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Address and Contact Information
Address: 1400 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 277-1800
Website: http://www.elcarloselegante.com/?utm_source=gmb_site&utm_medium=organic
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.com
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Related Web Results
El Carlos Elegante: Authentic Mexican Food
Dine at El Carlos Elegante, a Mexican restaurant in Dallas offering creative and authentic Latin dishes from a talented team of chefs.
El Carlos Elegante – Dallas – a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Don’t be fooled by the nondescript exterior. Inside, this lively spot opens into a warm, rustic dining room with a wood-fired grill at its center.
El Carlos Elegante Restaurant (@elcarloselegante) – Instagram
16K followers · 106 posts · Authentic Mexican-Inspired Cuisine in Dallas by @DuroHospitality MICHELIN Guide 2024 & 2025 @michelinguide.
Reviews
M Chu
Tucked away in an unassuming building on another busy street in Dallas is this gem serving up some absolutely delicious Mexican food. Needing to come up with a dinner spot for our anniversary, I looked high, low, and read numerous posts for that special restaurant. Something about all the consistent reviews and raving on and on about the flavors got my attention so El Carlos Elegante it would be!
I made a reservation for Saturday at 5:00 pm for us. When we arrived, the gods were in our favor as the first parking spot of the restaurant opened up! While our reservation was for two at the bar b/c that was all that was available at the time of making the reservation, the hostess made such adjustments and got us a table.
Amalia was our server and she killed it! Knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the food and its origins, she advised us on how to maximize our first time here. We started off with the one shot appetizers which were just that – large enough for one shot. That shot, however, was packed full of mas sabor! The crab cake and Wagyu were perfect starters. From there we tried the grilled octopus which was nice. Freshly cooked over flames, we enjoyed the plating and taste.
Amalia saw how much we were enjoying the food and surprised us with two beef cheek tacos on house made flour tortillas. It speaks volumes when my wife who NEVER eats beef especially beef cheek actually tried and ate half of a taco while loving it too! By this point, we were well on our way of being full, but two more dishes were on deck.
The masa and squash along with the Guajillo Chicken were rich in flavors and depth. Needless to say, we finished the job and were full by the end of the lineup. There was just no more room to try their desserts! The manager Michelle stopped by and extended her well wishes for our anniversary too!
All throughout the evening, it was evident the operation here is tightly run and all team members take their jobs seriously. From continually topping off drinks to clearing off plates to make way for fresh ones, numerous employees assisted Amalia to keep things moving along smoothly.
By the end of the meal, we were already talking about bringing our family and friends here to enjoy in the whole experience.
Thank you Amalia, Michelle and everyone for making our anniversary dinner a memorable and super enjoyable experience. We will be back soon to try the other dishes!
… moreI made a reservation for Saturday at 5:00 pm for us. When we arrived, the gods were in our favor as the first parking spot of the restaurant opened up! While our reservation was for two at the bar b/c that was all that was available at the time of making the reservation, the hostess made such adjustments and got us a table.
Amalia was our server and she killed it! Knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the food and its origins, she advised us on how to maximize our first time here. We started off with the one shot appetizers which were just that – large enough for one shot. That shot, however, was packed full of mas sabor! The crab cake and Wagyu were perfect starters. From there we tried the grilled octopus which was nice. Freshly cooked over flames, we enjoyed the plating and taste.
Amalia saw how much we were enjoying the food and surprised us with two beef cheek tacos on house made flour tortillas. It speaks volumes when my wife who NEVER eats beef especially beef cheek actually tried and ate half of a taco while loving it too! By this point, we were well on our way of being full, but two more dishes were on deck.
The masa and squash along with the Guajillo Chicken were rich in flavors and depth. Needless to say, we finished the job and were full by the end of the lineup. There was just no more room to try their desserts! The manager Michelle stopped by and extended her well wishes for our anniversary too!
All throughout the evening, it was evident the operation here is tightly run and all team members take their jobs seriously. From continually topping off drinks to clearing off plates to make way for fresh ones, numerous employees assisted Amalia to keep things moving along smoothly.
By the end of the meal, we were already talking about bringing our family and friends here to enjoy in the whole experience.
Thank you Amalia, Michelle and everyone for making our anniversary dinner a memorable and super enjoyable experience. We will be back soon to try the other dishes!
Zachary Wood
A truly 10/10 experience for authentic, unique and experiential Mexican food. Highly recommend for your special night out.
I don’t think I’ve experienced something quite like El Carlos Elegante since I left Chicago, where there are many high end Mexican restaurants available. This place blew us all away. Between the amazing cocktails, the variety of dishes and excellent service, I already want to return.
Be sure to try the grilled octopus. It’s nothing like you can imagine. It’s extremely tender, not chewy in the slightest, and has great flavor. You will be stunned.
Note the only way to feasibly park your car is valet outside the front of the restaurant, but it’s free (tip of course).
… moreI don’t think I’ve experienced something quite like El Carlos Elegante since I left Chicago, where there are many high end Mexican restaurants available. This place blew us all away. Between the amazing cocktails, the variety of dishes and excellent service, I already want to return.
Be sure to try the grilled octopus. It’s nothing like you can imagine. It’s extremely tender, not chewy in the slightest, and has great flavor. You will be stunned.
Note the only way to feasibly park your car is valet outside the front of the restaurant, but it’s free (tip of course).
Praveen G
The drinks were excellent, well balanced and thoughtfully crafted. The food was full of flavor. The carne asada was perfectly cooked and packed with bold, smoky taste, and the octopus was a standout—tender, beautifully charred, and seasoned just right. The menu feels elevated but still approachable, and everything we tried felt intentional and refined. Overall, a classy spot with tasty mexican food and a great atmosphere.
… moreChau Jo
Firstly, the entrance is a little tricky. Go around the backside of the building. The door facing the main road leads to a bar, where I suspect the dudes kindly ask, “Are you looking for the restaurant?” 5-10 times a day.
Now, more importantly, the food:
Think of the most stylish person you know in real life who isn’t dripping money. Think of the ways they layer patterns, textures, and colors together to make coherent outfits you never would have dared piecing together.
That’s what every single dish at El Carlos is like. From the bite-sized brisket to the delicately decked desserts, you’ll find a citrusy surprise or a sneaky sweetness that works wildly well together.
The wait staff was impeccable in helping us first-timers order, with an eye on allergies. The water was constantly filled and the empty plates were unobtrusively cleared. We could not have asked for a better experience, with the exception of the lighting (and the entrance).
Surely the craftsmen behind this Dallas diamond can figure out a way to maintain the “elegante” hole-in-the-wall mood without forcing its guests back to the days of reading by candlelight.
Still, we want to come back and would recommend El Carlos to anyone looking for real Mexican food.
(Cross posted on Yelp)
… moreNow, more importantly, the food:
Think of the most stylish person you know in real life who isn’t dripping money. Think of the ways they layer patterns, textures, and colors together to make coherent outfits you never would have dared piecing together.
That’s what every single dish at El Carlos is like. From the bite-sized brisket to the delicately decked desserts, you’ll find a citrusy surprise or a sneaky sweetness that works wildly well together.
The wait staff was impeccable in helping us first-timers order, with an eye on allergies. The water was constantly filled and the empty plates were unobtrusively cleared. We could not have asked for a better experience, with the exception of the lighting (and the entrance).
Surely the craftsmen behind this Dallas diamond can figure out a way to maintain the “elegante” hole-in-the-wall mood without forcing its guests back to the days of reading by candlelight.
Still, we want to come back and would recommend El Carlos to anyone looking for real Mexican food.
(Cross posted on Yelp)
Olivia Martinez
Omg where do I begin, my boyfriend and I came for the elegante experience and it was FANTASTIC. The servers were very informative and explained to us what each of our dishes were. They told us that some of the dishes were on the menu and some were chef’s picks so the menu changes often. My boyfriend and I were blown away with each dish everything was so delicious and unbelievable. In between courses they even brought us a sorbet palette cleanser which I didn’t expect and was a nice touch. The vibes and the atmosphere were 10/10 the playlist that evening(which I learned was the bartender’s playlist) was SO GOOD. The bartender was such a vibe. We are definitely coming back for this experience!
… moreTamara Brown
Exceeded every expectation. The food was absolutely amazing—every single dish was thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavor. We did the Elegante Experience, where the chef curates a selection of dishes, many of which aren’t even on the menu, and it truly felt like a one-of-a-kind, elevated dining experience.
The restaurant itself has an incredible vibe—beautiful decor, great music, and a very upscale yet welcoming atmosphere. It’s perfect for a date night, girls’ night out, or even a fancy dinner with family.
The staff was outstanding and made the night even more special. A huge thank you to Joseph and Michelle for making the evening unforgettable.
Highly recommend—this is a must-visit spot if you’re looking for something special.
… moreThe restaurant itself has an incredible vibe—beautiful decor, great music, and a very upscale yet welcoming atmosphere. It’s perfect for a date night, girls’ night out, or even a fancy dinner with family.
The staff was outstanding and made the night even more special. A huge thank you to Joseph and Michelle for making the evening unforgettable.
Highly recommend—this is a must-visit spot if you’re looking for something special.
T.
We have been wanting to check this place out for a while and let me say it did not disappoint. We did the elegante experience and wow. One reviewer complained that the portions were full sized entrees not prix fixed portions (and honestly, I’m not sure why she would complain about too much food). Yes, you get a healthy portion and you will want to eat every last morsel. Each dish was presented beautifully and the flavor balance was on point. We added the duck cherry mole because I wanted to try a mole dish. Absolutely, fantastic — from the ambiance, the staff and the food. This is a must for any foodie.
… moreMatthew Kunzler
We visited El Carlos Elegante as part of their partnership with the Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits. Menu is small and fits on one page. Starting at the top of the page, all of the items are in very small portion sizes, but the further down you go the larger the portion sizes get.
The food is served with the intention of sharing. I would not advise ordering your own plates, order a bit of what sounds good and share.
Atmosphere was very loud. It was hard to talk and hear each other. Service was good quality.
You will need a reservation and be prepared to spend a good amount. But the food is good!!
… moreThe food is served with the intention of sharing. I would not advise ordering your own plates, order a bit of what sounds good and share.
Atmosphere was very loud. It was hard to talk and hear each other. Service was good quality.
You will need a reservation and be prepared to spend a good amount. But the food is good!!
June Gemini
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
This is a fine-dining Mexican restaurant with creative, thoughtfully presented dishes, located in the Uptown area. The overall atmosphere is nice and fits the concept well. We ordered the 8-course tasting menu, and most of the food was very good.
Course highlights:
• Salmon ceviche was excellent — very fresh with a light chili and lemon flavor.
• Crab claws (we ordered two) were small but very fresh, served with an avocado green sauce. Even our 15-month-old loved them.
• Okra & shishitos tasted good, though the dish only had three pieces of okra and was mostly shishitos. Not spicy at all.
• Octopus had a nice wood-smoked flavor and a well-balanced sauce, but it was slightly too salty.
• Hacoyo (duck dish) — despite being labeled as duck confit, it’s not the traditional French style. The duck was inside a pie, topped with fresh tomato and orange slices. Very bright and spring-like flavors.
• Halibut was very clean and light, cooked gently with just the right warmth and texture.
• Machete was more like a giant taco, filled with beef and pork belly — hearty and flavorful.
Overall, the food quality and flavors were strong. However, the service was a bit below expectations for a high-end restaurant. There were a few times when we couldn’t find our waiter when we needed assistance. With an automatic 20% gratuity added for four adults, the service did not fully match that level.
In summary, the food was enjoyable and well executed, but the service could use improvement to truly match the restaurant’s upscale positioning.
… moreThis is a fine-dining Mexican restaurant with creative, thoughtfully presented dishes, located in the Uptown area. The overall atmosphere is nice and fits the concept well. We ordered the 8-course tasting menu, and most of the food was very good.
Course highlights:
• Salmon ceviche was excellent — very fresh with a light chili and lemon flavor.
• Crab claws (we ordered two) were small but very fresh, served with an avocado green sauce. Even our 15-month-old loved them.
• Okra & shishitos tasted good, though the dish only had three pieces of okra and was mostly shishitos. Not spicy at all.
• Octopus had a nice wood-smoked flavor and a well-balanced sauce, but it was slightly too salty.
• Hacoyo (duck dish) — despite being labeled as duck confit, it’s not the traditional French style. The duck was inside a pie, topped with fresh tomato and orange slices. Very bright and spring-like flavors.
• Halibut was very clean and light, cooked gently with just the right warmth and texture.
• Machete was more like a giant taco, filled with beef and pork belly — hearty and flavorful.
Overall, the food quality and flavors were strong. However, the service was a bit below expectations for a high-end restaurant. There were a few times when we couldn’t find our waiter when we needed assistance. With an automatic 20% gratuity added for four adults, the service did not fully match that level.
In summary, the food was enjoyable and well executed, but the service could use improvement to truly match the restaurant’s upscale positioning.
Dwane S
We dined at El Carlos Elegante as part of the Chase Sapphire Reserve OpenTable Benefits. We were blown away in the quality of service and food at this restaurant. The dishes on the menu are in order from smallest to largest and definitely can be shareable. The restaurant has complimentary valet which allows you to call for your vehicle via text and you can tip on there as well. Overall, we enjoyed our experience here and will be back! Highly recommend making a reservation, especially during the weekend
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