Richardson is an upscale city in Texas, primarily located in northern Dallas County with a portion extending into Collin County.
It’s a cosmopolitan city, being the headquarters of many Chinese cultural organizations and the Indian Association of North Texas.
Richardson prides itself on being a hub of arts, culture and education. The primary industry here is insurance. Of course, it’s also the birthplace of many comedians, so it has its light side too.
With all these different people living and working in Richardson, of course, there are going to be lots of great restaurants. Let’s look at a few!
Freshii – Best Health Food
$$ | (972) 497-2268 | WEBSITE
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Yes, a healthy burrito does exist, and Freshii offers it. They make the typical fare you expect from health food places like salads, smoothies, wraps and protein bowls.
They also make super stuffed burritos to suit a variety of palates from Tex-Mex to teriyaki to Mediterranean. Want your kid to eat healthier? Try the kid’s chicken quesadilla with a strawberry banana smoothie. If you simply must have chocolate, try the chocolate peanut butter smoothie.
Ricky’s Hot Chicken – Best Fried Chicken
$$ | (214) 272-3735 | WEBSITE
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Ricky was inspired to bring spicy hot chicken to Texas after trying it in Nashville. He had to bring this zingy taste to Texas! The heat of Ricky’s chicken ranges from no heat to something they call A-Bomb.
It’s a great place to go if you like your chicken extra spicy, but they will cater to people who prefer their chicken on the mild side. The chicken is halal and prepared without dairy or peanut products.
Arapaho Deli – Best Deli
$ | (972) 744-0409 | WEBSITE
Here’s a place to get good food at a good price. They serve everything from breakfast tacos to Philly cheese steak with fries to Korean barbecue in a bowl. Breakfast dishes like pancakes and omelets are served until 10:30 a.m.
You can also choose from an extensive list of salads and sandwiches. You can order online for carryout or delivery. Why not order yours to go and picnic in Duck Creek Park?
Mena’s Tex-Mex Grill Cantina – Best Mexican Food
$$ | (972) 235-6300 | WEBSITE
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Here’s the place to go if you want something more authentic than the usual tacos and burritos. You will certainly find them on the menu along with some seafood choices and sizzling fajitas.
If you’d like your entree with a tequila, Mena’s can provide that. Though the menu is traditional, the restaurant itself is very modern and casual. La Familia Mena prepares their own tortillas and uses the freshest ingredients of the highest quality.
Lucky Bamboo Kitchen -Best Chinese Food
$$ | (972) 685-5698 | WEBSITE
Whether you prefer your Chinese food dine-in or take-out, Lucky Bamboo serves authentic Chinese dishes made with fresh ingredients and served with a smile.
You will find a great variety of beef, pork, chicken and shrimp dishes on the menu. If you’re in the mood for noodles or pad thai Lucky Bamboo has it. For convenience, you can order ahead online at their website. Delivery is available through Ubereats and Doordash.
Masala Twist – Best Indian Food
$$ | (972) 210-0744 | WEBSITE
If you want an elegant atmosphere with soothing sitar music for ambiance then Masala Twist is the place to be. They serve authentic Indian dishes from both the north and south regions of the country.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is excellent. If you are vegetarian, they do have varied options sure to please anyone. It comes highly recommended from the eatery metasearch app Restaurant Guru.
Silver Fox -Best Steakhouse
$$$$ | (972) 423-8121 | WEBSITE
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This place is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. It serves a variety of lobster and USDA prime steaks with other haute cuisine options in the way of seafood and soups.
The wine list at the Silver Fox is quite impressive. The setting is intimate and modern with options for private parties. Making reservations for the Silver Fox is highly recommended, though not necessarily required.
SPIN! Pizza -Best Pizza
$$ | (972) 235-7746 | WEBSITE
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They spell their name in all caps and add an exclamation point. It must be good! They do have a vast variety of pizza toppings including seven types of cheese and two kinds of mushrooms.
Red potatoes and fig marmalade on a pizza? Why not! Beer and wine are also on the menu with soft drinks. You will find a some authentic Italian salads and sandwiches on the menu. Leave some room for gelato!
Sushi Sake – Best Sushi
$$ | (972) 470-0722 | WEBSITE
Sushi Sake serves sumptuous sushi and sashimi such as scallop, shrimp and snapper. Tongue twisters aside, they use only the freshest fish to make authentic Japanese dishes.
The sushi is elegantly arranged and delightful to both look at and eat. You can order a sampler platter or a la carte from a selection of nilgiri, maki, sashimi and temaki. Crawfish and mussels are also on the menu.
TLC Vegan Kitchen – Best Vegan Food
$$ | (469) 562-4001 | WEBSITE
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Chef Troy Gardner stands out as a vegan restaurateur in Texas, a state known for beef and Tex-Mex.
Well, Gardner’s vegan chili won an award, so it’s better than you think it would be! While tender loving care does go into the cuisine, the TLC really stands for Tastes Like Chicken. TLC Vegan Kitchen will challenge your ideas of what vegan food is and still delight the habitual vegan.
Jasper’s – Best Al Fresco Dining
$$$ | (214) 716-2610 | WEBSITE
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Jasper’s provides traditionally American food, so eating in their al fresco dining area will feel like a barbecue in someone’s backyard. You’ll experience bold yet comforting flavors with classy cocktails.
For chicken, ribs, burgers, shrimp, salmon or trout, this is the place to be. You can also dine indoors or even arrange for a private party. Every Wednesday is Ladies Night Out; a three-course dinner for just $26.
Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill – Best Mediterranean Cuisine
$$ | (972) 437-1222 | WEBSITE
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The brothers Adam and Jalal Chanaa put authenticity and quality in their traditional recipes. They use fresh meats, bold spice and pure olive oil to create distinct flavors in their singular Mediterranian dishes.
Come in for lunch and select from the buffet. The entrées include lamb, sea bass, chicken and trout. The expected gyros and stuffed grape leaves are on the menu as are six kinds of kabobs and baklava for dessert.
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen – Best Seafood
$$$ | (972) 235-1181 | WEBSITE
Chris and Harris Pappas have been operating Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, which features their grandfather’s recipes, since 1976. They ensure that every facet in the dining experience at Pappadeaux is simply the best.
While the menu does have a few Mediterranean dishes such as calamari, mahi-mahi and Greek salad, there are quite a number of Cajun dishes such as boudin, crawfish and gumbo. They’ve got everything from catfish and shrimp to lobster and oysters on the half shell.
Pho Truong – Best Vietnamese Food
$ | (972) 803-8498 | WEBSITE
The Vietnamese dish, pho, draws influences from Chinese, French, and native Vietnamese cuisines. If you’re more in the mood for sandwiches, Pho Truong serves five different sandwiches on French rolls.
If you prefer a vegetarian diet, try a selection from their do chay menu for a mélange of tofu and various vegetables. If you like hot wings and Ricky’s is a bit out of your way, Pho Truong has five, ten, fifteen, twenty and fifty piece packs. Wash it down with a real fruit smoothie.
The String Bean – Best Family Style Restaurant
$$ | (972) 385-3287 | WEBSITE
Joe Gibson and Debbi McSwain have developed a menu over the last 45 years to suit every member of the family. Homey things like burgers, pot roast and meatloaf share the menu with lighter fare like grilled lemon chicken and steamed tilapia.
A brunch menu is available on Sunday. For the kids, there’s the corny dog and chicken strips. If you got a lot of people to feed, there is a bulk menu. Beer and wine are available if you need a drink after feeding all those people.
Conclusion
In Richardson, Texas, you’ll find restaurants to suit every taste and budget. This list covers some of the best restaurants in Richardson, but hardly all of them!
You may try a few for variety, though some of these restaurants have menus that already have an interesting variety. While Tex-Mex and steakhouses are the restaurant types one usually associates with Texas, a cosmopolitan city such as Richardson has a bit of everything for everyone.
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
