The 56 Best Eats in Plano | 2016

Plano is kinda exploding these days with new restaurants. It can be tricky to figure out where to spend your hard-earned dollars when it’s time for dinner. But fear not, loyal Plano Magazine readers, we conducted a very scientific poll (by asking our foodie friends and contributors) to find the very best eats in Plano. Not the best restaurants, but the best items on the menu. Some of these are the meals you’d recommend to out-of-towners. Others aren’t super fancy, but you’ll find yourself craving it every day for lunch. Here we go.

Cocktails

01. Machete at Mexican Sugar

02. Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar at Whiskey Cake (weekends only from 9am-4pm)

03. Meltdown Margarita at Ojeda’s

04. Smoked Pineapple Margarita at Mexican Sugar

05. Spicy Daisy at Taverna Rossa

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Spicy Daisy cocktail at Taverna Rossa // photo Jennifer Shertzer

 

Appetizers & Sides

06. Deviled Eggs at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine (It’s all about that crispy chicken skin)

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Deviled Eggs at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine // photo Jennifer Shertzer

07. Fire Roasted Oysters at Smoke

08. Garlic Knots at Marinara Pizza

09. Homemade Dips and Spreads at Taverna Rossa

10. Kor-B-Fries topped with Bulgogi (Marinated Rib Eye) at Kor-BQ

11. Poutine at Kenny’s Burger Joint (only served seasonally, so keep an eye out come October)

12. Saganaki at Zorba’s Greek Café (fried cheese flamed tableside)

13. Salsa at Ojeda’s

14. Spam Musubi at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (a delicious snack of Spam, seaweed and rice)

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Spam Musubi at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue // photo Anna Cavnar

15. Sweet Potato Fries at Wholesome Grub

16. The Green Salsa at Taco Diner
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Entrees

17. Bam Bam Salad from Snappy Salads

18. BBQ Salad at Kelly’s Eastside

19. Beef Noodle Soup at Bull Daddy Noodle Bistro (perfect for flu season or to cure a hangover)                

20. Beef Shahi at Maharaja Indian Restaurant (a great alternative for Chicken Tikka Masala lovers)

21. Boiled Snow Crab / Kitchen Sink flavor / Medium Heat at Shell Shack

22. Bone-In Kona Crusted Dry Aged NY Strip Steak at The Capital Grille (“one of the best three steaks I’ve eaten in my life”) 

23. Brown Sugar Banana Flapjack at Hash House a Go Go

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The Brown Sugar Banana Flapjack at Hash House a Go Go // photo Jennifer Shertzer

24. Cheese Pizza at Eddy’s Pizza Restaurant

25. Chicken Lasagna at Paesano’s

26. Crawfish Pistolette at Cajun Tailgators Food Truck (the downtown Plano cafe has closed, but the Twitter feed lists the daily location of the food truck)

27. Crispy Tangy Beef at Mr. Wok

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Crispy Tangy Beef at Mr. Wok // photo Nicole Forzano

28. Duck Rolls at Ruang Thai

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Duck Rolls at Ruang Thai // photo Jennifer Shertzer

29. Fried Chicken + Jack Sandwich at East Hampton Sandwich Co.

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Fried Chicken + Jack Sandwich at East Hampton Sandwich Co. // photo Jennifer Shertzer

30. Hot Hatch Quesadilla at Dillas (with a side of jalapeño ranch and Gorilla Fries)

31. Lobster Mac ’N Cheese at The Capital Grille

32. Local Goat & Fig Pizza at Taverna Rossa

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Local Goat & Fig Pizza at Taverna Rossa // photo Jennifer Shertzer

33. Meatball Parmigiana Sub at Covino’s

34. MexiCobb Salad at Chuy’s

35. Neapolitan Pizza at Fireside Pies

36. Oma’s Paprika Schnitzel at Jorg’s Cafe Vienna

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Oma’s Paprika Schnitzel at Jorg’s Cafe Vienna // photo Nicole Forzano

37. Patty Melt at Kenny’s Burger Joint

38. Pepper Chicken at Kumar’s

39. Picadillo at Latin Pig

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Picadillo at Latin Pig // photo Jennifer Shertzer

40. Picanha at Brazilian Cowboy Steakhouse

41. Prime Rib at Lockhart Smokehouse (available only on the weekends)

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Prime Rib at Lockhart Smokehouse // photo Lockhart Smokehouse

42. Red Curry at Ruang Thai

43. Sage Fried Chicken and Waffles at Hash House a Go Go (literally a tower of fried chicken and bacon-stuffed waffles!)

44. Smoked Brisket Stuffed Jalapeños at Kenny’s Smoke House

45. Sophia’s Roll at Uni Sushi

46. Veggie Ceviche Tacos at Mexican Sugar (off-the-menu – you have to ask!)

47. Wood Grilled Pork Tenderloin from Jasper’s

 

Desserts

48. Butterfinger Crème Brûlée at Jasper’s

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Butterfinger Crème Brûlée at Jasper’s // photo Jasper’s

49. Cinnamon Ice Cream at Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream

50. Coconut Cream Pie at The Capital Grille (with House Made Caramel Sauce)

51. Glazed Bourbon Vanilla Bean Ice Cream at Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream

52. Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé at Roy’s

53. Mescal Key Lime Pie at Smoke

54. Momo Crepe at Crepes 4 U (try it with a scoop of ice cream added)

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Momo Crepe at Crepes 4 U // photo Esther Huynh

55. Rio S’mores at Urban Rio

56. Whiskey Cake at Whiskey Cake (four foodies nominated this dish)

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Whiskey Cake at Whiskey Cake // photo Jennifer Shertzer
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