It’s time for a fresh update of the Eater Dallas Heatmap, a monthly guide intended to answer the age-old question: “Where should I eat tonight?”
New additions to the May heatmap include an offbeat pizzeria that’s feeding Dallas till 4 a.m. nightly, a fast-casual Korean fusion spot in one of the hottest neighborhoods of the moment, and the new family-friendly outpost of an established Oak Lawn favorite.
Added: BBBop, Dish Preston Hollow, El Bolero, Sugar Skull Cafe, ZaLat
Removed: Neighborhood Services, Oso Food & Wine, Smoke, Sushi Bayashi, Twenty-Seven
El Bolero
The team that brought you Oak and Pakpao is trying their hand at upscale authentic Mexican fare, and thanks to chef Hugo Galvan, they’re doing a mighty fine job of it. Stop in bright and early for chilaquiles and Mexican coffee, or make it a date night with tuna tartare, lobster fajitas, and al pastor tacos in handmade corn tortillas. Very tasty house margaritas are dressed up with cilantro, pineapple, and sage.
1201 Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas, TX 75207
Visit website
(214) 757-9653
DISH Preston Hollow
The well-heeled Preston Hollow crowds are flocking to this new extension of the Cedar Springs original thanks to approachable, well-executed dishes by former Bolsa chef Andrew Bell — think jalapeno mac and cheese, tuna crudo with watermelon, and grilled cauliflower steak for the veggie enthusiasts. Don’t sleep on the cocktails, such as the honeyed gin and tonic or thyme-infused margarita.
8611 Hillcrest Ave Ste 100
Dallas, TX 75225
Visit website
(214) 363-3474
ZaLat
DaLat owner Thanh Nguyen deserves a round of applause for catering to the city’s hungry night owls. This funky takeout-and-delivery-only joint takes orders via text message until 4 a.m. every single night, whether you’re in the mood for something simple (beef pepperoni, basil, and black pepper) or downright weird (chicken teriyaki). They’ll also deliver Mt. Dew and Twix bars, which along with the delicious Srirancha sauce elevates ZaLat to the BFF of stoners everywhere.
2519 N Fitzhugh Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
Visit website
(469) 573-2007
Bbbop Seoul Kitchen
BBBop has arrived to fill the Korean fried chicken-shaped hole left in our hearts by the departure of Bonchon — no drive to Koreatown required. Plenty of other options make Korean-inspired flavors accessible to the masses, too, like bibimbap, kimchi fries, and some seriously good smoked pork belly. Plenty of beer and soju, or go nonalcoholic with the tasty green tea mint lemonade.
2023 Greenville Ave #130
Dallas, TX, 75206
Visit website
(469) 941-4297
Sugar Skull Cafe
Trinity Groves finally has a breakfast destination thanks to this new fast-casual venture from Casa Rubia’s Jonn Baudoin. Pair a chorizo and egg breakfast taco with very good coffee courtesy of Ascension, or stop in for lunch or dinner — handmade rustic corn tortillas make an excellent base for just about any of the tacos, including crispy snapper with cabbage slaw. Skyline views from the patio aren’t too shabby, either.
3011 Gulden Ln
Dallas, TX
Visit website
(469) 729-8605
Ten Ramen
Teiichi Sakurai’s long-awaited ramen was worth the wait. Choose from tonkotsu, shoyu, or mazemen (soupless) bowls, plus a rotating weekly special; it’s highly recommended you add on one of the soft-poached eggs. The restaurant only fits about 15 people, standing room only — so be prepared to slurp and run.
1888 Sylvan Avenue
Dallas, TX 75208
Visit website
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-Ramen/444307449050589?fref=ts
Kessler Park Eating House
The owners of Jonathon’s are doubling down in the Cliff with this laid-back spot specializing in comfort classics from Jonathon Erdeljac’s childhood — think handmade pierogies, country ham with redeye gravy over buttered noodles, fried chicken, peanut butter pie, and the kolache-like West Virginian specialty known as pepperoni rolls.
1619 North Beckley Avenue
Dallas, TX 75203
Visit website
(214) 782-9273
Rodeo Goat
Burger lovers are flocking to the Design District to get a taste of some of Fort Worth’s best burgers. There’s even a burger named after Mayor Mike Rawlings, topped with Irish whiskey cheddar, blackberry compote, grainy mustard, and candied bacon; don’t sleep on the Raynorshine cocktail, a stout and tasty mix of moonshine, vodka, grapefruit, and basil. An excellent patio makes this a warm-weather hot spot.
1926 Market Center Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75207
Visit website
(214) 741-4628
Luscher’s Red Hots
The highly anticipated Deep Ellum spot from The Grape chef-owner Brian Luscher already has its fair share of regulars. Can’t go wrong with the Wagyu Italian beef with housemade giardiniera, or gild the lily with “The Combo” (which tacks on a housemade Italian sausage link). The juicy Uncle Herky burger is also a must-try.
2653 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75226
Visit website
(214) 434-1006
Braindead Brewing
Deep Ellum gets its very own brewpub with the arrival of laid-back Braindead. The house-brewed beers aren’t ready for drinking just yet, but fret not, there’s plenty of other stuff on tap. The menu by chef David Pena includes everything from housemade chicharrones and fancy popcorn cooked in duck fat to mussels cooked in wheat beer and the formidable T.A.B.L.E. sandwich (housemade bacon, honey sriracha aioli, arugula, tomato, avocado, and a fried egg on sourdough), and everything’s made from scratch.
2625 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75226
Visit website
(469) 286-9005
Public School 214
Uptown is seriously psyched for the arrival of PS214, thanks to a creative menu of fancy scratch-made bar bites like buffalo cauliflower, bacon and cheddar-stuffed tots, and can’t-miss Spanish chorizo mac and cheese cleverly topped with salt and vinegar potato chips. Cocktails are made with fresh juices and housemade syrups and bitters, and craft beer drinkers will find plenty to their liking. Bonus: Nutella ice cream sandwiches.
3700 McKinney Ave #148
Dallas, TX 75204
Visit website
(214) 599-6234
Small BrewPub
The first of many exciting new additions to the Jefferson Tower redevelopment, head to Small for interesting beers, tasty and fairly priced cocktails, and a very creative menu from former FT33 sous chef Misti Norris that includes items like pig trotters, fried chicken feet, and fantastic housemade charcuterie. Leslie Brenner recently gave it three stars, no small feat for a bar.
333 West Jefferson Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75208
Visit website
Cafe Momentum
Charitable pop-up sensation Cafe Momentum has found a permanent home downtown, and the kitchen of talented young men led by Chad Houser, Eric Shelton, and Justin Box is putting out refined dishes like smoked carrot pappardelle with mole chicken sausage and octopus tiradito with aji amarillo. Former Oak pastry chef Sarah Green is on desserts, but best of all: The cost of your meal goes to supporting one of the most worthy organizations in town.
1510 Pacific Ave
Dallas, TX 75201
Visit website
(214) 303-1234
Remedy
This 1920’s soda fountain-themed sibling of neighbor HG Sply Co. is already knocking it out of the park with modern versions of homey favorites like perfect fried chicken with mashed potatoes and a killer housemade bologna sandwich. Cocktails are inventive and delicious (think a kaffir lime rickey), and do not skip the dessert menu, with daily rotating options like a dark chocolate grasshopper pie and potato chip-laden sundaes. The 90’s hiphop soundtrack is a nice touch.
2010 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75206
Visit website
(469) 294-4012
Henry’s Majestic
Killer cocktails from barman Alex Fletcher (including tasty draft options like the Vietnamese coffee-inspired 8AM) and a great patio make the newest venture from the Bread Winners team worth a visit. On the food side of things, expect housemade potato chips with creamy onion dip, oysters with pancetta and kimchi butter, and a burger dialed up with bone marrow from Hell’s Kitchen contestant Roe DiLeo.
4900 McKinney Ave
Dallas, TX 75205
Visit website
(469) 893-9400
Source: Dallas Eater
The post The Hottest Restaurants in Dallas Right Now, May 2015 appeared first on DFW UNLEASHED - MAGAZINE | DALLAS | FORT WORTH | ENTERTAINMENT.