I have been going to Vial Real for 10 years, at least once a month. This restaurant has the greatest ambiance in Dallas. Not to mention the great Tex/Mex and Southwestern flavored food. I think it's th Chipotle-Cream sauce on the seafood enchilada that seduces me time after time. Or maybe, it's the masterful small marguritas that get me. Or maybe it's the staff, ever friendly. No matter...I have been going here for years, and as long as I live nearby, I'll keep going. Great place. read more

Service was real let down. Food was okay. Hopefully if we go back we don't get the same waiter. He acted like we were putting him out.maybe this isn't the occupation for him. read more

I had an early dinner here with a business partner and colleague upon her recommendation. This has to be a place you are familiar with because it is a hide way establishment at the back of shopping center with low visibility. The restaurant is very nice in a dated sort of way. Via Real is a white table cloth establishment in which everything is very clean. The decor just feels dated - but does that work when trying to set a mood for Mexican dining? You can decide for your self. I did not each much, but my friends meal looked great and she really enjoyed it. I just had a soft chicken taco, no surprises with that meal. We sat in one of the sun rooms, but with all of the rain, it wasn't very sunny. The customer service was very good except when I asked for them to light the fire place or turn down the air, the waiter looked at me like I was crazy. I know it is summer, but it was freezing in the restaurant. He said we could move, but it was even colder inside the main dinning area. From the time we left our table to the time we made it to the front door, a down pour fell upon us. We waited for some time for the rain to stop with no avail. When I went to make a run for it, the valet parking attendant offered me his umbrella to take to my car parked around the corner. As I pulled up to pick up my friend, he walked her out with another umbrella. He gets major points for that. Thank you sir! This seems like a nice place to go for a quiet meal. This is not your typical Mexican diner, nor does it have the feel of a Taco Diner or Mi Cocina. I think it is best suited for a more "mature" crowed. Enjoy! read more

Loved the coconut shrimp and the bar tender Edgar was very courteous and hospitable. However. They need to get some MEZCAL read more

A big surprise, because the food was just so good. I had the tenderloin tacos, and they were some of the best I have ever had. Service was really good, and the prices were reasonable for what you were getting. I will say that the margarita was a disappointment. It was huge (28oz) but was way too sweet, made from sweet and sour mix, and very weak. read more

I am new to the area and this was my first time here. I love tex mex and usually enjoy hole on the wall places. I'm a sucker for queso too. Anyways. What is there to say.. OMG. Valet is great and careful. Hostess stand friendly without the fakeness. We were seated right away and the server Diego was just... a awesome. The queso is to die for, feels light but with a kick. I think it has jalapeno pieces. The salsa has a kick too but smooth and fresh. Just delicious.. Food was fabulous. I had shrimp and scallops. Rice was... omg again and the scallops.... omg. All together it's a bit pricy but hey it's a fancy part of town and the quality is so wirth it! The margarita is HUGE. When they say big it's big... see picture. I got bit drunken. I so will be back! read more

This is a rare for me. I have always liked this restaurant because of the wide range of veggie options and phenomenal service so I thought to myself, "maybe my husband and I should try this awesome lunch buffet everyone keeps talking about!." If you can... Make sure you take a small loan from your bank prior to sitting down because at $54 for two people, the food was average, at best. The vegetarian choices on the buffet line were limited and there were no labels on any of the dishes so I had to find someone to ask them what was okay for me to eat. At $25/person, I was expecting to be blown away. Instead I was met with cold, tasteless hashbrowns and eggs, and a salad bar where everything tasted like bacon. It was also FREEZING in this place. Then, I kindly asked a server for veggie options and he said they could make me a veggie enchilada! I was thrilled thinking that I usually love their veggie enchiladas! I was again met with plain, tasteless zucchini and squash rolled up in a corn tortilla and served with tomatillo sauce on top. This is nothing like the awesome enchiladas you guys serve for dinner... What happened? My husband, who is a carnivore, said he wanted to go to IHOP afterward so he could get some "real" and more importantly, HOT breakfast. I won't be returning for a while, either they change the ridiculous price for the cold and tasteless buffet or maybe add some flavor and heat, literally. I gave two stars because our server and the hostess were very sweet. read more

We walked into Via Real without a reservation on a Saturday night, but they managed to find a table for us. We received excellent service throughout our dining experience, from the hostess to the manager to our server, Alvaro. The entire staff is very attentive. We started with chips & queso, which was rich & extra creamy. We ordered both the chicken & beef fajitas. I actually couldn't decide which I preferred. Considering how busy the restaurant was, our food arrived fairly quickly. We asked Alvaro to box up our leftovers so we could enjoy some dessert. This was actually the only part of the meal that fell short. The creme brûlée was not as thick as it should be. And my husband's bread pudding was a confusion of tastes. However, they still receive top marks from me because the desserts were not bad, just mediocre. And because their service was stellar. Be forewarned: this is the sort of place that will make a big deal out of an anniversary. The couple at the table next to us had to have their picture taken for a card. I told my fella to keep our anny under wraps lest I stab him under the table. Personally, I don't like a fuss. Besides, the wonderful service was all the pampering we needed. I will also add that I found the inside of the restaurant to be very inviting. I love the Santa Fe influence. Overall, this entire experience was impressive while still being comfortable, a very pleasant combination. read more

Went here on a date with my husband. Food: Overall, I really enjoyed the food here. I had the enchilada and tamale plate. The enchiladas were very good and I'm not usually a bean fan but there is something addictive in their black beans. However, I was not a huge fan of the tamales, will defiantly not be ordering them next time. My husband had the cilantro chicken, which I stole a bite of and was very jealous of his choice. The salsa was served warm and it was very tasty. Service: The front desk people are very courteous and friendly. My waitress was not the best; she was not very attentive and the restaurant was pretty empty so I'm not sure what she was doing most of the time. Price: This place is pretty pricey for Mexican food. Bottom Line: I would eat here again but probably only for a special occasion. read more

Today was my first time going there. I accompanied my wife and a co-worker for dinner and they said we should try this place out. My first impressions were "wow pretty fancy for a Tex-Mex restaurant".The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. The menu was not your normal Tex-Mex menu either. It had a variety of original foods as well as a hand-full of regular Tex-Mex foods. I had the pan roasted Salmon, It was freaking good. If you get a chance, look them up sometime and you will see what I mean. As an appetizer, we order the guacamole. It was really good and it tasted fresh. It was a little pricey for me, but the food and service were amazing. The only thing I wasn't to impressed with was the salsa for the chips. It didn't taste bad at all, I just think it needs a little bit more of a kick, but that is just my preference. What I missed though was the classic aguas frescas that most restaurants serve and I can tell they don't want to be another average restaurant and I understand that. But this place has veteran chefs and staff I am sure they can come up with an aguas frescas menu. And if they do come up with one I hope Horchata is in it and I am sure it will be delicious. I highly recommend this place for a dinner date with your spouse or a first date. read more

We were in town for a client meeting and the food was delicious!!! Service was a bit slow at our table but we got some drinks in the bar and that was quick. All in all I would definitely recommend and return. read more

We went for the brunch buffet. Ambiance was nice, server was nice, food was blah. For $30 a person, I would not do brunch there again.

I brought my parents and fiance here when they first arrived in Dallas on a Friday evening. First impression was "this is probably not place we want to be, it seems like Asshole Central"...this is due to the fact that, even though the place is in like a small strip mall area, and thus even the furthest-away parking spot is really not far at all, they have a valet service? This means that the 4 closest rows of parking are valet-only, but you can just go over 30 feet and park yourself just fine...which was just annoying. Why do you need valet for that tiny area? It was silly, really. We found a parking place (there were plenty - so again, why valet?), and went in. I had made a reservation 20 minutes earlier when using my iPhone to search for a place with high Yelp ratings, and saw that they had the OpenTable feature available for this restaurant. The reservation was perfect timing for exactly when we arrived, and when another party walked in at the same time as we did, they were told it would be a 45 minute wait, so I was grateful for that on-the-fly reservation. I ordered the Tacos de Res (Tenderloin tips, sautéed with ancho chili sauce and cheddar cheese, rolled in flour tortillas, with Spanish rice and black beans) and added the chili con carne and queso. It was DELICIOUS and absolutely the best Mexican dish I have EVER tasted. Granted, I've only been to a few run-of-the-mill places back home in MS or SC, and then 3 other spots in TX, but still -- this was DELICIOUS. I would definitely order it again! My fiance ordered an enchilada & 2 tamales. He said it was very very good, and he was impressed. Even my parents, who are kind of picky and not fans of anything that's not whitebread "country" or Cajun food (and the Cajun thing is something I had to get them into, growing up in Cajun country and all), were really happy with their meals. I don't remember exactly what they ordered, but I think my mom ordered a taco, an enchilada, and a tamale...and I think my dad got the Chicken Cilantro (Grilled chicken breast, sherry-cilantro cream sauce, Spanish rice and fresh vegetables) if I recall correctly. I got super Brownie points for the meal, since it was their first in the new area and it was so good. I will definitely return again sometime and try some of their other dishes! read more

Above and beyond! I visited Via Real based on a friend's recommendation while I was on business in the area. Wow, what an incredible lunch! The food was super tasty (reminds me of a high-end restaurant in Mexico) and the portions were just right. Our server was top notch too. Get this though - I left my new expensive headphones on the table. I called back a few days later once I realized I left it on the table and they still had it. I told them I was back home and they mailed it back to me. WOW! How often does that happen? They even emailed a tracking number. Thank you for an incredible experience. read more

How this place has such great reviews is beyond me. The best way to describe this place is extraordinarily ordinary. Came here for the first, and likely last, time ever. Here is a breakdown of why this place DOES NOT deserve the rating it has. In Irving to see Mariachi Vargas at the convention center. Decided on some Mexican themed food, or something close to, so came here. I was initially confused as to why this place was playing jazzy elevator music. And not even good songs at that. But we sat anyway hoping for a great meal. A server brought out the chips and salsa which are absolutely store bought and not fresh. We had tacos and enchiladas with rice and beans. The tortillas are not freshly made. The rice tasted like a "Rice-A-Roni" out of the box side. Pretty sure the beans came from a can. As a Hispanic who actually likes Mexican, Southwest and Tex-Mex food, I'm embarrassed that this restaurant is passing their food off as Southwestern Cuisine. Sadly, even the soda was off. Not sure if they just use cans or a bar gun but the soda comes out flat. The service is pretty good. The staff seemed attentive and made the visit bearable. Entire staff was great and would be a reason to go back. But the food is pretty bad. Sadly disappointed. read more

My fiancé came here for dinner and had a fantastic experience. The food was delicious. Our server Bruno was personable and attentive. From the hostess to the manager, Jimmy the service is here phenomenal! read more

Decent Tex-mex at a decent price. Although the food is somewhat plain, there are lots of options. This quaint restaurant is tucked away in a residential area of Irving. It has a high scale decor with table clothes, fountains, and pots all around you. The staff is quite attentive. There are Vegetarian black beans available. A really good cilantro dressing for the salad, and thick black bean soup. Lack luster vegetarian fajitas or rich and creamy spinach enchiladas are there for vegetarians and there are also plenty of fish options if you are a pescatarian like my hubby. Overall I would go back. read more

One of my favorite classy Mexican restaurants! Food is fresh and delicious, and so are the margaritas! Nice place for happy hour or a group dinner! read more

Went here while on a business trip Dallas with a friend and a colleague and had an enjoyable experience. We were seated right away without having a reservation and were waited on immediately. We all ordered a margarita which was refreshing and not too sweet or acidic (both pet peeves of mine). We started off with the ceviche with shrimp and scallops and the queso. The ceviche was plenty for the three of us to split (especially since we'd been munching on chips and salsa). The queso was a bit disappointing - just didn't stand out to me and seemed a little bland. For dinner I ordered the spinach enchiladas which came served with black beans and corn. The enchiladas were delish with a great spinach flavor and the black beans were great. The corn seemed overcooked and looked like it came out of a can...stick with the black beans. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting - definitely a place that made you feel comfortable and also made you want to come back. If you are in this area definitely check it out - even if only for a margarita and some apps! read more

I am fairly new to the area, so I am always game to try out a spot I have never been to. Via Real was such a treat! Our waiter, Diego, was extremely friendly. He answered all our questions, and offered his opinion on what was really good. We ended up getting the specials of the nite. I got sea bass, and my date got the beef tenderloin. My sea bass was soo good - pecan crusted with some kind of pineapple sauce. I had no complaints at all. I tried the beef tenderloin. It was good, but over cooked for me - (but thats how he ordered it). (who orders medium and a half?) We also got dessert. A double chocolate mouse cake. Not too sweet, good chocolate flavor, again - no complaints. I really had a nice time here and cannot wait to go back to try more of their entrees! read more

Services is great but decor is a bit outdated. Food is delicious however not something you couldn't get at several other restaurants. Over all I would be back but wish they had a bit more originality in the food. read more

We were lucky to arrive at Via Real before the droves of eager diners flooded the entrance. I was very impressed when we arrived here, hungry to experience some good ol' Tex Mex. The host was very friendly and accommodating. Our waiter was informative and attentive and the chips and salsa alone make it worth it!! (Those are free and eagerly replenished) We tried the guacamole as well and it was stellar! I had a simple Chicken Monterey, a dish that had rice and goat cheese...sooooo good! We somehow managed to fit dessert in. That entailed a yummy twin chocolate mousse pie (half chocolate, half white chocolate) and a fudge cake with ice cream. Both were divine and decadent. My drink was ok but at first it was way too strong. The waiter was nice enough to have the bartender tone it down. Overall, a fantastic experience due to the congenial staff and the delicious food. I will definitely be back when I'm in town again. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my experience here. Our waiter was funny and helpful in explaining the menu to those of us who had never dined here. The free chips and 4 bowls of salsa (we were a party of 5) that we received was a nice touch and helped to keep our stomachs from growling too loud as we waited for our food to arrive. My meal was fan-freaking-tastic! The waiter let me create my own dish, which was a combination of two menu items. I got one Sea Bass enchilada (topped with lobster white wine cream sauce) and one Tacos de Res (Diced beef tenderloin, cheese, and ancho-chili sauce, rolled in a flour tortilla). Both the taco and enchilada were a late Christmas gift to my taste buds. I HIGHLY recommend trying this combo. I will definitely go back to Via Real next time I'm in Irving. Disclaimer: I didn't take pictures because I was with some big wigs from my job. :-( read more

We have a quarterly dinner at American Airlines to reward members in my department for doing an outstanding job, and tonight it was held at Via Real. I had the Camarones, it was pretty good. Not outstanding. The chocolate mousse was sensational, and the ambience is terrific. The food was very good, yet the worst part of the experience (although "worst" is a harsh word. It's a classy place that makes you feel like a million bucks. Do you want to dine someone and impress them? Take them here. It's not your typical tex mex. read more

Via Real - Coconut Shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Irving, Texas

Good evening Fran, I've eaten at your restaurant for over 20 years. Not once have I had a bad meal-or experience of any kind. I have dined here mainly on business but personal as well and Via Real always delivers a solidly consistent "A" game dining experience. The food and service are impeccable. Your personal warm greetings, simple questions of, how is everything? May I bring you something," are nothing short of memorable. Tonight, a business colleague and I had a quite spot in the corner, when you came by and greeted us. Always a pleasure. The Copper River Salmon was amazing tonight! Thank you and see you soon. G.B. read more

I am fairly new to the area and have been trying out various restaurants near my apartment. When I saw this place I had high hopes. The host staff was extremely friendly and welcoming as soon as I walked in, even pulling my chair back for me. However the waiter was not too attentive. He didn't share any specials nor any recommendations. He also took quite some time to even take my order. The food was good. I opted for the taco/enchilada meal. Shredded beef crispy taco was the highlight of the meal. The chicken enchilada was also very tasty. I can't say I was the biggest fan of the chips and salsa at first but it did grow on me. Overall, the food was good. I was just hoping to be wowed. This wasn't quite a wowwing experience. read more

Its been seven years since I ate here last... Before leaving Dallas, this was my favorite restaurant for entertaining friends and business associates. Last week, I brought two colleagues here and quickly remembered why this was/is my favorite high-end Tex Mex restaurant. First, their margaritas are fantastic and their king-sized (24oz) are down right dangerous... but tasty. Try my favorite: Herradura Silver, on the rocks with no salt!. Their salsa is amazing and has some kick. Someone please explain why I cannot get spicy salsa everywhere. Via Real's is the best I've ever had!!! I highly recommend their pecan crusted seabass and pork tenderloin fajitas. If you're bring kids or just want a snack try their quesadillas. If you live in/around Dallas, make a trip here. If you're attending the Byron Nelson, this is the place to go afterwards for food (especially since its next door). read more

Listen... Love that they are keeping this place at an upper scale. We have too many quick grab places and I feel the whole sit down with nice cloth table etc is becoming lost. So I applaud that immensely. The staff was trained well and lovely. I do like waiters that put a lit into what they do because I appreciate what they do and enjoy tipping well. My issue is the food itself. Well, and the prices for that food. Prices were crazy for what it was. The fish I tried wasn't as near as fresh as it should be. Second time here in 2 decades and I think the above is truly why. But I will tell you one thing! They have really good fresh squeezed lime margaritas that are amazing! I'd go just to sit in the bar lol read more

Very nice atmosphere. I would consider this an upscale tex-mex restaurant with a variety of options to choose from. I had the beef fajitas that were pretty good. The portions are very large. I did feel like the fajitas were overloaded with onions and peppers though. For some reason I judge a tex-mex restaurant by its chips and salsa... The chips and salsa were on point! read more

Arrived without a reservation and even though they seated me promptly. Margarita was very good. Shared the flautas appetizer, which was very good. Also had the tacos de res each with a different filling. Each had a distinct and flavorful filling. Service was efficient making sure we had everything we wanted. It was busy and a bit noisy so a romantic quiet dinner was not possible, but the quality of food/service was memorable. read more

I have been go here for years upon years. It is a Las Colinas staple right across from the Four Seasons. The food and service is excellent! Great for any occasion, as I consider it upscale. I like the fresh ceviche and margaritas! They also have complimentary valet. read more

On a weekend getaway my husband stopped in for Easter brunch buffet. Very nice atmosphere and the staff was extremely friendly and attentive. The Easter brunch selection is a little more extravagant than their regular brunch buffet, but everything was absolutely delicious. The prime rib was perfect. Lots of choices on the buffet. Will definitely return. read more

Absolutely wonderful food. For some reason, I forgot how much experience with excellent service and unbelievable food quality they have here. I will be back once a month read more

I have to disagree with some of the reviews posted here, as I found dining at Via Real to be a great experience. First impressions were the nice decor and prompt/friendly service. The restaurant was very busy, but we were seated without a wait. I had a margarita, which not overly sweet and had the tequila "bite" that I personally like, while my wife had a glass of house Cabernet (Sterling Cab, so that scores points for me as well). The food was excellent, but what I think distinguishes it from other restaurants is that it's not a Tex-Mex "salt bomb". Some might call the food bland or mediocre, but I really enjoyed food that didn't remind me of a salt lick, allowing the other ingredients to speak for themselves, even in the tortilla chips and Mexican rice, which in my experience at other restaurants are usually very salty. We both had the squash enchiladas, which I highly recommend, but no dessert. Our waiter was always close and prompt to serve, but not annoyingly so; that's a big plus for me. The experience at Via Real for us was fantastic and this restaurant has made my short list of go to places. read more

We ordered the shrimp fajitas which were amazing; the onions were perfectly caramelized. My friend ordered the Sea Bass enchiladas and it was ok; the tortilla was the worst part due to the fact that it was extremely greasy and thick with a horrible after taste. My friends son ordered the chicken enchiladas in which was the same thing with the tortilla. The beans were ok as well as the rice. The cilantro chicken on the other hand was amazing everything was cooked to perfection and the taste was savory. read more

The restaurant is a must for any fine diner in Irving. The Chilean Sea Bass was excellent with a warm glaze and roasted nites. The Maratha Rita's were very flavorful and fresh and our server was extremely friendly read more

I was not impressed with the food or the service at Via Real. The food is WAY overpriced and extremely bland. When I went, they were very busy but I did notice that the clientele was generally older or retirees. This is not a place I will visit again. read more

Amazing brunch. Great deal with bottomless mimosas. The food was spot on, the price was amazing, and the drinks refilled themselves. Far better than anything though was our main man Ed. If you go request him. He'll make your Sunday. read more

Quite the range of experiences by my fellow Yelpers! I enjoyed a business dinner here last night, and I will definitely return. I had one of the off the menu regular specials, the smoked filet with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The filet arrived at the table in flames (it's supposed to) with an almost overwhelming aroma of mesquite. The asparagus was delicious as well. I thought the chips were a bit under-salted, (easily fixed), and the accompanying salsa was especially good. The mui grande margarita, served in a huge martinie glass, was one of the best I've had in a long time. My only complaint - once the food arrived I had to work to get my server's attention to order a Cabernet to go with my steak. Steak just isn't steak without a great red wine to accompany it. I ordered the "house cabernet" without looking at the wine list, and the wine the brought was more than acceptable. Since I was a guest, I have no idea what the meal cost. But given the atmosphere and the general quality of service, I will return. read more

I went to Via Real with Heather L a few months ago and it was fantastic. I love fancy Mexican jernts and this definitely was one of them. Lots of seafood, good wine list, strong 'ritas. What's not to love!? Being in the Las Colinas, I can say it does sort of cater to the "OWF" crowd, and they were out in force early (I held the door open for four people with walkers and I went in). But as the night went on, there were more younger people who were on romantical looking dates. The setting is nice, the lighting is perfect, the food is tasty, the service was attentive and unobtrusive, the fireplace is cozy, the drinks are strong... Hrmph. Now I want to go on a romantical date to Via Real. Just sayin'. read more