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| Herrera's Cafe Tex-Mex 4001 Maple Avenue, Dallas, Texas 214-528-9644 |
| Dallas Restaurant Review: Herreras is probably the only Dallas restaurant to be featured in National Geographic. A 1984 issue displays a 2-page photo of customers (and their beer) lined up out the door of the original Herrera's restaurant on Maple Ave. The reason: Herreras has great Mexican food. SETTING - Unfortunately, that structure had a fire (it's still there, though), and the 9-table cafe moved across the street to a slightly larger building -- with maybe 12 tables. The "new" building is an interesting early-1950's funky -- versus the original 1930's adobe. There are 6 or 7 other Herrera's in various corners of Dallas now. B.Y.O.B. - The original restaurant does not serve alcohol. Regulars who like beer with their Tex-Mex take a 6-pack or a cooler. I have also seen jugs of pre-mixed margaritas and even a bottle of champagne -- for those classy guys who want to impress their sweetie on Valentine's Day. (Okay, I confess, I took my 'significant other' to Herreras for Valentine's day -- but the champagne was brought in by the guy at the next table, who was wearing a tux.) HOT SAUCE - It's hot. No wimps here. Serve yourself out of a small pitcher on the table. And the chips are crisp and served hot. APPETIZERS - Herrera's Crazy Nachos make a meal in themselves. It's a perfect mix of ground beef, beans, and shredded chicken, topped with melted cheese and guacamole (sour cream optional) -- with a big pile of sliced jalapenos on the side. As an appetizer, ask for the half-order size unless you have more than 2-3 friends with you. At dinner time, Herrera's also serves a small cup of excellent borracho bean soup -- gratis -- soon after you order an entree. DINNERS - Some Mexican food aficionados go for the Jimmy's Special -- a cheese enchilada, chicken enchilada with ranchero sauce, soft cheese taco, beef taco with guacamole, and burrito with beans, rice, & beef chunks -- or a Herrera's #1 Mexican Dinner, which is a big platter. Or you might pick one of the other 26 numbered combination dinners. Most customers order the traditional Tex-Mex rather than the fajitas, although I've heard they're not bad. If you like beef, I can highly recommend the Guizo de Res, an authentic Mexican all-beef stew in a brown gravy. SIDES - The rice and beans are top notch, and the tortillas are thick and above-average, although they no longer roll them out by hand like mama used to do across the street. For the ADVENTURESOME - Herrera's serves Menudo soup on Saturdays and Sundays. It's a bowl of sliced tripe and hominy served in a seasoned red chile broth ("tripe" is intestines, if you're one of those who is more familiar with the menu at McDonalds). Menudo is claimed to be an aid for hangovers -- the "Breakfast of Champions" says Herrera's. So -- I dare you. AMBIANCE - Unapologetic, unpretentious hole-in-the-wall. HOURS - This is a family-run place. Closed Tuesdays. Downside? - Well, the bathrooms would be right at home in a rural filling station. But personally, I don't mind. It's part of the charm. BOTTOM LINE - If I could have just one last meal before I died, Herrera's would be the place. Take some friends, take some beer, make it a party. Don't dress up. |
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| Herrera's Cafe on Maple Avenue, 1984 |
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| Herrera's Cafe on Maple Avenue today |
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| Dallas Restaurant Reviews |
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