to Louie’s being an undoubted bastion in Dallas’ food scene, the restaurant’s reviews are slightly less convincing. There are very good ones, like the Tripadvisor user from Chicago who said, “If you are in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area and want pizza, this is by far the best.”

Naturally, we’d love to believe the opinion of someone from Chi-Town, but the tavern’s overall score on Yelp is only 3.6 stars. Yelp reviewers often order the Greek and Caesar salads, Crab Claws, Meatballs, and Italian Sausage Pizza, among a few other hits, but many have commented on the poor and even “rude” service they’ve received. Others are upset that Louie’s changed its entrance policy, only allowing folks 21 or older since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic due to less seating than before. That said, Yelp reviewers still comment that the food is great.

2. Twisted Root Burger Co.

Address: 2615 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Episode: “A Burger, A Bowl and A Slice” (Season 6, Episode 4; 2009)

Description: Casual dining doesn’t mean lacking flavor, and Twisted Root Burger Co. proves it. This open-concept, fast-casual restaurant serves fresh and high-quality burgers and sides to the masses — and has been since 2006. What sets Twisted Root apart from other similar establishments? Well, its menu is pretty much entirely customizable, allowing guests to create the burgers of their dreams each time they visit. The concept has proven so successful that Twisted Root has grown to a franchise of 14 stores, including 13 in Texas and one in Florida.

Twisted Root’s menu is a journey from classic, fundamentally American burgers to more eclectic ones with international flair. For example, the Gosh Jam It! burger features herbed goat cheese, tomato-bacon-habanero jam, and chipotle sauce, while The Western comes stacked with pepper jack cheese, bacon, fried onion strings, pickled jalapeños, lettuce, and tomato. There’s even a chicken breast sandwich for folks who don’t eat red meat, as well as a vegan burger. The sides aren’t skimpy, either, with Twisted Root frying up fresh fries, onion rings, green beans, carrots, and more. (Yes, you read that right — fried carrots!)

Twisted Root’s reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor are mostly positive, though some reviewers mention receiving the wrong order or food that’s not as fresh as promised. One Tripadvisor reviewer goes as far as to say that the quality dipped after the COVID-19 pandemic, though they say it “[s]till beats most airport food.” Yelp reviewers are torn about the staff, with some saying the staff wasn’t too friendly and others reporting a good experience. The surprising takeaway? Folks really love Twisted Root’s pickles!

3. Avila’s Restaurant

Address: 4714 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Episode: “Mama’s Cookin’” (Season 6, Episode 13; 2009)

Description: Avila’s Restaurant has been serving Dallas for over three decades, and it couldn’t have fit any more perfectly in an episode titled “Mama’s Cookin’.” The restaurant’s website even notes that “​​Avila’s home style dishes taste like they were made by the Mexican grandmother you never had.” If you’re like us, that’s all you need to hear. (Plus, the restaurant’s decor evokes this, too, being full of photos and other homey touches.)

This restaurant serves everything you’d expect from a top-tier Mexican joint: the best nachos, tacos, quesadillas, gorditas, fajitas, tamales, and more. But Avila’s Restaurant is actually known for its chili rellenos, which you can order with chicken, beef, or brisket. Just don’t forget to skip the dessert menu. Here, you can indulge in flan, bread pudding, and sopapillas (fried bread typically served with honey). 

There’s a lot to consider when ordering at Avila’s Restaurant, but you can always let reviewers help guide you. On Yelp, folks report loving Avila’s enchiladas, brisket tacos, pozole, fajitas, and tamales. Okay, so that still leaves you quite a few options, but that does mean that generally everything is good here. “Absolutely love the food. Tortillas absolutely amazing, they melt in your mouth. Such a lovely place that my family and I have gone to for years. HIGHLY recommend,” one reviewer wrote. Many other reviewers also note that the staff and service are incredible, which creates an all-around inviting and comforting experience.

4. Pepe’s and Mito’s

Address: 2911 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

Episode: “Outside the Box” (Season 13, Episode 13; 2012)

Description: This year is Pepe’s & Mito’s 30th anniversary, and a restaurant must be doing something right to be open all these years later. Indeed, Pepe’s & Mito’s seduces every guest with fresh fare in a casual setting, helping them unwind while nurturing their spirits. Essentially, this is a no-frills eatery that puts ample care into its food with the ultimate goal of serving its community. And the restaurant even hosts events, so you can bring that energy to your next gathering!

Pepe’s & Mito’s menu has enough variety to keep you enticed but not enough to be entirely overwhelming. It’s known for its Tacos al Pastor and Rib Eye a la Tampiqueña — oh, and we can’t forget the Albondiga Soup, which was highlighted on “Triple D.” In addition to these staples, you can get a Tex-Mex-infused Pepe’s Shrimp Cocktail, Quesadillas, Nachos, Fried Taquitos, and more to start. Then, you can dig into a few different types of Mexican soups and salads before getting to your mains. Options include a few types of fajitas, Chipotle Shrimp, Pollo Al Chipotle, Pescado Veracruz, Flautas, many types of tacos, and more.

Just don’t sleep on Pepe’s & Mito’s brunch menu, which really sets it apart from other Mexican restaurants. (Us? We’re eyeing the Papas Con Huevo and Brunch Quesadillas.)

If you’re looking for order inspiration, look no further than Yelp’s common entreé picks, including Tacos Nortenos, Chipotle Enchiladas, Fajitas, and Pollo Al Chipotle. What’s more, Yelp reviewers love pretty much every aspect of this place. Just take this reviewer’s word for it: “Food was amazing. Sooooo authentic and fresh. Margaritas were nice and strong. Service was friendly and fast.” As others note, Pepe’s & Mito’s is situated near a train station, so there’s no excuse not to give it a try. 

5. Maple & Motor

Address: 4810 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Episode: “Streamlines Sammies” (Season 14, Episode 2; 2012 & Season 19, Episode 15; 2014)

Description: Operating out of a building that used to be a gas station, aptly named Maple & Motor keeps its food simple and scrumptious. It evokes ‘50s-era diners à la Pop’s Diner from “Riverdale” despite not necessarily looking that way, with its menu featuring Southern staples like bologna sandwiches and BLTs. It’s a quintessential community spot where folks can meet to catch up or families can get away for delicious burgers when they don’t want to spend the evening cooking. In fact, this restaurant is so successful that Maple & Motor is currently working on its second location, though an opening date has yet to be revealed.

In addition to bologna sandwiches and BLTs, Maple & Motor’s menu includes brisket sandwiches, grilled cheeses, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and more. Of course, as any good burger place does, Maple & Motor offers plenty of add-ons so you can customize your sandwiches. These include fried eggs, grilled onions, jalapeños, bacon, and more. Go wild with grilled onions and bacon on your grilled cheese, or maybe try a fried egg on your next burger. You may find your new go-to!

A review has never enraptured us so immediately as this one from Tripadvisor: “Big burgers served fast. I could not finish my burger because it was so big! Very tasty.” Other reviews note that the onion rings are particularly fantastic, and one guest went so far as to call Maple & Motor’s burger “[h]ands down best old school hamburger in DFW …” It’s clear that the locals really love this place — and it’s clear why Guy Feri had to visit it.

6. Cane Rosso

Address: 2612 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226

Episode: “Big Time Flavor” (Season 14, Episode 5; 2012)

Description: Cane Rosso has eight locations in Texas, including four in Dallas, with Guy Fieri visiting the Commerce St. restaurant on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” But what exactly is Cane Rosso? We’re glad you asked. Cane Rosso is a pizza franchise that features not only mouth-watering menu staples but also a rotating monthly special. (June 2024’s is a Caesar salad-inspired pizza.) What makes its pies — and pasta; we can’t forget the pasta — so special is Cane Rossos’ homemade dough and mozzarella cheese. The fresh cheese creates an experience you won’t get from Kraft shreds.

Wondering what all you can get with this fresh cheese (and other fresh, homemade ingredients)? You can get cheese-covered garlic bread, fried mozzarella “nuggets,” spinach dip, mac and cheese, and more. After your starters, you can enjoy the Meatball or Chicken Parm Sandwiches and the Caesar Salad, among other fresh creations — and we haven’t even gotten to pizza or pasta. The pasta menu includes Truffle Carbonara, Fusilli Alla Vodka, and Spicy Chicken Penne, while the pizza menu includes pre-built options and create-your-own pies featuring classic and innovative ingredients alike. That said, every pizza comes with basil and olive oil because this restaurant follows the “Neapolitan tradition.” And don’t worry – gluten-free crust is an option, though there’s a $5 upcharge for it. Steep, but worth it for those who need it.

As you might expect, Cane Rosso has over 4 stars on Yelp. How good is it? Well, this reviewer swears by it: “The food here was so good that we cancelled our dinner reservations on Easter Sunday and opted for a second carry out pizza to have at home in lieu of our plans.” Another called it “[o]ne of the best pizza places I’ve been to in Texas.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Margherita pizza is one of the most commonly reviewed items on Yelp, though Yelpers also often order the Delia pizza, the burrata appetizer, and the baked, cheese-covered meatballs. It truly seems like you can’t go wrong here.

7. Pecan Lodge

Address: 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

Episode: “BBQ Road Show” (Season 14, Episode 7; 2012)

Description: Texas is one of the United States’ tentpoles of BBQ, with its style often pitted against North Carolina’s. Still, to those in Texas, you can’t go wrong with Texas-style meats, and that’s precisely what Pecan Lodge serves day in and day out. In fact, while Pecan Lodge has set hours every day, the restaurant is quick to note that its schedule is subject to change, as it will close once sold completely out for the day. (After all, BBQ-ed meats can take a day or more to fully smoke and cook, so you can’t quickly cook more food on busier days.) Worth noting, too, is that Pecan Lodge ships nationwide, so you can avoid sell-out days by ordering ahead for home delivery, especially if you don’t live close by.

Pecan Lodge’s menu features a variety of BBQ-ed meats, including brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, smoked turkey, and handmade sausages. You can get these on their own, or you can get some of them, like the pulled pork, on sandwiches. The most intriguing sandwich is called “the Pitmaster,” and it features brisket, pulled pork, sausage, slaw, BBQ sauce, and jalapeños. You might need a nap afterward, but you’ll definitely enjoy every bite.

If you’ve saved room after eating your meat, you can chow on Southern-staple sides like mac and cheese and fried okra, and don’t think about leaving without ordering banana pudding. That’s Southern sacrilege. 

Pecan Lodge has a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor and a 4.3 rating on Yelp, cementing itself as a certified Dallas institution. “Wow! This is now my favorite Texas BBQ!” one Tripadvisor user wrote, noting that they loved their order of brisket and spicy sausage. Meanwhile, Yelp reviewers often order — and greatly enjoy — the Beed Ribs, Pulled Pork, Pork Ribs, and Burnt Ends. “This is some real Texan BBQ! I went twice on my visit. The meat fell off every bone with so much flavor,” one Yelp reviewer wrote. Many reviewers also note that Pecan Lodge has very little wait, meaning you’re that much closer to saliva-inducing grub.

8. Tutta’s Pizza

Address: 1710 N Record St #110, Dallas, TX 75202

Episode: “Poutine, Pizza and Pork” (Season 27, Episode 12; 2018)

Description: A pizza hot spot like Cane Rosso, Tutta’s Pizza served Dallas with pride for several years before ultimately shutting its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a candid video posted to Instagram in November 2020, restaurant owner Jeremy Scott revealed that the business was losing too much money because of the pandemic and constant contraction in the restaurant’s building. He mentions in the video that he still wants to see Tutta’s live on and that he was, at least at the time, in contact with potential buyers, but no updates have been provided in the several years since. Nevertheless, Tutta’s Pizza was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and we’re still going to give it its chance to posthumously shine.

Tutta’s Pizza served handmade pies, of course, but part of its charm lay in it being a space where you could grab a beer or a glass of wine and truly unwind with your friends, family, or, heck, even random folks you met there. Even its wings were lauded, winning the title of “best wings” from the Dallas Observer in 2020. Tutta’s menu is no longer available online, so we can’t do a proper deep dive, but with accolades such as “best wings,” it’s a real shame it had to shutter.

Still, while we can’t see the menu, we can see reviews. “If you’re looking for freshly made pizza with incredible toppings, you’ve found it,” one Google reviewer wrote, with another commenting, “The bartender was fantastic, and they have delicious pulled pork!” Many Google reviews note a lack of guests and the restaurant not having live music despite claiming to have it, but overall, folks seemed to really dig this eatery.

9. Tacos Mariachi

Address: 602 Singleton Blvd, Dallas, TX 75212 (Milagro Tacos & Cantina: 440 Singleton Blvd, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75212)

Episode: “Delicious Discoveries” (Season 28, Episode 2; 2018)

Description: Tacos Mariachi had two locations, but both closed permanently because of the pandemic just like Tutta’s Pizza. However, unlike the pizza joint, Tacos Mariachi lives on thanks to owner Jesus Carmona opening a “spinoff” restaurant following the closure, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The new restaurant, Milagro Tacos & Cantina, is close to the original Tacos Mariachi restaurant, and it features some of the same menu items. That said, the menu is not entirely the same, as Carmona cooked up some new delights for the new space. 

Tacos Mariachi was a walk-up window serving Tijuana-inspired tacos, bringing a piece of Carmona’s heritage to Dallas. While we don’t have the restaurant’s full menu, we can see on its Instagram page that its tacos were full of fresh ingredients, including plenty of avocado, pico de gallo, juicy seared carne asada, and more. Oh, and we’ll take another bowl of tortilla soup — thank you!

Tacos Mariachi is immortalized with an excellent 4.5-star rating on Yelp, with reviewers flocking to Carmona’s tacos. “These are authentic, real deal street tacos that you would get in Mexico City,” one reviewer wrote before adding, “The food was freshly made and very tasty,” and “Ambience is totally genuine, something you would find in Mexico.”

This encapsulates a majority of the reviews. A few dissent, saying the tacos weren’t their jam, but that’s to be expected with any restaurant. Now, despite the closure, folks are loving Milagro, so we’re glad to be able to report a happy ending. 

10. Nora Restaurant and Bar

Address: 205 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208

Episode: “Delicious Discoveries” (Season 28, Episode 2; 2018)

Description: Nora Restaurant and Bar is Dallas’ premier Afghan restaurant, bringing tastes of the Middle East to the Southern U.S. since 2012. Here, you can sip on craft cocktails and carefully curated wines, enjoy an elegant bistro dinner, or brunch it out with your gal pals (or grab a drink during brunch for a good twofer). Unlike most other restaurants on this list, Nora accepts reservations on its website, but you can also order it for takeout or delivery to take its elegance with you anywhere. 

Nora is pristinely decorated with furniture and decor that mix contemporary color and interior design trends with traditional Afghan materials and furbishing. This helps give you an entire experience, transporting you through more than just your taste buds. But don’t get it twisted — the menu will also tantalize you.

Here, you can go for classic hummus and naan, mouth-watering Garlic Shrimp, warming Spicy Chicken Meatballs, or Sambosas to start. Then, there’s a whole menu of stews, as well as entreés like Chicken with Yogurt, Braised Lamb Shank, and Qabili Palao. If the pre-planned menu items don’t strike your fancy, you can go rogue and order from the grilled meats menu, which includes Lamb Tekka, Ribeye, Beef Kofta, and more.

There’s a lot of ground to cover on Nora’s menu, but Yelp’s top picks can set you straight. Yelp reviewers love the Kadu, Mantoo, Bulanee, Braised Lamn Shank, and Chicken Korma. “Beautiful restaurant in Bishop arts with delicate and deep flavors of the Afghan culture,” one reviewer wrote, adding, “Cute spot for a date or a group outting- cozy and unique.”

Meanwhile, another reviewer surmised, “I’ve dined at Nora a handful of times now and I can confidently say that they know what they’re doing.” One reviewer noted that the restaurant is a bit warm sometimes, but other than that, there doesn’t seem to be any reason one shouldn’t check out Nora and expand their palate. 

11. One90 Smoked Meats

Address: 10240 E NW Hwy, Dallas, TX 75238

Episode: “Bird and Beef” (Season 28, Episode 3; 2018)

Description: As its name and the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” episode name suggests, One90 Smoked Meats is a bonafide BBQ restaurant. It prides itself on serving its customers 100% wood-smoked meats and even has its own smoking facility separate from the restaurant, which allows it to keep up with demand without outsourcing and lowering its quality.

Because of this small-batch preparation, customers receive deliciously juicy, tender, and flavorful meats consistently, which brings them back for more. It proves that quality is always better than quantity, and owner Kyle St. Claire has you covered once you get hooked, as he sells vacuum-sealed meat in the nearby Central Market.

At One90, you can buy meats by the pound or in meals, like the restaurant’s array of sandwiches and tacos. What meats can you buy? Well, you can explore brisket, chicken breast, baby back ribs, pulled pork, andouille sausage, or jalapeñ and cheddar sausage. On the side, you can order mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, and more.

It’s a fairly straightforward menu, but it’s what keeps folks coming back. They know what to expect, and some even order ahead to have One90’s food as their Thanksgiving spread each November. Smart!

But what do folks particularly adore outside of Thanksgiving spreads? According to Yelp, where One90 has a 4.4-star rating, popular dishes here include the Spicy Brisket Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Salad, and Chili Mac.

“Yes, a very welcome surprise. Had the spicy brisket sandwich and chili Mac. I wish it was located close to my house,” one reviewer wrote, adding, “Looking forward to going back and trying some of the other sandwiches. Highly recommended!” Do note that some reviews mention not being impressed with the overall flavor. For example, one reviewer said they’d be “better off pulling meat out of my own freezer and whooping up a BBQ sandwich on my own.” Still, most reviews lean toward the positive side.

12. Whistle Britches

Address: 6110 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX 75252

Episode: “All Kinds of Comfort” (Season 28, Episode 4; 2018)

Description: BBQ is Southern food, but not all Southern food is BBQ. Enter Whistle Britches, a Southern restaurant with three locations that serves up serious soul-hugging food. And before you ask, yes, Whistle Britches hosts parties and caters, so you’re never too far from comfort food.

Now, you may be asking what Whistle Britches is all about, to which we’d respond that it’s a chicken-focused establishment that’s been putting the “cluck” in “delicious as cluck” since 2016. 

Whistle Britches’ menu contains “all kinds of comfort,” from brunch to dinner. Here, you can start with a variety of caffeinated drinks, including lattes, chai, and coffee, before ordering brunch staples and innovative items like Chicken and Waffles, Hot Cakes and Tenders, Nashville hot chicken served with bread and ranch dressing, and more.

The dinner menu is equally as alluring, containing several different salads, burgers, and chicken dishes. You could go Grilled Chicken Fredo, or maybe you’re more of a Kung Pao Sticky Wings type of person. Neither? Maybe you prefer Chicken Pot Pie. In any case, there’s a dish for everyone. Just don’t forget to order a side of Garlic Butter Fries. (Okay, and Mexican Street Corn, because of course Whistle Britches also whips up this Texan staple.)

Like other Dallas restaurants Guy Fieri has visited, Whistle Britches’ menu can be overwhelming at first blush, but online reviews can quickly come to the rescue. For instance, one Google reviewer recommended the Chicken and Waffles, The Whistle Britches Sandwich, and the Hot Cakes and Tenders, while another specifically recommended the Garlic Butter Fries. It’s much of the same on Yelp, though reviewers seem to agree that any dish here is bound to be tasty. “I love trying new restaurants so we decided to give it a go. Best decision we made this year!” one Yelper wrote.

13.  CrushCraft Thai Eats

Address: 2688 Laclede St #100, Dallas, TX 75201

Episode: “International Intrigue” (Season 28, Episode 6; 2018)

Description: Dallas might be full of BBQ, Southern comfort food, and Tex-Mex galore, but spots like CrushCraft Thai Eats are bringing unique flavors and flair to the Big D — and they shouldn’t be ignored. CrushCraft describes itself as “an uptown Dallas Thai hangout” that dishes up “modern takes” on Thai food. After all, the crew behind the restaurant is from Bangkok, Thailand, but heavily influenced by Dallas’ culture after moving to the U.S. Now, Crushcraft has been serving its casual yet crave-worthy cuisine for a decade.

Keeping true to its casual promise, CrushCraft’s menu is designed to be quickly prepared. This is why it hinges on salads, wok-fried rice and noodles (notably, woks get extremely hot and cook food very quickly), curries that can simmer until ordered, and more. More specifically, the wok-fried rice and noodle dishes include the restaurant’s take on pad Thai, pad see ew, and Thai fried rice, and the curry menu includes red curry, green curry, and more.

Our best tip? Don’t skip the appetizer section. Meatball skewers, spring rolls, tofu fries, and more are screaming your name.

CrushCraft is a casual restaurant, but it doesn’t sacrifice flavor or authenticity because of it. Just take it from this Google reviewer: “As a Thai person who [has] been living in Texas for many years this is one of the best authentic thai restaurants I’ve ever been to …” Yelp reviewers tend to agree. One wrote, “Really fast and great flavor. Tried Thai restaurants all over the states and this is one of the best when it comes to its noodles!”

Pad Thai is, of course, toward the top of Yelp’s list of popular dishes, but CrushCraft’s Drunken Noodles are actually the most-ordered item from Yelp reviewers — and they really love it. You might just love them, too!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.