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A trio of dips, left to right: cilantro ranch, guacamole, and queso, all surrounded by tortilla chips.
The trio at Escondido Tex-Mex Patio features a queso paired with guac and a cilantro ranch.
Kathy Tran

Where to Eat the Meltiest, Cheesiest Queso in Dallas

Chile con queso may very well be the national dish of Dallas

by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated
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The trio at Escondido Tex-Mex Patio features a queso paired with guac and a cilantro ranch.
| Kathy Tran
by Courtney E. Smith and Amy McCarthy Updated

There may be no dish more important to Dallas’s dining scene than a piping hot, neon orange bowl of queso. Instead of making a Velveeta-and-Rotel concoction at home, head to one of these restaurants for one of Dallas’s best bowls of queso. Topped with brisket, chicken fajita meat, chorizo, sour cream, and guacamole, these bowls will not disappoint.

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Mexican Sugar

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In addition to the wonderful margaritas at this Plano Tex-Mex spot, the queso is excellent. Here, it’s queso blanco, spiked with toasted dried chiles and a little guacamole and paired with crunchy chips perfect for scooping. 

7501 Lone Star Dr Ste B150, Plano, TX 75024
(972) 943-0984
(972) 943-0984

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Escondido TexMex Patio

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At this Tex-Mex joint, queso comes in a trio alongside freshly made guacamole and cilantro ranch dip, both of which make a nice contrast or double dip option. Diners can also order queso blanco the old-fashioned way or Queso Perfecto with brisket. 

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

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Gabriela & Sofia’s Tex-Mex

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The guacamole at Gabriela y Sofia’s is much-lauded, and the queso is no slouch. The classic combination of processed American cheese, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes is solid enough. Still, the queso chorizo, topped with a homemade version of the classic Mexican sausage, cannot be missed. 

10455 N Central Expy #117, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 647-1033
(214) 647-1033

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Odelay Tex-Mex

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Order the “Ritas and Queso” Queso from the apps menu here and get exactly what it says — but do add on chili con carne, guacamole, and sour cream for the whole experience. 

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 707-0595
(972) 707-0595

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Torchy's Tacos

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The tacos at Torchy’s may not be universally beloved, but the queso is. Spicy and cheesy, it’s spiked with tons of green chiles, Cotija cheese, and cilantro, and if you want it “hillbilly style,” a scoop of chorizo. 

5600 SMU Boulevard #102, Dallas, TX 75206
(972) 993-8226
(972) 993-8226

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Blue Goose Cantina

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The Blue Goose Quesadilla is almost a meal into itself, loaded with grilled chicken, spinach, and mushrooms, plus guac and pico on the side. It might take more than a chip to hoist this bite up.

2905 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-8339
(214) 823-8339

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Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant

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Opened in Dallas in 1981, Mia’s Tex-Mex has tons of fans in Dallas, and for a good reason. Order the queso chorizo, a riff on queso fundido served with flour tortillas, or stick with the classic chile con queso before digging into a plate of those famed brisket tacos. 

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 526-1020
(214) 526-1020

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Matt's Rancho Martinez

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Of course, Matt’s Rancho Martinez must be included in any conversation about queso. The original El Rancho restaurant in Austin is credited with creating Bob Armstrong dip, the oft-copied combination of queso, guacamole, spiced ground beef, and sour cream. Yes, one can find it here in Dallas at Matt’s. Ask for it atop nachos or fries for an even more decadent appetizer. 

1904 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-5517
(214) 823-5517

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E Bar Tex-Mex

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This East Dallas Tex-Mex favorite loads up its melty cheese dip with guacamole, ground beef, and sour cream, enhancing the gooey perfection of this classic dip. 

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 824-3227
(214) 824-3227

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Pepe's & Mito's

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At this Deep Ellum staple, starting dinner with a bowl of queso is essential. Add spinach or spiced taco meat if you need to futz with perfection. 

2911 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 741-1901
(214) 741-1901

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Beto & Son

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Sure this place has queso blanco, crafted in the traditional style. But Beto’s loaded queso, with chicken fajita meat, chorizo, refried beans, pico, guacamole, salsa verde, and crema, is an everything but the kitchen sink queso experience worth ordering.

3011 Gulden Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75212
(469) 249-8590
(469) 249-8590

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Mexican Sugar

7501 Lone Star Dr Ste B150, Plano, TX 75024

In addition to the wonderful margaritas at this Plano Tex-Mex spot, the queso is excellent. Here, it’s queso blanco, spiked with toasted dried chiles and a little guacamole and paired with crunchy chips perfect for scooping. 

7501 Lone Star Dr Ste B150, Plano, TX 75024
(972) 943-0984
(972) 943-0984

Escondido TexMex Patio

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230

At this Tex-Mex joint, queso comes in a trio alongside freshly made guacamole and cilantro ranch dip, both of which make a nice contrast or double dip option. Diners can also order queso blanco the old-fashioned way or Queso Perfecto with brisket. 

5950 Royal Ln A, Dallas, TX 75230
(214) 471-5929
(214) 471-5929

Gabriela & Sofia’s Tex-Mex

10455 N Central Expy #117, Dallas, TX 75231

The guacamole at Gabriela y Sofia’s is much-lauded, and the queso is no slouch. The classic combination of processed American cheese, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes is solid enough. Still, the queso chorizo, topped with a homemade version of the classic Mexican sausage, cannot be missed. 

10455 N Central Expy #117, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 647-1033
(214) 647-1033

Odelay Tex-Mex

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209

Order the “Ritas and Queso” Queso from the apps menu here and get exactly what it says — but do add on chili con carne, guacamole, and sour cream for the whole experience. 

5600 W Lovers Ln Suite 109, Dallas, TX 75209
(972) 707-0595
(972) 707-0595

Torchy's Tacos

5600 SMU Boulevard #102, Dallas, TX 75206

The tacos at Torchy’s may not be universally beloved, but the queso is. Spicy and cheesy, it’s spiked with tons of green chiles, Cotija cheese, and cilantro, and if you want it “hillbilly style,” a scoop of chorizo. 

5600 SMU Boulevard #102, Dallas, TX 75206
(972) 993-8226
(972) 993-8226

Blue Goose Cantina

2905 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206

The Blue Goose Quesadilla is almost a meal into itself, loaded with grilled chicken, spinach, and mushrooms, plus guac and pico on the side. It might take more than a chip to hoist this bite up.

2905 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-8339
(214) 823-8339

Mia's Tex-Mex Restaurant

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219

Opened in Dallas in 1981, Mia’s Tex-Mex has tons of fans in Dallas, and for a good reason. Order the queso chorizo, a riff on queso fundido served with flour tortillas, or stick with the classic chile con queso before digging into a plate of those famed brisket tacos. 

4334 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 526-1020
(214) 526-1020

Matt's Rancho Martinez

1904 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206

Of course, Matt’s Rancho Martinez must be included in any conversation about queso. The original El Rancho restaurant in Austin is credited with creating Bob Armstrong dip, the oft-copied combination of queso, guacamole, spiced ground beef, and sour cream. Yes, one can find it here in Dallas at Matt’s. Ask for it atop nachos or fries for an even more decadent appetizer. 

1904 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-5517
(214) 823-5517

E Bar Tex-Mex

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75204

This East Dallas Tex-Mex favorite loads up its melty cheese dip with guacamole, ground beef, and sour cream, enhancing the gooey perfection of this classic dip. 

1901 N Haskell Ave #120, Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 824-3227
(214) 824-3227

Pepe's & Mito's

2911 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226

At this Deep Ellum staple, starting dinner with a bowl of queso is essential. Add spinach or spiced taco meat if you need to futz with perfection. 

2911 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 741-1901
(214) 741-1901

Beto & Son

3011 Gulden Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75212

Sure this place has queso blanco, crafted in the traditional style. But Beto’s loaded queso, with chicken fajita meat, chorizo, refried beans, pico, guacamole, salsa verde, and crema, is an everything but the kitchen sink queso experience worth ordering.

3011 Gulden Ln #108, Dallas, TX 75212
(469) 249-8590
(469) 249-8590

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