The crackle of crisply fried chicken, the smell of smoke, the piquant tang of Texas red chili. And the sweet warmth of a generous slice of pecan pie.
These sensual pleasures are all part of the joy of Texan and Southern cooking.
Here in the Lone Star State, our beloved cuisine isn’t just one thing or another — it’s a soulful mix of ranch cooking, barbecue, classic Southern and Tex-Mex. Hunting is big, so of course game comes into the equation. We’ve got fabulous peaches and luscious melons, sparkling-fresh gulf shrimp and redfish, okra and cream peas straight from the farm. Meanwhile, Texas wouldn’t be Texas without lots of big ol’ cowboy rib-eye steaks.
What a delicious pursuit, rounding up the best of Texas and Southern cooking in and around Dallas. We hope you’ll share with us your own favorite Southern and Texan restaurants in the comments.
Here, in alphabetical order, are the 10 Best in DFW: Texan and Southern Restaurants.
Fearing’s
For a taste of superb Texas cooking in a sparkling setting, head to Fearing’s at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas hotel. There, chef Dean Fearing bathes South Texas nilgai antelope lightly in cactus-pear glaze, roasts it a beautiful medium-rare and pairs the rosy slices with enchiladas filled with tender rabbit in green chile sauce. In fact game is a strength here; lately a roulade of pheasant with a fricassee of slender carrots, favas and wild mushrooms and brown butter-cauliflower purée was a knockout. Buffalo tenderloin on Brazos Valley jalapeño grits was terrific, too. It came to the table, sliced in thick wedges, with a butternut-squash taquito, smoky chile aioli and a tangle of greens.
2121 McKinney Ave., Dallas. 214-922-4848. fearingsrestaurant.com.
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