:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68572220/thunderbird.0.jpg)
2020 was the definition of a bizarre year, but that didn’t stop the city’s restaurants from turning out some truly stunning meals. In the midst of regulatory chaos, plummeting revenues, and constant change, the city’s culinary professionals stepped up in a major way this year.
To kick off Eater Dallas’s 2020 Year in Eater coverage, we reached out to some of the city’s top chefs and in-the-know food writers to find out where they ate the best takeout and delivery this year. From pizza to Thai noodles, here’s where the city’s most obsessive food lovers had their best takeout meals in 2020.
Brian Reinhart, Dallas Observer food critic: My partner and I tried to spread the love around by going to dozens of different restaurants for takeout — at least 50 or 60 so far. But we’ve been repeat visitors at Revolver Taco Lounge, Banh Mi Station, Sandwich Hag, and Las Almas Rotas. We’ve had a bunch of pizzas from Zoli’s and ZaLat, and I’ve also had a few takeout plates from Smokey Joe’s BBQ, which is a legit contender for most underrated Dallas restaurant.
Suki Otsuki, chef, Meddlesome Moth: My go-to takeout options are typically things like ramen and Thai food. I love Bangkok at Beltline in Richardson. It is consistently and authentically delicious Thai food.
Andrea Meyer, chef/owner, Bisous Bisous Patisserie: We’re up in Plano and we order out a lot. Whistle Britches is at least a weekly go-to, as is Zoli’s and North Italia. I try to pick up whenever I can to save the restaurants delivery service fees.
Jill Bergus, owner, Lockhart Smokehouse: Yao Fuzi, Sushi Robata, Liberty Burger, Deli News, Urban Crust.
Ji Kang, chef, Sloane’s Corner: Shake Shack and The Halal Guys. After living in New York City for quite some time, I just can’t get away from those two restaurants. For a bread fix, 9 Rabbits Bakery came in clutch.
Erin Booke, Dallas Morning News food and entertainment editor: Roots Chicken Shak, Yatai Ramen Izakaya, The Aussie Grind, Lucky City, Zalat Pizza.
Amy McCarthy, editor, Eater Dallas: We did a lot of pizza this year — mostly from Zoli’s and its excellent Detroit-style pop-up Thunderbird Pies.
Porttia Portis, Eater contributor: Hawaiian Bros., Ginger Thai, Taqueria Los Angeles
Teresa Gubbins, senior editor, CultureMap: Always pizza — Zoli’s, Pie Tap Pizza Workshop, Cane Rosso, Modern Market, Partenope, 400 Gradi.
Rachel Pinn, Eater contributor: We did a lot of takeout all over DFW. Favorites included Nori Handroll Bar, Hungry Belly, Sushi de Handroll and SaSa Sushi for that sushi craving I get nearly every day. I also loved being able to order fresh fish and Japanese goods from Kazy’s Gourmet Shop, which was a pandemic find I’ll definitely keep in the rotation for years to come.
