Featured image: Best Place for Carnivores, Knife. Photo Kathy Tran
See the list of all Best of Plano “Food and Drinks” 2024 Winners
Best Market for Foodies
Central Market | 320 Coit Road
Prime grade beef, fine imported wines, Calabrian chili peppers, Prince Edward Island Mussels and more make Central Market an essential starting point for the discerning foodie’s next home-cooked culinary adventure. With variety and quality found in its aisles in equal quantities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a recipe Central Market can’t help you realize.
Best Healthy Eating
Seasons 52 | 7300 Lonestar Drive Unit C300
For those looking for seasonal, low-carb and low-calorie meals packed with flavor, Seasons 52 might be the answer. Offering avocado toast, Ahi tuna tartare, sesame-grilled salmon salads, bite-sized sweet treats and more, the freshness-first restaurant chain wants customers to leave satisfied with the quality and nutrition of its plates.
Best Place to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant | 1010 E 15th St.
Who says you can’t eat dessert first? At Better Than Sex, you won’t find a vegetable, chicken breast or piece of fish anywhere on the premises. Instead, the restaurant offers a dynamic line of racily-named sugary creations like the Peanut Butter Perversion Pie, Missionary Apple Crisp and Blueberry Birthday Suit Dessert Sandwich. The restaurant also offers a full bar menu to compliment your erotic treat.
Best Brunch
Whiskey Cake | 3601 Dallas Parkway
Whether you’re in the mood for a mimosa, bloody mary or just a hearty breakfast with a plain cup o’ Joe, Whiskey Cake has it all. Serving classic breakfast beverages, candied bacon, eggs Benedict, Wagyu hash and carrot cake pancakes, Whiskey Cake’s brunch offering doesn’t leave much to be desired.
Best Place to Grab a Cold Treat
Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream | 3100 Independence Parkway, Unit 215
With summer wearing on, this might be one of, if not the most, important spots on this list. Serving all-time favorites such as chocolate, mint chocolate chip, cookie dough and of course, vanilla, Henry’s also has a wide array of sundaes, splits and seasonal ice creams available.
Best Coffee Shop
1418 Coffee | 1418 K Ave.
Perfect for meeting a friend, studying, getting some work done or just grabbing a latte, 1418 Coffee offers an assortment of traditional brewed favorites and house specialties like The Purple Haze or The Sgt. Pepper. 1418 also offers sandwiches, breakfast items and pastries to accompany your beverage.
Best Bar/Pub Food
Holy Grail Pub | 8240 Preston Road #150
Guided, not defined, by an ethos of traditional pub fare, Holy Grail’s menu is an eclectic mix of established pub favorites and Texan flavors. Bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips coexist seamlessly with brisket melts, a ghost pepper chili bowl and fish tacos in this intimately-lit pub.
Best Indian Food
Kumar’s | 3303 N Central Expressway
Sticking to the traditional basics of Southern Indian cuisine, Kumar’s specializes in recreating the region’s beloved dishes like biryani, ghee roasts and dosai using time-honored methods. Familiar northern options like chicken tikka masala, tandoor and vindaloo are also available.
Best Burgers
Kenny’s Burger Joint | 5809 Preston Road Unit 588
Made over a wood-fired grill, Kenny’s keeps it simple with burger joint favorites like the Jucy Lucy and a Royale with cheese. Customers can choose from onion rings; tater tots; sweet potato, regular or parmesan truffle fries; or bacon-wrapped jalapenos to accompany their burger.
Best Mexican Food
Mexican Bar Company | 6121 W Park Blvd.
The category is Best Mexican food – not Tex-Mex. Mexican Bar Company serves traditional, true Mexican cuisine, with regional favorites like pollo a la brasas, fresh-made corn street tacos, tampiquena and a dizzying lineup of assorted ceviches. The restaurant also has an impressive selection of fine tequilas and house cocktails.
Best Place for Carnivores
Knife | 6161 W Park Blvd.
John Tesar’s second Knife location, offers all of the flair, consistency and surprising affordability which propelled the first Knife location into the DFW culinary stratosphere. Whether you’re looking for $13 sloppy joe sliders, a $25 10-ounce sirloin coulotte or a 240-day dry-aged ribeye for $240, Knife has something for carnivores dining at every price point.
Best Seafood
New Orleans Crab Shack | 901 W Spring Creek Parkway
Crawfish season may be over, but you can still find amazing shrimp; Snow, Dungeness and King Crab; clam and mussel boils at this local staple. Oysters on the half shell and Cajun favorites like gumbo and Po’boys are available year-round.
Best Sandwiches
Mr. G’s Deli | 1453 Coit Road
Is there a sandwich Mr. G’s doesn’t have? Shockingly well-priced, the local deli offers a whopping selection of seven different reubens and three club sandwiches, in addition to burgers, pastrami melts, hoagies, cheesesteaks and gyros. Don’t worry, if the sandwich you crave wasn’t listed, there’s more than a decent chance Mr. G’s has it.
Best BBQ Joint
Lockhart Smokehouse | 1026 E 15th St.
One of three DFW locations, Lockhart Smokehouse in Downtown Plano has all the quintessential, smoked-to-perfection proteins one could ask for. From its “Texas Vegan” selection of smoked chicken, to the ribs and pork chops, finger-licking quality abounds. But let’s be honest, this is Texas – beef is still king – and Lockhart’s brisket proves nobody does it better than the Lone Star State.
Best Pizza
Urban Crust | 1006 E 15th St.
Swanky, polished and smooth, Urban Crust offers a wide array of signature pizzas, in addition to build-your-own options. Their delectable pies are available for takeout, dine-in or can be enjoyed on Urban Crust’s rooftop bar, 32 degrees.
Best Place to Drink Too Many Trendy Cocktails
Mexican Sugar | 7501 Lone Star Drive
If you’re going to have one too many, why not make it the most over-the-top, ornately decorated cocktail you can find? With Mexican Sugar, you won’t have to look too far, with tequila infusions for two at $44, a Mex-spresso martini with Astral Reposado and margarita flights all available. It’s easy to be as confused on what you’re getting as how you’re getting home.
Best Queso
Torchy’s Tacos | 1855 Dallas Parkway Ste 600
Named for its regionally famous line of tacos like the trailer park, Republican and Democrat, those who’ve visited Torchy’s a few times know what the real star of the show is. Torchy’s signature green chile queso blend is one of the Best in Texas — chain or not — and can be upgraded with chorizo.
Best Sushi
EBESU | 1007 E 15th St.
James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Koji Yoshida’s EBESU checks all the boxes for an iconic Sushi experience. Rarer cuts like Toro, or fatty tuna, Hamachi Toro and Madai speckle an impressive offering of nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls. For those looking for a more Omakase-style experience, Yoshida also offers two pre-fixe menus for $60 and $99+ tax, respectively.
Best Margaritas
Mexican Bar Company | 6121 W Park Blvd.
Making its second appearance on the list, Mexican Bar Company’s quality in authentic Mexican Cuisine is also apparent in its margarita menu. While there are plenty of options, you can save your waiter a trip and order a 16 ounce frozen margarita.
