Encina

Still the old familiarity of Bolsa but with a new twist. Everything on the menu looked so good and has such a variety to appeal to all. My bestie was like, oh wow! So many things I’ve never even heard of. 😆 That’s awesome! Great wine too! We will be back! Love Bishop Arts so much!

10/10!!! The food was absolutely incredible and our server Michelle was so helpful while we were picking out menu items and we made incredible choices.

Can’t leave without trying their famous blue corn pancakes.

Get the corn pancakes. Best pancakes I’ve ever had. The biscuits and gravy were great as well. I ordered five plates of food to share at the table. Everything was great.

Love this spot. We have made two recent trips to Dallas and both times we dropped in. The appetizers and the mixed drinks were incredible. The staff were so nice as well! Don't miss the Beef Cheeks with Pimento cheese. Amazing!

Great food, service and drinks. Inventive food. Everything we tried was very excellent. The bacon wrapped dates were incredible. The olives in the almond and olive appetizer were divine. The turkey leg is a superstar. The fish special was perfect and the butternut squash risotto was excellent. This place is a winner!

Such a great place. As soon as you walk in, it smells amazing. Blue corn pancakes were wonderful, and the bruch burger amazing. Try the Ghost Face is you're looking for a unique drink/new obsession.

We were so impressed with this restaurant. Incredibly attentive and friendly service. Great ambiance - sit outside if you can! Inside is cute as well. Everything we ordered tasted delicious - get the short rib stroganoff (and wash it down their version of an old fashioned). Will definitely be coming back!

Recommend by a friend and did not disappoint! The biscuits and gravely, I’d murder for those. The migas were super too. Oh, and the expresso martinis 🤌🏼 we will definitely be back!

+4

Essential DFW Brunch spot. Everything is great - but the blue corn pancakes may be in Top 5 pancakes in all of the US of A.

Amazing service and incredible food during an anniversary dinner with my wife today. I was a frequent patron of Bolsa when it occupied the space and I was elated to see that Encina carries on the spirit that bolsa had and then builds on it. I can’t recommend this place enough

First time visitor for a ladies brunch. Service was very attentive. Drink options nothing special, ie orange juice is not fresh pressed, no espresso bar, not a bad thing, but just a detail. Regardless, the food speaks for itself. Reasonably priced, large portions and creativity in presentation and color palate. Our table got a variety off the brunch menu. I convinced a friend to split half sweet half savory, pictured here is the stuffed French toast and the turkey confit hash. I really enjoyed having both! The French toast was good but I wasn’t overwhelmed by it. The turkey hash was thoughtfully flavorful and I loved the variety of veggies. The Brussel sprouts were a little undercooked. Everyone enjoyed their dish. Would return, I want to try the kale biscuit dish next!!

Duck confit was one of the best dishes I’ve had in Dallas. Overall, I thought the food was a touch overpriced, but I would definitely go back. The price guide for Google is a bit misleading, it’s easily $50+ per person for dinner, brunch may be cheaper.

We made reservations online. It was very easy. We arrived and were greeted and seated quickly. The wait staff was attentive and friendly. We were hungry and ordered an appetizer... the cheese plate. It was delish.... it looks like a charcuterie board but no meats. My son is picky so they were great and made him cheese flatbread. It was thin crust and the red sauce was flavorful. My husband and I ordered a turkey leg and the pork chops. The vegetables that accompanied the meals were tasty and perfectly paired. I had a glass of wine with the turkey led. I will definitely return to try other things on the menu.

+1

First time in and this place was a 5/5 for us. Parking - they have their own lot so super easy compared to the rest of Bishop Arts Reservations - love a place that takes a reservation Sevice - so great waitress was the absolute sweetest and so on it. Thank you Jamie!!! Food- PHENOMENAL and big plus they were able to accommodate modifications. Serving size was great for price point. We got the pork chop and the blackened bass. Not a big fan of corn so asked for the bass over the same accompaniments as the pork chop (yummy cheesy grits and collards) and it was to dye for. We will definitely be back to explore the menu further (and hopefully for a brunch as well!)

Love love love! Their food is farm table and unique setups.

We had a great breakfast at Encina on Sunday! Highly recommend the pancakes and French toast. Both were very delicious. Cocktails were yummy and ver balanced. We will be back.

Brunch was good. Lively spot. The chocolate croissant is a good appetizer. The blue corn pancakes were as good as advertised

Have been here a couple times now and they are pretty consistent. Always nice and attentive. Food and drinks are delicious My wife ordered the salmon and I got the short ribs. We have also tried the duck and pork chop. All have been delicious They have some great happy hour specials at the bar. We will have to sit there next time and try them out

+2

I read a little about Encina before venturing down to Oak Cliff. I always love the restaurants that truly utilize the farm to table culture, this being one of them. I ordered a few things off the menu: beef cheek pastrami, cheese plate, veal sausage & champagne cake. All of them were amazing, I couldn't have asked for a better spread my first time in. I can easily see this being one of the hip new places coming up in the next few months.

+6

Went for brunch. Had the Blue Corn Pancakes (held the bacon and got hash browns), and they didn’t disappoint! Delicious!! The hash browns reminded me of McDonald’s hash browns of my childhood, crispy not greasy, tasty. My friends both enjoyed their meals as well, the Biscuit and Gravy (which the waiter recommended and said that this friend was the winner because she picked that ☺️, and she’d agree) the other friend got the Turkey Sandwich. The brunch burger and the flatbread at the table next to us looked delicious. Will definitely be back to try more off the menu. PS…word on the street is the dinner menu is pretty good too!

I got my favorite blue corn pancakes w/bacon and soft scrambled eggs. My friend got the pork belly. Food, service, vibe 10/10. They never disappoint

This place is absolutely Awesome. It's completely different than anything in the Bishop arts district and something that has been long-awaited and really needed. I have tried several entrees and appetizers and was more than pleased with every single one of them. Bar is phenomenal and the staff is probably the friendliest staff you'll ever see in the Bishop arts district or anywhere in Dallas for that matter. This is definitely a go destination if you're looking to go out and have a casual yet almost elegant good time. I guess a definition is in order for that statement. It's more of an upscale casual look with amazing, in my mind five star Chef prepared food and served with the presentation of that will rival most fine dining restaurants in Dallas. Not only is the food delicious but it's absolutely beautiful when they set it in front of you. I will definitely be going back on a regular basis. Not only because of the wonderful food, but just as important because from the moment you walk in the door it's a completely stress-free atmosphere everyone's happy and you're greeted at the door by a smiling face that you can tell is genuinely happy to see you, unlike many of the other pretentious greeters owners and employees of many places in this area. It's definitely one of my new go-to places!

+2

Encina has the most amazing brunch! The blue corn pancakes are delicious. The pork belly and cheesy grits dish was so amazing that I literally finished it all and ordered 1 togo! The staff was friendly and attentive. Overall it was a great experience and I cannot wait to return!

+2

We love this place. They accidentally brought us the beef cheek pastrami appetizer one night and when we said we didn’t order it they told us to keep it. It’s incredible. Since then we have been going back for both brunch and dinner regularly. We have never had a bad item there and we have tried almost everything on the menu. Everything has been delicious and very consistent. Staff is very nice. Bar tenders know what they’re talking about. For brunch, the blue corn pancakes and the quiche are our favorites. They also have happy hour with great options.

Great place off of all the hustle and bustle of bishop arts. We had the Montreal long haul and goat guisada tacos along with a carafe of mimosa. Would recommend having a reservation as it was packed!

I loveeeee neighborhood eateries and I’m happy to decided to try this place out. The pork belly and grits immediately caught my attention! The food was great. The service was attention and friendly and the ambiance was pretty cozy. I also had a mocktails which I really enjoyed. We also tried the French toast which was like a bread pudding French toast, I wasn’t crazy about it but it was tasty if you like bread pudding. I would definitely recommend for brunch. I enjoyed it so much!

Sunday Brunch: Not as packed as expected. Tried coming before, a few months ago, at the same time on a Sunday (11am) and it was absolutely packed. Made reservations this time but didn’t need them, maybe because football season started? Food: Turkey Hash - really good and hearty great for a after work out meal. 8.2/10 Blue Corn Pancakes - fantastic, perfect amount of sweetness but not overwhelming, comes with two wonderfully crispy slices of bacon. 9.5/10 Drinks: Pomegranate Mimosa - refreshing not too sweet, seemed like the champagne used was not garbage. 8/10 The Flower Patch - wonderful cocktail, vodka and champagne. Perfect amount of sweetness. 9.8/10 Will come back and will recommend

The Blue Corn Pancakes are THE BEST! I'm not an adventurous eater, but the goat tacos were out of this world. You can watch the kitchen staff from your table. It's like watching a show. Everyone has their part and they play it perfectly. The attention to detail on every plate is beautiful. Don't wait, try it now.

+1

This was on my friend’s list to try so I have zero expectations, but the brunch was so good!! Now I need to come back for dinner. We got the honey glazed pork belly and the Montreal that had duck and blue corn pancakes. SO delicious! The cheese grits with the pork and a sunny side up egg was the perfect combo of creamy and savory. The blue corn pancakes are one of their best things for lunch so definitely try that too.

The service was superb. The food was even better. Loved the Blue Corn Pancakes, very fluffy, thin, delicious, and filling. My son had the Brunch Burger, he really enjoyed it. My teen granddaughter enjoyed the French Toast Bread Pudding. If You enjoy dessert and breakfast all in one then this is the choice for you. This was a post Mother's Day outing with my son and granddaughter and it was fabulous. The atmosphere is great. Lots of complimentary parking nearby, on the lot and street. That's always a plus for me.

One of the best restaurants in Dallas. Been to brunch twice. If you go to brunch, share the blue corn pancakes with your date and get your own entree. The pancakes melt in your mouth and are full of delicious flavor. I don’t need syrup because they’re so tasty on their own. Venison hash was seasonal (April 2023). The egg sandwich was phenomenal. Believe the egg sandwich is on their regular menu. My sister raved about the goat guisada tacos. Everything is so delicious. Service the first time I visited was great. This second time, the restaurant was quite busy so service was a little less timely but still good. Nice people. Be mindful that brunch is a busy time. Can’t wait to come back for dinner. I’m from Pearsall, so getting a taste of south Texas in Dallas is comforting.

+6

(Oct 2023) third visit here and brunch is always super consistent. Def need to come for dinner sometime but they just crush brunch better than almost everyone in Dallas. Def in my top 3 for brunch. Just a fun and creative and most importantly delicious menu. You can’t come here and not get the blue corn pancakes. I rarely eat pancakes but these are my exception. And they eat so light. The blue corn flavor comes thru so beautifully and then there’s all the complimentary sweet and salty notes from the salted whipped cream and butterscotch and bacon etc. perfection. Tried the goat guisada tacos for the first time today and really enjoyed them. Comes with 2 flour tortillas that have a thin cheese crisp layer - excellent tortillas, wish they gave you 3 thought. The guisado is really good, my dining partner wasn’t as big of a fan of it because of the cumin flavor that came thru but I enjoyed it. The apple spiced mimosa (seasonal) was really nice. We got a few different mimosas and did notice the ratio of Prosecco to juice varied each time. Server was great. They’re efficient but friendly, don’t make you feel rushed. Got croissants to go to enjoy the next day. (Nov 2022) Stopped by here once for a drink and been wanting to come for the food! Have always heard the brunch was great and finally got over here for brunch today and it did not disappoint! Love the vibe/style/decor inside. The open kitchen, the bar, very light and airy; sleek and a little industrial inside but warm and inviting! The blue corn pancakes were my favorite-they lived up to the hype! But loved everything. The Migas was great (felt like a mix btwn Migas and chilaquiles-the corn tortilla chips in it were great) and also tried the pork belly over cheddar grits-excellently done. Staff was great, smoother service and food came out relatively fast and well executed. Highly recommend

+6

Wow! How did I not discover this place sooner? Had an absolutely outstanding dinner with my girlfriends — the food, drinks, and staff were all exceptional. Can’t wait to come back and try brunch next!

My favorite brunch in Dallas. We drive across town for brunch here at least once a month. Have yet to be disappointed with any of the dishes we’ve tried. Some must try dishes include: - Blue corn butterscotch pancakes (a MUST must) - Brunch burger - Montreal Long Haul - Skillet Quiche - Spiced Honey Glazed Pork Belly Never have a problem with being seated immediately, as I always make a reservation in advance via Open Table. Expect a wait if you’re trying to do walk-in on a weekend during peak brunch hours.

When i Googled Brunch in this area, there was so much to choose from. If you're doing the same, let me tell you, give this place a try. Made a reservation, got there 15 minutes early, and was seated immediately. The first thing i noticed when Walking in is how delicious it smelled. Then, how the ambiance was perfect for my style/speed. Nice and clean but not stuffy. There was 3 of us so we all ordered something different so that we could share and try a little of everything. I read on a review to try the blue corn pancakes and they didn't disappoint. We also got the quiche, which I loved, and my friend got the pork belly over Grits, which was appetizing. The service was topnotch, and I never had to wait for water or cocktails. We will definitely be back next time we are in the Dallas area.

+1

Got to have brunch here for the first time. Everyone was so nice and polite. The parking was a bit tight but it’s expected in that area. The food was amazing. The breakfast burger which was amazing and the side salad was so flavorful. The Buscuits and Gravy, were actually buttery flaky croissants with chorizo gravy and it was amazing! French toast was a bit tough. The pancakes were the star of the whole meal. You have to try!

+1

Might possibly be the best brunch in Dallas. Food is absolutely phenomenal. Must try the pancakes. Everything was delicious and exceeded expectations. Worth the hype for sure. You should book a reservation.

+3

Great dining experience with a very delicious steak and frites! Cornbread was delicious but not a fan of the two scoops on top, not too sure what they even were. Restaurants atmosphere was nice and cozy perfect for a lil date night or a relaxing evening with a quiet environment and phenomenal service! Drinks were spot on too so definitely plan your next night out here for sure!

Everyone in the reviews is talking about brunch… Let’s talk about DINNER. Went here to celebrate a friend’s birthday and it was PHENOMENAL. The food is so fresh, the menu is perfectly crafted, and everything we tried was phenomenal. Oh and the service was incredible - our waiter was so kind and stored away our birthday cake in the fridge and even sliced it for us when we were ready! We enjoyed the cornbread (insanely moist and rich) and the charcuterie boards to start. I had the Steak Frites for dinner which was SO GOOD. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare, the fries were shoestring and so crispy, and the chimichurri tied added the perfect flavor to tie it all together. I will be returning!

+3

Sabor: Deliciosos todos los platillos (en especial el CORNBREAK)🤤 Servicio: Excelente 😍 Ambiente: Familiar 🙂 Lugar: Muy limpio🤗 Precios: Altos 🤑 MUCHAS GRACIAS POR SU LINDA ATENCIÓN 😊 🙂 🤗 EXCELENTE 👌 👌

Went for dinner hosted by Tasting Collective. The food was excellent. Serving temperature was a lil cooler than I prefer, I assume that happened because they are serving a large group all at once. The duck confit and pastrami were outstanding. The goat cheese cake with blackberry sauce might have been outstanding but I was so full it was difficult to truly appreciate it. I dinged atmosphere 1 star because I was mildly uncomfortably cold for half the dinner. It was a cold night, though.

Encina in Oak Cliff feels like a farmhouse kitchen turned restaurant—warm wood tones, soft lighting, and local artwork. I ordered the blue corn pancakes with butterscotch and cajeta. They were fluffy and unexpectedly bold in flavor. My server chatted casually about local ingredients and poured coffee with a smile. It felt like brunch with a good friend in your backyard.

Good. As. Hell. Went for brunch, 11/10. They highly discourage modifications; which I respect. The food speaks for itself!!!!!!!! Get the grits.

Love eating here, highly recommend their brunch. The staff here is also great.

Excellent. The pancakes were great, the bread pudding French toast and the pork belly were all just outstanding. Great cocktails too! The Garden Gimlet is especially refreshing as a brunch drink. Loved it.

I went for brunch and loved their menu. I had the spicy honey pork belly wiith cheesy grits and eggs. The pork belly was delicious. The grits were okay, and the eggs were cold.

This is a neighborhood favorite but a recent dining experience was especially fantastic. The new menu has so much to offer. We were a party of 6 and every single thing we ordered was incredibly delicious. If you like shishito peppers don't miss them here- best I've ever had.

Brunch was so good and Michelle was a great server!

My wife and I had dinner there on Friday and it was an absolutely unexpected treat. We were just up for trying a new spot for us and think we may have found our staple! We sat in front of the kitchen and felt like we were watching a show (The Bear!!!) with all the meals coming out. We had the duck (highly recommend) and the port chop for dinner and the ice cream cookie for dessert. We enjoyed every bite. I feel bad that the table next to us had to see us devour the ice cream cookie the way we did...it was delicious! It was our first time but definitely won't be the last.

This part of Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts has no shortage of solid restaurants. Encina stands out among them as a thoughtful blend of atmosphere, creativity, and attention to detail without being pretentious or overdone. So often, restaurants just appear to be trying too hard to appear authentic, which only has the reverse effect. This place doesn't have to try to say anything. Everywhere you look, the space whispers that these folks know what they're doing, and you're invited. The menu is Southern-inspired but with off the path options to keep things interesting. Ultra-fresh ingredients in a close, open kitchen model, make you feel strangely involved in the process. The food is obviously serious business; every dish I've had there was a delicious piece of art. But even with the gravity of this art, Encina isn't trying to prove anything to you. So refreshing. Imagine you had a super cool best friend who started college in interior design, only to pivot, finding their passion at culinary school. That's Encina.

Valerie was awesome! Super friendly and really knew the menu. She recommended the clarified Bloody Mary and wow… hands down one of the best drinks I’ve had. Food was already amazing, but her service made the whole night even better.

We had such a great experience at Encina thanks to Valerie! She was attentive without being overbearing, knew the menu inside and out, and gave us excellent recommendations that really elevated the meal. She made us feel welcome the whole time and had such a warm, genuine energy that stood out. Service like hers really makes the difference—thank you Valerie for making our night so enjoyable!

A true culinary experience! Food was divine, service very friendly and a perfect date night with my Fiance. My first time and her second time in a week. We will be back!

It's easily the best brunch in Dallas and it's not even close. You have to try the blue corn pancakes. But also the pork belly and grits, goat guisado tacos, biscuits and gravy. Fantastic place.

This place surprised me the prices will look a bit steep to you. But I promise that the foods solid. The goat guiseda tacos were bomb my fiancée had the shrimp cocktail and I don’t even like shrimp cocktail and that changed my mind. The breakfast flatbread is big by the way. Kristen took care of us even when she had 9+ tables I wasn’t waiting to long. Give that woman a raise. Definitely try this place peoples. I would have pictures on the review but it was to good and I forgot.

Every dish we tried was packed with flavor and felt thoughtfully prepared. The trout avocado salad was out of this world. The space has a relaxed, stylish atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Staff were welcoming and genuinely helpful.

It was pretty good. This is the old Bolsa location that has been rebranded. The cornbread was not good, it had a strange funky flavor. The duck confit was really yummy.

Sunday Brunch @ Encina w/Friends was enjoyable. The waiter recommended a drink that we didn't like & took it back w/no problem. I then ordered Pineapple Mimosas w/the Biscuits & Gravy. Good food, drinks, conversation & service is always a winner.

+2

Encina was nice, but could be better. Food was ok. Many of the flavors could have used a touch more balance in my opinion to be great. For example the sauce with the quail was a touch sweet. Not a deal breaker bc the quail could be taken off the bed of sauce. The beet and burrata salad could have really shined with a touch more salt and vinegar/lemon. I liked the cactus jack cocktail and the tajin.

Came here really excited by the menu. Unfortunately, we went for the chocolate croissants and they didn't have any that day. Ordered the migas, the French toast and the breakfast pizza. The migas were tasty, but the bottom of the bowl was really soupy and they aren't served with tortillas. It's more like a breakfast bowl, but was too runny at the bottom to eat. The French toast was very tasty, but one piece was a little burnt. The breakfast pizza was very yummy. Also ordered a gimlet cocktail that was delish! Service was a little slow (waited over 15 minutes for our server to come back when we needed a coffee refill). But we weren't rushed, which was nice. Overall, it was good, but not so mind blowing that I'll be running back to go again really soon.

Only American place I found that can cook fish correctly. We ordered the blackened red fish and Farro (lamb) risotto. The fish was exquisite. I think this is the best fish dish I've ever had. However, the lamb was just okay. Definitely will come back. Great place.

Encita has a wonderful brunch vibe, with lots of different, colorful cocktail and food options. The staff was also friendly and attentive. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was I wasn't blown away with my flatbread. Next time I come, I'll try something else.

My friend suggested we check this place out. It was a good experience. I ordered an egg sandwich which was rather too big for me to eat in public haha (personal issues, I know) So I took it home, and boy! Was it good when I ate it... it was so good, I finished it in one sitting. For brunch, I ordered the hash browns bowl and it was really really yummy. Lots of veggies in the plate. My kind of plate. My other friend ordered the blueberry pancakes, she confirmed that was yummy too. My other friend ordered the same hash brown plate. The last person ordered the pork belly plate and chocolate Croissant. Overall, the food is worth every penny. Service was great too. Only reason I gave a 4 star is coz the price of the mimosa on the menu is different from the actual price. The server had a good explanation but still, that is something for them to think about. Make the menu be more reflective of the actual price. Haaaa, the food is pricey. For the kind of ambience, I would expect a little less than it's priced. I spent $57 for an egg sandwich and hash plate and shared mimosa. Too expensive but well it was a treat. Parking is not easy. I was lucky to find parking in the lot but it's a small lot and the location is in the heat of town. I don't think this can be a regular brunch spot because of the limited parking.

+1

Blue corn pancakes are everything they have been made out to be. We ordered some as an appetizer and it was great. Pork belly grits was amazing. Monster slice of pork belly, cheesy grits and a jalapeño drizzle. It was the star at brunch. Biscuits and gravy are ok, but pale in comparison to the pork belly. I’d put them in the top 3rd. They are fancy, but I’ve had better. Drip coffee, they do have some mimosa options and other breakfast y drinks. Price isn’t cheap, but the quality is on par. Parking is garbage, but they do have a small lot next to the building if you get lucky.

Good restaurant and great brunch with good food and a good selection of drinks. The migas were OK, but the pancakes are probably the best I’ve ever had!

Cozy elegant place to enjoy brunch or dinner with your friends or family. They did not have any warm beverages to offer apart from black coffee which is a pity. The food was amazing and so flavourful. Will definitely come back.

Encina is a modern upscale take on classic American cuisine. The nightlife urban decor juxtaposes an subtly elegant dining environment, allowing for a clever transition between a bustling city to the fine dining experience ahead. Two dining areas separate a more casual offering and from a more formal option. Fitting to their location, they bring the metropolitan influence of Dallas directly to their home style food with brilliant flair. Pricey, but worth the payoff in flavor, presentation, and portion (except dessert). Solid wine list, wonderful mixed drinks, and welcoming tapas style appetizers. Pros: - excellent delivery on flavor and texture - menu full of diversely paired options - quiet but friendly atmosphere - they prep your food for sharing if you ask Cons: - price, not really worth it compared to other similar options in Dallas. - the two dessert options were extremely mediocre and a very dissatisfying way to end the night. - wait staff was apathetic and disconnected. Fine for some but not my preference. It didn’t seem to fit the energy of the restaurant and detracted from the overall experience.

+2

Blue corn butter scotch pancakes! Simply delicious. Pancakes so good you don’t even need the syrup. The drinks were subpar though. We ordered a couple of the non alcoholic drinks and had high hopes since they used ritual. However, the ritual was definitely overdone. Which was a stark contrast to other restaurants where the NA drinks are more juice than anything else.

+3

Our food and service were amazing. *Just go ahead and order the blue corn pancakes for the table to share. I'm still thinking about them. Our only issue was that the patio has bad acoustics. The good news was that after about half of an espresso martini we didn't even notice how loud it was anymore. We would definitely go back. I wish I could go back today. Lol. It was our best meal in Dallas.

Came here for the blue corn pancakes and they do not disappoint, the Migas were equally as good. I would definitely come here again.

The food was amazing! The drinks amazing! Bartenders were amazing! The waitress was not nice! She’s an older chick with brownish blonde hair and she was rude! They need to get rid of her! We will be back but we will avoid her l!

Would not recommend the migas. It was more like a soggy scramble. Hardly any tortilla in the migas which is what makes it migas.

I came here for brunch with the girls and it’s a cute spot with good food. I hate that we didn’t get good service so that was a bit of a let down, but the food helped revive the experience. The Spiced Honey Glazed Pork Belly was my favorite of everything tried, with the Blue Corn Pancakes coming in second, and the quiche come in third. The biscuits and gravy is not the traditional southern plate you expect so make sure you notice that they are kale biscuits. Overall, not bad but not what we were expecting. The chocolate croissant was good though. I was a little disappointed to see they only had regular drip coffee, no lattes or cappuccino for 10 am, but if you’re a mimosa fan I want to say they had a few options. I’m not sure I would return, but if you’re in the area it doesn’t hurt to stop by.

+6

lol I’m from Dallas. OAK CLIFF is my hood. I came here to weekly back when it was Bolsa. Whomever owned it, whatever. When I finally came back as Encina, it was full but not busy on a Saturday afternoon. There was an 8-top sitting empty by the waitress. Behind her. There was two of us. But it would still be a two hour wait. Okay… Can we sit at the bar? Sure! Ryan took car of us. He couldn’t help my (white) partner with removing the potatoes from the brunch migas because of how they’re made. Whatever. When we left 90 mins later, that 8-top was still sitting empty. A month or two later, I came back. Brown skin and all. I came around 7:30 pm on a Saturday night. Patio was was empty. Dining hall was empty. Bar was so-so. (My side was full but opposite of us, and empty.) And expecting the same “two hour wait” lecture, I told them I was fine sitting at the bar. White hostess walked me to it. So I sat three seats from closest to the door. “But that seat is busy.” No one is sitting two seats next to me or three seats across from me lol. I was super confused why she was micromanaging where I was sitting when she told me sitting at the bar was fine. “?” “It’s busy.” “?” “You can’t sit here.” …………………… ………….. okayyyyyyyyy Candice. …… So I moved and sat in the middle of the bar. With a two-person couple to my left and another two couple to my right. Hopefully I can sit here! Where I had formally sat initially, in writing this review to check my facts, I saw a white man now sitting there. A male kid to his right. And then three white women opposite of that. Hope they loved their reservation at the bar in this empty restaurant! Ryan proceeded to take care of me. Take care of the bar. The food continued to be decent. I just don’t know if I’d come here without a reservation. Who knows what kind of service you’d get! Especially if you’re non-white. I loved this place as Bolsa. I will take my tab. Give Ryan a great tip. But I won’t probably be back now as Encina. Since everyone is dying to be here while their tables sit empty, have a field day gambling on your experience.

Place had amazing service. Our waitress was 100% the best thing about the place. Of the food the pierogi was the best. The tartare was very disappointing it was NOT beef tartare but some weird reimagining (pureed deviled egg? Preassembled?) .. don't mess with perfection. Tartare pictured. When it came to entrees the steak frites was not hanger steak as it should be, appeared to be a cheap sirlion. Plus all the entrees came out room temp. Kitchen has serious pacing issues.

I came here based on the good reviews to meet up with an old friend. We came for Saturday Brunch. The restaurant is nice, the staff was nice too. I got a cocktail and it was just okay- nothing that amazing. I didn’t want to order another. I also ordered the Migas with bacon. I ate maybe 20% of it and I do not recommend it. The bacon was limp, it was basically a scrambles egg bowl (like McDonald eggs) with soggy tortillas and a mini potato. It was really gross. I would not recommend this place.

Overall the food and atmosphere are great, service is good too! But it's little things like charging $6 to get a croissant instead of the bread the breakfast sandwich is served on that makes me not want to dine here again. That was ridiculous!

Visited Encina in Dallas to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Overall, the experience was just okay. The food was decent. Some people in our group really enjoyed their dishes, but my sandwich had an off-putting smell and a slight raw meat aftertaste that I didn’t enjoy. The mocktail was very good, though. Service was fine and straightforward. No major issues during the meal itself. The biggest disappointment was the $15 cake cutting fee added to the bill. We brought a birthday cake, which is very normal for celebrations. A staff member asked if we’d like them to cut it, and we said yes. At no point was a fee disclosed. When the check came, there was a $15 charge. When I asked about it, I was told it was for bringing an outside dessert and that it would apply even if we had cut the cake ourselves. I’ve dined at many restaurants, including much higher-end establishments, and have never encountered a surprise charge like this for a birthday cake. The lack of transparency was frustrating and honestly left a bad impression. It put a sour note on what was supposed to be a celebration.

Ordered the Montreal Long Haul (most expensive thing on the brunch menu). The pancakes were amazing, but they serve you McDonald’s style hash browns, scrambled eggs with no seasoning or body, over-cooked over- salted, fried duck leg, and coffee that’s worse than most gas stations… we were very hungry so we ate everything, but definitely not worth $50, after the coffee and mimosa. The atmosphere is wonderful and our waitress was lovely, so we tipped her well, but we didn’t receive any discount for the poor quality food, thus the critical review.

Staff and server were incredibly kind and professional Migas felt like a war crime. Bland as hospital gravy on a Sunday morning. Felt so bad for the dish I had to take it home to give it first aid.

Terribly racist! Waited over 30 minutes for seating (with 8 visibly open tables, I counted) and way too long for mediocre food at best. Dirty dishes were to filthy to drink from (photo). If you are hungry, don't visit this establishment. Horrible parking, slow service and they don't seem to care to improve! Avoid at all costs!!!!

We went to Encino last night to celebrate our birthdays with another couple. When we made the reservation, we told them there 4 out of 4 who all have birthdays in December within 5 days of each other and we always celebrate once a year some place nice. When we got there, the hostess wished us all a happy birthday and we talked about our normal routine every year. Then we get seated, and the waitress also talks to us about our birthdays. At the end of the meal, we received our bill but no mention of a celebratory dessert or anything. As far as the food, the best thing was the beef tartare. The veal cheeks were very tender but not much flavor and the crab dip was uneventful. Our friends ordered the beef stroganoff and spaetzle and it as so-so. It also needed more seasoning. We left feeling a little let down.

We truly enjoy the food here and keep coming back for that reason, but the service has consistently been disappointing. On two occasions, we’ve had the same server (Valerie), and both times her attitude was unprofessional and rude. During our first visit, we asked for hashbrowns and were told it wasn’t possible, which we accepted. However, when a friend visited the following week, they were served exactly what we had requested. On our second visit, we asked again and received the same refusal. When we mentioned our friend’s experience, Valerie became defensive and gave multiple inconsistent explanations. She then asked if we wanted to speak with the manager, Andrea. Unfortunately, the manager approached in a condescending and accusatory manner, showing no interest in offering a solution or even acknowledging our concerns. To make matters worse, we later discovered that our order had never even been placed. Another server, Luis, eventually came by to assist us, and he was professional, attentive, and truly salvaged the experience. The food here is excellent, but the lack of consistency and professionalism in service, particularly from Valerie and Andrea, is very disappointing. We hope management takes this feedback seriously, because the quality of the food deserves much better service.

On Google it says that this place has to go for the brunch menu but that's false. I had to wait inside at the bar and box up my food to go. Encina, fix this!

I can’t give this place a bad enough review. Terrible service and food!!!!!! The manager was a smart mouth as well as our server, this was suppose to be a birthday gathering and this place just put a damper on the experience. NEVER AGAIN will we go to this HORRIBLE PLACE. Our food was given to us cold during this so called brunch. No accommodations were attempted to be made for our party when reservations were made. Totally a drop in communication with this place PEOPLE BEWARE

Made a reservation for 2. Arrives on time and seated promptly. I was highly recommended to try this place, so I was definitely ready to eat. Once it was time to place an order we were informed that many of the items on a limited brunch list was not available. I was beyond irritated. Needless to say I was Very disappointed that there was nothing on the menu that I was willing to eat! We ended up having to go elsewhere. I was hoping to return for dinner, but a restaurant that runs out of food won’t see get a return visit. Wouldn’t recommend

This past Sunday my wife and my two kids decided to have brunch at this place which we love coming to. The food has always been delicious and top notch. However, our server Valerie gave poor service, was no help with any of the menu, sassy and made rude remarks when asked any question about the menu. She refused to place our order, so we got assigned a different server, who was amazing! Shoutout to Luis. Then once we asked to speak to the manager a huge shadow appeared above me out of no where. The manager named Andrea came up to our table only to give us even more attitude and basically told us what we wanted to order could not be made because “she didn’t feel like it.”

I absolutely love this place. My favorite brunch spot in Dallas, incredible menu and unbelievably tasteful food. A weekly recurring customer who has brought many friends to try out their breakfast. I’ve had several poor experiences consecutively with the same server. Valerie was very rude twice now. She doesn’t check on our table for additional orders, nor does she refill our waters or coffee. Very noticeable and frustrating. I’ve seen several friends and other tables order hashbrowns as a standalone side(not because they ordered the Montreal long haul or burger). Valerie “forgot” to put our order in, resulting in a 45 minute additional wait. We then spoke to the manager Andrea, however she completely sided with Valerie and was standoffish to our table. We even noticed the table next to us was frustrated with their service, which ironically was from Valerie. I just want consistency amongst orders for sides such as hashbrowns since it seems like it only acceptable by certain servers… not placing our order is unacceptable as this was clearly Valerie lashing out against our requests. Encina needs to do better

We went for brunch and there was a decent crowd but not too busy for a weekend. We had to ask for a menu after waiting 5 minutes, had to call someone over to order the food, had to call someone over to give us a check, and pick up the check. We were basically waiting the whole time for someone to acknowledge us.