El Fenix

El Fenix was founded in 1918 by Mike Martinez, a Mexican immigrant who opened a small restaurant on the corner of Griffin Street and McKinney Avenue in Dallas. Often, at its main location in downtown Dallas, the lunchtime line of patrons spills out the front door and down Alamo Street. El Fenix is renowned as the originator of Tex-Mex cuisine and the restaurants Wednesday Enchilada Dinner Special, which features two cheese enchiladas, refried beans, and rice. Acquired by Firebird Restaurant Group in 2008, El Fenix was refurbished with freshened interiors and a revamped menu, while maintaining its signature core menu and products. In 2010 Nations Restaurant News named El Fenix one of its 50 All-American Icons, restaurants that stole our hearts and stood the test of time.