Deriving its name from its topography, Plano in Texas is a rapidly growing city with an international population and a wide variety of cuisines. We explore the top places to eat in Plano.
The Latin Pig is the brainchild of two New Yorkers, who dreamed of bringing Cuban cuisine to Texas. Family run and operated, the Latin Pig aims to maintain a homely atmosphere and the comforts of mother’s kitchen. Weaving influences of Cuban, Caribbean and Native American Indian cuisines, dishes are freshly prepared, beautifully presented and packed full of flavor. The restaurant is decorated with authentic Havana 1950s decor, so dining at the Latin Pig promises to be a memorable experience. Highlights from the menu include their traditional Cuban style slow roast pork, stewed chicken and regularly changing specials. These specials can consist of sautéed beef tongue and diced slow-cooked tripe. There is also a wide range of soups and salads.
Located where Trader Joe’s once was, this is the second rendition of the successful restaurant Smoke. A very recent addition to Plano’s culinary scene, Smoke was brought to this charming city by Chef Tim Byres. He aims to recreate the spirit and character of their Dallas restaurant. Their space in Plano is bigger than Dallas, meaning Plano has its own charisma and eccentricities rather than mirroring its Dallas counterpart. The menu at Smoke in Plano is also a little different, with a focus on what customers want to eat. There is also a patio area, so diners can enjoy their meal both indoors and al fresco. Visitors to Smoke can look forward to dishes such as small plates of raw oysters, chicken tamale and blistered shishito peppers, as well as larger plates of grilled quail and pulled whole hog. These are all accompanied by carefully selected wines and cocktails.
Founded in 2012, East Hampton Sandwich Co is the realization of Hunter Pond’s dream. Together with his team of sandwich enthusiasts, the East Hampton strives to create a sandwich to suit every taste. Favorites from the menu include their authentic lobster roll, bacon and avocado, fried chicken and jack, as well as their vegetarian options of asparagus and gruyere, or goat’s cheese and avocado. There are also beers and wines available, perfect for those on a business lunch or looking for a memorable dining occasion. The East Hampton places an emphasis on handcrafting every sandwich and serving their produce with impeccable service. Whether you’re passing through Plano, or planning a longer stay, the East Hampton is a must try.
A staple of Texas and recently bought to downtown Plano is the Lockhart Smokehouse. It was the dream of Jill Grobowsky Bergus to bring her family’s love of barbecue to Texas from New York. Popular dishes from their menu include their smoked brisket and shoulder clod, their spare ribs and their Kreuz sausages. Their bar also includes a wide variety of craft and local beers, further emphasizing the sense of tradition and authenticity that Lockhart’s maintains. Their meats are smoked using two large wood-fired pits and are slow-cooked to perfection. Lockhart’s in Plano is the place to go for any meat lover and you will not leave with an empty stomach.
Bringing the best of Asian cuisine to Texas and serving the biggest sushi rolls around, Densetsu is a local favorite. Not only famed for the sheer size of their rolls, Densetsu also attracts both regular and new customers due to the wide variety of roll fillings available. These include classics to chef specials, and popular choices consist of their lion king roll of shrimp tempura, crab meat and avocado, their dynamite roll of crawfish, shrimp and lobster sauce and their house roll of shrimp tempura, spicy tuna and cucumber which is served with Japanese mustard and sweet eel sauce. The decor of Densetsu is traditional and simple Japanese, but with a modern twist. With great tasting food, Densetsu will have you coming back for seconds and thirds.
Serving the very best of farm-to-kitchen fare is the Whisky Cake in Plano. Housed in the premises of the former Plano Tavern,the Whisky Cake makes all their dishes from scratch and they promise never to use a microwave. Their food is slow-cooked using a wood grill, smoker and spit, which packs their dishes with flavor. Visitors can enjoy their tender and tantalizing fare both indoors or outdoors on the patio area. Popular orders include their Texas blue crab cakes, their half spit-roasted rotisserie chicken with sweet potato fennel hash, house-cured pastrami sandwich. Tor dessert there is their famous namesake, the whisky cake. This is a pecan-studded toffee cake which is bathed in a bourbon anglaise sauce, and has diners returning again and again.
Infused with the spirit and flavors of Latin America, Mexican Sugar brings the rich culinary history and techniques of the south to Texas. Serving food with flair and high standards, the kitchen at Mexican Sugar is run by Eric Justice. He strives to bring the very best of South American cuisine to Plano. Using only local ingredients and fresh fish, the menu features dishes such as grilled fiery padron peppers, tortas and tacos of ahogada and pork carnitas. There is also their hamburguesa of house ground chuck with Chile bacon and roasted poblano. These are all cooked to perfection on the parrilla, which seals in their sumptuous flavors. These tantalizing dishes are accompanied by their range of Latin spirits and cocktails, each carefully selected and created to add to Mexican Sugar’s Latin American vibes. Located in the trendy Shops at Legacy, Mexican Sugar is one of the must-visit places in Plano.
With the freshest seafood in the whole North Dallas area is Sea Breeze. Their dishes are award-winning and include seasonal seafood such as ahi tuna, cod, swordfish, shrimp, lobster and many more. There are also daily and chef specials, meaning there is always something new to try when you step through the door. These can include sautéed snow crab claws in lemon garlic butter, cedar planked king salmon with raspberry gastriqueand purple fingerlings, asparagus with pesto and seafood cannelloni lobster shrimp. Visitors can also buy their fish in their market, meaning the great taste of Sea Breeze can be enjoyed at home. For those who love the taste of the sea, Sea Breeze is the place to visit.
Opened in 2002, Jörg’s Café is the dream of Jörg Fercher, who moved to Texas from Austria during the 1980s. He began his career as an artist and opened a gallery in 1989, before establishing a cafe with his wife some years later. The aim of his cafe is to bring the traditions and culinary creativity of Vienna and Europe to Plano. Jörg’s artistic background influences his approach to his menu, often starting with just one ingredient to create a sumptuous dish, or focusing on a particular color or design. As a result, Jörg has received praise from critics, such as being named D Magazine’s best schnitzel in the Dallas Metroplex. A popular event at Jörg’s Café is the Chef’s Table, which is a four-course meal made using the freshest local produce. These dishes are then paired with wine and beer from the extensive beverage menu.
Pizza and beer are a classic combination. Taverna Rossa on Preston Road aims to bring this pairing to the next level. Bringing their passion for good food and a friendly atmosphere to Plano, Taverna Rossa uses only locally sourced ingredients to create hometown dishes and flavors. Each pizza is packed with mouthwatering ingredients such as smoked Texas brisket, apple wood smoked bacon, Luscher’s Italian sausage as well as the freshest vegetables. The menu was created with the help of Brian Luscher from The Grape in Dallas. Each mouthful of Taverna Rossa food is a piece of pizza heaven. These are complemented by the ice-cold beers that are available either on tap or by the bottle. For a fancier occasion, try their cocktails or selection of wines.
