Wanted: Neighborhood Restaurant (In My East Dallas Neighborhood)

Posted on January 26th, 2009 2:24pm by Adam McGill
Filed under Restaurant 101

Driving home on Friday night, I passed Alfonso’s, a solid Italian restaurant in the strip mall at the corner of Buckner and Northcliff. It was a little after 7 and there were about 20 people waiting outside for a table. Is the food there so good it merits such a following? Not especially. But it’s the only halfway decent, non-chain restaurant in the area.

A week ago, word of Another Broken Egg led to a discussion of the paucity of dining options in the Casa Linda/Little Forest Hills area. Consider this post another plea to any chefs out there looking for a location amid hungry, patient, would-be customers. I promise to be a loyal one (provided your food is good and appropriately priced).

Also up for discussion: What other neighborhoods are in dire need of dining options?

25 comments

  1. I realize it’s slightly further southeast, but I’ve always liked Angelo’s on La Vista, right near the Lakewood Theater.

    @ 2:51 pm on January 26, 2009

  2. I meant southwest. Whatever.

    @ 2:51 pm on January 26, 2009

  3. Ah yes, the vast restaurant wasteland known as Lake Highlands.

    @ 3:13 pm on January 26, 2009

  4. I really think the Rowlett/Wylie/Sachse area could use some new restaurants. How many times can you have Braums or Taco Bell in one week? I’m so sick of having to drive 30 minutes for a good meal.

    @ 3:43 pm on January 26, 2009

  5. Agreed. I think the general Lakewood area restaurant scene is completely lacking compared to what the demographic here could support. Even just something like a Houston’s would help!

    @ 3:56 pm on January 26, 2009

  6. In Lake Highlands, there’s Lake Highlands Cafe on NW corner of Audelia and Walnut Hill, and there’s a seafood restaurant tucked behind a gas station on the SE corner of Audelia and Walnut Hill. I’ve heard both are good…but haven’t been myself. There’s also Flavors on Skillman/LBJ, which I don’t really consider Lake Highlands, but someone does. Don’t forget Mi Cocina on Walnut Hill and Skillman.

    @ 4:05 pm on January 26, 2009

  7. LOVER’S PIZZA!!!!

    @ 4:18 pm on January 26, 2009

  8. Have you read their reviews on their website? Where else can you sit down with a linen napkin and eat in a nice place in that area? OP: What did you order that was not to your satisfaction?

    I’ve been eating there for 13 years and they do have a very good following with people who like their food, not just because it is the only one nearby.

    @ 5:01 pm on January 26, 2009

  9. A solid Seafood place is what is needed. Maybe even sushi. It would be nice to take a walk or ride around White Rock and then go to a Fish City or Flying Fish type place. And although I don’t have children, my friends that do say they love Fat Daddy’s because its kid friendly and you can have a beer or two. So yea, I think the demographic would support some more dining. As far as mediocre goes, I think Alfonso’s garlic rolls and crab claws rock.

    @ 5:19 pm on January 26, 2009

  10. My grandmother is a Szechwan Pavilion fanatic. You’ll find her there, instead of HP Cafeteria, which is not all that bad. I miss the back salad bar because it had deviled eggs, but I moved away so I can’t expect them to keep it cranking just for me.

    Jake’s turned Jakk’s. Not fine dining but one of my favorites.

    ST Cafe uses krab, not crab and that creeps me out.

    Hell, I grew up in that area and I can’t think of a place where the food makes me supremely happy. It’s mostly chains- Chili’s, Souper Salad, Boston Market, El Fenix (CL & at Audelia/635), Dickey’s, uh…

    Yay chains?

    @ 5:21 pm on January 26, 2009

  11. You can eat around here. But, there’s really nothing that I consider special. Except maybe those $3 martini’s on Thursdays at Bonnie Ruth’s!

    @ 5:25 pm on January 26, 2009

  12. Lake Highlands–specifically the area inside 75, Plano Rd., Northwest Highway, and Forest Lane–desperately needs more neighborhood eats. Having that Mi Cocina at Skillman and Walnut Hill is great, but we need more little corner centers like that. I realize that same corner is about to get that whole mixed-use development, but I suspect it’s going to turn out a lot more like Mockingbird Station–full of overpriced chain restaurants.

    @ 5:30 pm on January 26, 2009

  13. Allison’s post is fine per mother’s Szechwan Pavilion …but how omitting Franki’s Little Europe in Casa Linda. Alfredo’s in Lakewood. God, there are tons. Ever just go out and explore? Sal’s on Garland Rd. These days any Nancy Nicol and dimed restaurant owner will beg you to recognize that ignorance is the antithesis of bliss in a recession. Great Mexican in Casa View.

    @ 6:43 pm on January 26, 2009

  14. Find me a landlord or developer that is willing to work with an independent! I can’t tell you how many spots I’ve lost because of oppressive terms from landlords that are practically begging for an independent to fail OR have been iced out of a good location by slimy chains. Restaurants are obviously incredibly risky – especially these days. It is much easier for a landlard to feel like a chain has the financial wherewithall to ride out the current crisis. It’s a bit more of a tenant’s market these days – but the chain vultures are swirling over every prime location of an independent that has gone under.

    @ 7:45 pm on January 26, 2009

  15. Agreed. The LH area is in dire need of restaurants. As much as we love Mi Cocina, Tukta Thai and Tony’s, we could use a few more.

    JB- you should try Offshore’s Next Door, the new seafood restaurant at Walnut Hill and Audelia. It’s kind of hidden, but definitely worth a try.

    @ 8:33 pm on January 26, 2009

  16. Jay Jerrier… please, please listen to the 2 videos here:
    http://www.advocatemag.com/lake-highlands/blog/Lake_Highlands_Town_Center_The_Advocate_interview.html?c=y

    Then call the guy! Since the area is ‘private club’ dry, your BYOB would be an AWESOME draw, too. It does not matter that Picasso’s is across the street — you would slay them.

    TIA!

    @ 9:18 pm on January 26, 2009

  17. A Second for the Sachse/Wylie Area..
    nothing but drive thru’s and litterally one hand ful of sit down places.
    Please for the love of god! Enough with the fast food out here East of Plano!

    @ 9:36 pm on January 26, 2009

  18. As a new resident of the Casa Linda area, I would love to see more good restaurants. I am tired of driving miles and miles to find something other than fast food.

    Bonnie Ruth’s is good, but they are not open in the evenings. When Another Broken Egg Cafe opens, let’s really support it and show the landlords and restaurant owners that East Dallas needs more dining options.

    @ 11:38 pm on January 26, 2009

  19. A Dallas native, I always thought that if I returned to the area I’d live in East Dallas. But work and housing prices led me to buy in Richardson. Parts are quite ugly, but the restaurants are great.

    @ 12:20 am on January 27, 2009

  20. As another new transplant to the Casa area we are definitely in need of restaurants on the upswing (is Frankie’s still alive or on life support?). Bonnie Ruth’s is fine and the desserts at Cafe Lago are pretty good. We need more!

    @ 1:56 am on January 27, 2009

  21. sigh! My beautiful Lake Highlands neighborhood IS in dire need of finer dining options…any investors?

    @ 8:02 am on January 27, 2009

  22. I love the food in east Dallas! Y’all don’t know what you have. Franki’s little Europe, cafe lago, sali’s, la parillada (sp?) , jakks, Szechuan pavilion, lovers pizza, dairy-ette, bonnie ruth, alfonzos, the starbucks food is chain quality but made by someone in the area, east Dallas Is awesome for food. Stop complaining.

    @ 4:13 pm on January 27, 2009

  23. Can’t believe no one’s mentioned the family-run Tony’s, at Ferndale and NW Hwy. – much better Italian fare than Alfonso’s, and less expensive to boot. (But you’ll likely still wait for a table during the dinner hour – particularly on Fri. or Sat.)

    As for non-chain Tex-Mex, there’s Mexicali (next to Lowe’s, in the strip mall just w. of Jupiter on NW Hwy.). Good food done cheap, and friendly service. An overlooked neighborhood gem, if you’re into the enchilada/taco thing.

    @ 5:45 pm on January 28, 2009

  24. Sliphammer- if you want CHEAP that’s what you get– Mexicali and Tony’s. You get what you pay for.

    @ 5:24 pm on January 29, 2009

  25. Let’s see…good food in Casa Linda? There’s Szechuan- Hellvillion, Barf-becks, Cafe Mean-o,(if you’ve been there you KNOW!) Franki’s Yuckie-Europe…This area is a DISASTER. At least w/ Whole Foods opening soon, I can get to the grocery store faster, then home to cook a great meal, instead of being forced to go to Albertson’s: the store you get into, but can’t get out…

    @ 4:26 pm on February 22, 2009