El Fenix Downtown Flagship
El Fenix
Dallas's oldest restaurant, founded in 1918 and claiming to be the originator of Tex-Mex; cheese and onion enchiladas with chili are the classic.
The Martinez family founded the restaurant in 1918. It is regarded as the oldest restaurant in Dallas still in operation and the oldest Mexican restaurant chain in the United States, though only a few locations remain in Dallas today. The flagship at 1601 McKinney Avenue moved across the street to its current site in 1965, and the intersection has been renamed Miguel Martinez Way in honor of the founder. The classic dish is cheese and onion enchiladas topped with chili con carne, served with Spanish rice and refried beans. On Wednesdays there is a traditional enchilada special dinner with two cheese enchiladas, rice and beans. The El Jefe platter lets you sample three kinds of enchiladas, tamales and crispy tacos in one go. Prices are reasonable, at about US$15–25 per person, and the restaurant is close to Klyde Warren Park and the Arts District.
Opening hours
Open daily for lunch through dinner (roughly 11:00–21:00); check the website
Nearby sights
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Klyde Warren Park
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Nasher Sculpture Center
- Crow Museum of Asian Art
- Dallas Arts District
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza