Pronounced KAY-so in these parts, the ubiquitous cheese dip known simply as queso can be found on menus all over Dallas-Fort Worth. Including non-Tex-Mex places you may not expect. For the sake of queso purity, this list contains only the creamy, processed-cheese-style dips where Velveeta and its counterparts reign supreme. Fancier options such as queso flameado or fundido, while delicious, deserve their own separate roundup.
Whether you’re looking to dip crispy corn tortilla triangles, potato chips, french fries, or even entire sandwiches, queso (like ranch dressing) makes nearly anything better. Here’s a roundup of top spots to engage in a session of queso therapy, guaranteed to brighten your day.
Bad Chicken
This tiny spot on Ross Avenue for wings and fried popcorn chicken offers numerous dipping sauces, including queso. If you’ve never dunked hot, crispy nuggets of chicken or giant meaty wings into queso, you haven’t lived. And this is one darn good queso. For a real calorie-packed meal, try the Mad Dawg Fries, which start with curly fries, then welcome a generous amount of queso, bacon bits, a cheeseburger patty, and fried popcorn chicken.5014 Ross Ave., Dallas, badchicken.com
Matt’s Rancho Martinez
For decades, Matt’s Bob Armstrong Dip has been a favorite among locals. Named for a Texas politician who wanted something “off menu,” the queso-based dip with ground beef, guacamole, and sour cream has been copied by dozens of restaurants since. For the ultimate twist on the iconic dip, try the “Bob” version of the restaurant’s almost-nearly-as-famous chicken-fried steak variations. Instead of gravy, the juicy, crispy steak arrives piping hot, topped with queso, guac, and sour cream, plus rice and beans on the side. Multiple locations, mattstexmex.com
Velvet Taco
Sure, you could order the more traditional queso blanco, but the true standout at Velvet Taco may make you scratch your head in disbelief before the first bite because it sounds so bizarre. The queso in question? Red Curry Coconut Queso. Topped with pickled onion, queso fresco, and Thai basil, with the option to elevate it with brisket or pulled pork. Is it Asian? Is it Mexican? Every bite defies all descriptors except one: Divine.Multiple locations, velvettaco.com
Texadelphia
Once upon a time, Dallas had a Texadelphia in nearly every neighborhood, but the now-small chain has only one Dallas outpost near Love Field. (It makes it a great place to stop before a flight, so you don’t have to pay fine-dining prices for fast food at the airport.) The creamy queso appetizer makes a good starter on its own, but use it as a dip for a cheesesteak to take your sandwich to the next level. Or for a shareable snack that removes the bread but keeps the sandwichy vibes, get the Philly Fries. Waffle-cut potatoes get topped with sliced chicken or beef, queso, and jalapeños. Plus, you can add on anything from the menu to deck them out, from raw onion and fresh tomato to pepperoni and mushrooms. After all, at its core, queso’s still the star. 2427 W. Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 130, Dallas, texadelphia.com
El Vecino
A few blocks from White Rock Lake, El Vecino packs in diners from early lunch until late in the evening. No meal would be complete without a chili con queso starter, but deciding which one may be tough. El Vecino showcases three types, including traditional (yellow), blanco (white), and picoso (spicy). Add brisket to any version, or a combo of ground beef, guac, and sour cream. However, it’s the new queso on the block that stands out most. The Colorado Corn queso starts with queso blanco and infuses it with sweet corn kernels for added texture and flavor punch. 718 N. Buckner, Dallas, elvecinotexmex.com
Miriam Cocina Latina
Dr. Seuss made green eggs and ham famous, but nothing since that beloved children’s book has boasted such a dramatic green color as chef Miriam’s queso verde. Loads of roasted poblano give the dip its kelly-green hue, while corn kernels add texture and a little pop of contrasting color. Try the Duo Verde with a side of color-matched guacamole, and consider a queso upgrade of short ribs, chicken, steak, or spicy vegetarian chorizo. Multiple locations, miriamcocina.com
Dock Local
A trio of Dallas-Fort Worth food halls has been blessed with a Dock Local seafood counter. Some people show up for the three styles of lobster rolls, but cheese lovers gravitate toward the hot crab queso. Just as the name suggests, creamy queso is studded with lump crab meat and topped with a drizzle of spicy hot sauce. It’s queso gone delightfully bougie. Multiple locations thedocktexas.com
Flying Fish
Ground beef? Been there. Brisket? Loved that. When it comes to queso toppings, some proteins appear atop the dip more than others because they’re simply classic pairings that remain as timeless as they are tasty. But Flying Fish wins for the most unusual queso in Dallas for its alligator queso and chips. Gator meat, pork sausage, a blend of spices, and a burst of freshness from pico de gallo make this appetizer a little bit crazy yet a whole lot craveable. Multiple locations, flyingfishinthe.net
Las Palmas
Sometimes, simplicity equals perfection. Though it seems deceptively straightforward, there’s gotta be a little secret magic in this queso blanco. The consistency remains thick enough to linger on each chip, but thin enough not to break the chips in half. A little garlicky, a little spicy, and featuring a lively burst of freshness from decorative herbs, this queso, a stack of flour tortilla, and a rocks margarita make for an unbeatable lunch. 2708 Routh St., Dallas; laspalmasdallas.com
Tequila Social
Queso and a view. That’s what you’ll enjoy on the patio at this lovely Harwood District spot overlooking the Katy Trail. Roasted chiles add nuance while colorful pico cuts through the richness of the Cantina Queso. Add brisket and a few friends to the mix, and you can easily linger here for hours watching the pretty people jog by. 3100 McKinnon St. Ste. B100, Dallas; tequilasocialdal.com
Torchy’s Tacos
Fans of Torchy’s award-winning green chile queso are downright fanatical. Packed with green chiles, each bowl of creamy cheese gets topped with a scoop of guac, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a healthy squeeze of super-spicy Diablo sauce. It’s such a coveted appetizer that each holiday season, you can purchase gift cards (typically at least $250 in total) to earn a Queso Gold Card that unlocks a free full-size queso per day for the entire following year. That’s as big a present for you as the gift card is for the recipient. Multiple locations; torchystacos.com
Ida Claire
The wild card: Seafood fondue from Ida Claire. Is it queso? Yes and no. Is it Tex-Mex? Absolutely not. But does it check off all the cheesy, dippable, craveable boxes? Indubitably. The fondue dish transports your taste buds to the bayou with shrimp and crawfish, accented by spinach and cremini mushrooms. Dip into it with warm garlic toast, and you may find yourself requesting bread at Mexican joints and pushing away the bowl of chips. 5001 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, ida-claire.com
Loro
This Austin-based lovechild of Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin and Uchi’s Tyson Cole features a menu that deftly marries Asian flavors with Texas BBQ ingredients and techniques. And vice versa. With an ever-evolving menu that keeps things interesting for guests, one of the new(ish) additions is smoked shishito queso, which mixes Texan and Asian without overcomplicating things. The shishito’s smokiness infuses a nice layer of flavor with a kick of vinegar, spice, and umami from kimchi furikake. Bonus points for some of the best homemade tortilla chips in town. Multiple locations, loroeats.com…