They say that everything’s big in Texas. And Dallas is the “Big D.” Put them together, and you’ve got reason to bring a big appetite on your trip to Dallas – where the food is phenomenal, the portions are large and the choices are plentiful.
Food Trucks
In Dallas, these rolling restaurants serve up variety and delicious cuisine, often with lines that literally go up the block. Easy Slider delivers fresh, creative mini-burgers, with only certified Angus beef, fresh bread and farmer’s market produce. Among the intriguing options are the Sweet & Lowdown, with bacon, goat cheese and strawberry jam, and the Roadside, featuring bacon, Tillamook cheddar, grilled jalapenos, French-fried onions and truck-made barbecue sauce. And if you’re looking to cool down in the Texas heat, check out Coolhaus, a cookie-and-ice-cream outfit with creations so perfectly constructed, they’re named after architects! Try the I.M. Pei-Nut Butter or the Mies Vanilla Rohe. For something a little more exotic, scout out one of these popular trucks:
- Bobaddiction, a respite for those who’ve got a hankering for boba, a Taiwanese “bubble tea” drink.
- Nammi, a Vietnamese fusion truck serving up banh mi, Vietnamese tacos and more.
- SsahmBBQ, which blends Korean meats and spices, and infuses them into a Southwest-style cuisine. Check out the Kimchee fries and other Korean fusion menu items.
And if you can’t quite make up your mind on the spot, head on over to Truck Yard – a kind of outdoor food court where many of the area’s popular trucks park and serve. With over 15,000 square feet of heavily shaded outdoor space, trailer-park décor, signature draft cocktails and even a treehouse bar, there’s no place else quite like it.
Say Cheese
Texas may be known for its beef, but both locals and visitors rave about the cheese. Scardello is a cut-to-order cheese shop focused on handcrafted cheeses and tasty accompaniments – with a selection of about 150 handmade American, Texas and European cheeses. You can also find an exquisite selection of cheese at The French Room, a nationally recognized and critically acclaimed fine-dining establishment in The Adolphus hotel. Called “the most striking and sumptuous restaurant in Dallas,” its distinctive cosmopolitan dishes rival those served in the finest restaurants in throughout the world. Cheese is also a key component of the menu at Rise No. 1, a relaxed bistro focused on the soufflé – the masterpiece of French cuisine. You’ll find cheese baked into the fluffy dish, or enjoyed in a selection of fromage and petite assiettes.
Here’s the Beef
It wouldn’t be Texas without a choice of hearty meat options. Start with Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill, which is reminiscent of a 1940’s Chicago style chophouse. A classy relaxed and warm atmosphere features the finest wood grilled seafood and prime cut meats. And every meal begins with their famous popovers – warm, flaky and fresh from the oven. For the ultimate steak experience, head over to Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. Their classic seasoning is designed to bring out the natural flavors of the steaks, which are then seated on Montague broilers to seal in and intensify the delicious dry-aged flavor.
You can find juicy steaks prepared to perfection at Truluck’s or, if you prefer seafood, savor their fresh crab – direct from their own fisheries – or their fresh-catch seafood menu. Al Biernat’s is more than just a great steakhouse. Their gourmet menu features an incredible assortment of small plates and starters, soups and salads and deluxe entrees – not to mention their choice selection from the grill. At Houston’s, everything is prepared daily from scratch, and each plate is composed with a thoughtful attention to detail. And the service strives to be timely and graceful thereby allowing you to focus on the important things: enjoying good company over a fine meal.
International Cuisine
Though Dallas is a distinctly American city, it does have its fair share of appetizing international eateries. For example:
- Boulevardier is a French-inspired, neighborhood-friendly bistro, offering a wide selection of house-made fare including specialty oysters, steaks, chicken and fish off a wood-fired grill, along with modern takes on French bistro classics.
- Medina Oven & Bar is an intimate, casual and stylish restaurant specializing in savory Moroccan-Mediterranean cuisine. Be sure to try the New World Pizza and the Goat Cheese & Harissa Phyllo.
- At Meso Maya, the menu is an homage to Mexican and Mayan food, techniques and methods – a culinary adventure into the fresh, bold and earthy flavors of authentic interior Mexico. According to chef Nico Sanchez, authenticity is the main ingredient in everything they serve.
- Tucked into a historic building in the Bishop Arts District, Lucia is a small (36-seat), chef-owned Italian restaurant. The menu changes frequently and features hand-crafted salumi and fresh pasta made in house daily. Reservations definitely required.
- And where else to savor international fare than at an international airport? Grand Met restaurant – found in the Grand Hyatt – presents an inventive, internationally inspired menu. Delight in savory breakfast, lunch and dinner creations featuring influences from the Mediterranean and Pacific Rim.
No matter how you like to please your palate, you’re sure to satisfy a hearty appetite in Dallas. To enjoy a taste of The Big D, or any of our other 40+ travel destinations, drop us a line at info@takeagetaway.com.