To prepare for this fall's Best of Dallas® 2012 issue, we're counting down (in no particular order) our 100 Favorite Dishes. If there's a dish you think we need to try, leave it in the comments, or email me.
For a little while I tried to figure out whose pork chop was better. Jason Maddy's presentation at Oak was so over-the-top it generated imagery for half my review. That chop was paired with greens braised with ham hocks, a corn puree, tart peaches and pickled rhubarb. Acme's chop sits simply on a bed of cream peas hopped up with so much smoky ham it's almost jarring.
The peas have bite, and the morels, while out of season, lend some depth to the plate. The star, though is the chop itself, left on the bone and cooked a perfect medium. A fat cap wrapped around the chop lends flavor and helps keep the meat moist. I gnawed on the bone when I couldn't get at any more flesh with a knife and fork.
Picking a favorite is impossible because the chops are so different. If you want an over-the-top fancy preparation, Oak's got your swine. If you want something a little more simply elevated, though, this is the chop for you.
Hungry for more? Check back every morning for another dish, and download our Best Of App for Android and iPhone for more picks on the go.
No. 100: The Cleaver and Block Burger at NHS Tavern
No. 99: The Bone Marrow at the Meddlesome Moth
No. 98: Arepas at Zaguan Latin Cafe
No. 97: Jalapeno Poppers at City Tavern
No. 96: Elotes: Everywhere
No. 95: Dan-Dan Noodles at Royal China
No. 94: Smoked Ham Mac and Cheese at The Porch
No. 93: Chicken and Waffles at Jonathon's Oak Cliff
No. 92: Regina Margherita At Cane Rosso
No. 91: Devils On Horseback At The Chesterfield
No. 90: Ginger Soy Baby Back Ribs at Tei Tei Robata
No. 89: Croissants From Rush Patisserie
No. 88: The Reuben At The Cock & Bull
No. 87: The Brisket at Pecan Lodge
No. 86: The Roast Chicken At Bolsa
No. 85: Chicken-Fried Egg at Union Bear
No. 84: Brisket Tacos At Manny's
No. 83: The Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes at Smoke
No. 82: The Oxtail Ragout at Central 214
No. 81: The Italian Beef At Jimmy's
No. 80: Pulled Whole Hog BBQ Eggs Benedict at Smoke
No. 79: Veal Cheeks At Bijoux
No. 78: Sweet Shrimp At Yutaka
No. 77: Pho At Lemongrass
No. 76: Shanghai Buns at Jeng Chi Dumpling House
No. 75: Pepper Bomb At Goodfriend
No. 74:Veracruz Cafe's Sopa de Atlahua
No. 73: Fish and Chips at the Londoner
No. 72: Italian Combo At Carbone's
No. 71: Breakfast Schnitzel At Crossroads Diner
No. 70: Berkshire Pork Belly Buns at Howard Wang's Uptown
No. 69: Bolognese At Princi Italia
No. 68: Cabrito a la Parrilla at El Ranchito
No. 67: Kimchee French Fries At sSahm Food Truck
No. 66: Just About Any Burger At Off Site Kitchen
No. 65: St. Pete's Chili Dog
No. 64: Mesa's Enmoladas
No. 63: Pork and Octopus at Oak
No. 62: Spicy Crispy Wings At Malai
No. 61: Spicy Fish Soup At Korea House
No. 60: Deviled Eggs At R&D Kitchen
No. 59: Falafel At Fadia Bakery
No. 58: Bistec Con Queso At El Tizoncito
No. 57: The Burger At Local
No. 56: Patty Melt At NHS
No. 55: Guisado Verde Tacos At La Nueva Fresh And Hot
No. 54: CFS At All Good Cafe
No. 53: Ramen At Tei-An
No. 52: Fried Chicken At Sissy's
No. 51: Sampler Plate With Samoon at Judi Bakery
No. 50: Dolmas At Pera Turkish Kitchen
No. 49: The Sloppy Taco At Off Site Kitchen
No. 48: The Fried Bologna Sandwich At Maple And Motor
No. 47: Sour Cream Enchiladas At Mia's
No. 46: Pork Banh Mi At Nammi
No. 45: White Clam Pizza At Nonna
No. 44: Banh Mi From Nammi
No. 43: Pastor Tacos At La Banqueta
No. 42: The Brunch Burger At The Grape
No. 41: The Scotch Egg At Central 214
No. 40: The Nooner At Jonathon's Oak Cliff
No. 39: The Large Tabouleh at Ali Baba
No. 38: The Chile Relleno At Avila's
No. 37: The Brussels Sprouts Fritters At Snack
No. 36: Loukoumathes At Greek Fest
No. 35: Coffee and Doughnuts At Rosemont
No. 34: DIY Fried Chicken Taco at Pollo Campero
No. 33: International Bakery Cuban Dulceria's Cubano
4900 McKinney Ave., Dallas, TXCategory: Restaurant
To prepare for this fall's Best of Dallas® 2012 issue, we're counting down (in no particular order) our 100 Favorite Dishes. If there's a dish you think we need to try, leave it in the comments, or 
To prepare for this fall's Best of Dallas® 2012 issue, we're counting down (in no particular order) our 100 Favorite Dishes. If there's a dish you think we need to try, leave it in the comments, or email me.