The DFW List

The DFW List

The Following is a list of our favorite local restaurants – some for special occasions – others just for everyday meals…

1. Aparicio’s – Plano – of course. (See 8/10/05 Entry)

2. Japon Steak & Sushi – Plano – Whether for Sushi or the Hibachi/Teppan grill, it’s the best. Their California Rolls are the best I’ve had anywhere!

3. Jorg’s Austrian Café & Biergarten – Plano – Austrian cuisine – great beer and a really old accordion player!

4. King Kabob – Plano – Armenian-owned – so we’re biased – but very tasty kabobs, hummus and other sides. (No Website) - 6205 Coit Rd., Plano 75024

5. Lawry’s Prime Rib – North Dallas – Always a classic!

6. Terilli’s – the Frisco Location. Nice intimate dinner – and those Italchos (Italian Nachos) are the best thing imitating pizza that I’ve found.

7. Wingcredible! - Allen – They have yummy flavors – the Sweet Chili is the best! – and they use jumbo-sized wings. (Where DO they find the jumbo chickens?)

8. Joe’s Crab Shack – All Over – If you haven’t tried the BBQ Dungeness Crab, you haven’t truly eaten at Joe’s. This BBQ involves no sticky, sweet sauce – just an incredible preparation for crab.

9. Pei Wei – All Over – PF Chang’s cheaper alternative. Many of the same dishes – more casual atmosphere and still just as yummy.

10. Tin Star – Several Locations – Their gourmet tacos – available in tortilla or lettuce cups for those watching carbs – are just a wonderful alternative to ‘regular’ tacos. The Cheeseburger Tacos are pretty good, too!

Our #1 - Aparicio's in Plano, TX

Aparicio's

I guess we'll start this blog with our favorite restaurant. Aparicio's is on 18th Street in Plano. It's right by the DART Rail crossing west of Avenue K.

If we are in town on a Sunday morning - you can bet we're going to be here at some point.

When we moved to Plano in January 2003, this little place was literally a hole in the wall. The Aparicio's Plano Tortilla Factory & Cafe was the little building you see in the picture on their website.

You know a place is great when it looks like this but there are people lined up out the door just trying to get in. So, we had to try it. We were immediately hooked!

Over the next year or so, they began to build a beautiful new restaurant across the parking lot. The new Aparicio's Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar is a beautiful restaurant with colorful artwork, beautiful landscaping and some of the most incredible Tex-Mex food you could imagine.

The prices are extremely reasonable and many haven't gone up since they moved from the little place next door.

Our favorite time to go is for Breakfast. Their breakfast taquitos are outstanding and the Migas is my favorite breakfast there - the Huevos Rancheros are Alek's favorite. The best part of breakfast, though, has to be the potatoes and bacon. A side item served with all breakfast plates, it's a great substitute for hashbrowns.

Sunday mornings, they even have strolling mariachis - but not the kind who come up to your table begging for a handout for them to play you a tune. They are just part of the loveliness of the restaurant.

Dinner and lunch are also special - with generous servings of great tasting food. Our favorites are the fajitas - both steak and chicken - and the Spinach Chicken Enchiladas are incredible.

Queso and guacamole are made fresh daily - and all of the tortillas - both corn and flour - and chips are made over in the old factory next door.

This is definitely a family owned business - where Mom and Dad will come over to see how things are going - how your food is and how the service is.

The servers are - for the most part - on top of their game and very attentive. Perla is our favorite - ask for her. She will treat you right!