El Norte Grill

We had a great dinner at El Norte tonight! We ordered the fajitas and tacos and both were delicious. The fajitas came out sizzling with lots of chicken and steak, plus plenty of onions and peppers. The tacos were fresh and loaded, exactly how they should be. Chips and salsa were good and the margaritas were refreshing—one frozen and one on the rocks. Both were great! The atmosphere is fun, colorful, and lively. Service was friendly too. El Norte is definitely a classic Plano Tex-Mex spot and we’ll be back! Highly recommend if you’re craving good fajitas and a margarita night!

We visited El Norte during the December holidays. I wanted to try El Norte since I have lived in Plano almost 25 years but never visited this Plano institution. The restaurant is colorfully decorated and the food is very good. Our table ordered the spinach enchilada, beef burrito with queso sauce, chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce, and a beef tamale. Highly recommend this Plano classic for excellent Tex Mex.

Introduction Every trip to Dallas has an unwritten rule for us. Before anything else, we stop by El Norte Mexican Grill. It is a place that brings back memories, creates new ones, and sets the tone for the visit. The moment you walk in, you feel as if you have stepped into a lively cantina somewhere in Mexico. The décor is colorful, eclectic, and full of life. Each room has personality, and together they create an atmosphere that is both festive and comforting. ________________________________________ Ambiance and Décor — 9 out of 10 The interior of El Norte celebrates Mexican culture with an artistic flair. Colorful artwork, unique pieces, hand painted elements, and textured décor create an environment that feels joyful and authentic. It is busy in the best way, with warm lighting, lively chatter, and a buzz that brings energy to the meal. El Norte is not trying to imitate a theme. It is simply being itself and it works beautifully. ________________________________________ Menu and Drinks — 9 out of 10 El Norte may have one of the most versatile menus in the area. From enchiladas and tacos to tamales and fajitas, the options seem endless. The build your own plate section is one of my favorites because it lets you choose multiple items with their signature sides. Their sweet potato casserole and squash casserole are two standout sides that we look forward to every time we visit. On this visit I ordered a crispy taco, a pork tamale, and a chicken verde enchilada. Each one delivered strong flavors and satisfying textures. Susan ordered the steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas. The presentation was excellent and the flavors were fantastic. The drink menu is also a highlight with a wide variety of cocktails, margaritas, and specialty drinks that pair perfectly with the food. ________________________________________ Food Quality — 9 out of 10 If you love Tex Mex, El Norte delivers everything you hope for. Their chips may be the best in Dallas. Light, flaky, and addictive. The stuffed jalapeno peppers are another favorite. For anyone visiting for the first time, the appetizer sampler is our top recommendation. It is the perfect way to explore the menu because it includes guacamole, queso, stuffed peppers, and a chicken chalupa. Each dish reflects the bold flavors and homemade style that El Norte is known for. ________________________________________ Service — 8 out of 10 The service is exactly what you expect from a long standing local restaurant. Friendly, relaxed, and attentive. The staff moves with confidence and familiarity and your experience feels like you are dining among friends. Our food arrived quickly and the staff made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed. ________________________________________ Value and Pricing — 10 out of 10 El Norte provides incredible value. The portion sizes are generous and the pricing is very reasonable. You can enjoy a full meal with appetizers and drinks and still feel that you received excellent quality for the price. ________________________________________ Overall Experience — 9 out of 10 There is a reason El Norte is always on our list when we visit Dallas. It is consistent, fun, and full of memorable flavors. It captures the heart of what makes Tex Mex great. Bright, bold flavors and a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to relax and enjoy. It is the kind of restaurant that you share with friends and return to again and again. ________________________________________ ⭐ Culinary Duo Scoring Summary Category Score Ambiance and Décor 9 out of 10 Menu and Drinks 9 out of 10 Food Quality 9 out of 10 Service 8 out of 10 Value and Pricing 10 out of 10 Overall Experience 9 out of 10 Total Score: 54 out of 60 Final Rating:

This is such a neat spot. The staff is friendly the food was great and the drinks are inexpensive. I got the tortilla soup and a sangria margarita. I love supporting a locally owned restaurant.

Over the top service... We placed a catering order for a party of 50 right before Christmas as we wanted to serve delicious Tex-Mex.... well, absolutely no disappointment. First, the abundance of food provided was far and above what we expected, Furthermore, we were not nickeled and dimed to death over every little extra such as extra cheese, guac and sour cream. Antonio (the owner) delivered and set up the event using restaurant quality serving dishes himself. Lastly, on top of the food being top notch the price was incredibly reasonable. Some of our guests commented they had never been to El Norte but now were certainly going to give the place a visit. Do yourself a favor, not only just eat there but have them cater for you...Muy Bueno and well done Antonio.

This place has always been a local gem, generations of my family have loved it. Just went again recently, plenty of menu options, good service, and the highlight is really the atmosphere and decor that give it that authentic feel.

Ill disagree with the watered down salsa, the salsa is fantastic! This is a Plano landmark and must go to. I've eaten there upwards of 50 times. Laid back atmosphere and great food. My only complaint is they are sometimes skimpy with the bell peppers in the fajitas but if you ask for plenty they will give you plenty. Open and operating under the same management for over 30 years they must be doing something right. Run, don't walk to El Norte. The Pork Mantana is absolutely spectacular and the Queso El Head Honcho is magical. El Norte is a Plano treasure, try it and you won't be disappointed, you will be hooked.

Ordered from lunch menu and there was a full portion of food. No lunch sized about it! Very tasty. Salsa was zippy but not to spicy, just right.