Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Best Non Chain Restaurants in Dallas

Search

Best Non Chain Restaurants in Dallas

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 2nd, 2010, 01:56 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Best Non Chain Restaurants in Dallas

Looking for good non chain restaurants in DFW area. All suggestions welcome and I am not looking for any particular cuisine or price range. Thanks, looking forward to all responses.
TravelSense is offline  
Old Jul 2nd, 2010, 02:23 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah, this request is as broad as a steer's hind end.

Go to guidelive.com for restaurant listings in the Dallas area, it has an updated list of its top 100.

The Dallas Observer's DISH section also has listings available on line (google it) and D Magazine (google that) also lists recommended restaurants.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jul 2nd, 2010, 02:43 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Leave the sarcasm at the door. If you have no opinions on your favorite non chain restaurant in Dallas then don't respond.
I am by no means stupid, I can go to Zagat and other sites but I am looking for Fodorites personal views of their favorite non chain restaurants in Dallas.

I would like to explore the culinary offerings of Dallas so I meant it to be broad. Never know what I might be in the mood for so doesn't make sense for me to ask for a specific cuisine.

I often ask locals in cities this question and have never had this kind response.
TravelSense is offline  
Old Jul 2nd, 2010, 02:47 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We always enjoy going to Celebration on Lovers Lane....great if you enjoy home cooking family style and they always serve a GREAT cobbler!
myomy is offline  
Old Jul 2nd, 2010, 03:52 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
well - i agree with bigRuss - Huge city - need a little more detail.
Ethnic?
Price Range?
what area(s)?
ETC...

One of my favs there is a local DAllas "chain" - they only own 2 or 3 - not hlike a national chain.....

Taco Diner - They have amazing house made sauces and wonderful fish entrees etc.... I really like the atmosphere too.
My daughter lives there - in Highland Park, I will get some of her favorites - and post back
annesherrod is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 09:15 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey TS -- TS.

Give a hint as to what you're looking for and you'll get better answers. I also gave you THREE good recommendations for places to search for good restaurants and just get a dumping from you in your comment? You're not worth helping.
BigRuss is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 09:22 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
York Street on Greenville Avenue (need res'v)
Bolsa in Oak Cliff
Taverna in Uptown (probably a chain, but good!)
jill_h is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 11:33 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Riskey's for barbecue & Longoria's for Frito Pie.
laurieb_nyny is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 12:06 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My husband always liked 111 Forks...my Mom travels there frequently and "eats" well. I will check with her.
MomDDTravel is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 12:09 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I remembered one my Mom is always RAVING about...Mansion on Turtle Creek.
MomDDTravel is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 12:09 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mia's at 4322 Lemmon in Dallas for brisket tacos.

Rise http://risesouffle.com/ in Inwood Village in Dallas for souflees.
maryanntex is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 02:25 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Mom recommends York Street http://www.yorkstreetdallas.com/

Chef and owner Sharon is a friend of hers...
MomDDTravel is offline  
Old Jul 7th, 2010, 02:29 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I really enjoyed Saltgrass when I was there. No idea if its a chain.
tchoiniere is offline  
Old Jul 13th, 2010, 11:22 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
tchoinier, Saltgrass is a chain, they have one in Austin.

Celebration is yummy.

There are also many many Mexican restaurants that are non-chain but I'll let the locals fill you in.
bkluvsNola is offline  
Old Jul 13th, 2010, 11:23 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16,658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dh went to Bob's last night..said it was a mighty good steak. No idea if it is a chain or not.
MomDDTravel is offline  
Old Jul 15th, 2010, 02:54 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I loved our meal at Cafe Modern, Fort Worth. Here is a link - however their site says they will be closed from Aug 16th to the end of Sept. Too bad as just thinking about this place is making me hungry!

http://www.thecafemodern.com/index.html
donna_tx is offline  
Old Jul 15th, 2010, 04:52 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greenz for a good salad. Blue Mesa is good southwest food. I like all the Pappas places. Pappa Bros for steak (expensive), Pappasitos(mexican), Pappadeaux(Cajun). Blue Mesa and Pappas have multiple locations(more of a local or texas chain than a true chain). Eatsys is an interesting place. Mansion on Turtle Creek or The French Room are good for an expensive upscale meal. Heck I like the food court at Northpark Mall. Pacuigo Gelato is pretty hard to beat.

D Magazine does have reviews of all the Dallas restaurants. They cover everything.
spirobulldog is offline  
Old Jul 15th, 2010, 06:52 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I hate Dallas Observer, Guidelive and D Magazine reviews. They are biased. Yelp is better.
There are really great restaurants in Dallas but I recently had great meals at Lumi Empanada/Dumpling Kitchen and Hattie's in the Bishop Arts District. Any of Kent Rathbun's places are typically great, too: http://www.kentrathbun.com/
The French Room is flawless.
It's hard to pick favorites. The best thing about Dallas is that so many restaurants are excellent. There is a lot of lousy Tex-Mex, though!
TxTravelPro is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2010, 11:40 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
TxTravelPro,

lousy TexMex in Dallas is like gourmet TexMex in other states, lol
bkluvsNola is offline  
Old Jul 21st, 2010, 12:16 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Our favorites are:

Abacus
Stephen Pyles
S&D Oyster Co
Steel
Texas de Brazil for breakfast/brunch
Parigi's
Toulouse Cafe
Screen Door
Trece
BeachGirl247 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -