Hey all,

I'll be in DFW for a really quick turn on a Friday night (arrive 9pm, out again 7am), but I was wondering if there's any can't-miss famous TX barbeque joints that might be open and nearby that's worth visiting. Or any other really good places to eat, bbq is not a necessity (although darn tasty!). Also, no transport other than a cab or my two feet . I'll be staying near the airport in Irving for the night.

Thx!

Hmmm, the only BBQ places I can think of around DFW are all local chains that aren't really that great. There is a Colters BBQ in Grapevine (north side of DFW) close to the Embassy Suites/Bass Pro Shops and Grapevine Mills mall. In Irving there is a Spring Creek BBQ at Highway 183 and Belt Line Rd. (close to the DFW south entrance). Sonny Bryans is probably the most famous of the local BBQ chains and Sonny Bryans does have an Irving location (MacArthur Blvd. and Northgate?, in the Tom Thumb shopping center). I guess Sonny Bryan's would be about the best of the 3 but I'm still not convinced it's worth a special trip.

Do you happen to know where in Irving you will be staying? The Las Colinas and Valley Ranch neighborhoods of Irving do have more eating options. there are some good non-BBQ choices there. These areas are generally E/NE of DFW Airport. The Sonny Bryan's mentioned above is in Las Colinas.

Might also do a search on Dallas in the Travel & Dining: South forum for a few more Dallas options.

I pricelined a Holiday Inn Select "DFW North"; I have no idea really where that is in relation to much, as I've never been to DFW.

Good note about the "South" forum. I'm primarily stuck in 2 forums here on FT and that takes up enough of my time already. I often forget about all the other useful info that's on here.

Your arrival/departure times (assuming you still have to factor in either getting a rental car or dealing with alternative transportation) are going to leave you somewhat limited as to what will be open.

I believe all of the BBQ options that have been mentioned will be closed by the time you arrive.

I'm looking for a restaurant for a Wednesday near DFW. We're staying at the OMNI near the airport and will have a rental car. I've never been to Dallas so I'd like to try some really good local flavor. Any suggestion of areas or restaurants?

Thanks

Why not grab some Dickey's packed to-go at the airport and head straight to your hotel? Their beef and links are awfully tasty.

You beat me to the response. I know there's one in Terminal C, although unsure of the hours. 9PM seems to be about the magic hour when a lot of things begin to close in the airport, so OP may be out of luck...

C'mon...that D/FW Term C branch of Dickey's is in a food court next to McDonalds and just reheats the food in steam trays...it's terrible.

I'm with techgirl on this one, by the time the OP gets anywhere, most places other than drive-thru burger chains will either be closed, or have stopped serving food.

I see that one of my local favorites, Cantina Laredo has opened a location in Grapevine. If you want some great Tex Mex I highly recommend it.

As techgirl mentions, most BBQ places close at 9 PM. It does look like both Sonny Bryans and Spring Creek BBQ are open 'til 10 on Fridays. Both are chains with decent but not memorable chow.

A good source of restaurant info is www.guidelive.com - from there you can pick your neighborhood, restaurant type and so on, with full details and operating hours. They also give their recommendations on best bets (the "Guide Pick" places are their favorites.)

If you can stay on the north side of the airport vs. the south side, the Big Buck Brewery (located between the Bass Pro Shop and Embassy Suites by Grapevine Mills) has some good game selections - while not traditional bbq, they DO stay open past 9 pm and also have fairly good food (for what is available in that area).

Good idea - I'd suggest if you go there you could eat upstairs at the bar. Full menu and a bit more fun when you are dining out alone. Not too bad in their local brews either

Well I am not sure of finding BBQ in this town because I sure don't know of any good places I have been told maybe in Ft worth you can find something worth going to.
I would get a cab and go to www.coolrivercafe.com and that would give you more of a Dallas feel on a Friday night.IT serves dinner to 11pm and plenty to do until 2 am.

Cool River will definitely be bumping on a Friday night. Youngish crowd (the girls, at least - tends to be a spot where older guys go to hit on younger golddigger-ish types). I used to eat in the cigar room there all time when I lived down the street - very easy place to go alone (although very hard to "stay" alone there!)

Pete - ALL the good bbq is on the Tarrant County side - Angelos (on White Settlement Road), The Railhead (although not quite as good as when it was a Como hole-in-the-wall), and that little church hall that serves weekend lunch in the mid-cities.