Farm country out here is hiding seriously good food — five spots before your neighbors find out.
Out past the new rooftops, Argyle, Northlake, and Ponder still feel like farm country — and that open-road stretch is hiding some of the best, least-discovered cooking in the county. Save this before your neighbors find out.
The shortlist
Little Joe’s Farmstead. A farm-to-table café on 377 that Jim Reid built in honor of his son Kevin’s fight with cancer, donating proceeds to Texas Children’s Hospital. Great food and a reason to feel good about every plate — go often.
407 BBQ. Family-owned, smoked fresh daily on FM 407 in Argyle, and it’s caught Texas Monthly’s eye. Get there early; when it’s out, it’s out.
Gyro & Grill Mediterranean. Still under the radar on FM 407 in Northlake, and it shouldn’t be. This is the “I knew it before everyone” pick.
Bella Italia Bistro. Italian tucked into a Northlake shopping center off Plaza Place. The strip-mall location is camouflage; the food is the real thing.
Tequila Ranch Cocina. Innovative Mexican, killer margaritas, and a patio actually worth sitting on. Time it for golden hour.
None of these are on any tourist list. That’s kind of the point.