The Dallas Farmers Market got a wonderful addition last year in this small place with bright yellow umbrellas out front. Try the fried wontons that have an impressively perfect quail egg inside or the spicier yum woon sen — glass noodles with shrimp, onion, ground chicken, celery, tomato and black mushroom. Flavors here take us straight back to Bangkok, and we love it for that.

This West Dallas spot has plenty of treats for parents and kids. Next to the parking lot is a grassy area for kids to run around, which means they're not running among diners who may not have arrived with or ever want to be around kids. There's pizza for the kids (and adults) but there's also plenty of wine to choose from. Sounds like a win-win.

As far as taprooms to hang out, Deep Ellum is our go-to with its spacious outdoor seating and reliable brews. The staff is accommodating and friendly, making it a spot to become your home bar if you live in the area. We hear there's a new chef in the kitchen, too, who's upping the game on the food menu.

A fresh margarita on a spacious, breezy patio is the respite we need. It may be the enchiladas or those margaritas that have you going to José, but for us, it's mostly that beautiful patio that has us yearning to go back. It's dog-friendly, the staff is prompt and knowledgeable and the retractable cover offers shade alongside the sound of the fountain in the middle.

This category is a tough one — salsa for what? Tacos, tamales, chips, eggs? So we looked for something comprehensive: It's a tossup over whether the red or green salsa is the best here, but this Old East Dallas spot is a go-to for salsa that's good on so much. It's made fresh and sold by the pint so you can take it home to last you the week.

Dallas' seams aren't exactly bursting with seafood options, so we certainly celebrate this one that's constantly good. Fresh items — whether you're taking from the market or ordering off the takeout or dine-in menu — are what make us come back for more. Take dinner to go or grab some staples like a fish dip to have on-hand at home.

This one's an easy choice: Lá Me has been a long-time favorite for good reason. Even if you take it to go, flavors and textures hold up for meals that are some of our favorites in all of Dallas. Try the shaken beef, any of the vermicelli plates and absolutely the egg rolls. Don't forget a Vietnamese iced coffee while you wait for your food.

Go for beer, go for pizza, whatever you do, do not go without ordering wings here. You order per wing, each of which is the full cut — no choosing between a flat or drum here. You'll get the drummette, ringette and tip. The salt and pepper rub is a must with an easy seasoning on the juicy chicken, or go for the classic Buffalo.

Chile peppers are the name of the game at Hunan Bistro, where dishes can be buried in chopped peppers that are the deep, dusky color of a Dallas sunset. But don't let them intimidate you and don't be worried by the enormous menu, either. Look for red-braised pork, spicy pig ears and whole fish. If the spice is too much, turn to milder but equally good fare such as pork spare ribs, dry-fried green beans or ultra-savory eggplant. There aren't many Hunanese restaurants in North Texas, and it's hard to top the rustic but high-intensity flavors here.

We've ordered from countless restaurants for takeout in 2020, and every restaurant using Square is making it easier on us. When you're craving one particular meal, Square's user interface is easy and quick to load, and noting the exact time for pickup makes it even better.