While driving through Oak Cliff, I saw the restaurant BEE. Which stands for Best Enchiladas Ever. I thought sarcastically, “Ya right…we’ll just see about that.”
The very next night, I took my little family with me for dinner. I have to admit that I was a little thrown off by the noticeably contrived décor with buzzing bees and a honeycomb mirror. This place sure made a mighty big claim, and I was ready to take ‘em down a few notches.
You complete your order on a scantron-y sheet before taking it to the cashier. Its basically a build your own enchilada restaurant. After you pay for your order, you wait for your name to be called. When your name is called, you tell the line cook what toppings you want on your enchilada. Then you sit and eat. (sigh) Okay…I’m pretty lazy in general so this all seemed way too labor-intensive for me. Another X on my invisible scorecard.
I ordered one of their specials, the shrimp diablo; sautéed shrimp in a corn tortilla with chipotle crema. My second enchilada was pork carnitas in a corn tortilla with sour cream sauce. Both with my choice of toppings; tomato, onion, cilantro, shredded queso fresco, and lime.
BEE enchiladas
Here is where I eat my words, my stupid invisible scorecard, and an enchilada. I can honestly say that the shrimp diablo is the best enchilada I have ever eaten. Period. I went back three consecutive days for the same enchilada. The chipotle crema has the perfect kick and is mildly addicting. You were warned.
Owner and restaurateur, Monica Greene, greeted us at the door upon arrival. She also spent time at each table to ensure that everything was up to each customer’s standards. Is that service or what? Her goal is to give an alternative to taquerias and standard tex-mex favorites. She even went so far as to invent a word to describe her ingenious restaurant: enchiladeria. The enchiladeria offers gourmet food in a fast and casual setting.
BEE uses fresh and organic ingredients, and the taste is proof of it. Monica offers plenty of vegan options on her menu as well, including the sweet amarillo with mashed sweet potato and a sweet roasted yellow pepper sauce. One “made your way” enchilada is $4.99, or two for $7.99. Their “enchiladas especiales” are $8.99 each. Although each enchilada is large enough to be a meal in themselves, the menu shows various sides plus a house made guacamole.
Hands down, Best Enchilada Ever.
