Zavala's Barbecue | Grand Prairie
Thank goodness there are 35-miles that separate me from Zavala’s Barbecue in Grand Prairie! If I were any closer, I would eat there EVERY DAY. The food reminds me of the authentic Mexican barbacoa flavors I grew up loving and also stays true to what makes Texas barbecue truly Texan. Merging the two worlds results in the best of both worlds, and they make so much sense when put together. I wouldn’t call this Tex-Mex; I’d call it 2nd-Generation Mexican Comfort Food.
when everything is good
Here is a common theme I’ve noticed at many barbeque spots - the brisket is usually the main focus and delicious, while the other proteins or sides are just “ok.” Sometimes it feels like they’re just there to round out a menu and tend to be dry, bland, or worse…both.
it’s all worth trying
Thankfully, that is NOT the case at Zavala’s because everything on our platter was incredibly good! We tried the Sloppy Juan’s, which are filled with a beef cheek, brisket, and bbq sauce blend. They are quite filling and definitely worth the $5 each. Our brisket was perfectly moist (the word sucks, but it’s applicable) with a great crust, and the pork ribs easily fell off the bone.
tortillas > white bread
Texas loves to hand out slices of white bread with their brisket - but have you ever tried it over a tortilla with salsa? It is SO MUCH BETTER, especially when you add the homemade green salsa they have on the tables! It made me do a little happy dance in my seat after taking my first bite!
The Sides are a MUSt
Confession: I am NOT a fan of traditional potato salad. It grosses me out, and I loathe hard-boiled eggs. Zavala’s potato salad is technically a Hill Country style salad, originally a German dish, and is served warmed (the German way) with crunchy bacon bits on top. I loved it!
Don’t forget to try the Cheesy Jalapeño Hominy if you stop by - it tastes like a cheese and jalapeño tamale had a baby with mac and cheese!!
Get There Early
If you plan on visiting, make sure you get there EARLY. We arrived 30-minutes after they opened, and there was a long line out the door. They sold out of a few items before we could order, but at least they handed out some samples while we waited. Check out their hours online - it seems like Google and Yelp don’t have the correct hours.
Website: zavalasbarbecue.com
Limited indoor Seating
Since the inside is not very big, there are only three small tables indoors. You will most likely have to sit outside at the picnic tables. We didn’t have any problem finding a spot, but you might have to share a table on busier days.
on the corner of Brisket and Main
How delicious does your barbeque have to be for a city to rename your cross street to Brisket Lane?!
Hours: Check Their Website
New Blog series? YES!
Mr. San Diego and I have been wanting to explore all the different barbecue places in North Texas, and we decided to make this a regular series on the blog! My husband loveeeeeeesssssss barbecue and beer, so we are looking forward to doing this together!
We’ll be using the Texas Monthly Top 50 as our main guide, but won’t limit ourselves to their list. We’re excited to get to eating!
You can check out all our future bbq adventures here: Texas Barbecue Joints.