“How have we missed this place?” I asked my wife as we walked into Gonzalez Restaurant Saturday night. While seeking out some of the neglected corners of the taco world is a relatively new past time for us, we are familiar with many Oak Cliff eateries. El Fenix was the place for “A’s” family to lunch after church. My church flocked to Tejano’s, but my family preferred El Ranchito on the rare occasion we went out after church. We even remember having a few delicious meals at La Calle Doce or the old Ojedas before (or even after) our families moved from Oak Cliff to the southern burbs. Each of these restaurants provide food, atmosphere, and service that keeps their customers loyally coming back Sunday after Sunday, birthday after birthday, etc. I’m not sure if there is much difference in the way a cheese enchilada is prepared in any of these establishments, but each has their own way of standing above the rest, whether by specialty items or a gimmick or two (Elivis impersonators at El Ranchito or $5 Enchilada night at El Fenix)
The Oak Cliff El Fenix still holds fond memories of being the place A and I’s families first sat down for a meal together after we had begun dating as 15 and 14 year olds. For a few teenagers in love it was plenty good. We got our ordering down to a routine: a cup of queso, a side of flour tortillas, a Taxco plate to split, and a Shirley Temple for the lady. While our palates have evolved somewhat a dozen or so years later, we still make it back with some regularity for the lighter than air chips and to reminisce.
But on Saturday night there was a part of us that was upset at ourselves and maybe our parents for never trying out Gonzalez Restaurant. The beautiful storefront, cozy floor plan, and colorful décor immediately endeared the place to us. Apparently Dallas was well aware of this quirky cute restaurant as we found a few write ups on their website. (Perhaps this place is old news to you too. Was this your family’s cocina away from home? If so, tell us about it.) How we ever neglected this place is a mystery to me, but as of this weekend, we have righted this wrong.
The menu at Gonzalez’s is similar to most tex-mex places you find around the metroplex. However, their specialties include cabrito (goat) as well as an all day breakfast menu…oh, and their dinner plate in diameter, quarter inch thick (maybe an exaggeration) sized flour tortillas. We naively ordered 4 tortillas with a cup of queso (just like we would at El Fenix) thinking we would be satiated enough to continue reading the menu then wait for our meal. Instead, “A” was full after eating two of these tortillas leaving me to order the only entree.
Let me tell you, the pressure of choosing one good item off the menu to represent a restaurant is a daunting task. I did not take it lightly, spending at least 15 minutes looking over the menu. The tacos they offer are mainly of the crispy, ground beef variety. However, they do have Tacos al Carbon on the menu as well as Tacos Nortenas made with shredded beef in a crispy shell. But I thought I’d order something special.
“Maybe I should review a steak -it is Valentines day, and people love to eat steak on Valentines day” – too self serving.
“Maybe the breakfast. Huevos Rancheros or eggs with chorizo and potatoes look good” – too late night college student.
“Ooo, they have steak and eggs.” – …..
As the waiter made his way over to the table for the 5th time to ask if we were ready, I quickly decided on a burrito. Hang on before you ready an angry letter calling for taco purity. The burritos at Gonzalez’s are very similar to the tacos we so often review here at TacOCliff. One big difference is of course the tortilla. Instead of two small thin corn tortillas, these burritos come on the small blankets they call tortillas at Gonzalez’s. Filled with carne asada with a side of guacamole and a quite fresh, quite spicy pico de gallo, I was in taco heaven after ordering a burrito!
The meat was definitely grilled over a fire. While slightly chewy the filling made a delicious contrast to the pillowy soft tortilla. The guac and pico set it over the top. As I had only eaten one tortilla as we waited for our meal, I thought I would be able to finish off just one burrito. But was I wrong! We are glad to report a first for TacOCliff…our first leftovers. We made sure to box up an extra tortilla along with our half eaten burrito, dreaming of the best breakfast taco in the world to be made in our very own kitchen.
So, whether Gonzalez Restaurant has been a family favorite since childhood or a newly found treasure, whatever you do, take it easy on the tortillas and save room for a taco/burrito or two.
Best flour tortillas hands down.
We are thrilled to discover your blog (thanks to the wonderful article about you in Oak Cliff People). Can’t wait to first try Gonzalez Restaurant.
Yes, we’re one of those middle-aged couples who were both born, raised, and still live in “The Cliff”. We absolutely live for Mexican food but have always been fearful to venture out. I must be honest, unfortunately, we have been fearful because we DID grow up in OC. We are thrilled to have you brave ones are paving the way for us.
We do have one recommendation and perhaps the
Gonzalez article is the exception (haven’t read further … YET!) We had to go out to Google the restaurant to find where it is located. Then again, you may have the address right before our eyes and we may have looked right passed it.
Again, … thank you so much for venturing out for us. We are really excited to follow in your footsteps. One of us (ME!) is elated that we won’t have to eat at El Fenix at least once a week for the rest of our lives. The other one will have to be dragged to any other place besides El Fenix.
Gonzales will be our first stop in the VERY NEAR future!
OMG, D&A … Just as I suspected … the location IS directly in front of people! All you gotta do is click on the restaurant name to see the google earth map!
Oh, well, I’m not at all sorry to have had that reason to write my first comment. It was a perfect opportunity to say “Thank you, thank you, thank you for being our taco trail blazers!”.
Perhaps there will be an appropriate place to lay the hint of “click on the restaurant name for the address” someday.
Your site is gorgeous. We really don’t want you to clutter it up with that type of narrative.
Happy Travels!
Wow! Thanks for your kind comments but more importantly, for the helpful ideas! We love to get feedback, especially if it helps make it easier for readers to get to the tacos! I like your ideas and hopefully we can start posting some important information (hours, price, location) right up front so its really easy to access. Keep us updated about where you visit and what you like about those places. Good luck and happy eating!