Business dinners DFW

[ketchupgirl]

Hello Texas hounds,

My boss in NYC is spending a few days at a conference in Irving, TX, and I'm looking for the best steak, bbq and tex-mex--on expense accounts, so price is not a consideration. Driving distance is though--they'll be taking cabs, so not sure which places make sense. From searches, I've put together the list. Would love feedback from Texans. Maybe one nice steakhouse and the other a more casual meal? Thanks so much in advance!

Pappas Bros
Fearings
Stephen Pyles
Al Biernats
Abacus

El Ranchito
Sonny Bryans

[uninvited guest]

If you're stuck to your list, go to Al Biernats...Great atmosphere, steaks and Al walks you to your table personally (top notch!). If not, go to Bob's Steak and Chophouse... best steak in the world! For something different, but still a steakhouse, go to Fogo De Chow... great meat and salad bar and tons of it. Look it up to see what I mean.

All are accesible from anywhere.

[simply_victoria]

I know you already have a pretty good list, can I throw in Charlie Palmer for steak. That has been the current client favorite spot these days for dinners.

[ketchupgirl]

Holycow, thanks for such complete information. I wish there was a way to buy virtual beers for all the help.

[LewisvilleHounder]

How many days and how many people are going to be in the group. I have a special cinnamon roll maker that might be interested in delivering some of her rolls if she knows in advance. I can give you her contact information if interested.

[ketchupgirl]

If I were the one travelling, I'd hop on the cinnamon rolls, but the guys on their way aren't as interested. Sorry! It's impossible to get a great cinnamon roll in NYC.

[yumyumsugar]

Hey Lewisville Hounder...can you give me the cinnamon roll maker's contact information please.
sounds yummy and I am always in search of good cinnamon rolls!!

[LewisvilleHounder]

Will do,

You have to promise me to read the following websites before calling her....to learn about how her business began. Also be open to travelling to her house to pick them up. She is very inspirational and one of the best people I have met through food in D/FW. She does this business on the side as she is a cook at an elementary school in Hurst Euless Bedford ISD.

http://www.grameenfoundation.org/

http://www.grameenfoundation.org/where_we_work/united_states/the_plan_fund/

http://www.planfund.org/index.html

The story is I saw a documentary on an HD channel last year about the Grameen Foundation...did some digging...and landed on the PLAN Fund. Looked at the business directory and found her. I called her up and placed an order and have been going to her since.

Gail's Kitchen
817-675-4116
[e-mail] (might not work

)

I always call about a day or two in advance. She also delivers but I don't mind the drive.

[LewisvilleHounder]

Hmm,

Irving is where I grew up. More than likely the conference is in Las Colinas as there really aren't any national companies in S. Irving. Irving is filled with more family run taquerias and believe it or not great Indian restaurants. I don't want to bore you with all of my posts so I will just attach the restaurant websites.

As for steakhouses I would say Pappa's would be the closest and shortest cab ride from the conference. I don't care for steakhouses as I can prepare a decent steak. I thought Pappa's was pretty good when I went a few years back. Even if I did have an expense account I probably wouldn't spend it on steak.
http://www.pappasbros.com/

I would rather spend the money on quality ingredients and a solid menu. Lola's would be my choice to send the bosses to. They have an extensive wine list and the food I have had there has been the best I had had in Dallas. The chef is part of the Slow Food organization and prepares his meals around what is in season. I would set them up for a Tuesday night....restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday...the ingredients are the tops on Tuesday! I think this one is worth the cab ride!
http://www.lola4dinner.com/

Abacus just got a fresh redo at their restaurant and has lost Top Chef - Tre Wilcox. The food I have heard is still solid if not better since his departure. This place is pretty far from Irving though but once in Uptown you are in the middle of all the restaurants.
http://www.kentrathbun.com/abacus.html

BBQ I would skip here in Dallas unless you can find a willing individual to cook some personally. The rest of the options are forgettable. I would say Baby Back Shak (south of Dallas CBD) is my favorite in town, definitely not upscale but has the best BBQ I have had in the Metroplex. They recently had a fire and have reopened!! Purist will argue that this place is not really BBQ per say but grilling as they use charcoal.
http://www.babybackshak.com/

For Tex-Mex and dinner I would go with El Ranchito but be prepared for a long cab ride and a somewhat rough part of town. Great otherwise. I would recommend the grilled cabrito if your bosses are into that.
http://www.elranchito-dallas.com/

(Not Fancy) For Irving proper south of the Irving Mall is El Pollo Regio which is great for a dive kind of place. About $12 for a whole grilled chicken (can feed two) with a bunch of sides.
http://www.elpolloregio.net/index.html

If they are up for Indian/Nepalese I would highly recommend Temptations in Irving. I have excellent Indian dishes and Nepalese/Himalayan dishes. Nothing is just off the wall crazy as far as spice but if you like curries and the other exotic flavors of India then this is a great place.
http://www.temptationcuisine.com/
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/528252

The best casual dinner you can send them to is Babe's Chicken Dinner House in Carrollton. The best for fried chicken or chicken fried steak, family style sides. All around great Southern comfort food!
http://www.babeschicken.com/

If they are into Chinese Plano/Richardson would be a great place to swing by. Dallas actually has more to it than steaks and Tex-Mex....unfortunately we don't have any great BBQ places.

[pinotho]

this is an excellent reply , so I'm logging on to say that I second LewisvilleHounder's reply....and , also , to specifically warn you off of Sonny Bryan's BBQ . They had a great run , but all things come to an end , and they don't even try anymore , IMHO .

[irodguy]

If you are looking for a fun mexican time out then El Ranchito makes sense. It's very casual aka loud. I would take if over Sonny Bryans any day for your "casual" meal.

[ketchupgirl]

Thanks so much both foodie06 and irodguy--this is so helpful!

[foodie06]

Pappas Bros.-Have an extensive wine list and phenomenal dessert. I wasn't blown away by the steak but it was definitely a good dinner.

Fearings-Food and Service were very good. Tends to be super busy and a real people watching place.

Stephen Pyles-Food and service is great. I highly recommend having dinner there. I liked it a bit more than Fearings.

Al Biernats-great atmosphere, definitely a more local place and not a chain like Pappas. I haven't had steak there so I can't vouch for the quality.

Abacus-Definitely recommend. Make sure to go on a weeknight so you can do the tasting menu. Its incredible.

El Ranchito-I've never been.

Sonny Bryans-Definitely my favorite in the area. Their brisket is really good.