Take A Walk Around Jalisco Norte, Dallas’ Chic New Mexican Eatery

The arrival of Jalisco Norte, Dallas’ newest Mexican eatery, brings refined cuisine and a bold design to Turtle Creek Village.

Making its debut this week, Jalisco Norte was held up for a bit by construction, but it’s now ready to welcome diners into its chic and inviting dining room. Low-slung ceilings are covered in slatted wood, while tons of windows provide plenty of natural light. When paired with the smell of freshly-made tortillas, it’s decidedly one of the city’s most inviting new restaurants.

Each room at Jalisco Norte offers its own distinct vibe, ranging from spots for casual dining to seating for swanky private dinners. Wooden floors lead the way into the dining room, which offers plenty of booth seating and a direct line of sight into the action going on inside the restaurant’s glass-paneled kitchen and tortilla station. A bar sits directly in the center of the restaurant, with a formidable wall of agave-based spirits lined up against a wall stenciled with agave leaves.

Near the bar is a floor-to-ceiling glass room that can be opened up to bring the outdoors inside. Orange-colored woods, woven lounge chairs, and polished slab tables lend a breezy, cabana feel. In the back of the restaurant, a hidden back room called the “mask room” will serve as a small private dining area, with seating for only twelve or so diners. Tucked behind a set of thick curtains, the “mask room” gets is name from the Mexican folk art masks in the shape of dogs, devils, and monkeys.

Kathy Tran

As far as the food is concerned, Chef Jose Meza is entirely dedicated to creating a menu that isn’t diluted down to suit Tex-Mex preferences. “We are not just nachos, enchiladas, tacos, even though we have those on the menu,” he says. “We are doing them all in a traditional, authentic way.” Expect to see chicken tinga, Yucatan Duck Pibil, and a fleet of slow roasted meats and veggies covered in spices.

Jalisco Norte is now open for dinner service, with its sister walk-up window Loncheria set to arrive in the coming weeks. Before making a reservation, take a walk around the restaurant courtesy of Eater photographer Kathy Tran.

Kathy Tran