Most evenings, you’re content with takeout and true crime documentaries. But when it’s time to reconnect with friends or impress colleagues, Carrollton’s vibrant dining scene offers the perfect escape from your couch-bound routine. Here are the spots worth leaving your cozy den for.
Pelicana Chicken
$$ | (469) 822-3425 | WEBSITE
Pelicana Chicken is where to go when you want to eat some Korean fried chicken, enjoy some great music, and forget about the long day you just had. It’s never too loud or crowded here, and they have amazing whole original chicken, which comes with their signature sauce and is crispy and flavorful, and will make you forget for an hour or two that you’re just grabbing a quick dinner.
The friendly servers keep things moving smoothly, and the plastic gloves and small trash cans at the table make it surprisingly easy to dive into those generous portions without a mess. With the good vibes and tasty cabbage salad on the side, it’s a fun spot that feels welcoming from the moment you walk in.
District One SaiGon Street Food
$ | (972) 242-2609 | WEBSITE
District One Saigon Street Food is not somewhere you want to go on a Friday evening, unless you’re really into crowds and navigating tight seating arrangements. During the week, though, this Vietnamese street food spot in Carrollton is way less packed, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a comfortable table once you get some food.
You might want to avoid ordering the pho ga if you prefer bolder flavors, but just get the chicken dumplings or BBQ skewers instead and save yourself from any disappointment.
Cap’t Loui Carrollton
$$ | (469) 214-8888 | WEBSITE
Since Cap’t Loui Carrollton is the go-to spot for seafood lovers, dining here basically feels like you’re already at a coastal shack—or at least at a friend’s place with much better crawfish than yours. Come here for a post-work beer and to try some hard-to-find Cajun flavors, like the Capt Loui crawfish and Cajun boils.
Long John Silver’s
$ | (214) 431-4722 | WEBSITE
You’ve grabbed fast food. You might’ve even tried their fish before. But they actually serve a consistently hot and fresh menu all day, with platters like the #10 Fish/Shrimp receiving genuine praise for matching childhood memories. Pull up to the drive-thru, order some food, and be thankful that Derrick and Kim are still here with their super funny and friendly service as the fast-food landscape keeps changing around them.
El Taco Loco al Vapor
$ | (972) 810-0013 | WEBSITE
El Taco Loco al Vapor is a reliable neighborhood spot if you live in the area, with round, al pastor tacos that are just good enough to satisfy a craving for meat and salsa. They also make some burritos—including a solid steak burrito if you prefer your meat and salsa in handheld form—and a few nopales tacos, if you want nothing to do with meat and salsa.
It’s one of our favorite places in town for grabbing lunch—and it only gets better during the afternoon with fresh ingredients (and chorizo tacos).
Dream Lounge
$$ | (469) 892-4600 | WEBSITE
Some days at work, you’re constantly fielding emails about other emails and checking in with people who need to sync up. When that happens, head to Dream Lounge after hours and enjoy a pizza and some chicken tenders at a patio table while you quietly unwind from the day. They serve amazing tandoori chicken and buttered chicken pizzas, along with fresh hookah flavors and smoothies, and while you can’t get a cocktail here, you can choose the strength of your shisha, which you can.
Nico’s Cocina
$ | (972) 395-3663 | WEBSITE
Nico’s Cocina is a family-friendly spot that serves some of the best margaritas and nachos in Carrollton. Add in their dedicated playground for kids and patio complete with plenty of shade and fans, and you hardly need a reason to ever leave the DFW area. Except, maybe for the occasional grocery run. On the menu you’ll find a mix of classic Mexican dishes and inventive riffs, ranging from a simple (and excellent) fish soup to street tacos that compete with other popular spots.
After dinner, grab a bottle of their wonderful tequila or mezcal to bring home.
Don Tacos
$ | (972) 492-8203 | WEBSITE
This taqueria makes for an easy meetup. It’s located in Carrollton, where you can watch families gather while enjoying Don Tacos’ authentic tacos or one of their other stellar sopes. Grab a table inside when the weather cools. If anyone in your circle is salsa-agnostic, banish them from your life. Or just tell them to order the green salsa, which adds the perfect spicy kick to every meal.
SAEMAEUL KOREAN BBQ BY PAIKJONGWON
$$ | (972) 242-8330 | WEBSITE
Saemaeul Korean BBQ By Paikjongwon answers the age-old question ‘What if you could get premium Korean BBQ with impeccable service, instead of settling for all-you-can-eat mediocrity?’ This spot is great for when you and a friend talk about cooking at home after work, but then decide you’d rather just eat rich pork jowl, savor beef special combos, and let attentive staff cook everything at your table instead.
City Night KTV Karaoke Bar & Café
$$ | (214) 888-8985 | WEBSITE
City Night KTV Karaoke Bar & Café is the lively cousin of traditional karaoke spots. And just like everyone’s fun cousin, it’s a little more modern and tech-forward than the usual scene. There’s no wrong reason to book a room here—per the concept—but it’s a perfect weekend destination to belt out tunes with friends and enjoy some of the most satisfying black pepper beef in Carrollton.
The private rooms run about $25–$40 per hour depending on size, with a clean, contemporary vibe featuring sleek seating and mood lighting that sets the stage for a memorable night. While service can lag when it’s packed, the attentive staff delivers drinks right to your room, and the iPad song selection—though not everyone’s cup of tea—keeps the party rolling.
Just be ready for a possible wait if you arrive at peak hours, but once you’re in, the air-conditioned space and fun atmosphere make it a go-to for gatherings.
Secret Recipe
$ | (972) 394-0999 | WEBSITE
Some evenings, you’re perfectly content with a quick takeout order eaten in front of the TV. Other evenings, though, nothing satisfies like a proper Asian feast, and when that craving hits, head straight to Secret Recipe. This hidden gem serves very good Asian cuisine, and it’s an ideal spot to fuel up before tackling that ambitious home renovation project you’ve been planning all week.
EL Rincon Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar – Carrollton Location
$ | (469) 892-6429 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in Carrollton, EL Rincon Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar is an indoor-outdoor spot serving way better Mexican food than you’d ever expect to find at a casual neighborhood restaurant. All of the dishes—from the queso with crispy chips to the sizzling mixed steak and chicken fajitas—are made fresh, and most of the menu is around $15, which means you can eat really well here and still have money leftover for one of their excellent margaritas on your way out.
Omi Korean Grill & Bar
$$ | (972) 245-3565 | WEBSITE
Maybe you’re craving something familiar, and when your coworkers ask where you want to go for dinner after work, you tell them you want burgers. Or pasta. Or maybe just a salad. Once you realize that it’s just your routine talking, suggest heading to Omi Korean Grill & Bar instead. While their menu doesn’t include any of those dishes, they do serve a fantastic range of Korean barbecue, like LA Galbi, bulgogi, and spicy chicken.
Once you grill your own meat and enjoy all those Bonjon side dishes with unlimited refills, you can explain to your friends what was going through your mind earlier, or brainstorm ideas for a future burger/pasta/salad spot in your neighborhood.
Kin-D Lao & Thai Food
$ | (469) 200-5362 | WEBSITE
Kin-D Lao & Thai Food is the kind of spot you’d want right around the corner—those nights when cooking feels like too much, you could just swing by and grab something delicious. The vibe is totally relaxed, and the staff greets everyone with genuine warmth, whether you’re a regular or it’s your first visit. Beyond the classics like Panang Curry and drunken noodles, they offer authentic Lao specialties such as mee ka tee that bring unique flavors you won’t find elsewhere in Carrollton.
So whether you’re craving familiar comfort food or eager to explore something new, Kin-D Lao & Thai Food has exactly what you need.
Yoon Korean BBQ
$$ | (972) 242-5500 | WEBSITE
Yoon Korean BBQ serves some of the most tender meats in Carrollton, and that alone makes this Korean spot worth a visit. There’s a diverse menu of Shabu, Korean BBQ, and sushi that can be mixed and matched into a satisfying meal, making it a great place for repeat visits. Well, unless you find yourself ordering the generous portions of barbecue and fresh sides over and over like we do. Come with a few friends and get the combination platter, with extra tea to finish it all off.