A recent profile published by Yahoo highlights the contributions of various chefs, bakers, and entrepreneurs to the Dallas-Fort Worth food scene. The article notes that while traditional dishes like tacos and fajitas are well known, a broader range of Latin culinary influences has emerged in recent years. These figures have introduced family recipes, local ingredients, and high-end dining concepts to the region.
Maria Argumedo and Tim Halls opened Burnt BBQ & Tacos in 2021, combining Texas barbecue with Venezuelan items such as arepas and cachapas. In Dallas, Dunia Borga and her husband Espartaco Borga established La Duni in 2001, bringing elevated Latin American cuisine to the area. Although the Dallas restaurant closed in 2023, their bakery in Irving remains open.
The Cortez family in Fort Worth started by selling menudo and birria from a home kitchen before expanding to a food truck and eventually opening Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez. The establishment received a Michelin Guide recommendation in 2024, which it retained in 2025. The family has also launched Mariscos Cortez, a seafood restaurant featuring additional family recipes.
Gloria and José Fuentes founded Gloria's Latin Cuisine in Oak Cliff in 1986 after moving from El Salvador. The business has grown to include 23 locations across Texas, blending Salvadoran and Tex-Mex styles. Miriam Jiménez, originally from the Dominican Republic, opened Miriam Cocina Latina in 2019 with partner Shannon Wynne. Her menu focuses on modern Mexican dishes while also including Dominican options.
