Downtown’s Tex-Mex Playground for Queso and Cocktails Opens Tomorrow

Downtown’s dining scene gets a boost tomorrow with the arrival of Tex-Mex newcomer Queso Beso, serving everything from its namesake melty cheese to shrimp diablo in a colorful and festive setting.

Its two-story historic home (1525 Main Street), overlooking the 30-foot-tall sculpture Eye, is jam-packed with retro decor like vinyl diner chairs, piñatas, and a ceiling covered in Christmas lights.

Along with classic apps like guacamole, nacho besos, and chicken flautas, coastal starters include a zesty seafood cocktail built with gulf shrimp or campechana and octopus tostadas.

Cheese obviously plays a starring role at Queso Beso. Traditional queso blanco can be jazzed up wtih chorizo, guacamole, crema, and green onion, and fresh corn tortillas act as vessels to scoop queso fundido with Oaxacan and Chihuahua cheeses and roasted peppers.

Queso Beso/official photo

Specials include shrimp diablo (roasted sweet peppers, corn pico, and red chili butter) and braised chicken slathered in house mole. The bar naturally goes heavy on tequila and mezcal pours. Along with frozen margaritas, ancho-spiked paloma, and Texan favorite Ranch Water, the cocktail list includes a potent run-filled frozen Painkiller.

The layout includes a ground floor, glass-enclosed patio with three TVs and a private event space and open-air terrace upstairs. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Queso Besco comes from Dallas hospitality giant Headington Companies, whose portfolio includes downtown’s Americano, CBD Provisions, Weekend Coffee, Midnight Rambler, Mirador, No Aloha, and Commissary; Design District’s Wheelhouse, Sassetta and Go Go; and The Porch on Knox-Henderson.