Garland, on the northeast side of Dallas, has one of the larger Vietnamese communities in Texas. The restaurants and markets along Saturn Road and Walnut Street are the reason to eat here — pho, bánh mì, com tam, and a substantial supermarket scene.
The city’s Mexican food is equally established and inexpensive, and there is a growing Korean presence along the northern edge toward Richardson.
Texas barbecue runs through everything: brisket smoked over post oak, sliced to order, served on butcher paper. The Metroplex has a dense concentration of good barbecue and Garland is well placed for reaching it. Downtown Garland has been redeveloped and holds a handful of independent restaurants and a brewery.