Charles L. wrote: >I will be in Dalla next month for a conference. Any suggestions? >Especially interested in Mexican and Cajun. You will hear much about a concentration of flashy joints on Lower Greenville. I'm sure some of them are indeed very good. Many have sprouted recently and I moved away about 7 years ago. It can be difficult to sort out the truly good from the merely flashy in that part of town. One solid suggestion for Mexican in Dallas that I always give is Mercado Juarez (on Northwest Highway just a little West? of the Stemmons Freeway, which is I-35E). It is not upscale. But, to me, it represents Mexican food that would be served in Mexico. The menu is very interesting and reasonably priced. You may also hear about On The Border. It is in North Dallas and is popular. To me, the measure of greatness in a Mexican joint is how *unlike* Chi-Chi's it is. This place reminded me of Chi-Chi's. And, finally, for a real Texas dining experience (even if a bit corny), go for steak at either Traildust (Walnut Hill Lane off Stemmons) or Texas Tumbleweed (Midway at N. Beltline in Addison?). Both often have live C&W for dancing and are noisy, bustling steakhouses with all the atmosphere. Enjoy.
Dallas, TX
Dallas
I haven't been back to Dallas for some years, but our favorite Mexican restaurant was Frijoles in the Las Colinas area. Great fajitas, good happy hour, wnderful Sunday brunch (unusual in a Mexican restaraunt, in my experience). Does anyone know if it's still operating?
>One solid suggestion for Mexican in Dallas that I always give is Mercado >Juarez (on Northwest Highway just a little West? of the Stemmons Freeway, >which is I-35E). It is not upscale. But, to me, it represents Mexican food >that would be served in Mexico. The menu is very interesting and reasonably >priced. I second that. If you order a grilled entree, they will bring it to you on an little brazier, so you can make sure it's cooked to your specification. I like the shrimp myself, but they also serve cabrito (roast baby goat), an entree you're not likely to find at many restaurants.
Mary J. wrote: >I haven't been back to Dallas for some years, but our favorite Mexican >restaurant was Frijoles in the Las Colinas area. Great fajitas, good >happy hour, wnderful Sunday brunch (unusual in a Mexican restaraunt, in >my experience). Does anyone know if it's still operating? I was back in Dallas in the fall. If Frijoles was the one right on the canal at the base of the clock tower, I believe it is something different now. But, it deserves mention to the Dallas visitor to check out Las Colinas. Especially the Mustang sculpture at Williams Square.
>Charles L. wrote: >>I will be in Dalla next month for a conference. Any suggestions? >>Especially interested in Mexican and Cajun. The best restaurant that I've ever been to is San Simeon--but that was three or four years ago. It was an interesting meal which started with venison sausage and quail, lobster and pumpkin bisque (the best soup I've ever had), wild pheasant, then creme brullee (sp?). I liked it better than the meal that I had at L'Hermitage in Beverly Hills...
Charles L. wrote: > I will be in Dalla next month for a conference. Any suggestions? > Especially interested in Mexican and Cajun. > Only been there once, other than to walk from one end of the airport to the other, but the Atchafalaya River Cafe might be just what you're looking for. It's kind of a loud, boisterous sort of place, but fun, and the crawfish were better than average, especially for any place outside of Louisiana. Don't know my way around out there well enough to locate it for you (there may be more than one in town; it's a small chain). Larry Owen p.s. - Imagine a Hard Rock Cafe, but Cajun/Tex-Mex food/decor, with more locals than tourists (a fair number ranking pretty high on the YUP scale), better food, and you've got the general idea.
>>I haven't been back to Dallas for some years, but our favorite Mexican >>restaurant was Frijoles in the Las Colinas area. Great fajitas, good >>happy hour, wnderful Sunday brunch (unusual in a Mexican restaraunt, in >>my experience). Does anyone know if it's still operating? > >I was back in Dallas in the fall. If Frijoles was the one right on the canal >at the base of the clock tower, I believe it is something different now. But, >it deserves mention to the Dallas visitor to check out Las Colinas. Especially >the Mustang sculpture at Williams Square. Frijoles is/was on the other side of the freeway from the canal. You are right about seeing Las Colinas, though; it is a sight. The amazing thing is that the entire "city" was built in less than a year. We watched it "sprout" all through my freshman year. The mustangs are best seen by moonlight.
Charles L. wrote: >I will be in Dalla next month for a conference. Any suggestions? >Especially interested in Mexican and Cajun. Mexican Restaurants: Mercado Juarez (1901 W Northwest Highway) has been suggested by a couple of respondents. It's a good place, but since they started branching out I think the quality has gone down a bit. A similar local mini-chain is Uncle Julio's (4125 Lemmon). The best homestyle Tex-Mex in my opinion is found at Cuquita's (2326 N. Henderson), Herrera's (4001 Maple) and Mia's (4322 Lemmon), in that order. All are small family run places. Also good are Avila's (4714 Maple) and El Gallo de Oro (Guatemalan/Mexican, 4114 Maple). Arguably the best Mexican restaurant in Dallas is La Calle Doce (415 W. 12th), which has great Veracruz style seafood. Stay away from On the Border, Tia's, El Chico. If you have to go to a mainstream local chain, Try El Fenix. Cajun Restaurants: I am not overly excited about any of the Cajun places in Dallas. You might try Dodie's Seafood Cafe (2129 Greenville), Shuck 'n Jive (5315 Greenville), or Razzoo Cajun Cafe (13929 Central Expressway at Spring Valley in Richardson). Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (3520 Oak Lawn), a new branch of a Houston chain, has been getting raves, but I fail to see what all the shouting's about. Cafe Margaux (4216 Oak Lawn) is great for lunch, but at night seems a little too expensive for what you get. Great food though. Steak: I second the recommendation of the Trail Dust (Stemmons at Walnut Hill). The nearby Old San Francisco also has good steaks and a fun atmosphere. Neither has the best steaks in town but both have good atmosphere (Trail Dust is more Texan, Old S. F. more gay '90s). Barbecue: The place is still Sonny Bryan's. The original location (2202 Inwood) would be my choice, but they're only open for lunch, so you can try their West End branch (302 N. Market, much more touristy but same great food) at night. Also good is Baker's Ribs (2724 Commerce), Gene's Stoen Pit (3002 canton), Riscky's (1701 N. Market in the West End), Solly's (4801 Belt Line). Avoid Tony Roma's, Spring Creek, Dickey's. If you get over to Fort Worth, Angelo's is worth a try (second only to Sonny Bryan's in my opinion). Tom Jacob Department of Computer Science University of North Texas [email removed]
IMO the best Cajun restaurant in Dallas is Cafe Margaux on Oak Lawn. Its one of my favorite restaurants and the food is _always_ outstanding!! Prices are very reasonable, too. Highly recommended! -Gary-
Wendy S. wrote: WM>i'm going to dallas next week and am looking for a couple WM>places to eat, stuff i can't get in NYC, not too formal or WM>expensive. Thanks. One of the finest restaurants in the world (5-star and in the top ten according to Traveller Mag.) is the Mansion on Turtle Creek. By New York standards this is NOT an expensive restaurant ($60-75 for 2 if you don't drink a lot) and they are famous for Western cuisine served in a gourmet style. One of my other favorite restaurants in Dallas is the Cafe Pacific, located in Highland Park (an area, not a different city). Although the name implies fish they also have great veal, chicken, and steaks. Hope you enjoy Dallas. It's one of my favorite cities. .....Gil [email removed]
Peter D. wrote: > > I'm heading to Dallas shortly for several days -- any suggestions on > places to eat? I am interested in Mexican and Tex-Mex food, other > alternatives to steak, and breakfast. Thanks. > > Peter Dorman ------------------------- Sal's Taco Lounge is your place.
Esteban C. wrote: > > I am going to Dallas next week and would appreciate some suggestions on > spicy BBQ joints. Not the commercial places like Tony Romas, but the > real stuff. Thanks. > > [email removed] Brother Bohus from Ennis, TX would probably second this, but Texas Monthly recently came out with *their* list of "The 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas." Great argument fodder. They even mention some KC BBQ joints. Top joints in Dallas: Sonny Bryan's (even though they're becoming a chain) at 2202 Inwood, with other locations around town -- 4 out of 5 rating. Baker's Ribs: 2724 Commerce, rating 4. I've not eaten at Baker's but can vouch for Sonny Bryan's brisket. If you've got time to get around the Metroplex, there are other, equally good places in Ft. Worth (Angelo's). Now if you're looking for *hot*, Chile Pepper-magazine spicy, I can't help you there for BBQ, but if you just want some good Tex-Mex.... Bill Tucker Dallas