Other people eating breakfast for lunch count: 5 Level of weirdness felt when “Let’s Get It Started” by the Black Eyed Peas played on the speakers in this old-school diner: 4 out of 5 I’m drawn to open restaurants with deserted parking lots like Glee is drawn to sucking. Like…
The first time I bought Dude, Sweet Chocolate’s “Crack in a Box,” it was on a whim and possibly because the name was amusing. Later that evening, as I polished off the last bite of the two large slabs that were inside the box, I had my “ah-ha!” moment: the…
Picking the best burger is a bear. It’s not that the work isn’t fun — my waistline is a testament to my enthusiasm — it’s just that there are so many types of burgers to choose from. Is the burger served at a top-end steakhouse better that what you’d pull…
Convincing devoted urbanites to venture to Garland can be a hard sell, no matter how hungry they are. The endless concrete pavement and strip malls, all heavily guarded by expansive parking lots, aren’t inviting for exploration, especially when polished ethnic eateries lurk inside the loop. But culinary adventurers willing to…
Each week, Justin Bitner goes hunting for DFW’s most interesting sandwiches. Have a sandwich suggestion? Leave it in the comments and he’ll check it out. Venue: Coppell Deli The Sandwich: The Reuben ($6.29) Bread: Ever so delicately toasted Rye Toppings: Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing The Case: Nestled…
Dallas is without a doubt a brunching town. Every Saturday and Sunday, early in the afternoon, those with matted hair, stale breath and perhaps questionable bed mates drag themselves from shades-pulled comfort and into the harsh, bright world, descending upon the city’s restaurants en masse. It seems as if every…
Back in July, there were a tense and strange couple days in the kitchen at RedFork, the then-brand-new gastropub in Knox-Henderson. An alleged gas leak had forced a short closure, and discord was swelling among the staff. So it probably wasn’t a surprise when cook Ryan Carbery, on his way…
I’m not the biggest dessert person. It’s mostly the sweetness that gets to me, but also the portions at many restaurants, which are often over the top. Who needs a five-inch tall slice of chocolate cake after starters and mains? Dessert should be small and diminutive — like a tiny…
Alberto Lombardi’s latest creation, Bistro 31, opened yesterday in Highland Park Village, which was built, fittingly, in 1931. The menu specializes in Mediterranean food and includes Italian, Spanish and French dishes, or combinations thereof. Hitting most points on Foodbitch’s 15 classy things list, Bistro 31 offers elegant food in an…
Each week, Justin Bitner goes hunting for DFW’s most interesting sandwiches. Have a sandwich suggestion? Leave it in the comments and he’ll check it out. Shop: Fred’s Downtown Philly The Sandwich: Italian Hoagie ($7.25) Bread: Amoroso’s Hoagie, shipped right in from the City of Bro Love Toppings: Capicola, Pastrami, Salami,…
As summer comes to an end, a number of restaurants have opened and closed their doors. In-N-Out Burger continued its Texas growth with an Arlington location late last month. Lover’s Lane Olive Oil Company expanded from its flagship store, Grapevine Olive Oil Company, and set up shop on West Lovers…
I grew up in a rural area, and the state fair was pretty far away. Most years the county or 4-H fair was where I got my fix for funnel cakes and sheep shit. The theme is about the same, but the scale much smaller and the food selection was…
I know better than to bitch about my job; there are worse ways to make a living than getting paid to eat and write about it. But there are times when I’m feeling a little weighed down. I’ve eaten so many burgers, Reubens, and Cuban sandwiches looking for Dallas’ finest…
Burguesa Burger stands alone on a partially forgotten part of Fort Worth Avenue in Oak Cliff. Its bright orange facade on this otherwise dreary street could either be taken as obnoxious or a beacon. Maybe both. After a year of thinking about it, the timing finally worked for me and…
Each week, the Cheap Bastard goes looking for a new place to eat lunch for less than nine million dollars. This week: Urbano Cafe. Number of available parking spots in front of the restaurant: -∞ Hungry people sitting at tables waiting for their food and giving me the stink-eye as…
Chandeliers run down the dining room hall, casting a warm light on walls lined with barn boards floor to ceiling, wooden deer trophies and end-grain tables. The space would seem mundane if not for the occasional well-chosen splashes of color. Lush red velvet pads the seat backs of a bench…
Bitches don’t like to hunt for parking spaces when they’re hungry. And by “bitches,” I mean “me.” It pisses me off when restaurants build themselves and don’t build parking spots. “Hey, let’s open a restaurant that serves up super delicious food in Dallas! How many parking spots? I dunno, let’s…
Pho is everywhere. The piping hot, spice-laden broth filled with noodles, various meats and garnishes has become the darling of Asian soups and for good reason. When prepared right it’s transcendent. But don’t let its ubiquity pigeon-hole you into a Pho-only rut. Throw your palate a change-up and head to…
There’s a little known yet painfully true secret amongst locals about central Arlington: “Division Street, it’s not just for bums and hookers anymore.” A perfect new example of this just off Division on Mesquite Street is The Grease Monkey Burger Shop, which is about a mile and half from Cowboys…
Meso Maya, the new Mexican restaurant at Preston and Forrest, describes its food as an “adventure into the roots of regional Mexican food.” Don’t let that scare you off, though. No, the plates aren’t covered in melted orange cheese, but I think we can agree Dallas has already got that…
The other day I drove past The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge in Deep Ellum, where Sol’s Taco Lounge used to be at 2626 Commerce, and later Googled them to see what the buzz was. One reviewer wrote that they had the best bread pudding she’d ever had. Pfffft!…
We’re mostly savory animals at the Observer. We like our fried things, cheeses and big burgers. In the last year, we’ve sent food photographers to shoot Dallas’ meats, tacos and chicken-topped waffles. Lately, however, we’re developing a sweet tooth. It’s probably caused by the fact that we sent crack photographer…
