1630 Valwood Pkwy
Carrollton, TX 75006
(972) 280-9191

I have to mention that ever since I’ve patronized Dickey’s begging for the “off-the-point” brisket, they have never failed me. In particular, the counter man at the Carrollton location has consistently provided me with the fattiest, juiciest, surprisingly flavorful brisket every time I’ve asked. (Even the Wylie location has delivered some moist flavorful brisket on at least 2 occasions that I remember.) Even when I’m feeling dangerously adventurous, I’ve found that their flat cut brisket has also been moist, tender and smoky. So I have to credit Dickey’s for being consistent and delivering some decent restaurant-chain barbecue. Sausage is just plain, almost grocery-store quality…and their spuds–like their sides–at times can be rather dry and forgettable. In any case, come here for the meat and you won’t have too much to complain about. Just remember how to order it.

190 E Stacy Rd
Bldg 3400
Allen, TX 75002
(972) 678-1001

Having heard that call-ahead seating is a requirement for Uncle Julio’s, I had the fiance set up a “reservation” at the Allen location on a Friday night. I expected it to be busy, but I also expected UJ to follow through on our seating arrangements. No such luck–we called at least 40 minutes ahead and still had to wait another 20 minutes, all the while enduring the horrendous noise and standing-room-only crowds. Definitely not a place for date night. I only hoped that the fajitas we were about to consume would make up for the uncomfortable surroundings. It almost did.

We were treated to the house special fajitas with lobster tail for our visit. However, we were disappointed by the rather frugal amount of combination steak and chicken, despite how tasty it was. There was barely any onions on the not-so-sizzling platter, and I think I managed to create 1.5 fajitas out of the platter we shared. We were pleased however to get tortillas freshly made from their machine…I began to use their tortillas as filler, dunking it in their average salsa until I discovered that it tasted better in the butter sauce accompanying our lobster. Overall, the fajitas may have tasted good but it was not our best fajita-dining experience–too little for too much dinero. One positive: our server was very prompt with refills and took care to stop by regularly to check on us, despite the tremendously busy dining room.

Perhaps next time we will remember to purchase their fajitas by the pound and just order out to avoid the crowds. Hopefully we will get more palate-pleasing bang for our buck. But for now, our best fajita hunt continues.