Best Food Destinations That DFW Locals Love

Whether you live to eat or eat to live, DFW is a culinary wonderland of gastronomic delights. From pop-up dining and specialty markets to chocolate bites and fresh food delights, these destinations provide Dallas-Fort Worth locals with the most fabulous food finds in the metroplex.

Local Yocal Farm to Market
213 N. Tennessee St.
McKinney, TX 75069
(469) 952-3838
www.localyocalfarmtomarket.com

It goes without saying that Local Yocal is one of the main places in DFW where carnivores come to get their meat fix. It's also the place that supplies the meat to a host of DFW's finest restaurants, including Square Burger around the corner. Everything from pasture-raised pork and grass-fed beef to lamb and goat pass from nearby farms straight through the doors of this full-service butcher shop. But Local Yocal offers more than "meats" the eye. More than 20 local vendors stock this shop with everything from farm fresh milk and artisan cheese to blueberry honey and goat's milk soaps—making Local Yocal a foodie's pot of gold.

Kitchen LTO
3011 Gulden Lane, Suite 108
Dallas, TX 75212
(214) 377-0757
www.kitchenlto.com

Even though it's relatively new, this permanent pop-up spot is sparking a culinary buzz among area foodies. Located in the Trinity Groves entertainment complex at the base of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge—Kitchen LTO (limited time only) is one of the most original restaurant concepts in the entire country. While the building may be permanent, the chefs, menu and interior change every four months. Executive Chef Norman Grimm, the former executive chef of Acme F&B, sets the stage for scene one at LTO until the end of December. Grimm's modern French-American menu features items ranging from sake-glazed pork belly and branzino with a bacon malt reduction during dinner to fried guajillo-braised chicken tacos and lobster knuckle sandwiches for lunch. Save room for dessert because the chocolate domes and rose petal creme brulees are spectacular finales to this limited-time-only show.

Related: Best Tacos In DFW

Dallas Bites Food Tours
(972) 442-6963
www.dallasbitesfoodtours.com

It's not often that you have a chance to explore DFW's culinary hot spots with two expert foodies guiding the way—and that's what makes Dallas Bites such a popular ride. Jeanine Stevens, a freelance advertising copywriter, and Steven Doyle, publisher of CraveDFW, take fellow foodies on gastronomic adventures that include transportation to four to five venues, wine or beer and other goodies for $37-$55. Every weekend, area chocolate connoisseurs nibble their way through DFW's finest gourmet chocolate shops, dropping into places like Dude Sweet Chocolate and CocoAndre Chocolatier. If chocolate is not your thing, Dallas Bites offers a variety of other tours including BBQ and beer, walking food tours, ethnic market visits and chocolate, wine and holiday lights tours during December.

Jimmy's Food Store
4901 Bryan St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-6180
www.jimmysfoodstore.com

Hankering for an authentic Italian deli like you find in Brooklyn? Just follow the aroma of mama's homemade Italian meatballs and marinara sauce into Jimmy's Food Store, a beloved family-owned institution for the past 48 years. Not only do hordes of people flock here for the best homemade sausages, Italian food imports and Italian wine this side of Italy, but Jimmy's is also famous for its awesome deli sandwiches and $1 shots of espresso. Countless area restaurants even feature Jimmy's sausages on their menus. This tiny shop is crammed full of everything from specialty meats and cheeses to pastas, desserts and fresh produce. Squeeze in on Saturdays for free wine tastings or get on the email list to find out about the wine dinners hosted by Italian winemakers. Exceptional Italian food, wine and low prices, now that's amore.

Cowtown Farmers Market
3821 Southwest Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76114
www.cowtownmarket.com

For Fort Worth city dwellers and restaurant chefs alike, Cowtown Farmers Market has been the place to go for farm fresh products that only had to travel 150 miles to get there. The market offers everything from produce and herbs to raw honey, milk and cheese. In addition, you'll find a nice selection of artisan baked goods, organic coffees, bath products and even fresh gourmet tamales. Every third Saturday brings a host of happenings at the market including cooking demos, live music and community events. With two locations, one open on Saturday mornings and the other open late Thursday afternoons, locavores need not rise up early nor travel too far to get their fresh foodie fix.

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Ilene Jacobs is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. Ilene enjoys writing about a variety of topics, ranging from food, fitness and travel, to kids, pets and senior care. You can find some of her work at Examiner.com.