Top Five - Metroplex Restaurants
My sister and I are on our way to Dallas for the funeral of our grandfather A.V. Isbell. He had a good, long life, and I am sure is glad to finally be home with his wife.
It is Friday, so time for a top five list.
In the cab this morning (5:45 am) my sister and I thought up this list. We are now on the plane somewhere over land and we are having a hard time narrowing down the field of places we look forward to eating at when we get to come to the Metroplex.
We live in the restaurant capital of the world. There are a ridiculous number of restaurants in NYC. I believe I remember a statistic that 19 new restaurants open up every week (with 10 closing). But even with all those choices, we find ourselves hankering for some good old Dallas food! I wish Levi was here to hold the coaster that lights up when it's our turn to be seated. Ah to be back in the land of free refills, separate checks, optional tipping, eager waiters who make eye contact and have personalized embellishment around their name tags, and booths the size of aircraft carriers.
So here they are, the best the Metroplex has to offer:
5. Luby's - There is truly nothing like Luby's in NYC. Where else can you get "nuclear red" strawberries year round, and balance your meal with five servings of carbs and starches. Shortcomings - No Refills?!As you can see we will be stuffing ourselves silly this weekend. For all you NYC transplants don't show your parents this list, because your ability to refute the "Dallas has everything NYC does" argument is greatly diminished.
4. The Macaroni Grill - Who knew Italians liked sweet-tea too.
3. Chinese Buffet - Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Chinese food all conveniently located under one set of heat lamps and right next door to the multiplex theater. That's culture baby!
2. Taco Bueno - I love the Bueno Chilada platter. It exposes Taco Bell for the "Taco Hell" it really is.
1. Pappasitioes - The ultimate tex-mex, "middlebrow," faux "nice evening out" restaurant. And they make their own tortillas RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU....freshness!
11 comments:
All chains. Blah! Your list needs revisiting.
You haven't eaten Tex-Mex until you've eaten at Joe T Garcia's. And you haven't had a burger until you've eaten one at Billy Miner's Saloon. And you haven't had a steak until you've eaten at Cattlemen's Steakhouse. Finally, the barbeque at Riscky's is undeniable.
All these are Ft. Worth originals. Jason and Beth, as natives of Ft. Worth, shame on you for leaving these off the list.
i have to agree with Joe...there are some great originals here in the metroplex, especially in Fort Worth...don't spend your weekend at places like Taco Bueno when you can have Joe T's or El Rancho Grande...and you should know you can go somewhere much more orignial than Macaroni Grill and still be certain to find sweet tea around "these parts!"
Jason. LUBY'S?!? Come on.
Obviously, some of you had parents who spent more on eating out than Jason and Beth's parents...or you yourselves spent more on eating out, I don't know.
I have to stick up for Luby's and Taco Bueno, where the memories, affordability and just plain old good food combine to make it a great place for family dining.
Jason and Beth's Mom
Jason, I'm sorry, but the folks are right. The Metroplex has some great food, and while those that you mentioned are places that I frequent, you need to experience more local flair. Bueno, Mac Grill, Luby's and Pappasitos, while Texas chains, are still chains.
Here's my two cents on the D/FW area:
Bread Winners, on MacKinney Ave, Dallas (for breakfast)
Uncle Julios in Camp Bowie in Ft. Worth (it's what Pappasitos wished it were.)
Campisi's Egyptian Restaurant, Mockingbird, Dallas
As far as BBQ, Risky's is good, but I recommend finding a hole in the wall and getting to know the guy in the apron. There is a random place in Everman that was written up in Texas Monthly. It's hard to find, but it's goooood!
Those are just off the top of my head.
Jason, your list sucks. Mex food in Dallas has to be eaten at El Fenix, South Dallas. Risky's is a fav. of the coaches during "Coaching School". One of our coaches drinks bbq sauce shooters before downing his beer. Now there is a memory.
no doubt that sucks. Luby's makes me vomit. I'm in the metroplex and we went to uncle julios. mmmmm...
My list...
Mexican Inn - Fort Worth
Kincaids - Fort Worth
Cheesecake Factory - Dallas
Riscky's, Dickey's or Spring Creek for bar-b-q, I can't decide.
Babe's Fried Chicken - Denton
Ummm....
That should be mmmm... not ummm
i will agree with your mom's comment and say that we don't get to these places as much as we would like to because they are more expensive, although mexican inn that my husband mentioned is great and affordable-homeade chips that come to your table warm!
and i do have many fond memories of eating at luby's on wednesday nights before church (when my mom was there...sometimes if mom had to go early to get ready for her bible class, dad took us to wendy's!)
I have to say that my sister and I had a great laugh when we put together our list. We were poking fun at Dallas at the expense of the fine eateries in Dallas. Of course Luby's isn't the best Dallas has to offer, but we couldn't resist riling up the Texas apologists since the family we were going to see are Texas lovers to their cores. When it comes to restaurants we are definate NY snobs.
Anyway, I do have a serious list, and here it is:
5. Cattleman's Steakhouse - Joe, you're right it is very good.
4. Pappasitoes - Seriously good Tex-Mex
3. Mi Cocina - Great Margarita's and good Sea-Mex food.
2. Patrizio's - Only ate there once, but it was good and expensive.
1. Wild About Harry's - Amazing hot dogs (better than NY) and the most incredible frozen custard I have ever had. Allison and I have driven all the way to Highland Park before just to eat there.
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