Two "American" dinners in DFW
 

I will be in DFW next week with two of my Spanish colleagues who have never been to the US before and want to treat them to some typical American dining experiences.

I'm thinking steak one night (there are some Argentinan places here but the experience is very different from a Morton's, for example) and BBQ the other. We'll also hit a Popeye's (OK, that's for me) one afternoon and look for a diner type place for a traditional breakfast.

Give me some suggestions, everyone! I don't know DFW at all. We're staying at the Omni something-something near the airport, and will have a car (On a related note, if someone can give me a thumbsup on that hotel I would appreciate it. The official hotel of the conference was the La Grunta.) All things being equal I think we'd rather not have to drive too far to get where we're going unless it really stands out.

Thanks.

How about Mexican food?

But I'd go to Ft. Worth instead of Dallas.

Joe T. Garcias or the Orginal Mexican Restaurant or Casa Linda or one of the Pulidos restaurants

For barbecue, Angelos is a true cultural experience.

Masseys on 8th Avenue is also a true cultural experience, and their chicken fried steak is legendary.

(BTW, I understand that the translation of "La Quinta" is "next door to Dennys")

Mmmm. Chicken fried steak. HRGLGHRLGLGHLRLGRL

Thanks Chuck. Mexican is an option but our hosts are taking everyone to a Mexican dinner one night, so I want to keep the variety open. Frankly, I could just sit at Popeye's and eat spicy white 3-pieces the whole time but I want these guys to leave with a better memory than scalding butt heaves, so steak is def. on the list.

Bob's Steak and Chop House is a great steak place. http://www.bobs-steakandchop.com/ I can't say enough good things about it.

I will be in DFW next week also. Perfect timing for this thread!

C'mon people! You can do better than this!

"Babes Chicken Dinner House" - 104 N. Oak St, Roanoke TX, Only serves Fried Chick and Chicken Fried Steak. --- BYOB.

Mia's Tex Mex - 4322 Lemmon Ave, Dallas - Tuesday Nights Chili Relleno - call for reservations (for the Chili's, not a table!).

Campisi's - 5610 E. Mockingbird - Dallas --- Dallas institution for pizza and italian.

The French Room - Adolphus Hotel - Very upscale, very good! or Mansion on Turtle Creek - even more upscale (out of my price range).

This IS Dallas, right? See that other thread of cities FTers never wanted to see again.

Okay, how about Sonny Bryant's BBQ in the old town area near the infamous Book Depository? Semi-historic, American, and Texan. On the other hand, there's probably one near the airport. Heck, there's probably one in Barcelona.

Yes, there is. In Las Colinas (Irving) in the Tom Thumb shopping center at MacArthur and Northgate. But if you really want to experience Sonny Bryan's the original (slightly seedy) location at Harry Hines Blvd. and Inwood is much more authentic.

The OP said they're staying at an Omni near the airport. That's presumably the Omni Mandalay in Las Colinas. Cool River Cafe in the same general area is pretty good. Kind of a see-and-be-seen spot but the food (Southwestern-inspired) is not bad and is quite representative of Dallas cuisine (Dallas is a see-and-be-seen type of city).

Since you have a car, I would suggest one of two places.

Bob's Steak and Chop House
www.bobs-steakandchop.com

Nick and Sam's
www.nick-sams.com

Although there are many other places you could hit, I find that both of these give one a true taste of Dallas. A lot of the other places are great, but they're chains (i.e. Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's, the Palm) and you can see those in any number of other American cities.

If you choose Bob's, I would strongly recommend the original on Lemmon... much more "quirky." Both places are loud, fun, etc., and I think will give your guests what they are looking for.

For reviews and other suggestions, check the easy to use (and free) Dallas Morning News website at:

www.guidelive.com

I live in Dallas, but travel extensively, and like both places a great deal.

In terms of Mexican food, another great and upscale "locals" place is Javiers.

You can check them out at:

www.javiers.net

Trust me on this, I'm a bachelor and eat out nearly every night!!

Lawry's the Prime Rib. I think it's just a little north of Galleria. Not a place for jeans and Tee's, but coat and tie are not required.

I'm not an expert on Dallas, but in Los Angeles I've noticed that foreign visitors really enjoy Lawry's.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. One of the guys was asking the other day what prime rib is so Lawry's might be a good spot, or one of the others as well.

We're at the Omni Park West. Hopefully we'll be able to eat well in Dallas. I don't have many doubts. :)

Other suggestions that not terribly far from your hotel:

"Pappas Bros Steakhouse" for true Texas "excess" (helipad, private cigar lockers, and annual "table reserves" for area CEOs)... not more expensive than Bob's or Nick and Sams and closer into the airport corridor (Northwest Hwy and 35)

"Esparzas" for basic Tex-Mex in Grapevine (in an old house off Main Street - about five minutes from the north exit at DFW west on 114). I have to disagree with the Joe T. Garcia's sugggestion (and I'm a Fort Worth native)... the only appeal JTG's ever had was their lethal margaritas and since the Alcoholic Beverage Commission shut them down in the early 90s for cutting their drinks with Everclear, things haven't been the same.

The Omni is on 635. Head due east for about four miles and there is a Popeyes directly off the right access road after you cross I-35. I think it is off the Webb Chapel/Josey exit but I'm not certain.

If you want to try down home Southern cooking, go to Po Melvins. Dive restaurant in a strip mall in Irving, but killer chicken fried steak, pot roast, meatloaf, po boys, etc. Take 635 west, exit Belt Line south... at the Belt Line/Story intersection.