Restaurants in Dallas

>most of the restaurants, in general, are in addison...

most of the trendy yuppie restaurants are in Addison. There are restaurants of every type and description all over Dallas.

>for italian:  the macaroni grill (in addison)
>for mexican:  tia's (in plano)
>for fast food burgers:  burger street (all over dallas)
>     ...they're the best

Tia's is all over. I was warned to stay away, and I did, going instead to El Fenix (which is also all over), and Cafe Mexico (on North Central, a mile or so north of LBJ). El Fenix was OK; I thought Cafe Mexico was wonderful, although the Morning News pans it.

There are also lots and lots of Italian places with more appetizing names than "The Macaroni Grill". One is Victoria's Cuisine, just south of the LBJ on the northwest side of town. More specifically, near the corner of Webbs Chapel and Forest Lane. Good; affordable; but not great.

I tried and failed to get into Spring Creek Barbecue (also on North Central, a little farther north). The only time I caught them open, I couldn't find a place to park (i.e., reasonably spacious lot was jammed completely full).

Went to Hoffbrau in Plano a couple of times, and the one in town (on Knox?) once. T-bones were great; sirloin was tough.

Went to Tolbert's to try the chili. The chili was lousy but the chicken-fried steak was great (Corner of Knox & McKinney, I believe). The chili was better at Denny's.

I heard good things about La Madeleine, a bakery/deli near SMU on Mockingbird.

I personally verified the superiority of La Creme's French roast espresso, both at the retail outlet (on Lovers Lane) and the coffeehouse (on Westminster near Northwest Hwy). Best I've had east of Seattle and west of DC, but pricey (though I know coffee addicts won't care).

And, interviewing a native engaged in the act of consuming a Burger Street burger, I elicited the confession that he goes to Burger Street because their burgers *look* so good - like the pictures you see in magazines, he said. I wound up at Whataburger, which didn't look like much but tasted OK.

Jeff Carroll
[email removed]

Jeff C. wrote:

>>most of the restaurants, in general, are in addison...

>most of the trendy yuppie restaurants are in Addison. There are restaurants
>of every type and description all over Dallas.

I couldn't agree more.  Most of the top rated restuarants are not in Addison.

>>for mexican:  tia's (in plano)

Tia's is an above average chain, that caters more to the Tex-Mex side of things.  They do have a couple of interesting veggie choices.  Two of my favorites are Xavier's, an up-scale Mexico City style place and El Guyo De Oro, a cheap Mexican/Guatamalan place with wonderful food.  Both these retaurants are in Dallas, north of downtown.  My yuppieometer tends not to redline in those places.

Send email for more specifics.  You're talking about an SMA that has, for example, more than eighteen Japanese restaurants, (and the best noodle house is disguised as a Chinese restaurant!
 Mr. Wok in Plano - The owner is chinese but grew up in Japan.
 It has a Japanese language menu and fills up with Fujitsu-no
 nihon-jin at lunch.)

--Rob   [email removed]

Italian:
Campisi's (Egyptian Lounge)
   Located on Mockingbird Ln. just east of Central Expressway
   The pizza is a must.  Expect long lines during peak hours.
   If available ask for seating in the back room.

Burgers:
Snuffers
   Lower Greenville Ave area (not far from Campisi's)
   Burgers are good and so is the Chicken sandwich.

Seafood:
Vincent's
   I can't remember exact locations but there are 2-3 in Dallas
   area.

Cajun:
Atchafalaya
   Located in Addison.
Copeland's
   Just south of Prestonwood Mall.

Mexican:
Pappasito's
   Large servings.  Located on the east side of Central Expressway
   north of the LBJ (635) interchange.

B-B-Q:
Colters
   Located all over Dallas.  There is one very close to Copeland's.

Miscellaneous:
Gershwin's
   Classy piano bar.  Located on upper Greenville avenue.

Other good places: Sfuzzi, Jakes, Old Warsaw, Taiwan, El Phoenix.

Later,

Brian Utesch

In the metroplex, I suggest:

Lowry's (Prime Rib - Dallas)
Angelo's (BBQ - Fort Worth)
Edelweiss (German - Fort Worth)
The Windsor (continental - Arlington)
Le Chacarel (French - Arlington)
Maq's B&G (Arlington)
Milano's (Italian - Arlington)
La Copa Campo Verde (Mexican - Arlington)
Chapp's (Burgers to die for - Arlington)

FYI... Arlington is yuppieville, hence the good restaurant selection.

chains with good food:

Black Eyed Pea

Brian Utesch lists several Dallas restaurants, to which I would add:

Jennivine's.  Nice cozy British pub atmosphere, but sophisticated food. Great for lunch.