Desi Things to Do in Mesquite (September 2026)

TL;DR

• Mesquite, Texas, east of Dallas, has a small but real South Asian dining and grocery scene worth knowing
• Oh My Curry (E Davis St) is a family-run Indian restaurant known for large portions and freshly prepared dishes
• The Curry Leaf brings Kerala-style South Indian cooking — dosas, biryanis, coconut-forward gravies — to the city
• ALBA Import Foods & Catering LLC and Star International Foods anchor the Indian grocery side
• September is comfortable for exploring, slightly cooler than summer and ahead of Diwali's festival rush 🌙

Mesquite: Dallas County's Desi Underdog

Mesquite sits in Dallas County, just east of the Dallas city limits. It is the kind of city that tends to get overlooked in favor of its better-known DFW-area neighbors — Irving, Richardson, Carrollton — but that is slowly changing. As the broader North Texas South Asian community has grown (Texas now has the second-largest Indian-American population in the country), suburban cities like Mesquite have seen their desi dining and grocery scenes quietly develop. The concentration here is lighter than in the established Indian-American corridors to the north and west, but the basics are covered and they are getting stronger.

September in Mesquite means a step down from brutal summer heat — still warm, but manageable. It is also the final stretch before Navratri and Diwali, which means community event announcements and festive menus begin appearing at South Asian restaurants in the DFW area. This is a good month to explore without fighting festival-season crowds.

Indian Dining in Mesquite

Oh My Curry (909 E Davis St, Suite A) is the most visible Indian restaurant in Mesquite proper. Family-run and known for cooking dishes to order, it is the kind of place where the food arrives in portions that justify a slight wait. The chicken biryani and chicken tikka fries are the most frequently recommended items across aggregator listings, and ratings hover in the high 4s on delivery platforms. It handles takeout and delivery alongside dine-in service, making it a practical weeknight pickup option as well as a sit-down destination. Reviewers describe it as a casual, welcoming spot where the food is freshly prepared rather than held in steam trays.

The Curry Leaf in Mesquite focuses on Kerala-style South Indian cooking — the kind of food that leans on coconut milk, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and dried red chilies rather than the cream-heavy North Indian gravies that dominate many American Indian menus. Dosas, Kerala-style biryanis, and regional South Indian specialties anchor the menu, with both South and North Indian options available for groups with mixed preferences. It is a quieter neighborhood find, more appreciated by South Indian diners who do not want to drive all the way to Irving or Carrollton for a proper Kerala meal. If you have been craving fish moilee or a properly spiced vegetable stew, this is your closest option on the east side of Dallas County.

Groceries and Pantry Essentials

ALBA Import Foods & Catering LLC (1830 Range Dr) is an Indian grocery store in Mesquite that also handles catering. For a city this size, having a dedicated South Asian grocery is a genuine convenience — expect imported ingredients, lentils, spice mixes, pickles, and prepared foods. Its hours run Thursday through Saturday, so plan your grocery run accordingly and do not show up on a Sunday expecting the doors to be open.

Star International Foods is another Indian grocer in Mesquite with a broad inventory: dals, spices, rice varieties, flours, canned and pickled items, frozen Indian dishes, and Indian sweets. Having two distinct Indian grocery options in a single city the size of Mesquite speaks to a community large enough to sustain the demand. The two stores tend to carry slightly different brands and regional products, so if one is out of your preferred atta or pickle, the other is worth checking.

For anything beyond what these two carry — particularly fresh produce, specific regional brands, or a wide selection of Indian beauty and household products — the broader DFW Indian grocery belt, with major stores in Irving, Carrollton, and Richardson, is a thirty-to-forty-minute drive west.

Community and Cultural Events in September 🌙

Mesquite's South Asian community is part of the larger DFW desi network. September is typically when Navratri planning ramps up and event organizers begin announcing Garba and Dandiya Raas nights across the Metroplex. Watch for announcements through local WhatsApp groups, Hindu temple websites in the DFW area, and South Asian community Facebook pages.

The restaurant community in Mesquite also tends to put out special menus and festive desserts ahead of Navratri — stop by Oh My Curry or The Curry Leaf in late September to see what seasonal specials are coming. It is worth noting that the broader DFW area has a major Dussehra celebration on October 20, 2026, anchored by Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas in Allen. For Mesquite residents who want to attend a public Ravan Dahan event, Allen is a reasonable drive west on I-30 or US-80.

Insider Tip 🛒: ALBA Import Foods & Catering does not keep standard seven-day hours — it is closed on some days of the week. Call ahead before making a dedicated grocery trip, especially if you are planning a large Navratri-prep shop. Star International Foods is worth checking if ALBA does not have your specific items in stock.

FAQ

Q: Are there halal Indian food options in Mesquite? A: Oh My Curry has been listed on delivery platforms as serving halal-prepared dishes. Confirm directly with the restaurant before ordering if halal certification is important to you.

Q: Is there a South Asian grocery in Mesquite itself, or do I need to drive to Irving? A: Mesquite has two Indian grocers — ALBA Import Foods & Catering LLC and Star International Foods — that cover everyday staples. For a wider range of regional brands and fresh Indian produce, the Irving and Carrollton Indian grocery corridor is the closest major hub.

Q: What is the best way to find South Asian community events in September? A: Look for announcements from DFW-area Hindu temples, South Asian community groups on Facebook and Nextdoor, and the broader North Texas desi event network. Many Navratri Garba events require advance registration, so check early.

Q: Is Mesquite a good destination for South Indian food specifically? A: Yes. The Curry Leaf specializes in Kerala-style South Indian cuisine, which is relatively rare in the eastern Dallas suburbs. It is a solid option if you are looking for dosas, Kerala fish curry, or non-cream-based gravies.

Q: When is the best time to visit Indian restaurants in Mesquite? A: September is comfortable and less crowded than the October-November Diwali season. Weekend lunch hours at Oh My Curry tend to offer the best variety.

Bottom Line

Mesquite may not be the DFW area's most famous stop for South Asian food, but it offers more than its size might suggest: Oh My Curry and The Curry Leaf handle the dining side, while ALBA Import Foods & Catering LLC and Star International Foods anchor the grocery needs. September is a relaxed time to explore, eat well, and get your bearings before the festival season shifts into high gear. 🎉