92 September 18 - 24, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Contents | ReadeRs’ PiCks | shoPPing & seRviCes | aRts & enteRtainment | Food & dRink | sPoRts & ReCReation › BEST NEW RESTAURANT Even Coast With a firm grasp of fried chicken (Whistle Britches) and Tex-Mex (Muchados) under his belt, chef Omar Flores jumped feet first into seafood, steaks and pasta with Even Coast. Flores and his team have created a space that’s warm and inviting. We were able to grab two seats at the bar, which wraps around three sides and separates the dining room. Soft lighting and warm furnishings abound, and a wall of windows looks out onto a spacious patio. The menu abounds with thoughtful takes on steaks, seafood and pasta, along with an impressive wine and beverage program. The North Dallas/ Addison area is awash in great restaurants, but Even Coast’s well executed food and vibe keep calling us back. 5463 Belt Line Road, No. 100, Addison 682-868-3836 even-coast.com › BEST CHEF Toby Archibald, Quarter Acre Toby Archibald has worked all over the globe but has chosen Dallas as home to showcase his New Zealand- inspired dishes. Archibald’s classic European training shows in dishes across the menu in ways that delight the eyes as much as the palate. While Archibald’s creations lean upscale, we adore the casual approachability to Quarter Acre that lies just below the surface. For the second year in a row, Archibald has arranged his Drifter Dinner series, where he invites chefs he’s worked with from across the globe to Quarter Acre to collaborate on a one-off tasting menu that also raises funds for Baylor’s NICU patients and families. 2023 Greenville Ave., No. 110 214-647-1616 quarteracrerestaurant.com › BEST BARBECUE Slow Bone It’s hard to find fault with any of Slow Bone’s barbecue staples. Whether it’s the succulent prime brisket, near-perfect ribs or possibly the city’s best smoked and fried chicken, picking a protein or two for lunch means you won’t make a bad decision. And while we love that Slow Bone is open every day, they leverage that wide availability to offer some splendid daily specials, like Sunday and Monday’s exquisite pork chop, the Tuesday twice-baked potato or some epic 24-ounce beef ribs available in limited numbers on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s one thing to have a barbecue spot that serves the favorites, and yet another to have one that never seems to get old. 2234 Irving Blvd. 214-377-7722 slowbone.com › BEST SEAFOOD Hugo’s Seafood Bar Hugos may be the newest destination in a crowded Bishop Arts dining scene, but the concept has already created a stir. Created by chef Hugo Galvan and bartender Hugo Osorio, their namesake restaurant is an intimate and moody seafood concept offering a pared down menu of fresh ocean fare with creative twists, and a stellar cocktail game to match. Weekends will find Hugo packed (it has only 28 seats, so that happens quickly), but a weeknight visit will offer the same seafood gems with smaller crowds. Don’t sleep on off-menu gems that Galvan changes regularly. 334 W. Davis St. 214-242-8651 hugoseafoodbar.com › BEST HOT DOG Angry Dog There’s nothing exotic about the namesake hot dog at Angry Dog in Deep Ellum. Take an all-beef kosher hot dog, grill it to near perfection, then top it with enough mustard, chili, grilled onions and cheddar cheese that you’ll need utensils to tackle it. You could try to make this at home, but the results are never as good as they are at this Deep Ellum institution. In the same way that some guys are “a man’s man”, Angry Dog is a bar’s bar, and the chili cheese dog that’s been a remedy for hangovers for nearly 25 years keeps a steady spot in our rotation, whether we’ve been drinking or not. 2726 Commerce St. 214-741-4406 angrydog.com › BEST CHILAQUILES Cuates Kitchen Twin siblings Carlos and Carla Rodriguez have imbued this Uptown restaurant with all the flavors of their native Veracruz. On the weekends, Cuates serves up a killer brunch, including some of the best chilaquiles in the area. Of course, there are homemade corn tortillas that get fried up to crispy golden. Next, the chips are piled high with bright tomatillo sauce, queso fresco, sour cream, avocado and two eggs. Chicken is a tasty add-on option, but if the pork cochinita pibil is available, you’ll regret not ordering that instead. 3811 Fairmount St. 214-908-7336 cuateskitchen.com › BEST BIRRIA Maskaras When Maskaras opened in fall 2016, it nabbed plenty of attention for its impressive lucha libre wrestling collection. But the kitchen’s food is equally impressive, especially the massive burritos, first-rate enchiladas verdes or a killer chile relleno. And we can’t sing enough praises about Maskaras’ birria. While every restaurant these days seems to dabble in birria, Maskaras teaches a master class, with AP level quesabirria or texabirria options to boot. Can’t decide between the three? Do like we do and get one of each. Then you can gloat to your friends that you’ve uncovered some of the best birria in town. 2423 W. Keist Blvd. 469-466-9282 maskarasmexicangrill.com › BEST BAR FOOD Armoury D.E. Having a bite to eat while you’re getting your drink on is pro level Food & Drink Chris Wolfgang Even Coast // BEST NEW RESTAURANT
