As I looked over the list of Yelp’s just-released list of top 100 restaurants in Texas, I shrugged. Of these 100 restaurants, I hadn’t been to more than a handful. Heck, I hadn’t heard of more than half of the 28 restaurants on the list from Dallas-Fort Worth, a region where it’s my job to scout out restaurants big and small.
Except, wait. That first one. The No. 1 restaurant in Texas, according to Yelp, is Tony’s Italian Delicatessen in Montgomery, Texas. Tony’s … Tony’s … Tony’s. Wait, that deli? The one in a rundown strip center, sandwiched between a pet groomer and a cleaners on Highway 105, on the way to my mother-in-law’s house?
That’s the one. I’d driven past it 100 times on the way from Dallas to Houston’s suburbs.
I happened to be driving past it four more times this weekend, so I stopped in for a bite at Texas’ best restaurant. It’s an adorable little place with giant sandwiches and pleasant service. Most of the sandwiches are served on crusty Italian bread studded with garlic flecks, and most are named for Italians, like the Joe Pesci (roast beef and provolone) and the A. Pacino (mortadella, bacon and provolone).
It isn’t a secret among locals. On a Thursday at 2 p.m. — certainly a weird time to gorge on a sandwich that could feed four people — Tony’s served new customers every 5 minutes or so. For an hour, I watched regulars chat with the friendly staff and ogle over the cannoli while they waited on their lunches.
When I got mine, a soppressatta, salami, mozzarella, tomato and basil pesto sam called the F. Sinatra, I tap danced a little in my seat. For a moment, I felt like I could have been at Jimmy’s Food Store in Dallas. Or a deli in New York, for that matter.
Is Tony’s the best restaurant in Texas? That’s not really the point here. Yelp’s list has never been a hyper-critical one: A press release says the list is picked “using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews,” which is a little vague. It seems like the list ranks neighborhood restaurants that Yelpers seem to like. And Tony’s has a solid 5 stars.
Driving anywhere on Highway 105, which is a good three hours southeast of Dallas? Stop at Tony’s. I’m kicking myself for not having been before.
Yelp’s list of top Texas restaurants includes more than two dozen from the North Texas area, and it’s bound to include gems I haven’t visited. More than anything else, Yelp’s list seems like a celebration of smaller establishments with seriously loyal customers. And for most restaurateurs, isn’t that the dream?
Take a look at the list of 100 restaurants in Texas and see if you’ve been to any worth discussing. Which would you recommend? Let’s talk about it on Facebook..
1. Tony’s Italian Delicatessen – Montgomery
2. Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy – San Antonio
3. Kurry Takos – Austin
4. Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe – Grapevine
