If you are in the mood for Mexican food that does not skip the basics, El Catrin is worth a look. It sits at 835 Jefferson Blvd in Dallas, and the first thing to know is that it is a family-owned place that has been going for thirty years, which is no small feat for a neighborhood spot. The menu is built around traditional Mexican flavors with a few modern twists, and it is one of those places that works as well for a slow breakfast as it does for a full dinner.
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Breakfast is a strong suit here. Huevos con Chorizo and Huevos a la Mexicana both run $12.99, while Machacado con Huevos and Huevos Rancheros are $14.99. Chilaquiles come in at $12.00, and if you are just grazing, the breakfast tacos are $3.00 apiece. The kitchen keeps things going all day, so you can walk in for a morning meal or a late dinner without much fuss.
For lunch and dinner, the antojitos are the natural place to start. The Guacamole Especial, listed as 'The Works', is $9.99, the Choriqueso is $9.99, and the Cuetes, or firecrackers, are $7.99. If you want something heartier, the soup section is deep: Caldo De Pollo Tradicional, Caldo De Res Tradicional, Consome, Pozole, and Menudo are all $14.99. The mains lean on the grill, with the signature birria tacos, fajitas, and carne asada as the centerpieces, and the carne asada itself is $24.99. The specials list rounds out the rest, from the Mexican Burger at $14.99 to the Burrito al Carbon, Zacahuil, Nachos al Carbon, Quesadilla al Carbon, Milanesa Empanizada, Enmoladas, and the various enchiladas, all around the $14.99 mark. Flautas are $13.99 and the Chile Relleno is $14.99.
Seafood gets its own section, with the Coctel De Camaron, Camarones A La Diabla, and Camarones A La Plancha each $15.99. Sides are cheap and easy to add on: chips and salsa are $5.99, frijoles negros y chips are $2.99, and a side of arroz or frijoles refritos is $1.00. There is a kids menu too, with a taco, arroz, and frijoles refritos for $7.99, six pieces of empanizado chicken and fries for $8.99, and a hot dog and fries for $6.99.
Save room for dessert, because it is not an afterthought here. Churros rellenos de cajeta are $3.00, while the cheesecake, choco-flan, and flan are $5.00, and arroz con leche is $4.00. To drink, you can stick with a Jarritos, Sidral, Topo Chico, or Mex Manzanita for $1.00, or go for an agua fresca de fruta de temporada at $5.00. A sangria is $3.00.
Practical details are straightforward. The place opens at 8:00 am every day, closing at 10:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 9:00 pm on Sunday. Delivery and takeout are both available, group orders can be arranged, and catering is an option if you are feeding a crowd. They take all the major cards for both dine-in and online orders. With 468 reviews and a 4.3-star average, it is a reliable, long-standing Dallas spot that lets the food do the talking.
