There’s something so alluring about discovering a great restaurant in a strip mall. It’s that feeling of stumbling unexpectedly on a treasure, akin to sifting through the racks at T.J. Maxx and finding the perfect dress. Often more affordable than freestanding spaces, strip mall storefronts give restaurateurs built-in foot traffic from neighboring businesses—while offering customers the added perks of ample free parking and easy, no-fuss convenience.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to hundreds, if not thousands of strip malls, from the upscale to the dilapidated, and within them, all kinds of culinary gems that shine. This list of 15 offers diners every kind of food at every price point.
Anh Long Kitchen
If you find yourself in Fort Worth craving pho or hot pot, this casual strip-mall Vietnamese spot delivers comforting bowls and satisfying flavors. Start with spring rolls or pot stickers before choosing among a variety of pho dishes or goat, oxtail, or catfish hot pot. If it’s too hot out for soup, enjoy any of the rice dishes, including shaken beef with fried rice. 3789 N. Beach St. Ste. 201, Fort Worth, anhlongkitchen.com
Malai Kitchen
While this Thai-Vietnames restaurant boasts four locations around the Metroplex, the Luther Lane outpost stands among the strip of shops in Preston Center. Malai has its own brewery, so make sure to order a cold craft beer to pair with the banh mi, peanut-crusted ruby trout, or drunken noodles. Pop in sometime for the weekend brunch and enjoy fried rice over easy or Thai Eggs Benedict with coconut biscuits. 6130 Luther Ln., Dallas, malaikitchen.com
Kafi BBQ
Ingredients are top-shelf at this halal-certified barbecue spot. The American wagyu has a marbling score of nine-plus; every potato that becomes a French fry is cut by hand on-site; and every rub is the product of years of trial and error. This attention to detail explains the restaurant’s frequent lines out the door. 8140 N. MacArthur Blvd. #100, Irving, kafibbq.com
Gemma
What could be more fun than finding a strip mall restaurant in the Michelin Guide? At this classy, low-lit European restaurant, a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick, the pastas are made in-house, the steaks are hand-cut, and the tater tots come topped with Osetra caviar. Try the pappardelle with braised rabbit and pancetta or the crispy fried quail with herb buttermilk slaw. 2323 North Henderson Ave., Dallas, #109, gemmadallas.com
Bambu
Specializing in recipes from the Isan region of Thailand, this homey, casual strip mall restaurant in Richardson draws a crowd of regulars who can’t get enough of the crab fried rice and glass noodles. Try the lobster tail wok-tossed with Thai basil, sourced from the chef’s private garden. 1930 N. Coit Rd. #100, Richardson, bambuasiancuisine.com
Nonna
Another Michelin Bib Gourmand pick, this polished neighborhood gem is tucked inside a Highland Park strip mall. Nonna is worth visiting for the aroma alone: a wood-fired oven at the center of the dining room blisters the crusts of its spicy sausage pizza and white clam pie, perfuming the space. After dinner, slip next door to the chic Tabu lounge for a nightcap. 4115 Lomo Alto Dr., Dallas, nonna-dallas.com
Spicy Chowk
While Indian and Nepali cuisines are distinct in many respects, they share a vibrant spice palette that lends itself beautifully to flavorful fusion dishes. At Spicy Chowk, an Indian-Nepali counter-service restaurant in Denton, satisfy your momo craving, indulge in tandoori, or drag garlic naan through a dish of savory butter chicken. 1507 S. Loop 288 #203, Denton, spicychowk.com
Sachet
The wood-fired oven in this Michelin-recommended Mediterranean restaurant delivers fresh hot pita to accompany the fatteh and red beet hummus. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the homemade pastas, but the life-changer is the tagliatelle with lump crab, Fresno chile, marcona almonds, and mint. 4270 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, sachetdallas.com
Desta Ethiopian
Hit up this Ethiopian restaurant, where the injera is pillowy and the stews are packed with flavor. Sip a spiced Ethiopian tea and dig into some doro wat (slow-cooked chicken and boiled egg in a spicy berbere sauce) or kekel, a traditional lamb soup. 12101 Greenville Ave. #105, Dallas, destaethiopiaresturant.com
Mr. Max
Located next to a beauty salon in an Irving strip mall, this izakaya (a casual Japanese gastropub) has achieved icon status among Dallasites seeking high-quality, interesting restaurants. Enjoy a bottle of dry sake and snack on steamed monkfish liver with ponzu sauce, eel omelet, beer-pickled radish, and salted squid in guts. 3028 N. Belt Line Rd., Irving, mrmaxtx.com
Lima Taverna
This family-owned strip-mall restaurant in Plano offers diners a taste of one of Latin America’s most exciting culinary countries: Peru. Sample tasty Peruvian dishes, including ceviche, lomo saltado, and aji de gallina (shredded chicken breast in a cheesy, garlicky sauce). Saturday nights bring live music and plenty of floor space for dancing. 621 West Plano Pkwy., #247, Plano, limataverna.com
Lubella’s Patisserie
This strip-mall bakery is among the city’s most beloved. Breakfast and lunch options include homemade quiches, sandwiches on just-baked croissants, and fresh brioche toast. Mostly, however, Lubella’s is famous for its pastries. Enjoy chocolate croissants, pecan tarts, almond monkey breads, and more. 10323 Ferguson Rd., Dallas, lubellaspatisserie.com
Cadot
In a North Dallas strip mall that also includes an Orange Theory Fitness and a nail salon, this chic French restaurant is a welcome surprise. Grab a seat at the bar or relax with a bottle of Bordeaux at a table dressed in white linen. Enjoy French classics like escargot, filet mignon, and seared foie gras, but save room for dessert because the souffle is a standout; choose among chocolate, raspberry, or Grand Marnier. 18111 Preston Rd. Ste. 120, Dallas, cadotrestaurant.com
Roots Southern Table
A Farmer’s Branch strip mall with a noodle shop and a hair salon is home to the most stylish southern restaurant in the city. Chef Tiffany Derry’s Roots Southern Table has received all kinds of accolades, both locally and nationally, including nods from the James Beard Foundation. It’s worth going just for the cast-iron corn bread with sweet potato butter. 13050 Bee St., Farmers Branch, rootssoutherntable.com
B2J Fish Soup
This hidden-gem Chinese restaurant specializes in big, family-sized bowls of sauerkraut fish soup, a beloved Sichuan recipe that combines poached fish fillets and spicy, sour broth. To customize your perfect soup, choose either beef or fish, select one of the three broths, and pick your add-ons, including hand-pulled noodles and enoki mushrooms. The menu also offers tantalizing small plates, like cucumber salad and fried buns. 151 W. Spring Creek Pkwy. #517, Plano, buerjiacsf.com
