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Kobe Steaks
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Big D Dining…Diverse, Delectable, Delightful.
by Bruce McCracken
Metropolitan Dallas/Fort Worth, known as the Metroplex, has evolved from a Chisholm Trail railhead for shipping cattle in the 1800s to become the leading business and financial center in the southwest. It is home to over 4,500,000 people spanning over 9,000 square miles. The Metroplex is one of the hottest areas in residential construction due to its vibrant economy as well as population growth. With new residents coming from all over the nation and the world, the restaurant offerings have diversified with a marked increase in quality and quantity. Industries, residential areas, commerce, and businesses are spread throughout the Metroplex. As a result, there are many restaurant rows throughout the area with many of the best dining establishments offering multiple locations. All restaurants on the list accept major credit cards.
ABUELO'S
824 Airport Freeway, Hurst, TX 76054
(817) 514-9355
1041 West Interstate 20, Arlington, TX 76017
(817) 468-2622
2520 South Stemmons Freeway, Lewisville, TX 75067
(972) 315-6057
3420 North Central Expressway, Plano, TX 75074
(972) 423-9290
3701 Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75093
(972)781-1613
Hours: (Sun-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) till 11 pm
Abuelo's, Grandfather's in Spanish, began in Lubbock in 1997 and quickly found favor in the Metroplex. Of the countless Tex-Mex offerings in the area, Abuelo's is among the most unique and delightful in every way. Each location's interior is a little different and all feature a patio. Opulent décor greets you with a mural on the ceilings. Yet it is unpretentious and moderately priced. The bar drinks, especially the margaritas, are excellent, as are the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa. The menu includes traditional Mexican dishes including seafood in addition to Tex-Mex. One of the best and most distinctive meals is the succulent Los Mejores De La Casa. It features bacon wrapped mesquite grilled shrimp and beef tenderloins accompanied by spinach with a tangy creamy cheese sauce and zesty mashed potatoes. Another good bet is the Salmon San Carlos. Expect to wait but it is well worth it.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
BOB'S STEAK & CHOP HOUSE
4300 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 528-9446
Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 11 am-11 pm
At the uptown site of the original venerated Del Friscos, Bob's is recognized as one of the finest steakhouses in the nation. This haunt of local celebrities also does not have the pretentious stuffy trappings with exorbitant ala carte pricing. It has both formal and casual areas with more than reasonable prices for an upscale establishment offering large portions. It is for serious beef connoisseurs with magnificent steaks and the best prime rib in the city. The rack of lamb is also superb as is the salad featuring bacon and hearts of palm The meals do include one quirky feature, a huge honey glazed carrot in the middle of the plate that draws cheers or jeers depending on how one feels about the odd offering.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
CAFÉ BRAZIL
3847 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 461-8763
2815 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 747-2730
6420 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 691-7791
2071 North Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080
200 Coit Road Suite #112, Plano, TX 75075 – (469)229-9140
2900 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206 - (214)841-0901
3190 S. Central Expressway #530, McKinney, TX 75070 – (972)984-1259
2510 N. Josey Ln. #106, Carrollton, TX 75006 – (972)242-8228
(972) 783-9011
Hours: (Mon-Thur) 7 am-12 am; (Fri & Sat) 24 hours
Earthy, non-traditional, and laid back with each location a reflection of its neighborhood. By far, the best breakfast around, albeit with a Bohemian edge. For starters, there is the coffee, three bucks all you can drink. Fresh ground from their own wide assortment of over fifty beans, that average fifteen dollars a pound. They offer seven different selections to savor rotated from these varieties. Three traditional, two decaf, and two flavored are available. The spicy migas, in vegetarian and meat varieties, feature scrambled eggs laced with a myriad of spices, peppers and onions served with rosemary potatoes. Another delightful offering is the fruit French toast. Not in the breakfast mode? The tortilla soup served in a bread bowl, baked on site, is exquisite. They also offer an array of tasty sandwiches and desserts. The Deep Ellum location on Elm is incredibly popular for after hours patrons.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
CANTINA LAREDO
8121 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 987-9192
4546 Beltline Road, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 458-0962
17808 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75287 - (469) 828-4818
6025 Royal Lane Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75230 - (214) 265-1610
2031 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 821-5785
165 Inwood Village, Dallas, TX 75209 (214) 350-5227
DFW AIRPORT - Terminal D - Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport
DFW Airport, TX (972) 973-4267
1125 Legacy Drive, Suite 102, Frisco, TX 75034 (214) 618-9860
4020 William D Tate Ave Suite 208, Grapevine, TX 76051 (817) 358-0505
2225 S Stemmons Frwy., Lewisville, TX 75067 (972) 315-8100
Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 11 am-11 pm
The hottest competition in this area's dining arena is in the Tex-Mex category with many good to excellent contestants, many of them chains. Cantina Laredo scores on this list for its excellent unique style and offerings that include cabrito and pork done with marvelous sauces. It is the awesome sauces that they purvey that sets their mark for unique excellence, though they do offer very good mainstream Tex-Mex fare. Everything comes in generous portions. Other distinctive offerings include a gargantuan selection of tequila, a wide choice of excellent beans as side dishes, roasted salsa, and strong margaritas. Anything with the fabulous guacamole is highly recommended, as are the chili rellenos. Yes, there are mariachis. Not your same old enchilada.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
FOGO DE CHAO
4300 Belt Line Road, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 503-7300
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am-2 pm & (Mon-Sun) 5 pm-10:30 pm
Meat lovers, get ready to rumble. Carnivores, start your engines!! This Brazilian steak house is the talk of the town. One price, no menu, all you can eat, excluding desserts and beverages. You have a two-sided disk, one side is green, and the other is red. When the green side is up, prepare for the onslaught of feasting. The patron must bring an appetite and patience to stave off the temptation to gorge before savoring all of the fabulous offerings. Perhaps start with the wonderful salad bar that also features, asparagus, hearts of palm, fresh soft mozzarella, and artichoke hearts along with rice and black beans. Three sides come to your table and they are the weak point. The fried plantains, a form of banana tasting like a slightly sweet squash, is novel but seems inappropriate and unappealing to many meat eaters. The fried yucca is also somewhat odd, looking like fried potatoes with a slight sweet taste also. Forgettable mashed potatoes round out the sides. The waiters bring the delectable meats to your table in fifteen different forms directly from the grill on long skewers. Where to begin? Filet mignon, lamb, pork, sausage, ribs, chicken, and on and on it comes. All the meats are excellent with the lamb chops and filet mignon being the best. The desserts cost extra but are exquisite. For dinner, one can expect to wait for a table but go for lunch as there is immediate seating serving the same fare at a lesser price.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
FRESCO GRILL AND PASTA
4015 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 520-2232
Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am-3 pm; (Sat & Sun) 9:30 am-3 pm; (Sun-Thur) 5 pm-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 5 pm-11 pm
Appearing to be a nondescript hole in the wall in Oak Lawn, this quasi Italian restaurant offers a potpourri of interesting offerings. The French bread arrives with a scrumptious savory light olive oil and brewed sauce for dipping. The olive oil is laced with spices and herbs then aged for sixty days before it reaches the table. This delicacy alone draws loyal patrons. The salads are similarly treated and excellent, especially the Caesar. Often overlooked but worthy of note are the designer pizzas. The light delicate crust has a hint of sweetness that compliments the varied choices of cheeses and toppings. The sauce is not overstated either. They are orchestrated with finesse. The shrimp is particularly delightful. The pasta offerings are quite different and tend to be a bit hot. The Cajun pasta is a great change of pace from typical Italian fare.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
JAXX CAFÉ
14925 Midway Road, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 458-7888
Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri) 11 am-11 pm; (Sat) 5 pm-11 pm
For those who like excellent steaks without the pretentious trappings and formality at a reasonable price, this grill is ideal, especially for lunch. The décor is somewhat manly with warm dark wood and pictures of sports personalities on the wall. They offer two excellent soups, New England style clam chowder and lobster bisque. The salads go far beyond just lettuce with a wide array of ingredients. The king Louie, which features shrimp and crab, is particularly good. The pepper corn fillet mignon with cognac accompanied by a twice baked potato loaded with condiments is magnificent. The seafood and pasta offerings are not as noteworthy.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $50
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
KOBE STEAKS
5000 Belt Line Road, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 934-8150
Hours: (Sun-Thur) 5 pm-10:30 pm; (Fri & Sat) 5 pm-11:30 pm
Dinner and a show? You get a very good dose of both at this marvelous Japanese restaurant. The service and efficiency are striking. Ten diners are seated in a room at a horseshoe shaped bar with a huge griddle in the center. Some of these have chairs, some seat guests on the floor, so make certain your socks match as your shoes may have to come off. Your chef prepares most everything before you with speed, precision, and showmanship like flipping shrimp tails high into the air to land into his hat. Their speed and slight of hand maneuvers mesmerize the patrons. A savory broth is served, the first of eight courses, followed by a non descript salad. Marvelous fried rice and stir fried broccoli, leeks, and onions quickly follow. An appetizer of delicate grilled shrimp follows with a flash of flame in the dark to finish it out. Then come the main courses including rib eye, shrimp, oysters and chicken. These are chopped into cubes. Next follow fried bean sprouts and finally dessert. The cheesecake with plum sauce is especially enchanting. Kobe also has an excellent bar including many uncommon Japanese beers. The cushy leather chairs in the waiting area are appreciated as you may be there for an hour.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
NATE'S SEAFOOD & STEAKHOUSE
14951 Midway Road, Addison, TX 75001
(972) 701-9622
Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 11 am-11 pm; (Sun) 3 pm-9 pm
"We were Cajun when 'Cajun' wasn't cool." This is authentic Cajun food featuring the offerings from the gulf coast prepared in the zesty genuine style. The rustic rough hewn wood interior sets the tone for the dining experience that is robustly spicy with no gentle finesse which is the way it should be. Nate's three different gumbos are the real deal. The stuffed shrimp with etouffee sauce is extraordinary. Poorboy sandwiches with oysters, shrimp, crawfish or blackened catfish are not to be missed. The crawfish, which is seasonal usually December through March, dishes are also sure fire winners. Don't forget to finish it all off with the best bread pudding in the Metroplex for dessert.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
SULLIVAN'S STEAKHOUSE
17795 North Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75287
(972) 267-9393
Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5:30 pm-11 pm
This is a top end traditional steakhouse that has a bit of a hipper upscale flair with a younger crowd than many due to the adjacent night club catering to single affluent professionals. The décor of dark wood harkens back to the style of a top end Midwest steakhouse a half a century ago. The Kansas City Strip, porterhouse, and lobster are as good as anybody's. Consider the delectable hash browns served in generous portions or the horseradish mashed potatoes for a break from a baked potato. The sautéed mushrooms are a tasty treat. They also offer a very nice wine list.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
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