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Maximo Cocina Mexicana and Margarita Lounge near Galleria Dallas isn't your typical neighborhood Tex-Mex joint.
Co-owner Mark Maguire, best known for his all-American namesake, Maguire's, and the soufflé-centric Rise No. 1, is excited about the new concept, which debuted in the former BLT Steak space in late January. But he's also a realist. "People in Dallas are really particular about their Mexican food," he acknowledges. "You can put whatever name you want on a restaurant, but if it has the word 'Mexican' in it and somebody walks in and they don't have chips and salsa and queso and enchiladas ... they're going to look up and say, 'This isn't a Mexican restaurant.'"
Still, don't expect a typical menu of combo plates and sizzling fajita platters. Chef-partner Amador Mora, a native Mexican and 23-year Mansion vet, hooked Dallas on his upscale contemporary Mexican fare during a stint as executive chef at Trece. At Maximo, his vision includes such savory offerings as California Salmon Cocido al Vapor, which is steamed in a bath of tequila-lime-chile aromatics.
"Really, what we've done is to bring in a little Tex-Mex to a Trece or Javier's," says Maguire.
Maximo Cocina Mexicana and Margarita Lounge, 5301 Alpha Road, 972-233-5656
Kim Harwell
Photo by Carter Rose: Carne Asada de Sirloin a la Parrilla.
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As a general rule, I don't travel outside 635 (or even loop 12) for restaurants. There are simply too many good choices inside the loop(s).
I wish Maximo good luck with all the Addison/Richarson/Carrolton crowd, hopefully all the entrees are reasonably priced.
Dear Geoff, how sad that you've pinned yourself in
from various places based on a highway. A good restaurant, or any place for that matters, is good not beacuse it's inside a loop of highways.
Why drive a long distance, missmae, to have "a little Tex-Mex brought to a Trece or Javier's," when we can have Trece or Javier's nearby?
Actually, there is not much worth visiting outside the loop. Perhaps Del Friscos if I'm in the mood for a prime steak, but then again I have Bob's and Al's that are just as good. In fact I can't think of one notable restaurant that I would even consider visiting in Dallas that is outside the loop.
There is a reason for this. The money and diners are in Dallas proper, inside the loop, namely uptown, park cities, oak lawn, and near east Dallas. It is only natural that the best restaurants are close to their patrons.
Furthermore, most dining outside 635 is limited to the Cracker Barrell and Applebees and most people who live out there have no concept of good food and dining.
.
Hope this helps.
name one Chinese restaurant inside the loop better than half of what you'd find in Plano/Richardson.
The concept that close-to-money == "better" restaurants might be the most ridiculous thought I've heard in the food world so far this year.
Geoff's attitude towards dining is an example of what helps keep Dallas less progressive than other world-class cities, so to speak, when it comes to food & drink.
Too bad.
Geoff=douchebag
Here, here!
Many thanks to the Eats Blog for bringing such a breath of enlightenment as Geoff to the airwaves. If he didn't exist we'd have to ferment him.
Why all of the hostility? Did I strike a nerve with the Applebees crowd?
The one exception to the general rule is as "luniz" has pointed out would be ethnic food. I concede that some ethnic foods may be better in the Richarson area.
However, the blog article was in reference to more upscale dining, not necessarily gourmet, but on the upper end. For this type of dining, my rule stands that if it is outside the loop, 99% of the time it is not good.
You see people who live outside the loop think a good meal is Cheddars, Applebees and other sorted major chain restaurants and really would not know a good restaurant if it slapped them across the face.
Why do you think there are no good restaurants in Frisco, or Plano, or Ponder?
Hope that helps.
thanks, geoff, we wudnt know whut wuz gud etin ifn you didnt have the kurtesy to tells us outer-enders where to find good vittles. that cheddars place sounds reelly good too!!!
This inner city boy will drive anywhere for good grub. Got to go to Richardson for the best Chinese. Cafe Marekesh for the best Morocan. Eventhough inside the loop, I doubt many non-loopers go to Maple Street for their Tex-Mex. Herreras #15 is the best plate in Texas. I will put that bad boy up against anything. Avillas and Ojedas are right there too. Not too big on Dallas area BBQ so must go to Central Texas from time to time for a fix . Maximo looks great, can't wait to try it.
I hate to agree with him, but Geoff has a point. The simple fact is the vast majority of innovative, creative, critically acclaimed restaurants are located inside the loop. I don't think its a snobbery thing, it more has to do with the fact that Dallas proper is the cultural center of the city. You will find a much more diverse (overall) group of citizens both living there and passing through on business, and this brings the demand for a different type of cuisine than in a suburban and more isolated area. I love leaving the bubble for some authentic Pho, Indian, Chinese, ect, but this is a generally the exception, not the rule. I'm not saying there aren't great restaurants outside of 635, but you have to be blind to say that Dallas proper isn't the place to eat in North Texas.
Exactly Geoff. You ever look at the people outside the loop and think, "Gosh, the sad part is, they don't even recognize how ignorant they are?"
I agree with part of your original statement:
"There are simply too many good choices inside the loop..."
but then, for some odd reason, you decided to insult everyone that lives north of 635.
Therefore, you are a douchebag. Hope this helps.
Every Friday night, I leave work around 5 and I drive by the Cheddars at I-20 and Carrier in Grand Prairie and it is PACKED. When you are on I-20, you can see straight into the huge parking lot. Not one empty parking space!
Geoff does have a point about Cheddars.
Not to blow this whole thread off track again....but I just had lunch at Maximo - the place is GORGEOUS, and the food was really great all around - GREAT chips & Salsa (the green/jalapeno sauce is amazing and totally unique). We had the Mole Burger, the Mexican Lasagna, the baked chili Relleno and the cancun salad - WOW! It was not too busy - yet...but I sure think it will be soon!
Gee....guess I better keep my Plano self out of the "loop" and stick with Chili's. Apparently if you aren't in the loop, you just aren't good enough to dine there and put your money into their sales tax revenues. Geoff - get over yourself. Hope this helps.
Maximo's Brunch sounds really good!! Will have to try that...