Good ethnic food?

[trav75]

No, not pussy. Just food.

Dallas area, especially North Dallas. Any great places?

Sushi, Korean, Thai, Middle Eastern, whatever.

Hole in the wall, taco truck, $25/entree (not $50/entree please!), etc.

Any tips?
NCZ

[Oppa]

North Dallas, my recommendations:

Mediterranean (Middle Eastern as you call it, specifically Lebanese):
1) Fadi's. The only drawback IMO is the cafeteria style serving of the salads and veg, but many of the meats, especially the kebabs, are cooked to order.
http://www.fadiscuisine.com/index.htm

2) Ali Baba. Technically this is Richardson but it's along the North Central Expressway Corridor. They have a lunch buffet but other times everything is cooked to order. IMO, not as good as Fadi's but decent enough.
http://alibabamedgrill.com

There are other places, mostly in Richardson, off of 75, that are better. My favorite is Afrah. The food and atmosphere are great, you can get a hookah (pipe, not something else) and sit on the patio. The owner is often there and is a nice guy.

Thai
1) Royal Thai. Native Thai people will tell you this place isn't authentic because they tend to tone down the flavors for the American palate. Still good, atmosphere is great. This place gets very busy at lunch and dinner.
http://royalthaitexas.com/
2) I was going to list Toy's on Lemmon here but I just read that they had closed. Unfortunate.

Korean food
If you have a car, take the 35 exit to Royal Lane and go east or west, and you will find a ton of Korean restaurants.

1) Koryo Kalbi (formerly Chosun). Authentic Korean BBQ, this is arguably the best Korean BBQ in Dallas.
http://www.koryobbq.com/
2) Korea House. I have not had the Korean BBQ, but the bibimbap is good.
http://www.koreahousedallas.com/

Sushi
I love sushi but not my strong point in terms of knowing the best places. One of my favorites is:
Tokyo One - served buffet style but you won't find a better price for the variety of sushi and sashimi you get, and it's fresh, with the sushi chefs working behind the counters constantly.
http://tokyo-one.com/

Of course if you're from NC, and you're coming to Dallas, and you want ethnic, trying Tex Mex is a must. I won't even begin to form a list because an entire thread could be started and argued over where the best Tex Mex is in Dallas.

I'll be generic and say if it's your first time trying it, go to El Fenix. Established in Dallas in 1918, still a very consistent experience for a first timer.
http://www.elfenix.com/

[~Ze~]

By golly is that soju in your avatar? *hugs*

[Jules Jaguar]

I really enjoy Elaines in south dallas off of mlk (awesome Jamaican food)

Also the best indian food I have found in Dallas is at the roti grill in uptown off knox and mckinney...

[Vitruvian]

North Dallas restricts most of my better recommendations but here's ya go....

Cafe Greek at the corner of Preston and 635, small place with a limits menu but everything is good, very reasonably priced...but zizikis is beter with a fuller menu (nicer place and more expensive but still reasonable). For indian i reccommend the Clay Pit in Addison on beltline (Mayuri in las colinas is stil hands down the best Indian I have found). Thers chow Thai up in Addison as well (beltline and Montfort) which is the second best Thai place I know of. I also conccur with Tokyo One being one of the better sushi houses sushi (if you dont mind dealing with the size of it, i tend to prefer more initmiate suchi places). Korea House on Royal and Harry Hines is amazing all around for Korean food and some decent drink specials depending on when you go.

[Sierra977]

Found a quirky little place last weekend in Plano called Taste of Poland. Sorta half deli food store and half Euro bistro. Was there with Russian gf and she totally enjoyed the food. Bigas and goulash were both way better than anticipated. Tucked away in a corner of 75 and W Park, atmosphere is Euro modern. Going back there soon.

[Oppa]

By golly is that soju in your avatar? *hugs*

Yes it is. The irony is that I can barely tolerate the stuff.

The girl in the picture is Baek Ji Young, a Korean pop star.

[Caliban]

My recommendations (for what they are worth):

1. Korean food: Seoul Garden
In K-Town (it is right next to a gas station, one block east of 35 and Royal). Tasty and fresh food. The decor is much nicer than you would expect as you pull up to the restaurant. The only downside is the service is a bit slow.

2. Sushi: Bluefish
Good sushi, reasonable prices. There might be better places, but to me, this place has the best combination of good food at reasonable prices.

3. Hole in the wall tacos: Taqueria El Si Hay
-In the OC (Oak Cliff). Tiny little stand, but they serve up the best tacos I have had in Dallas. Be forewarned, there are no tables where you can sit down to eat.

[chickenMACKnugget]

India Palace @ 635/Preston
http://www.indiapalacedallas.com/

Genki Sushi & Steak @ Preston/Beltline
http://www.genkisushidallas.com/home.html

[cptjohnstone]

Originally Posted by Caliban

My recommendations (for what they are worth):

1. Korean food: Seoul Garden
In K-Town (it is right next to a gas station, one block east of 35 and Royal). Tasty and fresh food. The decor is much nicer than you would expect as you pull up to the restaurant. The only downside is the service is a bit slow.

2. Sushi: Bluefish
Good sushi, reasonable prices. There might be better places, but to me, this place has the best combination of good food at reasonable prices.

3. Hole in the wall tacos: Taqueria El Si Hay
-In the OC (Oak Cliff). Tiny little stand, but they serve up the best tacos I have had in Dallas. Be forewarned, there are no tables where you can sit down to eat.

thank you, my customer Woo Shin Market on Emerald sells my short ribs to them

[~Ze~]

Originally Posted by Caliban

My recommendations (for what they are worth):

1. Korean food: Seoul Garden
In K-Town (it is right next to a gas station, one block east of 35 and Royal). Tasty and fresh food. The decor is much nicer than you would expect as you pull up to the restaurant. The only downside is the service is a bit slow.

I was kind of let down by that place. Hell... King Spa has more authentic flavors.

Between Arapaho and Belt Line, on Greenville, there is a small Asian Town, and the korean joint there is much better. I forgot the name, but I will add it when I drive by it soon this week.

[wldtravel26]

Jasmine Thai in Plano, hole in the wall, but very good
Our Place for Authentic Indian in Valley Ranch, (Jules you should check this out, my treat)

Cafe Izmir Mediterranean, in Dallas Lower Greenville area
Secret Recipe Malaysian/Asian, in Carrollton/Lewisville area

These are some of my favorite places, none of them will break the pocketbook but should offer you a taste of some authentic cuisine. Bon Appetit

[Jules Jaguar]

I would love to, Indian is my favorite!

[mustang_city]

Thai:
another vote for Jasmine Thai in Plano
(Also, it's Halal if you care)


Greek:
Kostas
http://www.kostascafe.com/


Israeli:
Aderet
13410 Preston Rd #J
Dallas, TX 75240
(Kosher of course)


Texmex:
Mi Cocina
http://www.mcrowd.com/micocina.html