Okay, Plano, who’s up for a dining challenge? As a professional food writer, I make an annual list of the best foods I eat during reviews. This past year, I created a Plano-specific list, as all of DFW now takes notice of the thriving Collin County dining scene.
A move took me out of Texas in October, so I commissioned a few of my trusted fellow foodies to help name the best dishes from the latest openings in town. I wasn’t able to eat everything Plano restaurants offered last year, but I sure gave it my best shot.
Soups + Salads
- Roasted Jalapeño Soup at Half Shells
- Autumn Green Salad at Jasper’s
- Pho (with filet) at Pho Apple
- The Stag Salad at Taverna Rossa
- Texas Caesar Salad at Urban Rio
- Buffalo Chicken Salad at Zalat
Appetizers
- Cheesesteak Eggrolls at Del Frisco’s Grille
- Truffle Burrata at Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
- Mini Elk Tacos at Haywire
- Pimento Cheese Fritters at Hookline
- Liptauer Teller (Warm Pretzels with Liptauer Cheese) at Jorg’s Café Vienna
- Crab Fried Rice at The Keeper
- Smoked Brisket Stuffed Jalapeños at Kenny’s Smoke House
- Kor-BQ Fries with Bulgogi and Kimchi at Kor-BQ
- Roasted Street Carrots at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
- Queso Poblano at Meso Maya
- Squash Blossom Quesadilla at Mexican Sugar
- Quesadillas de Huitlacoche at Mi Dia from Scratch
- Tuna Nachos + Oysters on the Half Shell at Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill
- Cheddar Fries at Snuffer’s
- Coconut Shrimp at Tommy Bahama Restaurant
- Green Chile Queso at Torchy’s Tacos
- “Xiao Long Bao” (Soup Dumplings) at Yao Fuzi
Entrees + Sides
- Mole + Tamales at Chitos
- Hot Hatch Quesadilla with Jalapeño Ranch at Dillas
- Lobster Roll at East Hampton Sandwich Co.
- Fried Chicken at Farmbyrd Rotisserie & Fry
- Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Burger at The Fillmore Pub
- Wood Grilled Pork Tenderloin at Jasper’s
- Bud’s Queso Burger at Kenny’s Burger Joint
- Cubano Sandwich at The Latin Pig
- Brisket + Mac and Cheese at Lockhart Smokehouse
- Bone-in Pork Chop + Cilantro Lime Rice at Mexican Sugar
- Pomfret Tawa Roast at Peacock Elite Indian Cuisine
- Duck Fat Fried Chicken at Roots Chicken Shak in Legacy Hall
- Lobster Mac & Cheese at Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill
- Bairdi Crab (Kitchen Sink + Hot style) at Shell Shack
- Fregola at Sixty Vines
- Local Goat + Fig Pizza at Taverna Rossa
- Kay’s Roll + Tuna Tower at Uni Sushi
- Quattro Formaggi Pizza at Urban Crust
- Elote Pizza at Zalat
Breakfast + Brunch
- Fried Chicken with Jalapeño Bacon Cheddar Waffles at Bread Winners Café
- Avocado Super Toast at Earls Kitchen + Bar
- Brown Sugar Banana Flapjack at Hash House a Go Go
- Any Guatemalan breakfast dish at Lily’s Cafe
- Inside Out French Toast at The Royale
- Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes at Sixty Vines
- Chicken and Waffles at Sucre Café
Desserts
- Egg Tart at 85C Bakery Café
- Carrot Cake at Fleming’s
- Creme Brûlée Donut at Glazed Donut Works in Legacy Hall
- Kitchen Sink Shake at Grub Burger Bar
- Peanut Butter Pie at Kenny’s East Coast Pizza
- Simms Family S’more at Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
- Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé at Roy’s
- Cupcakes at Sugar Ray’s Bake Shop
- Whiskey Cake at Whiskey Cake
