OLD Eats DO NOT USE

yes, yes, I did it! I beat Rusty to the punch. So assuming my rightful place in line, I would first like to tell Mr. Addison that his star system is inherently flawed and he is a fool for subscribing to said system. How can El Ranchito's 3 stars for food compare to Fearing's, etc. Mr. Addison you are clearly a novice and a hack.

In respect to my true feelings, (all of the above is a complete mockery) I have dined at El Ranchito and it is a ridiculously fun time. The food is, well, what it is. The margaritas are punchy and everytime I'm there I pray that that mariachi band doesn't come over and embarass the only gringos in the joint. Tex-Mex in Oak Cliff Texas? Yes, please!!

Now for rusty's dour perspective...

Why do you keep saying tabbouli is "heavy on the parsley"? It's supposed to be! What do you want, a plate of cold bulghur with parsley garnish?

Brian, I say "heavy on the parsley" precisely to point out that it is made correctly, as opposed to the insipid stuff that's, as you say, a plate of bulgur with parsley garnish. And, sad to say, I've found that at places like Whole Foods, where I expect more.

Speaking of Whole Foods.. I am appalled that they changed the flow of their produce section in the store at Preston and Royal.

Do they not have any feng shui sense? I have tried to contact a manager, but to no avail. I now totally bypass the produce section, in protest.

Anyone else feel the outrage that WF is trying to manipulate the shopping experience by making us “walk this way”?

Whole Foods is at Preston and Forest. Maybe you've been "flowing" in the wrong store?

As someone who used to live in Lebanon and Syria, I have to say that G&G's Mediterranean Cafe on Lower Greenville has the best Middle Eastern food in Dallas. It's across from the Whole Foods. Their food is significantly better than any other Middle Eastern places in town, yet I haven't seen it reviewed anywhere.

Thanks BK...I am so "out of there" that I see WF on Preston and Forest only in my rear view mirror

We tried El Ranchito this morning. I say morning because they open at 10:00 on Saturday. Good for me because I was starving for lunch by 8:30 a.m. The Choriqueso was very tasty and the tortillas were outstanding. Still have to say that the corn tortillas at Cafe San Miguel are the best I've ever had. But, these were close to being that good. We had the Pedro Infante and the Maria Felix. Both good, but not necessarily worth driving across town for. My husband said the chipotle-laced sauce was a little strange. Our server was attentive and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Oak Cliff is so much more funky than East Dallas. It's a pleasant change of pace.

Bill, was this your first foray into cabrito? It shouldn't be "hauntingly gamey". Perhaps you got a grass fed adolescent passed off as a kid??

Nope, not my first cabrito, Rusty -- though my first in Dallas. I think we're treading into literary semantics here: The flavor of the goat was mild and lovely and, yes, gamey/goaty. Go check it out and let us know what you think.

now that you have tried the rest, go back to the best, Avila's - even the chips and salsa are home-made there -- definitely the best Tex-Mex in Dallas!