Where to Eat in DeSoto, Texas

Barbecue runs deep in DeSoto. Evans Pit Bar-B-Que is a longtime family-owned spot, and Big Daddy BBQ is known for its chopped-beef sandwiches, with a whole roster of neighborhood smokehouses around town.

For a suburb this size to have this many local barbecue joints says a lot about the scene, and it's one of the best reasons to eat in DeSoto.

DeSoto's soul food and hot chicken are a real draw. 2 Neighbors Hot Chicken, at the DeSoto Marketplace, has built a following for its chicken baskets, fried fish, mac and cheese, and banana pudding. For Louisiana flavors, A Taste of Cajun is among the top-rated spots in the area.

These are the kitchens that give DeSoto its own flavor, distinct from the chains, and they reflect the community that calls the city home.

The DeSoto Town Center anchors more everyday dining, mixing chains and local spots from casual burgers and pizza to fuller sit-down meals, along with the town's Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants.

And because DeSoto sits close to Dallas and its neighbors Cedar Hill and Duncanville, more dining — including the Uptown Village district at Cedar Hill — is a short drive away.