Restaurants I patronized

1. Al's Steakhouse, on Preston and Royal. One visit. The exterior and the trappings give off a whiff of amateur hour -- in fact the atmosphere of desperate copying of high-end restaurants with slapdash and decidedly comedic results (a waiter who three times said the special was a twelve-"pound" steak; the terrible sub par wedding singer, far too close in the small space; the slow, uncertain service) reminded me of a place I went to in India, where they were baffled by a request for menus. But man, the food. Simply excellent! Solid salad bar, superb steaks, terrific potatoes au gratin and beans on the side. An extra order of fries was hot and tasty, superior diner-style. Cocktails were rather small but well poured. Steak was as good as any other Dallas steakhouse I've had, which is saying a lot. [5/5]
2. Allgood Cafe, Malcolm X and Elm. One visit. Shrimp, steak, fish, fries, wine, live music. Good fresh ingredients and local suppliers. The service is adequate given the casual and sometimes loud atmosphere. Vegetables are well prepared, not limp. Decent entrees. [3/5]
3. Alma, on Henderson and 75. Traditional Mexican. One visit. Grilled shrimp tacos with pickled onions were very good. Ceviche, not my favorite, was tasty, with light touches like watermelon and jicama. Mojitos were a perfect mix of sour and sweet, and had a decent kick. Service was friendly. [4/5]
4. Bailey's Prime Plus, on Park and 75. One visit. Upscale steak house. Nice ambiance; they decorated the table for someone's birthday (though they did not, oddly, deliver an on the house desert.) I had the filet mignon, fried asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Very good meat, but not absolutely incredible. Asparagus was all right. Mashed potatoes were average. The appetizer, a whole avocado stuffed with cheese and lobster and friend, was delicious and decadent, thought lobster was few and far between. By itself, four stars; compared with other high-end steak places in Dallas, three. [4/5]
5. Balls Hamburgers, on Midway and Northwest Highway. Delivers big greasy burgers loaded with fixings. Family friendly, but somewhat rundown (three desultory, slightly broken, very old arcade games in the game corner; not exactly the cleanest place on earth). Sports memorabilia everywhere; vinyl booths. Good crisp fries and very rich shakes. Can be overly salty sometimes. Not good for you at all but a decent alternative to McDonald's. [3/5]
6. Bangkok City, on Bryan and Peak. A new place. I had the shrimp Pad Thai, a disappointingly bland choice on my part, but I wanted to see how they served up this staple. It wasn't bad, but lacked that variety of flavors that Thai cuisine can bring. A starter salad was drenched in spicy but tasty peanut dressing. [3/5]
7. Bee, on Davis and Zhang. One visit. The name stands for Best Enchiladas Ever. Self-service begins with a checklist --- choose your tortilla, type of meat filling, and sauce, and present it to the cashier. Authentically tiny tacos and sides are also available. Drinks include Sweet Leaf tea and big Mexican Cokes. Service was very friendly --- there was that a lot of that anxious coming by to make sure everything was good that you find in new places. Though there was a bit of a line when we got there, it went quickly, and the food was ready fast. Everything was extremely good and fresh tasting. Chips were light and fluffy, and a very generous amount of guacamole was included (I hate it when restaurants skimp and trick you with those inverted bowls!). [4/5]
8. A Better Burger, Lemmon and Inwood. Two visits. Burgers, fries, and shakes. Extremely clean and inviting atmosphere, fun decor with 50s advertisements. A wide variety of toppings, cheeses, condiments, and sauces. Three kinds of fries. Buns come in pretzel or wheat. A little overpriced, but good food and friendly people. [4/5]
9. Big Al's Smokehouse BBQ, on Inwood and Vandella. Four visits. A typical Dallas BBQ joint --- brisket and pulled pork, hot links, ribs, cobbler, free soft serve, cafeteria style serving. I had the pulled pork sandwich, my go-to for BBQ, and it was pretty good. Not exceptional, but more than decent. Ribs are quite good. Potato au gratin was unappealing, with orange cheese, not very hot. Creamed corn had cream in it, not what I expected but okay. Mexican Coke in bottles is available. Free soft serve cones for dessert. [4/5]
10. Bijoux, on Inwood and Lovers.  One visit.  High-end, contemporary French.  There's a regular menu and a chef's room where an ever-changing tasting menu is offered, for about a hundred bucks a plate.  On my visit, we had quail's egg, mushroom soup, halibut, duck, venison, pomegranate ice, and souffle.  It was very well done; the chef was clearly talented.  However, we all agreed that many of the dishes lacked flavor.  The venison and halibut in particular seemed lifeless and bland.  In comparison, the vegetables and sides --- spaghetti squash, cherry couscous --- were a surprisingly delightful mix of flavors.  Overall, especially considering the price, we were not overwhelmed, though it might be worth it to try their fixed menu.  [3/5]
11. The Blue Fish, on Greenville and McCommas / on Frankford and the Tollway. Two visits. Higher-end sushi, plus full bar. We sampled a wide variety of rolls, and no one was disappointed. The food was excellent all round --- the yellowtail fresh, California rolls not too creamy and still identifiable as crab, eel with none of that unfortunate rubbery texture you sometimes get. Friendly, smiling service. Great 2-for-1 lunch deal.  [5/5]
12. Bob's Steak and Chop House, on Lamar at the Omni Hotel.  One visit.  A much-touted Dallas steak institution.  Several of my group found our steaks horribly salty (though perfectly cooked).  The carrot accompaniment was overly sweet, the potato side a bit mushy.  Cocktails were decidedly inferior unless ordered off the list -- rum and coke, for example, was overly strong with cheap well rum.  named cocktails off the list were better.  Desserts were delicious but way too large for even six hungry people.  [3/5]
13. Bolsa, on N Bishop and Davis (way out of my Square of Comfort). Two visits. This is a crowded, trendy Oak Cliff place with a menu that changes daily and emphasizes fresh, local ingredients. We shared a pitcher of the sangria, which was rather sour but good. Our starter was a variety of bruschetta --- tomato and cheese, apple and cheese, prosciutto, salmon. Each one was delightful, especially the crisp apple. One of the most decadent things on the menu: a Wagyu burger, topped with flavorful jack cheese and a tender pork jowl. As one of my dining companions said, "It's a really upscale bacon cheeseburger." I think I decided wisely, as it was utterly delicious, and did not make me feel artery-packed full, as you might think. Mussels are plentiful and average to good. Grits are delicious. Mixed drinks and desserts are excellent. The service was extremely solicitous, despite how busy the place was. High priced but worth it! [5/5]
14. Burger Island, on Webb Chapel and Forest. One visit. Burgers-and-fries grill. Default burger is quite large and comes heaped with mushrooms, mayo, onions, and jalepenos. Fries are limp and seasoned with something that was their only taste. Burger was unremarkable except for size, and overloaded with mayo. The place was not exceptionally clean, and rather overpriced ($10 for burger and fries). [2/5]
15. The Butcher's Son, truck.  One visit.  Gourmet sliders.  A chicken and mashed potato slider is good, the meatball slider unexceptional.  Nutella and peanut butter slider is delicious, but how could it not be?  It's ambitious but not quite as skillfully done as Easy Sliders.  Still, a fun eating experience.  [4/5]
16. Buzzbrews, on Lemmon and the Tollway. One visit. Diner fare --- eggs, burgers, and coffee --- with a college-town hipster eco-vibe. Very friendly and accommodating service, and quite good dishes. I had the egg-white omelet with avocado, bacon on the side. The bacon was undercooked to my taste and overly greasy, but good enough. The omelet itself was great. My friend got a burger, which was good, though the multi-grain bun was rather heavy (she removed it). A fun place. [4/5]
17. Cafe Express, on Inwood and Lovers. Five visits.  I had visited a couple of times some years back and didn't remember it as being great, but it's a consistently reliable place.  I very much enjoyed the California burger (avocado, artichoke hearts, red onion), fries, and a super-sweet "hand-squeezed" lime juice. For what is essentially upscale fast food, this was a great burger. The toppings were fresh, the onions crisp, the fries tasty.  The turkey club is also well done, with generous helpings of turkey and crisp lettuce.  I'm a sucker for limeade, but if I get it again, I think I'd dilute it by about a third with cold water. [4/5]
18. Cedars Social, on Lamar and Belleview.  One visit. A cocktail house with high-quality food. Incredibly friendly and welcoming service, very knowledgeable staff about craft cocktails and food.  We told the waitress our favorite drinks and she came up with some solid recommendations.  The ingredients are very high-end alcohol with local and organic mixers.  I ate three delicious (but very small) fish tacos, while my friend had the very good (and highly expensive) lobster roll.  Excellent drinks.  Pricey but worth it.  [4/5]
19. Chamberlain's, on Belt Line and the Tollway. One visit. A decent high-end steak house, with good service. Not exceptional but hitting all the right notes. [4/5]
20. Cindi's New York Deli, on Marsh and Forest (chain location). Ten visits. Often very crowded deli with a vast menu and --- incongruously --- a full bar, specializing in breakfast, bagels, and sandwiches. Efficient, friendly service, with short waits considering how packed the place can be on a weekend morning. Very good bagels, good soups when hot. Good sandwiches. Decent omelettes and biscuits with gravy.  Huge portions.  It's fun to see how it strives to be a traditional New York Jewish deli --- with chocolate phosphates and egg creams! --- but is also clearly a Dallas joint (the full bar gives it away), and to top it off Asian-owned. [3/5]
21. Citrus Bistro, on Preston and Royal. One visit. Seafood Americana. Perhaps a bit misled by their website, my lunch companion and I both expected something a bit lighter than was actually served. I got the "she-crab" soup --- which was good --- and the Philly sandwich, which was decent but somewhat greasy. The service was adequate, but unenthusiastic. [2/5]
22. Coal Vines, on Cedar Springs and Maple.  One visit.  High-end pizza.  Truly exceptional speiciality pizzas, with terrific crispy, buttery crust, fresh tomatoes, and quality toppings.  Very nice wine list.  Friendly speedy service.  Excellent all around.  [5/5]
23. The Common Table, on Maple and Cedar Springs. One visit. Upscale Americana. I got a grilled cheese with pork loin, which was delicious. Scallops were pretty good but not superb. Barbecue ribs were nice, perhaps overloaded with sweet sauce. The server kept recommending beers for our brew drinker, and kept not quite hitting the mark; however, my mojitos were terrific, if a bit small. Nice service, good atmosphere, quality food. [4/5]
24. Corner Bakery, on Preston and Northwest Highway (chain location). Five visits. Hearty, well crafted non-traditional fast food -- sandwiches and salads. The egg sandwiches and paninis are a reliable standby. This visit I had the Greek salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, artichoke, feta cheese). At 60 calories not very filling, but it was delicious. The dressing not too tart, the lettuce crisp, a good portion. [3/5]
25. DaLat, on N. Fitzhugh and Mannett.  One visit.  Vietnamese.  I had the shrimp pho.  Good quality dive Asian food.  [4/5]
26. Dickey's Barbecue, on Preston and Forest (chain location, but originated in Dallas). A few visits, not recent. I don't think you can grow up here without being familiar with this place. I had my usual, a pulled-pork sandwich. For sides I got the potatoes au gratin and cucumber salad. The latter was fine, the potatoes were a bit gooey and gave off a soupçon of American cheese. The sandwich was decent, but nothing special. A few bits of meat were rubbery, and there were a couple of pieces of fat. [3/5]
27. Dive Coastal Cuisine, on Rankin and Hillcrest. One visit.  Americana seafood.  Decent fish tacos, nothing to write home about.  Popular with the ladies who lunch.  [3/5]
28. Dodie's (the original), on Greenville and Richmond. Two visits. New Orleans-style seafood. Good shrimp and oyster po'boys. Very low-key but friendly service. [4/5]
29. Dough, on Preston and Royal (chain location; began in San Antonio). Three visits. Authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza. Upscale decor. Trumpets its use of fresh local ingredients  Fresh ingredients are good, house made mozzarella, very tasty crusts, light sauce. High-ticket items such as sparkling water and wine are pushed heavily. Italian bacon pizza was a real disappointment; house-made mozzarella was terrific, and the chewy thin crust was also a treat. But the curlicues of undercooked, fatty pork on there were not Italian bacon (pancetta). I probably should have stuck with simplicity and gotten a Margherita. The dessert --- a plate of several Nutella sandwiches with whipped cream --- was fantastic. Second visit was better; pizza with arugula and pancetta was quite good, as was the salad.  [4/5]
30. East Hampton Sandwich Company, on Snider Plaza and Westminster.  Two visits.  Upscale sandwiches; the place is run by the husband of a friend.  Very good food, with alcohol service.  The upscale vibe is marred slightly by the practice of paying when you order (which also makes seconds on drinks a slight hassle), and the rather cheap tables and chairs.  They lavish a lot of attention on the food, however.  The short rib and white cheese sandwich was great --- although the caramelized onions were overpowering; next time I'll have those on the side.  My friend said the same of her lobster roll --- the added greens distracted from the main flavors.  Overall, though, a fine new restaurant.  [4/5]
31. Easy Slider, truck.  Three visits.  Specialized sliders.  Incredibly good sliders, three for $10.  Some are decadent (peanut butter and fried egg) and some are so imaginative that they're  surprisingly good (grape jelly and goat cheese and bacon).  Excellent.  [5/5]
32. El Fenix, on Northwest and Hillcrest. Many visits. Cheese-drenched Tex-Mex. Bland but not bad. [3/5]
33. Fireside Pies, on Lovers and Inwood (chain location).  Two visits. Good quality thin crust pizza, generous with the toppings.  Salads are also good.  [4/5]
34. Fish City Grill, on Preston and Royal (chain location). Two visits. Dallas-based national chain. Decent fish tacos, good chowder and po boys. Laid-back atmosphere. [4/5]
35. Flying Fish, Luther and Preston.  Two visits.  Seafood.  Laid-back seaside-bistro ambiance.  Mediocre lobster stew, fish sandwiches, fries.  [2/5]
36. Franki's Pizza & Pasta on Marsh and Forest. Ten+ visits. Not exactly authentic Italian (frankly, the family that runs it sounds Albanian to me), but good solid thin-crust pizza with generous heaps of toppings. Today we had delivered two 12" smalls, one with garlic, mushroom and green peppers, and another with sausage and mushrooms. Both were excellent -- well cooked, hot, and filling. Two 12" smalls run about $23, and is enough for leftovers. Nothing better than a cheap, reliable neighborhood pizza joint. [4/5]
37. Freebirds, on Greenville and Lovers. Several visits. A hipster college standby that I've enjoyed once in a while. I usually get the same thing each time: a spinach burrito with cheese, rice, black beans, bell peppers, guacamole, and sour cream. The hipper-than-thou indie servers are always incredibly helpful and unfailingly polite, and the food is good, with monster portions. I would have liked the fixings to be a trifle warmer, but it was still a very tasty log o' food. Cheap, filling, reliable. [4/5]
38. Gazeebo Burger, on Preston and Royal. Two visits. A kid-friendly burger joint with ketchup on the table, a condiment rack, vinyl booths, and some old arcade games in the corner. Lots of choices for toppings (peppers, avocado, cheeses). But the burgers, though advertised as fresh juicy Angus beef, are thin, uniformly well-done, and pretty much just "fast-food adequate." The fries were crispy and nice. [3/5]
39. Ginger, on Cox and Forest. Two visits. A Thai place. I had the tofu pad thai with calamari starter. I was pleased -- not bland, not too spicy, good flavors. Maybe could use more peanut. The wide noodle dish with chicken and broccoli was also quite tasty.  Beef satay is rather tough , but has good peanut sauce.  Decent, good value for money. [3/5]
40. Good Eats, on Oak Lawn and Irving (chain location). Many visits. Decent Americana smothered in gravy. The chicken-fried chicken is a standby, as is the chicken pasta. Vegetables are usually fried or undercooked: safe bets are corn and mashed potatoes. If cooked right, the broccoli is the best choice. Burgers are not done well: overcooked and fairly tasteless. Friendly service, cheap margaritas. [3/5]
41. Herrera's, on Denton and Inwood. Many visits. Tex-Mex. Super greasy, orange cheese, rather bland stuff. Quick service. Neon-green industrial strength but super smooth margaritas are the only redemption for that food. [2/5]
42. Hillstone (formerly Houston's: chain location), on Preston and Northwest Highway. Several visits. Upscale-casual burger and chop house. Same great burgers, new name. I had the cheeseburger medium rare, with fries. The fries were thin and tasted more of fried skin than potato flavor. The burger was cooked to perfection, juicy, and loaded with thick pickle, tomato, and crunchy onion. We also each had key lime pie. It was fairly good, a trifle too tart for my taste. [4/5]
43. Jen's Place Bakery, on Welch and Alpha. One visit. Very casual, cafeteria style. Sandwiches and baked goods, with some hot specials. I got the veggie sandwich with cream cheese and fries. Everything was very good, and the staff was exceptionally friendly. [4/5]
44. Jimmy's Food Store, on Bryan and Fitzhugh. One visit. This new place turned out to be a market with a sandwich counter and a back room with tables. Specialty chips like Cape Cod and Zapp's and your less common bottled sodas (Gale's root beer) can be bought off the racks. I had the hot meatball with cheese, onions and sweet peppers, which was very good. I tasted the cold prosciutto and mozzarella on a flat bun as well. A limited repertoire, perhaps, but solid sandwich skills are in evidence here, as are all the makings of a triple bypass. [4/5]
45. Kathleen's Sky Diner, on Lovers and the Tollway. One visit. Diner with somewhat amusing, if perhaps overdone, airline motif. I came at breakfast time and had an unassuming chorizo, cheese, and avocado. Decent. [3/5]
46. Kaze, on Greenville and Walnut Hill.  One visit.  Hibachi and sushi, with cocktails.  A fun hibachi show, with a clever and entertaining hibachi chef for the kids.  Well-cooked steaks, scallops, and chicken.  Sushi was decent, but I stuck with the cooked stuff so can't say how fresh the actual sashimi is.  Worth a revisit.  [3/5] 
47. Komali, on Fitzhugh and Cole.  One visit.  Contemporary Mexican.  I had the redfish with grapefruit, which was well done.  [4/5]
48. Ku Sushi, on Preston and Forest.  Three visits.  Sushi.  Went with four friends, tried a bit of everything.  Very good eel rolls, excellent salmon.  Good soft crab.  The roe is not as good as elsewhere.  One specialty roll with mango and no rice was a delightful surprise.  [4/5]
49. Lakewood's 1st and 10, on Skillman and Mockingbird. A few visits. A bar, but with decent food. I had the chopped beef sandwich and it was just as good as the pork BBQ I had at Sonny Bryan's. The cottage fries were discs of fried potato - the thick, chewy ones worked, while the thinner ones had been fried crunchy and were less pleasant. The thin onion "rings" (more like strings) are a specialty here, and lived up to the hype I was subjected to by fellow diners (drinkers). The grilled catfish with side salad and Spanish rice is unexpectedly good, and possibly a healthier choice. [3/5]
50. Liberty Burger, on Inwood and Forest.  One visit.  Heard about this place long before I stepped foot in it; it's raved about, with lines out the door.  I enjoyed it.  Good, well-crafted burgers with many intriguing varieties --- I had a bison patty with refried beans and guacamole -- but not the best burger ever.  Still, quite good and worth another visit or two to see what other tastes they concoct.  [4/5]
51. Lover's Pizza & Pasta, on Lovers and the Tollway.  Good, low-rent pizza and Italian-American fare. One visit.  "NYC style" slices are indeed large and floppy, but are just average in taste. Decent and cheap. [3/5]
52. Madras Pavilion, on Coit and Belt Line (chain location).  All-you-can-eat Indian buffet. Several visits.  It's a hit or miss kind of place; the quality of your experience depends on what they made that day, and if you're a spice wuss like me, on how much heat they added to the mix. On one visit, everything is delicious and easily digested. On another visit, I found everything way too spicy, as did my fellow eaters. The nan was fresh and buttery, though. It's generally good Indian food, run and patronized by Indians, but not always to my taste. The ubiquitous printed signs admonishing you, the diner, to help them cut costs by eating everything and not giving your child silverware are always amusing. [3/5]
53. Malai Kitchen, on Cole and Blackburn.  One visit.  Thai and Vietnamese.   Quite good craft cocktails on offer with an Asian flair such as spiced rum, ginger, mint, etc; spotty service at the bar and table.  I tried the Vietnamese pork ribs, which were as expected.  A starter sampler revealed some tasty (fried rolls, chicken satay) an some quite bad (meatballs that tasted like nothing so much as high school cafeteria salisbury steak, a very overdone and tough beef satay).  [3/5]
54. Mama Fay's BBQ, outside the Double-Wide, on Exposition and Commerce. Nice-after-drinking barbecue. One visit.  We ordered pulled pork, but they had run out, so I got the chopped beef. It was very good, but even the mild sauce had so much heat it overpowered the taste of the meat. [3/5]
55. Mango's, on Marsh and Alpha. (Note: this is not Mango, a Thai place on Lover's or in Plano.) Three visits. Two places in one: a pho and noodle house, and a sushi restaurant. I prefer the sushi side; the one time I tried the pho I found it a bit salty and too liquid --- but perhaps I just ordered the wrong thing. The sushi is excellent, and the bar serves some nice Asian twists on cocktails (such as an Asian mint mojito). [4/5]
56. Marble Slab Creamery, on Knox and Central.  Two visits.  Utterly unimpressed.  Ice cream tasted bland and artificial, not fresh and creamy.  Cone tasted stale, not fresh-baked as so proudly advertised.  Even though we were the only people there, the tables had not been wiped down for some time.  The employees stayed in the back unless someone was actively ordering.  Overpriced.  [1/5]
57. Marquee, on Mockingbird and Preston.  Steak and fish.  One visit.  Like the other Twomey Group places, this one has great food and friendly, helpful staff. A top-notch bartender served up margaritas, Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and mojitos, all of excellent quality. The steak dishes were perfectly cooked. The burger, surprisingly, was delicious --- prime beef, a slightly sweet bun, and a tasty sauce. Excellent all around. [5/5]
58. Mattito's, on Forest and Central.  Tex-Mex.  One visit.  Had an excellent margarita and some fair-to-middling appetizers.  The chicken quesadillas were the best.  [3/5]
59. The Mercury Grill, on Preston and Forest. Upscale eclectic.  Six visits.  They do everything from sushi to quail to steak, with a slant toward fresh organic ingredients.  Mac and cheese is phenomenal with a unique taste, though a bit creamy.  Couscous carbonara with egg is also extremely good.  Great seasonal stuff like prosciutto ravioli.  The aged short ribs are truly special: light, rare, a bit fatty, thinly sliced.  Delicious margaritas, weak mojitos.  Desserts are also well done.   [5/5]  
60. Mesomaya, on Preston and Forest.  Mexican. One visit. Inspired by one of the most savage excoriations of a restaurant ever published in a professional magazine, went with some friends to see what the fuss was about. Got chicken tamales, which were good. Another dish, some sort of layered cheesy tortilla with shrimp, was good though very salty. The chicken and mole was decent also. I found the mojito underwhelming. Hardly a disaster, though not exceptionally good either. [3/5]
61. Ming Palace China Bistro, on Inwood and Lemmon.  Asian.  One visit.  The place looks a bit low-rent and run-down.  When I came in, they couldn't take credit cards because someone hadn't come in yet; nor did they have change for a twenty.  I got the pad Thai, and forgot to specify "mild," so what a bit overwhelmed.  It was fairly tasty, though. 
62. Mr. Mesero, on McKinney and Armstrong.  One visit.  Mexican.  I had a mojito and nachos.  Mico's new venture has very good bar drinks, decent service and average food.  [3/5]
63. Naga Thai, on High Market and N Houston in Victory Park.  Thai food and cocktails.  One visit.  Friendly, amenable, cheerful service.  An array of interesting Asian-themed cocktails.  The Thai mojito is quite good.  Asian wings were enjoyed by all though too hot for me.  Pad Thai was extremely flavorful without being too spicy.  Would definitely visit again to try other dishes and appetizers (and cocktails!).  [4/5]
64. Nando's, on Preston and Royal.  One visit.  Mexican.  Nice patio, good service.  Decidedly mediocre food.  Machos were bland.  Cheese is gooey and orange.  Everything a bit salty.   [2/5]
65. Neighborhood Services Bar & Grill, on Preston and Royal.  Two visits. Upscale eclectic.  Terrific sea bass, delicious appetizers, cheery and efficient service.  A gem.  [4/5] 
66. Neighborhood Services Tavern, on Henderson and Glencoe.  One visit.  Upscale, not pretentious; an eclectic adult eatery. A nice array of specialty cocktails; I had the East Side, a delicious (but small) lemony drink. They offer daily specials. I was assured the chicken pot pie was superb, and my companions seemed to enjoy the mussels. I got the flatiron steak, medium rare. It came to the table still mooing, and heavily salted. Well, I'm a fan of rare red meat, so I was happy. A cheese flight appetizer was good, but lacked variety: three creamy cheeses with additions such as pimento, and little toasts. [4/5]
67. Old Monk, on Henderson and 75. Bar food.  Two visits. A much-touted cheeseburger was rather salty and only decent. Mussels were much better. [3/5]
68. On the Border, on Cole and Knox (national chain). One visit.  A surprisingly good Tex-Mex chain. The BBQ brisket tacos topped with onion strings are a delicious, guilty pleasure. Good value for the money, a wide variety of flavors. [4/5]
69. Original Pancake House, on Midway and NW Highway (chain location). Ten+ visits. A good place for Mother's Day brunch if you don't mind a very long wait. Having recently had the pancakes, this time I ordered the raspberry crepes. They were decent; sweet syrup mixed with slightly more bitter berries. I finished them, but will order something else next time. OPH serves good freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice with seed bits in it, which is worth ordering again. [3/5]
70. Ozona Grill and Bar, on Greenville and SMU. Four visits. Frat boy watering hole by night, pleasant kid-friendly lunch room by day. After a heaping helping of seasoned tortilla chips with a medley of sauces (guacamole, salsa, ranch, queso), my lunch companion and I shared the chicken sandwich, with bacon and Swiss cheese. The fries I pronounced a trifle too fluffy and limp (I prefer a thick fry with a crisp shell), but they were acceptable. The sandwich was excellent. We got honey mustard dressing on the side, which I found delicious, and used as a dip for the entire sandwich. Cheese fries are okay, though lacking that heart-congesting grease as in Snuffer's. I also enjoyed the eggs Florentine for brunch -- poached eggs with spinach, on a muffin. The service is gracious and accommodating -- they sliced the shared sandwich and served it on different plates without being asked -- and the patio was a terrific place to eat. Shaded, and with a large fan, it made being out in the brutal Dallas summer heat quite a pleasant experience. [4/5]
71. Pappas Brothers Steakhouse, on Lombardy and Stemmons.  Six visits.  My favorite steak restaurant in Dallas.  Very expensive but when they are spot-on it's worth it.  Usually impeccable service, enormous wine and cocktail list, terrific crab or lobster mac and cheese.  Perfect meal: half a medium rare ribeye, half a medium rare filet mignon, delicate and still crisp hericots verts on the side.  [5/5] 
72. Parigi, on Oak Lawn and N Hall.  One visit.  Eclectic European.  Nice atmosphere, very earnest menu with high quality local ingredients boasted. Terrific Caesar salad, though a bit light on the dressing.  I had the signature "knuckle" sandwich -- lobster, bacon, scallions, cream -- with hearts of palm salad.  Hearts of palm apparently taste like artichoke and bamboo had a baby.  My friend had salmon risotto.  Both orders were out of our comfort zone on purpose, so perhaps a bit unfair, but we weren't exactly happy with them.  Service was rather lackadaisical.   [3/5]
73. Pepe + Mito's, on Malcolm X and Elm. One visit. Authentic Mexican in Deep Ellum, new to me. Much larger than it looks from the outside, and nearly empty when we went. The chips were average, the salsa good, the queso middling. The entree more than made up for the (apparently unusually ordinary) starter, though. I had pork enchiladas (covered with some fairly hot green sauce), rice, and beans. Despite the heat, which is not my thing, I cleaned my plate --- an unusual occurrence for me at a Mexican place. Solid flavors, hand-prepared food, filling but not overwhelming portions. [4/5]
74. The Place At Perry's, formerly Perry's, at Cedar Springs and Routh. Two visits. One of Dallas' several top-notch steak houses. The filet is melty and soft, the strip steak packed with meat flavor. Decent sides. I was not impressed at all with the Cowboy Short Rib, which was Alpo on a bone. Okay, that's overly harsh, but at these prices it needs to be fantastic. [4/5]
75. Potbelly, on Preston and Forest (chain location). Twenty+ visits. Meatball sub is good, as is the turkey. The veggie sandwich with mushrooms and all fixings on wheat and the crispy, tasty plain Zapp's chips. But it comes default with Satan's smegma, American cheese, on it. This must be replaced with something edible. Good Zapp's brand chips, great soda and tea selection. [3/5]
76. Princi Italia, on Preston and Royal.  Two visits.  Italian.  Superior pizza and pasta made with fresh dough and cheeses.  The fig and Gorgonzola pizza is a surprise treat.  Cocktails are very good.  [5/5]
77. R + D Cafe, on Preston and Northwest Highway. Two visits. Burgers, sandwiches, Americana, and sushi. Tried the sushi, because it was just so anomalous. Decent, but not worth the high price. Burgers are excellent. The wait is extremely long at peak times. [4/5]
78. Rafa's, on Lover's Lane and the Tollway. Two visits. Mexican. Decent tacos, good egg dishes on tortillas. Extremely friends and accommodating service. [4/5]
79. Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen, on Luther and Douglas.  One visit.  Upscale Americana.  Somewhat pretentious menu, friendly service.  The chef is going for high-end but the result is hardly flawless.  A Burger with brie was nice, though the brie was too overpowering, and the fixings were typical burger - even ketchup - showing that not a great deal of thought had been put into the creation.  A side of white truffle fries was merely decent and quite overpriced.  [3/5]
80. Rock and Roll Sushi, on Berkshire and Westchester.  One visit.  Quality, unassuming sushi.  Soft-shelled crab and eel rolls are good.  [4/5]
81. Rockfish, chain location (on Preston and Forest). Three visits. Dallas-based chain serving southern seafood in a medium-classy atmosphere with full bar. Calimari was very good --- lightly breaded, fried well, tasting of the meat rather than the breading. Fish tacos were excellent, wrapped tight and served with tangy sauce.  Excellent cajun fare as well (blackened catfish, BBQ shrimp).  Huge portions. Margarita and Mojotio were both delicious and well made. Service was slow but friendly. [4/5]
82. Roti Grill, on McKinney and Armstrong.  Six visits.  Solid Indian meat-and-sauce with rice.  My go-to is lamb with masala.  The puffy, buttery naan is very good.  Reliable food and friendly service.  [4/5]
83. Royal China, on Preston and Royal. 10+ visits. The dumpling starter is fantastic. The soup is served with those fried crunchy bits and some dipping sauce. Good crispy lemon chicken, tofu vegetable noodles are pretty unimaginative. Friendly service, often very crowded. [4/5]
84. Royal Thai, on Greenville and Lovers. A few visits. My fallback is the pad thai, with shrimp, tofu, egg, peanuts and green onions. I get it totally mild. Started with tulip dumplings, which were small but flavorful. The pad thai had terrific texture and tasted delicious.  [4/5]
85. Scotty P's, on Preston and Forest. Four visits. Usually decent fast food, juicy burgers with crisp fries. I think going at peak hours is best. On one visit, the shake and fries were just average --- the shake good, the fries hot but lacking much of a flavorful punch. Worse, I ordered the mushroom-swiss burger, and it was a huge disappointment. Cooked until rubbery, cold and wilted lettuce, a glob of cheese that wasn't quite melted, totally unnoticeable mushrooms. A completely different experience than the previous times. It left me feeling unpleasantly full for the entire rest of the day --- I didn't finish the burger, and didn't eat again until the next morning. [3/5]
86. Snappy Salad, on Preston and Forest. One visit. My female co-workers rave about this place. I got the Cobb salad: chicken, eggs, bacon, avocado... Sounds delicious. It was okay; I added perhaps too much dressing and it was kind of soggy. Except for one appetite-quashing crunchy bit that might have been eggshell. At least I hope it was something as innocuous as eggshell. Overall, it was disappointing; but nothing I'd rush to try again. [2/5]
87. Snuffer's, chain location (Greenville or Preston). Many, many visits. Buckets of grease and unnaturally bright orange goo-cheese and sodium. Helps after a night of excess libations, however. I had the cheese fries (good while hot, repulsive after they've cooled) and very salty chicken fingers. It's workmanlike stuff, Americana to the hilt, totally unhealthy, and staffed by very friendly, patient folks. Ought also to be staffed with an EMT and a defibrillator. [3/5]
88. Society Bakery, in Medical City on Forest and Central. One visit. First time I'd heard of this place, which apparently is one of the most-praised institutions in Dallas. I had an Italian Cream cupcake and a not-very-sweet-at-all organic bottled green tea from Harney & Sons. Now I am not even that much of a dessert guy, but damn. This is worth driving to. They use high quality ingredients at Society, and you can really tell the difference. A very memorable cupcake indeed. [5/5]
89. Sonny Bryan's, on Preston and Royal. Twenty+ visits; a Dallas tradition. I had the pulled pork sandwich, some unappetizing mac and cheese, and cole slaw. The sandwich was pretty good. Fresher than Dickey's, and served plain, so the customer can dish out his own sauce level. But it wasn't anything spectacular; it's pretty sad when the most memorable thing about a restaurant lunch is its fountain soda (IBC root beer, delicious). [3/5]
90. Spring Creek Barbeque, local chain (635 and Preston).  One visit.  Decidedly mediocre BBQ.  Tough, fatty pork ribs did not slide off the bone, drenched in a sticky sweet spicy sauce.  My companion reported his chopped beef sandwich was decent, the beans inedible. Overpriced as well.  No desire to return. [2/5]
91. Sushi House, on Inwood and Lovers. Five visits. Typically I order the tuna rolls, California rolls, eel rolls, shrimp tempura rolls. Everything is good and an older woman who seems to be the manager is always welcoming with a big smile. Decent prices. Spring roll --- tuna and salmon wrapped in thin slices of cucumber rather than rice --- is a disappointment, as the cuke overpowers the fish completely. [4/5]
92. Sushi Star, on Preston and Royal. Many, many visits. Got my usual lunch take-out: California roll, spider (soft shelled crab) roll, and salmon avocado roll. They gave me the good lunchtime price, two rolls for $10, and it was great as usual. This is not superb high-end sushi like you get in New York or Portland, but it's dependably tasty and the staff is super friendly. I love their ginger slices. [4/5]
93. Taco Diner, on Josey and Valley View. One visit. Authentic Mexican-style tacos plus specialties.  Part of the M Crowd group of restaurants, this classy and upscale (but not terribly expensive or snooty) restaurant features small meat, fish, and vegetarian tacos, two for $5 or four for $10.  Not extraordinary but quite tasty, with mild spiciness (they aim to please all comers).  Tilapia was a bit oversauced, but beef al pastor with pineapple and BBQ pulled pork were highly flavorful.  As at Mi Cocina, the strong and tasty Mambo Taxi is a must.  [4/5]
94. Taverna, on Cole and Armstrong. One visit. Upscale, ever so slightly trendy. Small tables, crowded as in a European cafe. Started with friend shrimp, calamari and vegetables medley with spicy dipping sauce. Good but a scintilla too greasy. We shared a margherita pizza. Heavy on the cheese, ultra-thin crust, no tomatoes (which I was under the impression were a sine qua non ingredient of the margherita). All in all, good, well-made food; I get the impression there's a seasoned professional, but not an inventive master, at work in the kitchen. [4/5]
95. Texadelphia, chain location (on Greenville and Lovers). Two visits. Austin-based cheesesteak house featuring Angus beef; smallish place with dark wood interior and lots of eye-catching memorabilia on the walls. Decent sandwiches with a variety of toppings. Chicken and beef are both good. Space-age soda dispenser. Customer base includes frat dudes, businessmen, kids. [3/5]
96. Torchy's Tacos, chain location (on Preston and Forest). Ten+ visits. We ordered out from work. Small but filling tacos, remarkably cheap at $2-$4 apiece.Two is a filling enough and still quite inexpensive lunch. I usually sample a couple of breakfast items: egg, cheese and bacon; and egg, cheese and potato. Both quite good, generously stuffed with filling. Of course afterward we all felt generously stuffed with filling as well. Migas adds a nice crunch. The barbecue is good but tends to be a bit greasy. Verdict: yummy but bloaty. [4/5]
97. Toulouse Cafe and Bar, on Abbott and Knox. Three visits. French cafe by night, brunch place on the weekends. A brunch menu typical of the slightly upscale restaurant and bar. I had a decent but small and not very strong mimosa. The eggs hollandaise with crab chunks was good, though the sauce they used overpowered the rest of the tastes. One friend got a croque madame which came slightly burnt at the top. Another had a bacon cheeseburger which was far too salty for my tastes. Steaks are well-cooked and tender.  Mussels in tomato sauce are good, but the tuna tartare was overpowered by needless sauce.  Service is sometimes lackadaisical.  [3/5]
98. Tupinamba, at Inwood and Willow. One visit.  Tex-Mex.  Decent margaritas, greasy and filling tacos.  Flavorful table salsa and nicely cooked chips.  Nothing special.  [3/5]
99. Village Burger Bar, on Cole and Blackburn.  One visit.  Upscale burger joint. I wanted to like this place, I really did.  Nice atmosphere, fairly pleasant people at the counter where you order.  Overly trendy, but visually pleasing.  I didn't like the layout of the tables --- too close together for comfort --- but that's a nitpick.  Service is non-existent.  But more to the point, I just didn't enjoy the food at all.  The menu board stated that all burgers were cooked medium as default; mine arrived well done, the juiciness cooked right out of it.  I didn't care for the bun, which was tasteless, and the fries were overly salty.  [2/5]
100. Which Wich, on Lemmon and Inwood (Dallas-based chain location). Three visits. A sandwich place in the Potbelly or Jimmy John's line, with shakes and so forth, and boasting of its fresh-basked toasted bread. The conceit is in the ordering system, where customers grab a paper bag and use a Sharpie to mark the sandwich and toppings they want, and hand the bag to the cashier. They have a lot of unusual choices, such as peanut butter and bacon. My first visit, I went for the tried and true turkey and avocado. The food is decidedly average, I'm afraid --- not bad at all, but nothing to rave about. The Elvis (crumbled bacon, PB, banana, and honey) is surprisingly enjoyable.  Still, the service is quite friendly, and the place is clean and inviting for sit-and-reads such as myself. Not mediocre, just unsurprising. [3/5]
101. Woodlands Grill, on Preston and Forest. Five visits. I got the Caprese Burger (pesto and mozzarella), medium rare. Instead of fries I got a side of mac-n-cheese --- because while you're taking a chance ordering it in restaurants, if it's done right, mac and cheese is one of the best sides you can get. I was not disappointed. The burger was cooked to perfection and the pesto glaze was delicious. And wonder of wonders, it was pretty near the best mac and cheese I have ever had. Nothing Krafty or Velveetesque about this five dollar side: just hot baked pasta with real cheese. This remains a Dallas favorite. [5/5]
102. Yao Fuzi, on West Park and Preston Park Blv.  One visit.  Asian.  I had the prawns in honey glaze, which were good, but the sauce was cloyingly sweet and thick, and it was overpowering (it would have worked well if brushed sparingly).  Miso soup was decent if unremarkable.  Lychee martini was more sour and smaller than I expected.  Overall it was a decent experience, but very expensive and not a good value for the money.  [3/5] 
103. Zini's Pizza, Elm and Good Latimer.  New York style pizza of unpredictable quality.  perfect for late drunken nights.  [3/5]