Emilio’s Cafe

What a gem. Excellent hole in the wall with authentic tasty food. Hecho con amor.

There’s a lot of fanfare for this location, so I figured I would try it out. Their most popular items are burritos, so that’s what I stuck to. This place is definitely a dive, but it has so much charm. Its definitely small, but its manageable to get a seat even during lunchtime. The chips they serve are great, but the salsa wasn’t my favorite. Maybe I’m use to my salsa being a little chunky, but this salsa was straight up tomato juice, watered down with herbs. I could tell they were using fresh ingredients, but there really was no flavor. My burritos arrived, and they were a good size. I ordered barbacoa and chorizo potato. The barbacoa was ok, but it was a bit too greasy (and I wish there were some onions or veggies to go inside of it). The chorizo potato was pretty good, but I felt like a bucket of grease once I was done.
This place is cheap. Like super cheap. My two burritos cost me UNDER 5 dollars. But I didn’t feel they were amazing or should have received such high praise. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt me meal was ok. I would recommend this place only if someone was downtown, wanted Mexican, and didn’t want to spend too much. Their pancakes did look good, and I’m a sucker for good pancakes. I wouldn’t mind coming back here again to try some other things, but it may be a while before I feel motivated to do so.

Maybe I went on an off day… I ordered breakfast to go – pancakes and a breakfast burrito. The breakfast burrito was plain and flavorless and my pancakes were burnt :(it was very cheap which was great. Maybe I’ll give it another shot one day. =/

In the food desert that is South Dallas I can hardly begin to say how much I love and appreciate Emilio’s Café. The place is small but serves some of the best authentic Mexican food in Dallas.
For lunch you can count on the yummy enchiladas and quesadillas. For breakfast (served all day) get the egg and potato tacos — they’re huge!
It’s a local business run by a great family. Go check it out!

The best breakfast tacos in Dallas. No joke. I always over-​order because they are cheap, but the portions are so generous that one almost fills me up, and I’m just glad if I finish my second one! I love surprising friends and coworkers with these tacos and THEN telling them where they’re from. :-) (otherwise, they wouldn’t believe me!) Whatever you do, you HAVE to try the bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast taco: it might just change your life. The salsa is seriously good and spicy, too.
This place is truly the savior to Dallas’ severe lack of good breakfast tacos.
Tip: They do have some seating, but they also take call-​in orders. Either way, you will not regret giving this place a try. Also note: at least for the last couple of years, they are only open for breakfast and lunch (however, they serve their breakfast menu the entire time).

Best salsa in town. Breakfast items can’t be beat. Other items are okay. If the beef in the crispy taco was seasoned they would be the best with the salsa. Rice is bland. Needs more cumin. Beans are good. Let’s stay with best salsa ever.

This place might be in the hood but its so good. It is the definition of a Mom and Pops place. Home cooked Mexican food made to order fresh! Everything i have tried was so good. Try this place you will note be disappointed.

Nice little Mexican spot in The Cedars! I came here for breakfast and was not disappointed. This is one of the only places in Dallas I’ve seen that serves delicious breakfast tacos (burritos,) Migas, Chilaquiles, and breakfast all day (along with a full menu of non-​breakfast foods)! It should be noted that breakfast does not come with complimentary chips & salsa, but you can add it for $ 1.25, so definitely do it.
I liked the Migas, but they aren’t sautéed with onions, tomatoes or jalapeños. Next time I’ll modifying to «a la Mexicana.» I also love that the refried beans are pork-​free! My boyfriend’s tacos were huge, a great deal for $ 1.75. Service is friendly, prices are great, salsa is spicy. I’ll definitely be back.

Everything I’ve eaten here is amazing.Breakfast. Lunch. Hell even the salsa is AMAZING. Even better is that it’s a 45 second walk away from my front door!

Excellent, excellent, excellent old-​school Mexican/​TexMex. Great Salsa, fresh chips, homemade tortillas, well-​prepared Guiso de Puerco.
Worth the drive folks.

Emilio’s is like the shining lighthouse in the Cedar’s neighborhood. If you live anywhere in the Cedars, or in south Dallas generally, you owe it to yourself to go have a breakfast taco at Emilio’s. This place is fast, delicious, and inexpensive. I know this place gets a lot of fanfare for its breakfast plates… another reviewer here noted the fatty goodness of their bacon (which is so freaking true), but give one of their lunch plates a try and I promise you will not be disappointed. This place is awesome. One last note — it’s impossible to get really good, really SPICY salsa anywhere in Dallas — Taco Joint, Taco Loco, even El Fenix, they all thin out the heat of their salsa to cater to the typical Dallas restaurant-​goer. Not Emilio’s — the salsa there is HOT and awesome. Best salsa in town. If you go in and like your plate, be sure and tell Emilio himself — he is a very gracious and humble dude who honestly appreciates both compliments and criticisms of his plates.

Oh Emilio’s! It is safe to say that you are THE Savior of the Dallas Breakfast Taco Scene! We all know that Dallas was seriously lacking in the breakfast taco scene compared to other cities. I couldn’t wrap my head around why it was nearly impossible to find a quick, cheap, and legit breakfast burrito at 7am. Here comes my knight shining armor, Emilio’s, to save the day.
I was introduced to this restaurant by a coworker of mine who is a regular here. I know the area is slightly sketchy and I was apprehensive at first about going, but I decided to anyway. I sure am glad that I did! I have made Emilio’s my Go-​To Breakfast place. I feel the competition (i.e The Taco Joint on Gaston, Tacos y Mas on Ross, and Fuzzy’s) gets completely blown away by Emilio’s because of taste and value! Here’s why…
Value:
I wish Unilocal would allow a half-​dollar sign. This restaurant is ridiculously cheap. The breakfast burritos are quite large and well under $ 2.00 each! I don’t need two burritos but I’m a chubby kid at heart so while one satisfies my morning hunger, I have to another one because of the TASTE! Total for two bacon, egg, and cheese tacos: $ 4.41 (including tax!)
Taste:
I think bacon is a gift from the Gods. Needless to say, I’m slightly snobby about my bacon. Ok very snobby. Whatever. I don’t care for the thin crinkly bacon. Emilio’s delivers by serving up that awesome thick slab cut bacon. You know, the heart attack stuff. It is cooked to perfection and made crunchy and crispy.
I’m also incredibly snooty about my tortillas. I can’t stand store bought tortillas that have been sitting around for a few days in the grocery store. Emilio’s tortillas must be made from scratch and freshly daily. Why? Because I said so. I know the difference! These tortillas are very similar to what I grew up with on the border. Definitely worth a try.
I am giving Emilio’s 5 stars just based on their relatively cheap prices of their amazing breakfast tacos. In my book, Emilio’s is the undisputed champion of the Dallas Breakfast Taco Competition!