Casual Family Dining in Dallas
Did you know that the Dallas Convention Center has the world’s biggest bronze monument? It depicts 40 enormous longhorn steers, horses and cowboys. It says Texas all over it without a single word spoken or written. When you think of Dallas, you think about the best steak you’ve ever eaten. And although this city probably does serve the best steaks in the country, with four times the number of restaurants than New York, it has a whole lot more to offer in the way of casual family dining.
Purple Cow has an authentic soda fountain that kids of any age will enjoy. With it’s 1950s décor, you feel like you’ve gone back in time. If you’re visiting other locations in Texas and you’ve enjoyed the Purple Cow, look for them in Plano and Ft. Worth as well.
Patrizio is touted one of the best Italian restaurants in Dallas, yet it is as family friendly as it can be a romantic diner out for two. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. You’ll love their Tuscan décor of renaissance paintings against stark white walls and large archways lead out to a huge brick patio with lumbering green umbrellas over each table. Try their special Tortellini in Pesto. The tortellini languishes in a tomato pesto sauce that is to die for. Children will love their specialty pizzas.
All Good Café has all the unsophisticated cuisine that kids love – adults too. You know they’re going to be happy whether they order the Grilled Chicken Nachos, the Bean and Cheese Nachos or the Chicken Fried Chicken Fingers. Adults will love the “San Jose” Sangria, their specialty. Everyone will love the retro Texas musician posters on the wall while they slip into red vinyl booths, a real bohemian style. Nights can get a bit busy later on and will be more in style with teen and adult live entertainment on their stage. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is a place where your family can gather around one of their large tables and admire the décor of tall double stallions and carved wood screens. The food is definitely Chinese but with a modern edge to it. Many of the sauces are made right at your table by your server. Try the Wok Fried Scallops with Lemmon Sauce or Orange-peel Beef with Chili Peppers for one of their house specialties. Adults will love trying a new wine to go with their meal from their menu of 50 different wines.
Chips is touted as the place to get the “Best Dallas Burger.” They offer the basic menu with burgers, shakes, fries and salads, but with an incredible style. Be sure and gather plenty of extra napkins to your table for these juicy burgers. They serve the old fashioned “real” potato fries with skins and French fried onions. Order a half order of each to go with your Chips burger.
Paradise Bakery & Café have the best chocolate chippers in all of Texas. There are so many delicious cookies to choose from, but only after the kids have a great sandwich for lunch (made with freshly baked bread) and soup or salad. Or stop by for a quick breakfast muffin right out of the oven and an espresso coffee drink. They are “making the world a sweeter place, one cookie at a time.”
Dream Café is the place to go if you’re trying to keep your family eating healthy yet delicious food while on vacation in Dallas. They offer a variety of dishes, all organic and in an appealing family-friendly atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try their special fresh spinach, Swiss cheese and mushroom omelet for breakfast or their One For John which is a grilled vegi/rice/musroom burger with soy cheese and all the trimmings. They have unique and great dinner menu choices as well. However, the biggest surprise of the Dream Café has to be their Saturday and Sunday brunch filled with such items as fresh pastries, fresh fruit, organic steel cut oatmeal and mile-high or Santa Fe omelets. Don’t miss it if you are passing through the downtown Dallas area.
Tin Star offers fast to eat there or to go American cuisine. You can order quickly at the counter and they will bring your food to your table. The fun thing about the Tin Star is that they offer a real twist on the usual Tex-Mex cuisine with their quesadilla station, grilled steak taco or their grilled chicken platter – yum. They have four restaurants in the Dallas-Ft Worth area to choose from. A great place for a quick bite that’s way better than the drive through burger place.
2900 is unique. Where else are you going to find Manchego-stuffed beef with chorizo cheese grits and cilantro. It’s Chef Mikes signature dish, but it’s not the only menu item you will find enticing. Keep your eye on the big window at the back of the restaurant where you can watch Chef Mike and his “helpers” make all of their wildly delightful dishes. Besides the cuisine you will find the service excellent, which always makes the meal so much better. This is not a place for small children, but excellent for introducing the teens to fine dining or for a romantic dinner for two.
Simply Fondue is the place to go when you’re looking for something different. Order one fondue base or several with the burners right at your table. What could be more fun for the family or just the two of you? For larger groups, enjoy the circular tables so everyone can dip to their hearts content. Finish this delightful dinner with a chocolate fondue and dip angel food cake and fruit. They use cholesterol-free oil so you can pretend the meal is completely healthy. So much to choose from, you’ll have to come back a for a second try and eating every fondue you want.
Texas Roadhouse offers steaks grilled to perfections as you request. They are hand-cut and cooked with their secret spices. Besides steaks you can order their award-winning ribs as well as their home-style country dinners. Pot roast, fried chicken, grilled pork chops, even fried catfish. If you are craving some down-home southern cooking try the Texas Roadhouse to please everyone in the family.
Texas Family Dining
From the restaurant choices we’ve listed here, you can see how you can almost plan a Dallas vacation around the many styles and flavors of their dining destinations. Don’t be fooled though, you’ll find wonderful sites and entertainment in this southern city besides it’s great food. But, it is true you will find no other city with as good a quality and amount of choices in it’s cuisine.
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(cc: photo credit: ~Devil’s Angel~)
Categories: Restaurants and Dining
