Zesty Mexican Grill & Bar, Richardson

Zesty Mexican Grill & Bar veers away from the path beaten by typical Tex-Mex restaurants. Instead, the chefs zero in on regional Mexican recipes, specializing in dishes from Veracruz along with unique vegetarian options. Take the Mexican pizzas: the chefs start by baking—not frying—a flour tortilla for the cracker-crisp base, before topping it with a house-made, spicy tomato sauce, cheese, and brisket. For the non-meat-eaters, the Veracruz potato cakes, loaded with spicy jalapenos, roasted corn, and cheddar cheese—and served with salsa and pickled jalapeno—might even give meat-loving dining companions something to think about. Regardless of the guest's chosen entree, each meal begins with fresh chips and salsa, which pair nicely with a cold draft beer or margarita.