If you ever happen to be in Dallas, one of the best aspects of the city is its booming culinary scene. My friend McCall moved there earlier this year, and she is by far the most enthusiastic and well-versed foodie I know. In her Foodie’s Guide to Dallas, McCall dishes (pun intended!) on her favorite restaurants in the city, as well as the best places to order dessert. Her recommendations range from the best BBQ in Texas to eateries offering healthy salads and sandwiches.
Food
VELVET TACO
This place is known for its super yummy and creative tacos. The first time I came here, Bobby Flay was sitting just a couple of feet away from me. My two favorite tacos are the buffalo chicken taco and the chicken tikka masala taco! If you aren’t into spicy food, they also offer a variety of other dishes to choose from. Be sure to end your meal with a slice of their delicious red velvet cake. This place never disappoints.
PECAN LODGE
This is the best BBQ place in all of Texas! You’ll need to wait in a long line, but don’t worry. It’s worth it! Every time I go to Pecan Lodge, I order their burnt ends, brisket, jalapeño sausage and my personal favorite, the hot mess! The hot mess is a giant sweet potato stuffed with goodness! If you happen to be in Dallas don’t miss out on this place! It’s amazing.
FLOWER CHILD
Flower Child is my go-to lunch spot with my friends. The decor is adorable, and the food is fresh and healthy! My two favorite meals so far have been the Mediterranean salad and the flying avocado wrap! They also serve delicious homemade lemonade. If you’re looking for a fresh spot to eat, this is your place!
RODEO GOAT
If you’re craving a giant burger, you must visit Rodeo Goat. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, and the vibe is really fun. Start out with the cheese fries with surprise! The portions are huge, and they are wonderful to share with friends! As far as burgers go, Rodeo Goat changes its menu all the time, so it’s hard for me to recommend one burger. Every single one I have tried has been delectable yet very different. I love that they use random toppings that you wouldn’t necessarily think would go together but end up tasting great!
JIMMY’S FOOD STORE
Jimmy’s serves the best Italian sandwich in town, and their offerings are very authentic. Located in the back of an old Italian grocery store, Jimmy’s is an amazing deli with extremely large sandwiches. My two favorites are the Italian stallion (toasted with Italian vinegar to dip it in) and the meatball sub!
THE RUSTIC
I put this place on my list not for their food but for the incredible ambiance! The Rustic has super fun outdoor seating with live entertainment and games like Corn Hole to play. The food I ordered was decent, but the atmosphere is what made me fall in love with this place and want to come back! This is definitely a fun place to come with friends.
BREAD WINNERS CAFE
Located in a cute area in Uptown, Bread Winners is definitely the place to come for a yummy brunch! I love their farmhouse scramble and the cinnamon roll French toast!
BUBBA’S COOKS COUNTRY
You need to try Bubba’s if you are looking for some great southern food with a casual atmosphere. Every time I go to Bubba’s, my favorites are of course the fried chicken and their big soft buttery rolls loaded with honey! Once you taste their fried chicken, it will be difficult to go anywhere else!
MIA’S TEX-MEX
I just recently discovered Mia’s, and I love it! If you go to Mia’s you have to order their shredded brisket tacos on flour tortillas. The meat is mouth-watering and flavorful, and the tacos come with a super yummy salsa gravy to pour on top. Another plus is that it is very reasonably priced and a good place to take kids.
Dessert
EMPORIUM PIES
I love, love, love Emporium Pies, and that says a lot for a girl who is not a pie lover. With that being said, my favorite pie is called “Cloud Nine.” It’s full of butterscotch marshmallow goodness. I always say that I will eat half and save the other half for later but end up eating the whole slice in one sitting. The other thing I love about these pies is their packaging! It is so adorable and would make the perfect gift for a friend!
STEEL CITY POPS
Steel City Pops is perfect for a hot summer day or night in Dallas! These popsicles come in so many different flavors, which makes it hard to choose which one you’re going to try! Every time I go, I taste a new flavor. During the day, I tend to gravitate toward a more fruity flavor. At night, however, I always go for a more decadent option, like chocolate or their famous buttermilk. No matter what flavor I choose, I am never disappointed.
SABLON CHOCOLATE LOUNGE
Sablon is located just walking distance from my apartment in Uptown so this was one of the first places I went to for a dessert when I moved to Dallas. They have everything from dessert pizzas to waffles to crepes, and so much more! This is a great spot to come with friends to hang out and share some delicious desserts!
