Formerly Chido Taco Lounge, Casa Alma blends elevated cuisine, standout cocktails, and design-forward interiors to deliver a dining experience worth savoring.
By Ashli Urano
Casa Alma Restaurante Mexicano, formerly known as Chido Taco Lounge, now offers a more sophisticated take on Mexican cuisine. Located at 6959 Lebanon Rd. in Frisco, the restaurant’s rebranding reflects owner Blaine McGowan's vision. With the help of Coeval Studio, specializing in retail and hospitality design, the space has undergone a complete transformation.
Casa Alma now features an elegant yet warm atmosphere with light colors and earth tones. A stunning white marble bar top brightens the space, complemented by comfortable brown leather bar stools with diamond stitching. Behind the bar, illuminated shelves display an impressive collection of spirits, with small plants adding touches of greenery.
Pendant lights can be seen hanging at varying heights throughout the dining areas. The restaurant transitions between intimate dining sections and more open areas near large arched windows. Polished concrete floors contrast nicely with the two-tone walls, while white panels on the bar front catch light in a captivating way.
In the dining area, stylish black metal chairs surround tables with crisp white tablecloths. Each table features textured glassware and small vases of greenery – subtle touches that bring life to the space. The walls display framed photography and an eye-catching art installation, while wood shelves hold a collection of ceramics and potted plants.
As promised to customers before the renovation and rebranding, Executive Chef Francisco Guerrero has preserved popular dishes from the original Chído menu, including their celebrated burger. The updated menu introduces several noteworthy additions such as Dorado Tacos, Glazed Salmon in ancho butter, and the sous vide Pork Chop.
Casa Alma's menu features a variety of fresh starters, including Avocado Ceviche with a citrus garlic vinaigrette and Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. Their Para Empezar section offers shareable dishes like Bean Dip, Queso, and Nachos.
Beyond the signature Fajitas, Casa Alma's menu includes several salad options, including their La Chida Taco Salad with seasoned ground beef, Charred Caesar Salad with roasted corn, and the Alma Salad featuring grilled chicken and smoked bacon.
They also offer a Rice Bowl with green rice and grilled chicken, and Birria Ramen that combines braised beef with ramen noodles in a consommé. Main plates feature the Chido Burger with bacon chili jam, Enchiladas Verde in a sour cream sauce, and Roasted Chicken in a sweet chipotle glaze.
My friend, Ashley, recently returned from an extended winter trip to Colorado, so we decided to celebrate with lunch at Casa Alma. This reunion was definitely worthy of special occasion dining. Our plan was ambitious – eat, drink, laugh, catch up on life, and leave with several to-go boxes. Justifying our over-the-top food order was easy since it technically provided two meals – lunch at the moment and dinner later that evening.
After being seated, our server, Teri, described Casa Alma’s signature margaritas. On her recommendation, I tried the Mangonada. The drink’s presentation immediately grabbed my attention. Its frozen margarita base was swirled with mango purée and chamoy delivered a bold, spicy kick. The edible tamarind candy straw also added a playful touch. Ashley chose the Alma Frozen Margarita, a classic house option made with El Tequileño Blanco, agave, and fresh lime juice. Garnished with an orange slice, its frozen, slushy texture was refreshing and fun.
To start our meal, we ordered Guacamole and a side of Esquites. Thick chunks of avocado were topped with cotija cheese and pepitas, with broken pieces of chicharrones on the side. I had never used chicharrones to scoop guacamole before, but the salt and crunch added an unexpected layer to each bite. The Esquites embodied everything I love about Mexican street food. Sweet roasted corn, lightly coated in Valentina aioli, brought just enough heat. We started placing spoonfuls onto the chicharrones and guacamole, while the cotija began to soften against the warm corn.
The tuna tostada was a dish that surprised us. Built on a crisp tortilla, slices of ahi tuna were tossed with soy and lime juice. The tuna was topped with a slice of avocado, and salsa matcha crema added subtle smoke and mild heat. Sometimes the simplest presentations deliver the most impressive flavors.
We slowed things down with a shared cup of Pozole Verde. Shredded chicken and hominy floated in a tomatillo and green chile broth, brightened by diced onion and fresh cilantro. It was cozy and comforting against the bold flavors that came before.
With our first margaritas finished, we took a second look at the cocktail menu. The Spicy Mango immediately caught my eye. Serrano-infused Suerte Blanco tequila, mixed with sweet mango purée, moved between heat and sweetness. Ashley chose La Costa, which, to our surprise, arrived on fire (literally). Built with Raicilla tequila and Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, the cocktail layered jalapeño, agave, and hibiscus for a sip that kept evolving.
When Teri delivered the Fajitas, the platter was still sizzling as it hit the table, releasing a cloud of steam. Both the steak and chicken were perfectly grilled - juicy inside with caramelized edges. The accompanying sides were equally impressive. We spooned the beans and green rice over warm flour tortillas, then added every topping in sight - guacamole, pico de gallo, cheddar, and crema.
The Pork Chop was a thick Duroc cut, cooked sous vide and finished on the grill. It was glazed in a reduced ancho-bourbon sauce that gave it a sweet, smoky crust, with additional sauce spooned over the top after plating. The batatas bravas (roasted sweet potatoes) were crispy on the outside and soft inside, dusted with paprika. Roasted brussels sprouts finished the dish, charred at the edges and tender throughout.
We couldn’t leave without trying Casa Alma’s taco special - five tacos for $35. The Sweet Potato Taco surprised us, transforming a vegetarian option into something genuinely exciting. A drizzle of salsa matcha crema was finished with arugula and a squeeze of lime. The Carne Asada Taco featured grilled skirt steak with a deep beef flavor. The meat was topped with sautéed onions and fresh avocado.
The Quesabirria Taco’s tender, slow-braised beef was topped with cheese, onion, and cilantro, with a side of rich consommé for dipping. It was the Dorado Taco that nearly stopped our conversation entirely. "Dorado," meaning "golden" in Spanish, perfectly describes the crispy, fried corn tortilla shell. It held a mix of chicharrones and potatoes, topped with salsa verde. The Baja Fish Taco rounded out our selection, featuring beer-battered cod. The flaky, mild fish was topped with fresh slaw, pico de gallo, and ranch dressing.
Even though we were completely satisfied, dessert was a must. The Churros arrived warm, coated in cinnamon sugar, and served with a rich chocolate dipping sauce. Their airy interiors contrasted beautifully with the crisp exteriors, and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream offered the perfect cool, creamy finish.
The Tres Leches Bread Pudding was a fusion of two classic desserts done right. Served warm, with vanilla bean ice cream melting into its soft layers, it managed to be rich and decadent without becoming too heavy. Despite being soaked in a three-milk mixture, the pudding held its form beautifully. Caramel added just enough sweetness without overwhelming the other flavors.
Throughout our meal, the service was attentive without being intrusive. Teri provided excellent recommendations and truly took care of us from start to finish. The manager, who could have easily graced the cover of GQ magazine, moved throughout the dining room with purpose. He stopped by at all the right times, answering questions with an impressive knowledge of cocktail and dish ingredients, as if the menu were part of his DNA.
As we boxed up our leftovers and headed out, Ashley and I were already planning our next visit, discussing what we'd order next time. Casa Alma got it right – great food, creative drinks, and a space that feels special. In a city with no shortage of Mexican restaurants, Casa Alma has definitely found its own voice.
Casa Alma doesn’t just look different – it feels different. The new space is inviting, the service is sharp, and the menu delivers across the board. It’s the kind of spot that makes a casual lunch feel like a little celebration, and one you’ll probably be thinking about long after the last bite.
To make a reservation or check restaurant hours, visit Casa Alma’s website at casaalmatx.com. Happy Hour specials run Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m., with all-day specials on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Ashli Urano is a freelance writer obsessed with competitive tennis and true crime.
