Dallas, October 17, 2025
News Summary
El Califa de León, Mexico’s only Michelin-starred taquería, has launched a limited-time pop-up in Dallas. From October 15 to October 28, food enthusiasts can enjoy signature tacos at 6501 Hillcrest Avenue. Chef Mario Hernández Alonso is offering a quick-service experience featuring three meat options, including the famous Taco Gaonera. Reservations for chef’s tables are available for a unique dining experience, with proceeds supporting the Mexico Travel Safety Initiative. The event bolsters culinary tourism and aligns with the upcoming NBA Mexico City Game.
Dallas — El Califa de León, Mexico’s only Michelin-starred taquería, opened a limited-time pop-up in Dallas from October 15 to October 28, 2025, drawing long lines on its first day as customers waited to taste the restaurant’s signature tacos.
Key details
The pop-up is located at 6501 Hillcrest Avenue #130 in University Park, Dallas and is operating daily from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event offers a to-go, quick-service experience similar to the original taquería in Mexico City. On the first day of the pop-up, long lines wrapped around the block as customers waited to taste the famous tacos.
Menu and service format
Chef Mario Hernández Alonso will offer three out of four available meat options during the pop-up. The tacos are served on fresh tortillas, maintaining the restaurant’s signature simplicity in its dishes. El Califa de León’s most famous dish, the Taco Gaonera, features thinly sliced beef filet, seasoned with salt and lime. The tacos are accompanied by two homemade salsas.
Special experiences and proceeds
Special chef’s table experiences will be available for reservation, accommodating groups of four to six, priced between $340 and $460. Each chef’s table seating will last 75 minutes and include a curated tasting menu. Proceeds from reservations will benefit the Mexico Travel Safety Initiative in partnership with the Arizona Chapter of the National Safety Council.
Origins and recognition
El Califa de León was founded in 1968 by Juan Hernández Gonzalez in Mexico City’s Colonia San Rafael. Mario Hernández Alonso, the founder’s son, has run the business for the past 40 years. In 2024, El Califa de León received the Michelin Star, making it the first and only taquería globally to do so.
Context and partnerships
The Dallas pop-up is presented in collaboration with GrinGO and aims to promote tourism to Mexico City. This event follows a successful pop-up earlier in Arizona as part of introducing U.S. audiences to Mexico’s street food culture. The timing also ties into the upcoming NBA Mexico City Game between the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons on November 1.
Public reaction and local interest
Foodie Drew Stevenson expressed excitement for the taquería, stating he follows the Michelin Guide closely. Stevenson has dined at all 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in Texas and emphasizes the need to arrive early for good food. Food influencer Lu Silva planned his week around the pop-up and called it unprecedented and historic for the culinary scene.
What to expect when visiting
- Quick-service, mostly to-go tacos served on fresh tortillas.
- Three meat options available out of four menu meats normally offered.
- Traditional presentation that highlights simplicity: thinly sliced beef filet for the Taco Gaonera, seasoned with salt and lime, plus two homemade salsas.
- Chef’s table reservations for groups of four to six, 75-minute seatings, tasting menus priced between $340 and $460.
Practical information
Location: 6501 Hillcrest Avenue #130 in University Park, Dallas
Dates: The Dallas pop-up will be held from October 15 to October 28, 2025.
Hours: Operating hours for the pop-up are from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
FAQ
- What is El Califa de León?
- El Califa de León is Mexico’s only Michelin-starred taquería.
- Who founded El Califa de León and when?
- The taquería was founded in 1968 by Juan Hernández Gonzalez in Mexico City’s Colonia San Rafael.
- Who runs the business now?
- Mario Hernández Alonso, the founder’s son, has run the business for the past 40 years.
- When did El Califa de León receive its Michelin recognition?
- In 2024, El Califa de León received the Michelin Star, making it the first and only taquería globally to do so.
- When and where is the Dallas pop-up?
- The Dallas pop-up will be held from October 15 to October 28, 2025. The pop-up location is at 6501 Hillcrest Avenue #130 in University Park, Dallas.
- What are the pop-up hours?
- Operating hours for the pop-up are from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
- What menu items and service format are being offered?
- Chef Mario Hernández Alonso will offer three out of four available meat options during the pop-up. The tacos are served on fresh tortillas, maintaining the restaurant’s signature simplicity in its dishes. The pop-up offers a to-go, quick-service experience, similar to the original taquería in Mexico City.
- What is the Taco Gaonera?
- El Califa de León’s most famous dish, the Taco Gaonera, features thinly sliced beef filet, seasoned with salt and lime. The tacos are accompanied by two homemade salsas.
- Are there special reservations?
- Special chef’s table experiences will be available for reservation, accommodating groups of four to six, priced between $340 and $460. Each chef’s table seating will last 75 minutes and include a curated tasting menu. Proceeds from reservations will benefit the Mexico Travel Safety Initiative in partnership with the Arizona Chapter of the National Safety Council.
- Who commented on the event and local interest?
- Foodie Drew Stevenson expressed excitement for the taquería, stating he follows the Michelin Guide closely. Stevenson has dined at all 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in Texas and emphasizes the need to arrive early for good food. Food influencer Lu Silva planned his week around the pop-up and called it unprecedented and historic for the culinary scene.
- What partnerships and broader goals are associated with the pop-up?
- The pop-up is in collaboration with GrinGO and aims to promote tourism to Mexico City. This event follows a successful pop-up earlier in Arizona as part of introducing U.S. audiences to Mexico’s street food culture. The pop-up celebrates the upcoming NBA Mexico City Game between the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons on November 1.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pop-up Dates | The Dallas pop-up will be held from October 15 to October 28, 2025. |
| Location | 6501 Hillcrest Avenue #130 in University Park, Dallas |
| Hours | Operating hours for the pop-up are from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. |
| Signature Dish | Taco Gaonera: thinly sliced beef filet, seasoned with salt and lime; two homemade salsas |
| Chef’s Table | Groups of four to six; priced between $340 and $460; 75-minute seatings; proceeds benefit the Mexico Travel Safety Initiative in partnership with the Arizona Chapter of the National Safety Council |
| Recognition | El Califa de León is Mexico’s only Michelin-starred taquería. |
| Collaboration | The pop-up is in collaboration with GrinGO and aims to promote tourism to Mexico City. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Michelin Guide Awards Set to Transform Dallas-Fort Worth Dining Scene
The Format Announces North American Tour
Michelin-Starred Taquería Launches Pop-Up in North Dallas
Dallas All Star Chef Classic to Support Homeless Recovery
Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Michelin-Starred Taquería in Dallas
- WFAA: Dallas Taqueria Pop-Up Opens
- Local Profile: Michelin-Starred Taqueria
- Dallas Observer: Taste of Michelin-Starred Taquería
- Visit Dallas: Taco Bout Dallas
- Wikipedia: El Califa de León
- Google Search: Michelin Starred Taquería Dallas
- Google Scholar: Michelin Taqueria
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Taqueria
- Google News: Michelin Star Taqueria Dallas
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