Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Casa Blanca Tex Mex open on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas

By Staff of Gay List Daily

A new Tex-Mex restaurant opens in Dallas more often than Angelina Jolie adopts a baby. So, unless it’s really good, it’s not exactly a breaking-news kind of event. Yet here we stand again, chimichanga in one hand, quill pen in the other, reviewing the second standout Tex-Mex restaurant in so many weeks. Life is muy buena indeed.

For more than 25 years, Dallasites have lined up to eat at Mia’s on Lemmon Avenue. Now founder Ana “Mama Mia” Enriquez’s niece, Gina Lara, has opened up her own eatery, Casa Blanca Tex-Mex, in the old Alfredo Trattoria space just up the street, proving that this family knows the restaurant biz.

And if our three visits in just six days are any indication, the food is undeniably Tex-Mexcellent and proof that Gina can dish it up just like her Tia. But at Casa Blanca, we encourage you to branch out from the tried-and-true and discover some signature dishes that will leave you with cravings that keep you awake, haunting you with every growl of your stomach.

Oh, sweet margarita, what problem can't you solve?

Your meal starts off with a complimentary cup of Conchita Soup. Think tortilla soup with pasta shells instead of corn chips. It’s pleasantly salty, spicy and soul-warming. But save room for the main event.

Gina’s Favorite, the official one anyway (she told us about seven dishes that she said were all her favorites), is a juicy, breaded chicken breast covered in lemon butter and sautéed green onions. Delicioso.

The Jalapeño Pork Chops are thick and wonderfully smoky with plenty of kick from the spicy marinade, then topped with a fresh flowered jalapeño—seeds and all—if you dare.

Brisket tacos are on nearly every menu in town, as they are here, but for a different twist, check out the large crispy gorditas filled with brisket, or ground beef or chicken. They melt in your mouth.

Rocks margaritas are made with a heavy pour and addictively flavorful, perfect for enjoying on the brand-new patio (already luring the gays like flames to a moth) with a bowl of chips and two spicy salsas (red or green) to keep you ordering more booze. We told you, this Gina’s a smart one.

Here’s looking at you, kid.

Pegasus News content partner - Gay List Daily

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• Food and Drink > Dining / Restaurants

Comments

Travis Bush Verified

CLOSED.

6 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Teresa Gubbins Staff

thanks trav, we have it marked as closed on the restaurant page itself

6 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Travis Bush Verified

Sorry bout that TGubb...I just passed by there today and wondered what happened to it..there seemed to be people eating there recently and then nada..for sale sign is up.

6 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

alexander troup Verified

Closed.......oh no, I love that Lemmon ave facade, drive by....things are going to happend to the lemmon ave, poor old Bobs Chop Steak house and what else...A/T,..Time's are cruel on the cafe..

6 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

david torres Verified

why no writeup on the Casa Blanca opening in Bishop Arts in Oak Cliff?We have a write up on 610, and other "plano" restaurants. Whassup wi' dat?

1 month, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )