Dallas’ Newest Tex-Mex Restaurant Brings Major Chef Star Power

More Tex-Mex is coming to Dallas, but this time it’s from a James Beard semifinalist. Omar Flores, who also owns Whistle Britches, is opening Muchacho at the Plaza at Preston Center this fall. It’ll take over the former Taco Diner spot, filling the need for good Tex-Mex in the area.

“I wanted to open a Mexican restaurant for a long time,” Flores says. “In Dallas, Tex-Mex is so popular, I figured it was the better way to go.”

Flores’ previous venture, Spanish restaurant Casa Rubia, gained him multiple James Beard Award nods. Unfortunately, the Trinity Groves spot shuttered in 2017, but Flores is coming back in a more prominent location. He’ll be teaming up with Alec Marshi, also his business partner at Whistle Britches.

Muchacho will serve traditional Tex-Mex dishes like fajitas, enchiladas, nachos and queso. There will also be a smoker on-site for smoking brisket, chicken and pork.

“We’ll focus on quality,” says Flores. “Taste will be different with a focus on ingredients.” He says that compared to other Tex-Mex restaurants in Dallas, he wants to execute the classics better.

The vibe of the space will be Old West.

“I’m from El Paso so I wanted to do a saloon style,” Flores notes. “We’ll have woods and leathers.” He’s currently working with an architecture firm to bring this idea alive and hopes to add some artwork as well. A bar, which will serve specialty cocktails like margaritas and tequila drinks, will be the focal point when you enter the space.

Muchacho is tentatively opening in late September or October. The restaurant will be located at 4011 Villanova Street.