While Texas is known for big steaks and barbecue, there is much more to the trendy town of Dallas than just that. They have southern country cooking, vibrant bars, and low key establishments.
1. Pecan Lodge
You have not truly experienced Dallas without having barbecue. The place in Dallas to get your barbecue fix is Pecan Lodge, where the meat is smoked to perfection. They have an unpretentious cafeteria style setting, serving pulled pork, brisket, sausage, and more. If you cannot decide, there is the option of The Trough, which has a little bit of every kind of meat.
Pecan Lodge
Address: Deep Ellum, 2702 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Price: from 8-17 USD
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-3pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 11am-3pm
Contact: +1 2147488900, info@pecanlodge.com
Website: Pecan Lodge
2. Chicken Scratch
Not into red meat? If chicken is your thing, then Chicken Scratch has got you covered. This barnyard style restaurant focuses solely on chicken, whether it be fried or rotisserie. Popular dishes include Fried Chicken and Coconut Waffles and Chicken Scratch Biscuit. With the food served up on metal plates on picnic tables, it feels like you are out in a park. The space is not only country, it is downright fun, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Chicken Scratch
Address: 2303 Pittman St., Dallas, TX 75208
Price: average tab is 10 USD without drinks
Opening Hours: 11am - 10pm Daily.
Contact: +1 2147491112
Website: Chicken Scratch + The Foundry
3. Iron Cactus
For a lively bar in the heart of downtown, check out Iron Cactus on Main Street. A great place to grab a drink and head up the spiral staircase to enjoy the breeze from the rooftop patio. Under the Dallas heat, you gotta cool yourself down with a frozen margarita, after all, the frozen margarita machine that popularized the drink was invented in Dallas. Although the original restaurant is gone, many places still serve up this frosty concoction and Iron Cactus has both the original yellow and the blue curacao version.
Iron Cactus
Address: 1520 Main St, Dallas, TX 75201
Price: from 9 USD
Opening Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday–Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-10 pm
Contact: +1 2147494766
Website: Iron Cactus
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4. Meso Maya
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Being in Texas and bordering Mexico, you’ve got to get some Tex-Mex. This place offers Oaxaca and Puebla cuisine in a trendy setting. The food is a step up from the average Mexican restaurant but the environment remains casual and friendly.
Meso Maya
Address: 1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202
Price: from 12 USD
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm Sunday-Thursday, 11am - 11pm Friday-Saturday
Contact: +1 2144846555
Website: Meso Maya
5. Ellen's Southern Kitchen
For a good breakfast served all day, head over to Ellen’s Southern Kitchen. In addition to a good breakfast, they have specials for different days of the week, as well as sandwiches, salads, and other entrees for the rest of your day.
Ellen's Southern Kitchen
Address: 1790 N Record St, Dallas, TX 75202
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 7am–9pm, Friday and Saturday 7am–10pm, Sunday 7am–2pm
Contact: +1 4692063339
Website: Ellen's Southern Kitchen
6. Texas Spice
For fresh local ingredients, check out Texas Spice, located in the luxurious Omni Dallas Hotel. This is the place for the conscientious types that only eat cage free eggs, organic vegetables, and all that wholesome stuff. There are great views of Dallas from the restaurant, while you enjoy the local flavors.
Texas Spice
Address: Omni Dallas Hotel, 555 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75202
Price: Average tab 15 USD without drinks
Opening Hours: 6am–10pm Daily
Contact: +1 2146524810
Website: Texas Spice
7. Bob's Steak & Chop House
For steak, try the original Bob’s Steak & Chop House on Lemmon at Wycliff. It is a little further out the way if you are staying near downtown, but they have another location inside the Omni Dallas Hotel as well. You will be paying a pretty penny for your red meat if you want it done right. The atmosphere is the fine dining experience you should come to expect with any steakhouse and dress code is business casual. Reservations are recommended.
Bob's Steak & Chop House
Address: 4300 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Price: from 50 USD
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 5pm–10pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm–11pm, Sunday Closed
Contact: +1 2145289446
Website: Bob's Steak & Chop House
8. Food Trucks
Food trucks are prevalent throughout Dallas. If you are near downtown though, the biggest concentration of food trucks will be parked on the south side of Klyde Warren Park. You may not find steak here but there is plenty of tacos, BBQ, and other cuisines to keep your palate amused throughout your stay.
Food Trucks
Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas, TX 75201
Opening Hours: Busiest around lunch time
Access: Between uptown and downtown Dallas over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, between Pearl Street and St. Paul.
Contact: +1 2147164500, info@klydewarrenpark.org
Website: Klyde Warren Park
9. Bar Belmont
In need of a drink? Stop by for our Happy Hour today and treat yourself to a tasty cocktail!
Posted by BarBelmont on Tuesday, 3 November 2015
On the other side of the Trinity River is Belmont Hotel and Bar. Just a little further down the street from Chicken Scratch, this is a great place to grab your fix of mixed drinks and enjoy the breeze in this hillside hotel. They serve good food as well, including a good variety of Tex-Mex and barbecue.
Bar Belmont
Address: 901 Fort Worth Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75208
Price: Cocktails from 5.50 USD
Opening Hours: Sunday–Thursday 3pm–Midnight, Friday–Saturday 3pm–2am
Contact: +1 8668708010
Website: Bar Belmont
10. Café Salsera
Posted by Café Salsera on Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Café Salsera is a trendy spot with a Latin flare. While open throughout the day serving pastries, coffee, and Latin fusion dishes, the parties really comes alive with salsa dancing at night.
Café Salsera
Address: 2610 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226
Price: from 10 USD
Opening Hours: Sunday 3pm-2am, Wednesday-Saturday 5pm-2am
Contact: +1 4695181500
Website: Café Salsera
Food galore
Dallas is a dense city with unique restaurants in every corner, some well known and many hidden gems. Some stay true to Texas flavors, while others blend bold contemporary cuisines. One thing is for sure, you will never run out of places to try while you are in Dallas.
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