Foodies and casual diners alike are awakening to global cuisines, venturing far beyond their conventional palate to sample a worldly fare beyond their grasp.  

Fortunately, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to many vibrant communities that combine local favorites with international flavors. From traditional birria and Spanish flair to modern Mediterranean with a strong wine foundation, come celebrate National Food Month at any of these DFW cultural hotspots.

Birrieria Chalio Mexican Restaurant

In 1968, owner and operator Raul’s parents came from Zacatecas with a secret family recipe that transformed their social backyard cookouts into a thriving business in California. The family persevered through decades of ups and downs, proving that the American Dream is alive and worth fighting for. In 2010, Raul brought the famed Birrieria Chalio Mexican Restaurant to a vibrant cultural neighborhood in Fort Worth, gleefully introducing Texans to his family’s generational recipe of birria.

You might have seen this dish in action: a succulent, sometimes-pan-seared crispy taco bulging with shredded meat escaping from both ends dipped into a hot cup of broth. A truly interactive and often messy foodie experience requiring an open mind, hungry appetite, and plenty of napkins. As birria is on the rise throughout Texas, Birrieria Chalio returns the once-celebratory dish reserved for weddings and special holidays and commonly made with beef to its traditional ingredient of chivo, a hand-shredded goat meat marinated in spices before being cooked in broth and served with a handsome helping of tortillas, cilantro, onions, and a bouquet of different salsas. Aromatic and delectably dripping with pungent herbs and spices, Chalio welcomes you to try the Birria Challenge, where you can decide for yourself which birria meat is better, chivo or beef, in a head-to-head queso-birria blind taste test.

Another crowd-pleaser at Chalio’s is the molcajete, a heavy lava rock pot with meat or seafood, nopales, cheese, and peppers simmering in a broth and steaming with savory spices. With the Azteca, grilled beef flank, chicken, and Mexican sausage, or the Yucateco, which adds a shrimp option, there’s a flavor for everyone. Follow Chalio Birrieria Mexican Restaurant on socials to see what Raul and the family is cooking next. Be sure to catch Raul in his recent appearance on Good Morning Texas.

Cafe Americana

No passport is required for this worldly experience of exquisite cuisine. You only need to be in Arlington, Texas, as just stepping into Cafe Americana will transport you to the far reaches of the globe. Helmed by the dynamic duo of Chef Moose Benhamacht and Liesl “Li” Best, this Spanish-inspired concept combines global flavors and American classics in an equally lively yet intimate restaurant that’s quickly turning heads and filling seats.

Led by a pioneering spirit, Chef Moose’s globally inspired menu offers an abundance of snacks, starters, entrées, desserts, and craft cocktails that will soon become your favorites. Begin your culinary journey with the Texas Oil Money, a local twist on the classic Old Fashioned. Prepared with bourbon, homemade saccharum, and an orange peel, this timeless cocktail sets the stage for your exploration of international cuisine.

Next, share a plate of freshly smashed guacamole served with plantain chips and cotija alongside the Americana Burrata, topped with charred avocado, olive oil, roasted tomatoes, and agave, uniting New World ingredients with an Old-World recipe. These light, flavorful starters are perfect launching points for the heartier, savory fare. It is highly recommended to indulge in any of Café Americana’s empanadas, particularly the ever-changing, chef-inspired Empanada del Dia. These delightfully flaky and stuffed surprises provide a perfect transition to any of the entrées, but if you find yourself grappling with indecision, choose the Seafood Paella, complete with saffron, mussels, shrimp, and chorizo. There’s no wrong choice when it comes to desserts, except passing on the magnificent Coconut Cake, a cream cheese-filled dessert topped with burnt meringue and dark rum pineapple sauce.

Proving that there is never a dull moment at Café Americana, the staff hosts several VIP events, bringing in flavors from around the world to the heart of Arlington. Recently, TLM recently had the honor of attending one of these renowned VIP dinners, which hosted none other than Alphonse Mellot, a 19th-generation winemaker from Sancerre, France.

This six-course event with wine pairing is yet another way Café Americana further distinguishes itself from the others, and why the restaurant was nominated for the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards for Best New Restaurant. Come immerse yourself in a world of flavor and reserve your date night, brunch with friends, or Mother’s Day table here.

Bacchus Kitchen + Bar

Visually stunning and gastronomically delightful, Bacchus Kitchen + Bar brings the flavors of Spain, Italy, France, and Greece right to your seat with a Mediterranean fare centered around wine. After all, this lovely local Mediterranean foodie experience is conveniently located in the historic town of Grapevine, Texas, a quaint little town widely known for its annual GrapeFest, wine trails, and boutique wineries scattered along Main Street. To that end, the restaurant doesn’t just lean into wine; it embraces it, forming an identity synonymous with the Roman God of Wine.

Nestled within the remarkable Hotel Vin, a 120-room Autograph Collection boutique hotel located on the corner of Main Street and East Dallas Road, Bacchus offers an elevated wine and dine experience unlike any other. From decanting red wine tableside and leveraging its exclusive partnership with Riedel Glassware to ensure each wine is served in its varietal-specific glass to hosting wine education events and even sitting above an exclusive wine cave, Bacchus whets the appetite for global wines and unique experiences. But not to be outshined by the prestigious wine program, Chef Jose Soto’s menu shows you just why he is nominated for CultureMap Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards’ Rising Star Chef of the Year.

The hotel’s timeless beauty is reflected in every dish and drink, beginning with an incredible array of appetizers. The Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Date with applewood bacon, goat cheese, medjool dates, and chipotle aioli is a petite but strong start, combining sweet and savory into an explosion of bite-sized flavor. Pair it with a plate of golden Empanadas with beef and chicken to add another layer of crispy textures and puffed goodness. Continue on to the Mediterranean-inspired Grilled Octopus, chargrilled to perfection and served with an herb dressing and arugula salad.

Bacchus’s brunch brings another delectable gourmet spread. From hearty Steak & Hash with skirt steak, two sunny side-up eggs, bell peppers, red onion, potato, cilantro sour cream, and avocado to the amazingly fluffy Ricotta Pancakes, this is a godly feast. Consult your server for the wine of the month, but Bacchus’s lively libations are sure to please if wine isn’t particularly calling your name. 

The Red Sky is a clever combination of whiskey and wine, blending Maker’s Mark with Cabernet, lemon, and agave. View their menus for more information on breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, and cocktails and reserve your table here. Read more on their upcoming events, including one-of-a-kind holiday parties in the Christmas Capital of Texas.

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Cover photo courtesy Arlington CVB

Martin Ramirez is a brisket-eating, Shiner-loving, road-tripping enthusiast of all things Texas. This Dallas-born writer / adventurer is ready to take his ‘78 El Camino to find the best in food, fun, and fitness throughout the Lone Star State.