Best Brunch (TIE):
Roy G’s and Snooze,
and A.M. Eatery
Situated on opposite ends of The Strip, these two brunch spots get a lot of love from Dallas Voice readers — and deservedly so.
Albeit a chain, Snooze (3211 Oak Lawn Ave.) works to integrate into and ingratiate itself with the local LGBTQ+ community. It has been both an inclusive space and visible ally, participating in the neighborhood Pride parade. Plus, those fluffy pancakes are a damn treasure.
Roy G’s (4001 Cedar Springs Road) is a staple on The Strip at all hours, but the restaurant does make an impression on weekend mornings with its standard brunch menu kissed by an upscale touch. Plus, we can get down with the occasional drag brunch and tasty cocktails to kick off the weekends. The restaurant and bar went under new ownership and management last fall. But the new owners — Marc A. Buehler of BDO Hospitality who is co-owner of Dallas Eagle and husbands Arthur Hood and Erwing Villanueva of HV Entertainment, which owns five bars in Chicago and the Atlanta Eagle and holds an interest in numerous other venues across the U.S., including Dallas Woody’s — have continued the restaurant’s reputation for scratch-made plates and hand-crafted cocktails.
— Rich Lopez
Editor’s choice, Best Hidden Gem:
McRae’s American Bistro and Cocktails
This blink-and-miss-it restaurant tucked into an unassuming strip off Garland Road is very the definition of “hidden gem.”
McRae’s (9913 Garland Road) has a distinct charm that is a maximalist blend of class and whimsy. Its ornate decor lends a nostalgic vide, while its rich interior colors give it a cozy personality. You feel like you walked into a portal that’s neither future or past, but just away from the normal outside.
The restaurant’s menu follows suit: sophisticated without being intimidating. The Salmon Meunière with gouda grits is a prime choice, and brunch is winning with its Lakewood Latke, Texas Twinkies and classic Croque Madame.
The bar program holds up its side of the bargain with an impressive menu of housemade cocktails and bar seating that feels like something out of a movie. McRaesAmericanBistro.com.
— Rich Lopez
Best Lunch Spot:
Hunky’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers
At this point, what more can we even say? Hunky’s (3930 Cedar Springs Road) is an institution, thriving on The Strip — and in the Bishop Arts District — for four decades now, thanks to the fact that people across the spectrum know that a good burger is a good burger.
For lunch, it hits all the right spots with a menu selection of burgers, sandwiches and more, a sun-kissed patio on the right day, and some of the best people-watching opportunities, from both inside the diner and out on the patio. And as if we needed another reason to love us some Hunky’s, Larry the Fairy is general manager of the Cedar Springs location. What more could we ask for!
And bu the way, while the burger is the marquee star at Hunky’s, don’t sleep on those onion rings, and those corn dogs might rival a certain state fair’s fare.
— Rich Lopez
……………….
Best On The Town
Best Local Chef
Abraham Salum
Best Dining Experience
Salum
4152 Cole Ave., Ste. 103
SalumRestaurant.com
214-252-9604
Best Diner
Lucky’s Café
3531 Oak Lawn Av e.
Instagram.com/LuckysCafeDallas
Facebook.com/LuckysCafe
214-522-3500
Best Brunch (TIE)
Roy G’s
4001 Cedar Springs Road
RoyGs.com
214-272-7127
Snooze Oak Lawn
3211 Oak Lawn Ave, Ste. A
(Other locations around the Metroplex)
SnoozeEatery.com
469-0480-7250
Best Lunch Spot
Best Burger
Hunky’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers
3930 Cedar Springs Road
214-522-1212
and
321 N. Bishop Ave.
214-941-3322
Hunkys.com
Best Steak
Dunston’s Steak House
8526 Harry Hines Blvd.
214-637-3513
and
5423 W. Lovers Lane
214-352-8320
DunstonsSteakhouse.com
Best Barbeque (Tie)
Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ
3317 Inwood Road
BigAlsBBQ.com
214-350-2649
and
Terry Black’s Barbecue
3025 Main St. in Dallas
TerryBlacksBBQ.com
469-399-0081
(Fort Worth location also)
Best Chicken Sandwich
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
3827 Lemmon Ave.
HattieB.com
469-425-8100
Best Pizza
and
Best Late-Night Meal
Italia Express
4000 Cedar Springs Road
ItaliaExpressCedarSprings.com
214-521-3300
Best Italian
Enoteca Italia
3102 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste 116
EnotecaItaliaDallas.com
972-685-2112
Best Asian/Sushi
Si Lom Thai Asian Fusion
33400 Oak Lawn Ave., Ste. 110
SilomDallas.com
214-780-0983
Best Mexican
Mia’s Tex-Mex Restaurant
4334 Lemmon Ave.
MiasTexMex.com
214-526-1020
Best Patio
JR’s Bar & Grill
3923 Cedar Springs Road
JRsDallas.com
214-528-1004
Best Cocktail Menu
Cheat Code Lounge
3911 Cedar Springs Road, Ste. B
CheatCodeLounge.com
214-526-7171
Best Bar
Hidden Door Dallas
5025 Bowser Ave.
HiddenDoor.bar
214-526-0620
Friendliest Bar Staff
The Round-Up Saloon
3912 Cedar Springs Road
RoundUpSaloon.com
214-522-9611
Best Straight Bar
The Ivy Tavern
5334 Lemmon Ave.
TheIvyTavern.com
214-559-4424