Oak Cliff’s restaurant scene has been hot for years now, but 2013 was an especially good one for restaurant ventures in the ‘hood. Here are some of our favorite new spots that opened this year.
1. Zoli’s
We still have so much love for Eno’s, Nova, Bolsa and other places that have pizza in Oak Cliff, but there is only one Zoli’s.
2. Davis Street Espresso
The new cafe from Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters is unlike anything else in Dallas. There is no WiFi and no to-go cups, and it’s only open in the mornings. But what you will find at Davis Street Espresso is a beautiful space and a perfect cup of coffee every time.
3. Luck
Lots of new restaurants have opened at Trinity Groves this year, including Casa Rubia, Kitchen LTO, Souk, Hofmann Hots and Babb Bros. BBQ and Blues. With 40 local beers on tap and a menu that incorporates beer, Luck already has become a neighborhood favorite.
4. Taco Wagon
The owner of Taco Wagon spent three years renovating an old Chuck Wagon restaurant and now serves a simple Tex-Mex menu that includes breakfast tacos and guiso de res tacos, plus a burger and a few other items.
5. Los Torres
We first learned of Los Torres taqueria from reading the Taco Trail, the taco bible of Dallas, which is published by Oak Cliff’s own Jose Ralat Maldonado. We quickly impressed our friends with amazing breakfast tacos, served on handmade tortillas, and mounds of chivo tatemado.
6. Victoria’s
Of all things, a new Tex-Mex place opened on West Davis this year. Victoria’s is adjacent to Norma’s, so it’s a convenient walk for Kings Highway and Winnetka Heights residents looking for a cheap happy hour. But be warned: that’s not queso.
7. El Corazon de Tejas
The old Tejano received a makeover, a new menu and a new name, El Corazon de Tejas. The building on West Davis at Beckley started out as El Chico No. 8 in 1955. The new menu includes more vegetarian dishes and some modern Tex-Mex stuff, such as fish tacos, plus a new margarita recipe to replace the neon green ones that used to be 99 cents at happy hour. We recently discovered the churros, which are served with a side of cajeta. Save room!
8. The Fish
9. Outpost
Outpost opened originally in 2012, but Smoke owners Christopher Zielke, Christopher Jeffers and Tim Byres bought it from Coeval Studios in November. The new menu includes a vegetarian chili, venison and barley soup, roasted pheasant and egg noodles with bolognese.
10. Waldron Lodge
This Bishop Arts District restaurant specializes in game meats. It “suits the cowboy crowd.”
11. The Local Oak
Legacy restaurateur Alycen Cuellar opened The Local Oak with partners Felix Garcia and Paul Delgado in November. They completely renovated the space at Zang and Seventh and serve an approachable menu of beer-friendly food.