If you’re going down to Dallas this weekend and are unfamiliar with the area, I’m speaking to you! Here's a list of my favorite burger, Tex-Mex, pizza, barbecue and fast food restaurants in the Big D.
Burgers
Hopdoddy Burger Bar is a funny name, I know, but don’t let this one pass you by. Hopdoddy is a gourmet burger joint with a laid-back environment. No one will judge you if you finish your meal in under five minutes – because it’s just that good. My favorite burger is the Goodnight, aka the Good Cause. The McKinney Avenue location donates $1 of every Goodnight burger purchase to Make-A-Wish North Texas. According to Hopdoddy’s website, this burger is made with “Angus Beef, Tillamook Cheddar, Caramelized Onions, Sliced Jalapeno, Hickory BBQ Sauce, Sassy Sauce, Red Leaf Lettuce (and) Beefsteak Tomato.”
If you’re too full from your state fair endeavors to finish a burger, at least try their Parmesan Truffle Fries. At $6.95, they’re kind of pricy, but easily sharable and totally worth it. These fries are served with a rich and delicious aioli. If you’re not a brave eater, just trust me and try it.
Hopdoddy also serves some unique milkshakes. My favorite? Nutella & Chocolate Pretzel….
Tex-Mex
My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in the area is Uncle Julio’s. Dallas people: Please don’t judge me for not choosing Mi Cocina. Okies/others: I also highly recommend Mi Cocina.
Anyway, Uncle Julio’s is located on Lemmon Avenue and it’s home to my favorite fajitas. I can never decide between chicken or steak, so I always choose the combo. Uncle Julio’s also has some dank Cowboy Queso, which is packed with steak fajita, bacon and pico de gallo, according to their menu.
Pizza
Time for what all you college kids have been waiting for: pizza! I recommend Campisi’s on Mockingbird Lane, also know as “The Egyptian Restaurant” because of an old sign that hangs above the building.
Campisi’s serves delicious thin crust pizzas. Try the “All the Way” Pizza that includes “Sausage, Salami, Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Green Onions,” according to Campisi’s menu.
Campisi’s is also well-known for its Dinner Salad, which includes “House Italian dressing, onions, whole olives, pepperoncini peppers and Romano cheese.”
Barbecue
I hate to say this, but my favorite barbecue restaurant is not located in the heart of Dallas. It’s in a suburb: my hometown – McKinney. You can pass through McKinney on your way to or from Dallas by traveling down U.S. Route 75. Hutchin’s BBQ & Catfish is located on North Tennessee Street and serves the most tender, smoky and flavorful meat I have ever tasted. I recommend a sliced brisket sandwich loaded with their homemade barbecue sauce.
Business Insider rates Hutchin’s as the 49th best barbecue joint in the U.S.
Forewarning: The line will be long, but it will be worth the wait.
Fast Food
If you need a quick bite and you want something that doesn't exist in Oklahoma, visit In-N-Out. According to In-N-Out’s menu, their well-known Double-Double burger is made of a freshly baked and toasted bun, two slices of American cheese, two 100 percent pure American beef patties, onion, lettuce, tomato and In-N-Out’s famous sauce.
Check out In-N-Out’s website for their Not-So-Secret Menu.
