Are you itching to try new cuisines, but have no idea what’s out there? Want to add a little flavor to your date night or girls’ night out routine, but not sure where to start?
How about starting at the letter A and dining your way through the alphabet?!
No matter where you live in Collin County, there are a variety of local, family-owned, organic, flavorful cuisines to enjoy. Here’s my list of restaurants to dine your way through the alphabet in Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen, Celina, Prosper, and beyond!
Our A-to-Z Guide for Dining in Collin County
Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill | Richardson
They serve classic and authentic dishes featuring staples of the Mediterranean diet. The combination of fresh meats, fresh produce, legumes, olive oil, whole grains, and bold spices create flavors that are distinctly delicious. Their sister store, Terra Mediterranean, is located at The Shops at Willow Bend.
Babe’s Chicken Dinner House | Frisco, Garland, Carrollton
From The Babe’s Family: “Grandma’s recipes, friendly people. Well, that’s exactly why we opened Babe’s Chicken Dinner House. We wanted a sit-down restaurant where people really feel at home. Babe’s is a casual place where you’ll feel comfortable in your blue jeans or cutoffs. Where your neighbors wait on you and your whole family.”
From our Editorial Director: I remember the first time I tried Babe’s…It felt like the best version of a family reunion, where the food was kind of old-fashioned but delicious, where we shared food, family style, and where we successfully ate our weight in fried chicken. I take out-of-towners here, because I know they’ll feel welcome, comfortable, and able to really relax as they enjoy awesome food.
Community BBQ and Grill | Sachse
They are “Traditional, not Typical,” cooking their foods the old-fashioned way: slowly wood-smoked for hours, using signature spices and sauces. Not only do they serve BBQ worth devouring, they also have a mission worth supporting. In their first year they provided over 13,000 meals to local families, veterans, and first responders.
Didi’s Downtown | Frisco
A small-town feel in the heart of one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Didi’s is a home away from home. They serve scratch-made food and are committed to using the best ingredients available. Family-friendly and Frisco-centric with amazing live music on a beautiful patio, Didi’s is a value-driven restaurant where our staff and customers are treated with respect and gratitude.
Editorial note: I recently ate at Didi’s and was really impressed, not only with the healthy options on the menu (Hummus Plate; Caprese Salad; Seared Ahi Tuna Salad to name a few), but the service as well. The service was excellent (endured my BIL’s dad jokes), and the owner stopped by to say hi and make sure we enjoyed our meal.
EBESU Robata & Sushi | Plano
My friend Andrea raves: “Some of the most beautiful sushi I’ve ever eaten…the dishes are like a work of art. We even took our non-seafood-eating friend there and they had “sushi” made from cooked meat for him. And the best bathrooms in town; trust me!”
Frank Seoul Korean Fried Snack Café | Frisco
Enjoy Korean fried snack food featured in my Korean Cuisine Food article while watching K-Pop music videos on a large-screen TV. There are than 50 restaurants in South Korea, but the Frisco location is the first in the U.S. They have tasty variations on the corndog that rival anything you can get at the Texas State Fair.
Gar Hole | Anna
One Yelp reviewer raves: “The greatest dive bar meets small music venue.” Another says: “It’s exactly what you want and nothing you don’t. After you’ve been there a few minutes, you feel like you’re with friends.”
Harvest Seasonal Kitchen | McKinney
Featured in my Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants article, Harvest is a farm-to-table restaurant that connects diners with the vibrant North Texas food community. They serve great, healthy food and make a long-term impact on the community by supporting the businesses of local farmers, ranchers, and artisans. They offer an entire gluten-free lunch and dinner menu. “Seasonal kitchen” means their menu changes four times a year based on what is seasonally available.
Italian Village | Plano
Inspired by authentic Italian cuisine, this restaurant transports you to Italy, giving you an unforgettable experience. Complete with a bar and a craft kitchen, everything is made completely from scratch in small batches every day.
Jollibee | Plano
Jollibee has a special nostalgia for fellow contributor Catie Wood and is featured in her article about Filipino restaurants in Collin County.
Kelly’s Family Farm Burger Stand | Lucas
“Our family works together on a daily basis to care for the land and cattle that God has given us in Collin County. We strive to provide the healthiest, quality beef possible. Family is important to us, and we pray that our farm will be a small part of bringing other families together around the dinner table.”
This is a casual, family-style burger stand with several picnic tables to sit at with umbrellas for shade. If it’s too hot for you, the Kellys are happy to take call-in orders so you can grab dinner on the way home. The beef is all grass fed and it is all delicious. You can also get your favorite cuts of grass-fed beef to take home and throw on the grill.
The Latin Deli | Plano
This was the closest thing I’ve had to authentic Cuban cuisine since eating at my Grandmom Petra’s, who emigrated to Philly from Puerto Rico. She passed away a few years ago, and eating at this restaurant brought me straight back to her kitchen. I could hear her exclaim as she packed the table with way too much food, “Dios te bendiga! Now EAT!”
Mexi-Go | Allen
Enjoy classic Tex-Mex and Mexico City-inspired recipes at this family-owned scratch kitchen restaurant.
Pro tip: Their margarita menu is out of this world. It’s so extensive it doesn’t fit on the main menu, so be sure to ask your server about it. Delicioso!
Norma’s Café | Multiple Locations in Collin County
“Life is short; eat dessert first!” Since 1956, Norma’s Cafe has been a Dallas institution for Texas home cooking. From breakfasts to their Blue-Plate Specials, every satisfying, Texas-sized dish at Norma’s Cafe is made with the highest quality ingredients.
Ogi’s European Bakery and Deli | McKinney
“From Bulgaria to America, a long journey which has given us the opportunity to make even more people happy with the delicious specialties we prepare. Everything we do, we do for you, our dear customers. There’s a secret ingredient that we always use, and it is…LOVE. Love for food, love for life, love for customers. And we believe that when you dine here, you will feel the same magic as us.”
A treasure trove of endless appetizing and interesting delicacies prepared on the spot by the hands of Ogi and Dora. Must try: The Honey Cake!
Pizzeria Testa | Frisco
Fresh, light, and pure, authentic Neapolitan pizza brings a few simple ingredients together in a way that’s both satisfying and full of flavor. “A taste of tradition. Gather around our kitchen table and make yourself at home.” Prepared in a time-honored tradition, you’ll experience a wide range of flavors and textures in the delectable collision of where food meets art. The menu is full of soft and chewy, rich and flavorful tempting selections.
Editorial Note: Ah, so many great memories of the Testa Rossa pizza…the Insalata Mista…the Insalata Pinoli & Proscuitto. I literally can’t be in Frisco Square and NOT stop by Pizzeria Testa.
Qdoba | Multiple Locations in Collin County
Inspired by culinary traditions of Mexico, Qdoba aims to “make the world a more flavorful place.” Your meal is prepared in-house and by hand, the way it’s meant to be.
Randy’s Steakhouse | Frisco
I’ve heard from not one, not two, but three friends, that this restaurant is a must try. My friend Andrea recommends, “Have a classic steakhouse dinner in a house from 1903 that has been remodeled into a quaint restaurant. You can’t miss Randy; he’s the one laughing the loudest!”
Sugarboy Donuts | Frisco & Prosper
Senior Contributor Kristen Gardiner featured this sweet place in her Collin County Donut Tour article. “The donuts here are tasty and beautiful. The cream cheese & strawberry donut and the lemon donut were our favorite!”
Toasted Walnut Table and Market | Celina
Located in the heart of downtown Celina, you can enjoy a meal and a walk around the square afterwards for coffee at Summer Moon or a sweet treat at Hairy Gorilla Snowballs. Reviewers recommend trying the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and the Brisket Tacos.
Urban Crust | Plano
Eat your Neapolitan-style pizza and sip a glass of Sardinian wine while you watch the sun set from the downtown Plano rooftop patio, or have a drink at the 32-degree bar and keep it cold on the strip of ice that runs along the bar.
Venecia | Farmersville
This is a family owned and -operated restaurant serving the best Italian dishes around with efficient, sincere, and caring service. “I’ve eaten Italian food all over America. Who knew that the best EVER would be here in our adopted hometown of Farmersville! Eat here soon! You WILL NOT BE SORRY!” (via Yelp review)
Wu Wei Din | Plano
Friend and fellow contributor Ashley Chan writes in her Favorite Asian Restaurants article: “This place taste likes home; it’s Chinese food at its best. My favorites are the pork chop fried rice and beef noodle soup. They recently added soup dumplings, juicy dumplings filled with soup and a pork and veggie mixture. It’s heaven in a bite and my family’s new fave.”
X-press Thai | Frisco
“I’ve found a hidden gem! If you’re looking for amazing Thai food—stop searching—this is the place to go. I got the chicken pad Thai and a Thai tea and both items were amazing. The customer service was top notch and portion sizes are large.” (via Yelp review)
The Yard | McKinney
In the heart of McKinney, nestled under the towering canopy of old oaks, The Yard is the perfect place to bring your whole family. Gather your friends and enjoy their take on classic backyard grub while sipping on a frozen margarita or a cold Shiner Bock. They offer indoor dining and patio seating options with plenty of space to eat, drink, and play outside.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro | McKinney
“Zin Zen resembles a cute European city, with stone buildings and cobblestone paths,” says CCM Contributor Shanelle Fisher in her Favorite Wine Bars article. “There’s usually live music. Grab a wine flight (I really enjoyed the sparkling wine flight), a glass of sangria, or a cocktail. I recommend ordering a few of the shared appetizers.”
Cost-Saving Tip:
If you’re dining with your spouse or a friend, order one meal and split it! I share about how my sister and I did this during our Spring Break in my Travel to the Low-Country article. Portion sizes are so big these days and it left room for a (shared) sweet treat if we wanted to splurge. No more “No thanks, I’m way too stuffed” protests that ruin dessert!
I’d like to give a BIG shout out to fellow contributor Kristen Gardiner and favorite foodie friend Andrea Young for the great suggestions and the even greater company as I ventured out to many of these restaurants over the past few months. Like I said in my Food as a Love Language article, food is the great unifier. There’s nothing like sharing a meal with family and friends.
What restaurants would you add to the dine your way through the alphabet in Collin County?
Love this!
La Hacienda Ranch in Frisco, Chiloso in Wylie, and Big Ray’s in Allen would be my additions. 🙂