14 Essential Carrollton Restaurants

Colombian cuisine, great fried chicken, and so much more awaits

Once only a land of beige strip malls and suburbanites, Carrollton has transformed into one of DFW’s best dining cities in a matter of just a few years. Home to one of DFW’s most diverse populations of residents, Carrollton offers an equally varied selection of eateries.

Carrollton is also home to one of DFW’s two Koreatowns, which means that everything from Korean barbecue to bibimbap to juk is on offer. And of course, Carrollton’s classic restaurants, like Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, are still very much important players.

Without further ado, scope out this map of 15 essential Carrollton restaurants. Go forth, and explore one of DFW’s best destinations for hidden dining gems.

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Cuban Dulceria

Order your sandwich to go or choose one of the tables in the small dining room at this beloved Cuban bakery. The Cubano and ropa vieja sandwiches are longtime local favorites, and the pastry case (with its guava rolls and decorated cookies) is endlessly tempting.

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2. The Island Spot

2661 Midway Rd Ste 106
Carrollton, TX
(972) 447-7000
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Find Jamaican cuisine at its finest at this low-key Carrollton eatery. The jerk chicken is probably the best in the area, the oxtails are hearty and satisfying, and the tropical umbrella drinks (perhaps rum punch or a mangorita?) all add up to what is basically a trip to Jamaica for your mouth. Don’t sleep on the curried goat, a dish you’ll find yourself craving weeks after eating.

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3. Kimchi Stylish Korean Kitchen

2625 Old Denton Rd Ste 320
Carrollton, TX
(972) 242-9242
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After braving the crowds at H-Mart, hit this nearby casual eatery for massive Korean entrees (like spicy seafood noodles served in a boat and rice cakes smothered in creamy cheese sauce) and freshly-made crepes stuffed with everything from corn flakes to bananas and Nutella. Bonus: there’s also a full bar and solid selection of soju.

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4. Eat Street Kabab Factory & Durbar Banquet Hall

2640 Old Denton Rd #100
Carrollton, TX 75007
(972) 971-2206
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Inside an otherwise nondescript shopping center across from H-Mart, Eat Street hides what are arguably Dallas’ best kebabs. Dig into chicken biryani, rich curries, perfectly-spiced beef kebabs, and enough naan to induce a carb coma.

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5. Charm Juk

2625 Old Denton Rd
Carrollton, TX
(972) 245-6288

Juk (or jook) is a rice porridge that is the definition of comforting, especially when you’ve got a hangover or are feeling a little under the weather. Top yours with scallops, chicken, or veggies, and snag one of the housemade popsicles in flavors like coconut water and matcha on your way out.

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6. LA Burger

1017 E Trinity Mills Rd #104
Carrollton, TX
(972) 245-0505
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Korean flavors and American favorites come together nicely at this tucked away strip mall spot. Dig into burgers, fries, and hot dogs topped with kimchi and spicy sauce, along with bulgogi tacos and thick milkshakes in flavors like Nutella pretzel.

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7. DanSungSa

2540 Old Denton Rd Ste 300
Carrollton, TX
(682) 888-2552

Get your karaoke on at this late-night Korean destination. Reserve a karaoke room for yourself and a group of friends, then order a spread of comfort food faves like crispy fried chicken wings, Korean corn cheese, dumplings, and kimchi-bacon fries, plus plenty of liquid courage to fuel your singing all night long.

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8. Al Markaz Restaurant

1205 W Trinity Mills Rd
Carrollton, TX
(972) 245-9525

Looking for Pakistani cuisine? You’ll find it and so much more at Al Markaz. Indian dishes, like the restaurant’s version of chicken tikka masala are on offer, along with freshly-baked naan served with raita and tangy, refreshing mango lassi.

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9. Casa Vieja

1927 E Belt Line Rd
Carrollton, TX
(972) 416-8172
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Colombian cuisine and a homey vibe combine at Casa Vieja, where the empanadas are always perfectly fried and the picada platters are piled high with chopped crispy fried pork skin, black sausage, grilled steak, shrimp, yucca, and so much more.

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10. Hon Sushi

1902 E Belt Line Rd
Carrollton, TX
(972) 417-7001

Arguably one of the best kept sushi secrets in DFW, Hon brings raw fish served in a strip mall to  a whole new level. The sashimi is super fresh, cut generously, and served in large portions, and the sushi platters (which come complete with an array of Instagram-worthy veggie and fruit garnishes) are budget-friendly without skimping on quality.

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11. Pupusa Dona Lola

1002 Webb Chapel Rd
Carrollton, TX

At just $1.75 each, the cheesy, meaty pupusas at Dona Lola are an essential Dallas dish. Served with crunchy curtido (cabbage and carrot slaw in vinegar dressing) and plenty of hot sauce, two of these pupusas make for a solid $5 lunch, even if you splurge on a horchata or tamarindo agua fresca, too.

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12. Babe’s Chicken Dinner House

1006 W Main St
Carrollton, TX
(972) 245-7773
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An OG of the Dallas restaurant scene, Babe’s location in Downtown Carrollton is constantly packed, and for good reason. The crispy fried chicken and parade of all-you-can-eat sides (mashed potatoes, green beans, etc.) is the kind of meal that post-lunch naps were invented for.

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13. EL Rincon Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar

1114 S Elm St #100
Carrollton, TX
(469) 892-6429
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A relative newcomer to Carrollton’s restaurant scene, locals are sold on this Tex-Mex spot’s food and laid-back vibe. The menu is pretty standard Tex-Mex fare (fajitas, tacos, and queso — of course) prepared well, and the margaritas are perfect fo.

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14. Cane Rosso

1301 S Broadway St
Carrollton, TX
(214) 731-6402

Also a Deep Ellum export, Cane Rosso is one of Carrollton’s best spots for families and group gatherings. Bring a crowd of pals, order up a Paulie Gee or Zoli, and share a basket of sweet, pillowy zeppole (fried Italian doughnuts) showered in cinnamon sugar.

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