39 replies to this topic

[jende]

I'm going to Dallas for business soon, and after all the business bs is taken care of my husband will join me there for some weekend fun. Can someone recommend a couple delicious, funky/laid-back, local-flavors kind of restaurants? High-end/stuffy isn't our scene, but we do appreciate very good food and wine, and don't mind paying for it.

We're staying at the Belmont Hotel, if that helps, and we will have a car (but prefer to be able to cab or stumble back to our hotel). Thanks!

[Kevin72]

Looks like you'll be very close to Lola. As you can see there's some unevenness to it but there's also some good food and brilliance here and there.

There's also York Street. A bit more reliable, but further up the road from you, maybe 10-15 minutes.

Then there's Dragonfly which, after a bumpy start, has settled into a fun groove of food and interesting menu items. It's kind of a scene, though. Fun people-watching (and people making-fun-of).

If you're up for a drive to Ft. Worth, there's Lanny's.

[JennyUptown]

Hi there - another first time Dallas visitor, but different part of town. I'm staying by the Galleria. What would you recommend as I'm trying to avoid chains or other uninspired stuff. No sushi, no Thai. Mexican would be great, but other than the aforementioned qualifiers, I'm open.

[Richard Kilgore]

Hi Jenny - it might help if you could tell us a little more about your preferences, including price range, whether you will have a car and how much time you have to get to a restaurant. Wide open spaces and all that, but some places near the Galleria.

[jsmeeker]

tasty and laid back? Go get some brisket tacos at Mia's

[planojim]

At the Galleria is Oceanaire Seafood. Somewhat expensive, but good.

Near the Galleria is Snuffers for a burger and great cheese fries.

Nates for good cajun seafood, although I don't think crawfish are in season anymore :(

Blue Mesa serves some real good Southwestern/tex mex kind of food.

Gloria's serves good El Salvadoran food.

Sambuca is a good jazz place (for people that like that) that serves decent food.

If you're into beer, there is a Flying Saucer nearby as well. LOTS of microbrews on tap.

[jsmeeker]

Hi there - another first time Dallas visitor, but different part of town.  I'm staying by the Galleria.  What would you recommend as I'm trying to avoid chains or other uninspired stuff.  No sushi, no Thai.  Mexican would be great, but other than the aforementioned qualifiers, I'm open.

Flying Fish in Addison. Very popular. Lots of outdoor seating.

[Chris Amirault]

Bumping this up in anticipation of a trip to Dallas in early November. I'm eager to try places that a conventioneer can reach without a car (I'll take public transit if need be and it exists) and that typify Dallas food for a New Englander: Tex-Mex, brisket, links, whatever you think. Low- to midrange prices -- and I'll eat anything. Thanks.

[jsmeeker]

Bumping this up in anticipation of a trip to Dallas in early November. I'm eager to try places that a conventioneer can reach without a car (I'll take public transit if need be and it exists) and that typify Dallas food for a New Englander: Tex-Mex, brisket, links, whatever you think. Low- to midrange prices -- and I'll eat anything. Thanks.

Without a car? HA!! Good luck..


Seriously, though.. What part of town will you be in? You say you are a coventioneer. Does that mean the big convention center in downtown?

[Chris Amirault]

Yup: Dallas Convention Center located at 650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, Texas 75202.

[Richard Kilgore]

No car, no food, Chris. Public transportation is limiting unless you consider a taxi to be public. But we will not let you starve.

My take on this is that there are better than good, but not great places for Texas barbecue here, and many sub-good ones. The closest to down town probably is in the SMU area. My suggestion would be to focus on Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex and Mexican, as well as some from other Central and South American cuisines. We have a lot of that and a lot that is excellent in the low to mid-price range...as well as a few in the upper. Mexican, Salvadoran, Columbian, Peruvian, Venezuelan.

How many days, what days of the week, and how many meals away from the hotel? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?

[Chris Amirault]

Took a while to clarify -- sorry for the delay!

I think that I'll be taking my teachers out to dinner on Wednesday night. I'd love to have a Tex, Mex, or any combination place relatively nearby. (Lots of Central American places in RI, but most Mexican is crap and there's no Tex nothing nohow.) We'd be no more than four people and probably flexible in terms of time. Near public transportation (or the convention center itself) would be ideal.

[nocturnalsunshine]

I havent been to this site in a WHILE but

I will say for Mexican Place I cant reccomend this one enough
Urban Taco

Urban Taco
5331 E Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206
Phone: 214-823-4723


It is next to the Mockingbird Train station and DART takes you right to it.

Tacos are more expensive than Taco bell, but are 110% worth it.

Meat is flavored all the way through and super delicious. The head chef knows his stuff and makes a simple plate of three tacos a tour of taste through the streets of Mexico.

And freshly made Churros cannot be beat.

The location is great and lots of shops and people watching make it fantastic too.

[Chris Amirault]

Anyone else want to weigh in on Urban Tacos? It's on the DART and thus easy access from our hotel. Do they take reservations on weeknights?

[jsmeeker]

Anyone else want to weigh in on Urban Tacos? It's on the DART and thus easy access from our hotel. Do they take reservations on weeknights?

I haven't been there. I wonder if it's a newish place? I used to go to Mockingbird Station regularly to get my haircut.. But my stylist moved to a different location, so I don't make it there anymore..


I guess you could call and ask to see if they take resos.

[Richard Kilgore]

Here's a Bill Addison review of Urban Taco from August of 2007.

Mr. Addison enjoyed most of the offerings, liked the hippster environment and the prices, but found the fast-casual service pushy. It's been over a year, so YMMV.

From the review:

"Fernando Huerta, formerly a sous-chef at Stephan Pyles, craftily specializes in several proteins (and one astute vegetable combination) that could be insinuated into several styles of dishes: chicken tinga, barbacoa, red snapper and a trio of poblano, potato and zucchini. The Dos Equis amber pot roast barbacoa leads the horde. A coffee-and-cream-colored snarl of ragged beef interwoven with equal notes of sweet and pleasant bitterness from its beer braise, it melds equally well tucked into a masa empanada, splayed in a tuft over a corn tortilla or spread between crusty telera bread in a warm torta."

[Chris Amirault]

Went to Urban Taco tonight and had some very good to excellent food.

We started with good chips, excellent, simple guacamole and a quartet of salsas; the tomatillo serrano verde and habañero/roasted peanut sauces were both outstanding. We all stuck to the taco trios for dinner, and I went for the basics. I thought that the carnitas taco was a bit too sweet, but it, like all the other meats, was perfectly cooked and very moist. The pastor and barbacoa were both excellent, tucked into swell fresh tortillas (Maseca harina, I think) with minimal additional fanfare. That's how I'd want it: the chef is letting the quality meat shine without too much distracting adornment.

Sides were fine, unremarkable. The beans were pureed, which was a bit odd, though they were tasty. the The drinks, sadly, were mediocre: fresh ingredients but poorly balanced and, for the most part, far too sweet. I had to ask for an extra shot in my Paloma Cocktail.

The service was impeccable, particularly for such an informal setting.

If I lived in Dallas, I'd eat here regularly.

[Chris Amirault]

Had to do some errands during the day and found myself back at Urban Taco for lunch. I've just polished off one shrimp arbol and one chicken mole taco, both great though the mole was a standout. I also had to get more of those peanut habanero and tomatillo serrano salsas, so I got chips (and the pepito "pesto," very good but not in the league of the others) to eat with those.

This place is great.

[jsmeeker]

while out and about, spending more money because of other topics here in eGullet forums, I swung by Urban Taco for a mid-afternoon snack.

Man.. You were right, Chris. This is some really good stuff. I had a cup (really, a decent sized bowl) of the tortilla soup. It had pazole in it, too. Never had tortilla soup with that before, but it was good. Very flavorful soup.

I also ordered two tacos. I wasn't super hungry and will be going out to dinner at 7:00 with friends, so I didn't want to load up. Ordered the barbacoa and the al pastor. The barbacoa was excellent. The al partor was very good as well. All the toppings were spot on. tasty. nicely diced. Nothing gringo at all about these tacos. No cheese. no lettuce. It's like tacos should be. The tortillas were good, too. The menu claimed they were made from fresh masa. I don't have much experience comparing tortillas side by side, but these were pretty damn good.

Everything washed down with a glass of Dos Equis.

Clearly, there are people in the kitchen that know what they are doing. I will certainly be returning. Next time, I will check out their tortas.

[bmdaniel]

while out and about, spending more money because of other topics here in eGullet forums, I swung by Urban Taco for a mid-afternoon snack.

Man.. You were right, Chris. This is some really good stuff.  I had a cup (really, a decent sized bowl) of the tortilla soup.  It had pazole in it, too.  Never had tortilla soup with that before, but it was good. Very flavorful soup.

I also ordered two tacos. I wasn't super hungry and will be going out to dinner at 7:00 with friends, so I didn't want to load up.  Ordered the barbacoa and the al pastor.  The barbacoa was excellent.  The al partor was very good as well. All the toppings were spot on.  tasty.  nicely diced.  Nothing gringo at all about these tacos. No cheese. no lettuce.  It's like tacos should be.    The tortillas were good, too. The menu claimed they were made from fresh masa.  I don't have much experience comparing tortillas side by side, but these were pretty damn good.

Everything washed down with a glass of Dos Equis.

Clearly, there are people in the kitchen that know what they are doing.  I will certainly be returning.  Next time,  I will check out their tortas.

I went by last Thursday and was equally impressed (tried the barbacoa, al pastor, and mole tacos). I think I'm gonna swing by again tonight.

[Chris Hennes]

I'll be back in Dallas (well, Grapevine...) at the end of May. I've got rez at The Mansion at Turtle Creek one night, which will consume the bulk of that week's dining budget. I ate at Mia's last time I was in town and it was great, but I am also looking for some more different inexpensive places to check out. Any genre is fine. Suggestions?

[joiei]

I'll be back in Dallas (well, Grapevine...) at the end of May. I've got rez at The Mansion at Turtle Creek one night, which will consume the bulk of that week's dining budget. I ate at Mia's last time I was in town and it was great, but I am also looking for some more different inexpensive places to check out. Any genre is fine. Suggestions?

Go to W Jefferson in Oak Cliff section of Dallas and try La Palapa Veracruzana. Very good Vera Cruz style seafood. If your into Mexican that would be a perfect place for a taco crawl. Also, the Bishop arts district is very close by with several interesting restaurants.

[Kevin72]

Not to rain on the Mansion or anything Chris, but it is currently between exec chefs: Tesar left and moved to NY. So you may want to consider other places that aren't in transition right now. Stephan Pyles would be top of my list. Or Lola, still. Lots to like about York St. Since you're in Grapevine though and just as close to Ft. Worth you may also consider Lanny's.

[Richard Kilgore]

Not to rain on the Mansion or anything Chris, but it is currently between exec chefs: Tesar left and moved to NY. So you may want to consider other places that aren't in transition right now.  Stephan Pyles would be top of my list.  Or Lola, still.  Lots to like about York St.  Since you're in Grapevine though and just as close to Ft. Worth you may also consider Lanny's.

I agree. And all fine suggestions.

[Richard Kilgore]

I'll be back in Dallas (well, Grapevine...) at the end of May. I've got rez at The Mansion at Turtle Creek one night, which will consume the bulk of that week's dining budget. I ate at Mia's last time I was in town and it was great, but I am also looking for some more different inexpensive places to check out. Any genre is fine. Suggestions?

Chris - I think we may be of more help if you can clarify a few points. How many meals will you be on your own for dinner? Any at lunch? You are about equidistant from Dallas and Ft. Worth - any preference due to other activities, such as sports, museums, concerts? Rough price range - under $10? Under $25, $50? Barbeque? Asian/SE Asian? Mexican? Southern US? Excellent pizza? Tapas? Italian? Mediteranean?

BTW, Grapevine is full of wineries and wine bars. And Main Street Bakery is worth a visit for their pastries and bread - they also have a light breakfast and lunch menu. Two great pizza places in the area, too.

Lots of Italian-American and Tex-Mex/Mexican places of variable price and quality in the Grapevine-South Lake area if you want to stay closer to your base.

If you did not get to visit Central Market last visit, there is one nearby in South Lake.

Design & Grace is a European cookware and dinnerware shop on Main Street owned by my friend Tony Boulton, an English transplant who worked in the business in the UK representing fine pottery makers, Wustoff, ScanPan and such. Unusual finds, including an Alessi shop-in-shop. Worth a visit.

[Chris Hennes]

Thanks for the advice: Stephan Pyles it is. I am now looking for lunch on Tuesday, lunch and dinner on Wednesday, and a relatively early dinner on Friday. I'd like to keep it under $25/person not counting booze (which I always hold immune from budgetary considerations ). In OKC we have no decent Italian to speak of, so that would be a good option. Plenty of Mex and Tex-Mex here, and some decent BBQ, so unless it's someplace truly superb (like Mia's), probably stick to other options.

I'm in town for a conference, so not much time for sightseeing, etc. I'll hit Central Market and a liquor store on my way out of town, of course...

[Kevin72]

Southlake, which is the next town over from Grapevine, has a Central Market. It also has a neat little urban-style living/shopping area and there you'll find a branch of Campania Pizza there. I can't remember the exact terminology but their Pizza guy is recognized by the DOC-type pizzaiolos of Napoli and it's definitely worth checking out.

[joiei]

Thanks for the advice: Stephan Pyles it is. I am now looking for lunch on Tuesday, lunch and dinner on Wednesday, and a relatively early dinner on Friday. I'd like to keep it under $25/person not counting booze (which I always hold immune from budgetary considerations ). In OKC we have no decent Italian to speak of, so that would be a good option. Plenty of Mex and Tex-Mex here, and some decent BBQ, so unless it's someplace truly superb (like Mia's), probably stick to other options.

I'm in town for a conference, so not much time for sightseeing, etc. I'll hit Central Market and a liquor store on my way out of town, of course...

I hope your experience with the service staff at Stephen Pyles is much better than mine was a couple of months ago. The restaurant is visually interesting, the food was very good, the service was terrible. If you want to know more pm me and I will explain.

[Chris Hennes]

Only one way to find out if your experience was a one-time thing... the menu looks great, I'm going to give them a shot. If the service is crap for me as well... another data point, anyway.

[Richard Kilgore]

Since you are in Grapevine for a conference you may not be wanting to drive the 30 - 60 minutes into Dallas or Ft. Worth for lunch. If you're looking for something closer to your hotel, Campania in Southlake would be a good choice. I think they still have a lunch special - small individual pizza and salad for about $10, but I'll check on it if you're interested. And they have more than pizza.

There is also a tiny wine bar on Main Street in Grapevine - Into the Glass. I dropped in there a couple of times a few years ago during happy hour, but have not eaten there since they expanded their menu - it looks good. They're next door to a small, well-selected wine shop - same owners. You can do it for under $25, or push over that limit.

Also Fireside Pies - on Main Street and another excellent pizza place. An outpost of the original location in Dallas.

But if you are wanting to go into Dallas or Ft Worth for lunch, let us know and we can make a few more suggestions.