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McKinney's Cafe Malaga serves up respectable Spanish tapas.
McKinney's Cafe Malaga serves up respectable Spanish tapas.
Photo credit: Cafe Malaga/Facebook

Where to Eat in the 'Burbs: McKinney

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McKinney's Cafe Malaga serves up respectable Spanish tapas.
| Photo credit: Cafe Malaga/Facebook

Continuing our series on where to eat in the suburbs, here's a map of 12 places to dine in McKinney, whether you're movin' on up (north) to take advantage of the superior schools or just making the trek to hunt for vintage road signs or creepy old dolls at their excellent selection of antique stores. From Texas Monthly-recognized barbecue to a locally-sourced burger joint, this northern 'burb has got a little something for everyone. (Don't forget to check out the rest of the Where to Eat in the 'Burbs series: Addison, Carrollton, Richardson, Plano, Denton, and Frisco.)


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Cadillac Pizza Pub

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This pint-sized pizza joint is typically packed to the gills with families and single folks alike who flock here for wood-fired pies, live music, and cold beer (including selections from nearby Franconia Brewery).

Café Málaga

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Spanish tapas in the suburbs? Believe it. Small plates like pan con tomate, croquettes and chicken piri piri paired with sangria make for a fun meal on the massive outdoor patio that overlooks the historic downtown square.

Cookie's Mexican Food

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For a truly authentic Mexican food experience, head to this unassuming hole-in-the-wall for homestyle dishes like tortas, menudo, tacos, gorditas, and migas. [Photo: Esgar F./Yelp]

Gregory's Bistro

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This charming European-style bistro offers the major bonus of being BYOB, so pick out a nice bottle to pair with your grilled Caesar, escargots in Thai curry broth, duck confit or steamed mussels. (Owner Gregory Moreaux hails from France and used to cook at Cacharel in Arlington.)

Hutchins BBQ & Grill

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Hutchins made Texas Monthly's coveted top 50 list for its outstanding brisket and ribs, and the atmosphere is exactly what a barbecue joint should be. For the truly hungry, there's a bargain $16.59 all-you-can-eat option.

The Pantry

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This quaint, old time-y lunch spot features sandwiches, salads and quiche and makes an ideal break from combing the downtown antique stores. Don't miss the housemade chocolate chip pie.

Patina Green Home & Market

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Another of those charming gift shop-slash-restaurants that McKinney seems to do so well, Patina Green dishes up an ever-evolving menu of locally-sourced sandwiches, tacos, house-cured pastrami, smoked meatloaf and more from their lunch counter.

Rick's Chophouse

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If you're looking to impress someone for dinner, it's hard to do better than Rick's Chophouse inside the historic Grand Hotel. Though Craft Dallas alum Tim Bevins recently flew the coop, upscale steakhouse fare like sea bass, filet, crabcakes and wedge salads (and a killer burger) are always well-executed.

Sauce On The Square

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Skip the Olive Garden and instead indulge your pasta craving at this cute downtown spot from the same folks as Rick's Chophouse, where the menu offers handmade pastas and pizzas topped with everything from brisket to prosciutto (plus better-than-expected cocktails).

Snug On The Square

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This cute little restaurant/gift shop/coffeehouse on the downtown square has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch fare from egg sandwiches to taco soup. Try the bacon and pimento melt with candied jalapenos and peach preserves.

Square Burger

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The eclectic selection of burgers at this quaint downtown spot ranges from Colorado lamb to locally raised beef, but the best part is arguably the tempura-fried pickle spear that comes with each one. Great craft beer selection, too.

Taste of India

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The Indian food here ranges from white people favorites like chicken tikka masala to spicier fare like lamb vindaloo. Mega-bargain alert: The lunch and dinner buffets are a mere $6.95 on Tuesdays.

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Cadillac Pizza Pub

This pint-sized pizza joint is typically packed to the gills with families and single folks alike who flock here for wood-fired pies, live music, and cold beer (including selections from nearby Franconia Brewery).

Café Málaga

Spanish tapas in the suburbs? Believe it. Small plates like pan con tomate, croquettes and chicken piri piri paired with sangria make for a fun meal on the massive outdoor patio that overlooks the historic downtown square.

Cookie's Mexican Food

For a truly authentic Mexican food experience, head to this unassuming hole-in-the-wall for homestyle dishes like tortas, menudo, tacos, gorditas, and migas. [Photo: Esgar F./Yelp]

Gregory's Bistro

This charming European-style bistro offers the major bonus of being BYOB, so pick out a nice bottle to pair with your grilled Caesar, escargots in Thai curry broth, duck confit or steamed mussels. (Owner Gregory Moreaux hails from France and used to cook at Cacharel in Arlington.)

Hutchins BBQ & Grill

Hutchins made Texas Monthly's coveted top 50 list for its outstanding brisket and ribs, and the atmosphere is exactly what a barbecue joint should be. For the truly hungry, there's a bargain $16.59 all-you-can-eat option.

The Pantry

This quaint, old time-y lunch spot features sandwiches, salads and quiche and makes an ideal break from combing the downtown antique stores. Don't miss the housemade chocolate chip pie.

Patina Green Home & Market

Another of those charming gift shop-slash-restaurants that McKinney seems to do so well, Patina Green dishes up an ever-evolving menu of locally-sourced sandwiches, tacos, house-cured pastrami, smoked meatloaf and more from their lunch counter.

Rick's Chophouse

If you're looking to impress someone for dinner, it's hard to do better than Rick's Chophouse inside the historic Grand Hotel. Though Craft Dallas alum Tim Bevins recently flew the coop, upscale steakhouse fare like sea bass, filet, crabcakes and wedge salads (and a killer burger) are always well-executed.

Sauce On The Square

Skip the Olive Garden and instead indulge your pasta craving at this cute downtown spot from the same folks as Rick's Chophouse, where the menu offers handmade pastas and pizzas topped with everything from brisket to prosciutto (plus better-than-expected cocktails).

Snug On The Square

This cute little restaurant/gift shop/coffeehouse on the downtown square has an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch fare from egg sandwiches to taco soup. Try the bacon and pimento melt with candied jalapenos and peach preserves.

Square Burger

The eclectic selection of burgers at this quaint downtown spot ranges from Colorado lamb to locally raised beef, but the best part is arguably the tempura-fried pickle spear that comes with each one. Great craft beer selection, too.

Taste of India

The Indian food here ranges from white people favorites like chicken tikka masala to spicier fare like lamb vindaloo. Mega-bargain alert: The lunch and dinner buffets are a mere $6.95 on Tuesdays.

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