East Dallas Tex-Mex has been open for six years but in some ways, it still feels like a treasured secret. Owner Eddie Cervantes used to run the show at Primo's for many years and has a Dallas old-timer following. Now he's recreated the old Primo's vibe on Haskell Avenue. He offers queso standard or E-Bar style with ground beef, guacamole, and sour cream.

The menu is long and full of the usual nachos, tacos, and enchiladas, but the kitchen also turns out a decent carne guisada, slow-cooked sirloin in rich Mexican gravy. The meat in the pulled pork tacos was dry and stringy, but the carne picosa de pollo—sautéed chicken with fresh jalapeños, tomato, and onions, a side of delicate Spanish rice, and a bowl of ham-studded bean soup—hit the spot on a chilly Dallas night.

Next up is East Dallas' E Bar Tex-Mex, situated at 1901 N. Haskell Ave., Suite 120. With 4.5 stars out of 639 reviews on Yelp, the Mexican and Tex-Mex cantina has proven to be a local favorite.

This East Dallas Tex-Mex spot has been open for six years but in some ways, it still feels like a treasured secret. Owner Eddie Cervantes, who used to run the show at Primo's, has re-created the old Primo's vibe on Haskell Avenue. He offers queso standard or E-Bar style with ground beef, guacamole, and sour cream.