Tacos take center stage at three new Dallas restaurants: Salsa Limon, T. Blanco’s, Cinco Taco Bar

Tacos are hot this quarter, as three new Dallas restaurants have opened with flour and corn tortillas in leading roles.

Fort Worth-based Salsa Limon (below) renovated the ground floor space of downtown’s Mayflower Building for its entry into Dallas, firing up its flattop grill, popping the tops on cases of Topo Chico and carving crisp-edged al pastor from the trompo. Salsa Limon is open for breakfast and closes deep into the night. If you thought you didn’t like tripe, this place will change your mind.

East Texas-based T. Blanco’s Mexican Cantina (below) charged into Addison, transforming the former Sambuca space with vivid photographs (from owner Thomas White — yep, T. Blanco/Thomas White, get it?), boozy craft cocktails and bold, from-scratch cooking. Daily specials are a plus. So are chef Jimmy Villareal’s roasted chicken and stone-ground salsas and moles.

Mexico City, D.F.  transplant Cinco Taco Bar expanded to Walnut Hill Lane, doubling its area locations to two. Owned by a team that operates four restaurants in Mexico City, the counter-service taqueria features top quality, freshly prepared ingredients like barbacoa, carnitas, al pastor, cochinita, beef, chicken and seafood, each stuffed into handmade corn tortillas (flour tortillas can be substituted, but why would you?). I love that the margaritas, are made with fresh-squeezed key lime juice, the corn tortillas are made to order, and that even the enchiladas are worth a special visit. There’s a very good chance that these authentic Mexico City-style tacos are the very best tacos in Dallas. Newcomer Cinco Taco Bar (and owner Mario Letayf), your taco game is strong.

Cinco Taco Bar owner Mario Letayf, your taco game is strong