90801 Mon Sep 15 13:33:38 -0700 2003 8 5 Texas 0 499132 I'll be staying near the airport for several days and would like some recs. for nearby, reasonably priced, interesting (no chains)places for dinner. If there's nothing in the area we could drive. I am especially looking for mexican or classic institutions. Been to Bryants and found it very mediocre given its esteemed reputation among the masses. I've had good food in the mexican markets, but I am seeking a bit more atmosphere, as well as longer hours. Finally, is the Strouds that I saw off of the Hwy near 6 flags related to one in KC? Also, of the several Rodizio's, which are your favorites? Thanks in advance. Mon Sep 15 13:33:38 -0700 2003 0 mistermike 1 499142 Reasonably close is a restaurant called Via Real. It is a nice Tex-Mex restaurant with a touch of New Mexican. There are some fairly recent posts about good bbq near the airport (I think Railhead was recommended). If you're willing to drive, I think Holy Smokes is probably as good as it gets in Dallas. I can't think of any place around the airport that I would classify as an institution. I think that there are better restaurants then the places that I would consider Mexican restaurant instituitions (Ninfa's, El Fenix, etc). I'd say look for Luna de Noche or Nuevo Leon instead. Don't know for sure about Stroud's. I remeber hearing something about it when it opened, but not much since. As for the rodizio's, I liked Fogo de Chao. Hope this helps. Dave R Tue Sep 16 16:33:21 -0700 2003 499132 0 Dave R 2 499236 Thanks for the recs. Just got back. Railhead in Ft. Worth was very good, though I thought the sauce was a bit too sweet. I had the sliced brisket and pulled pork-both were as good as any I've had, including Arthur Bryants for beef, and though sauced way different, the pulled/chopped pork of N and S Carolina. I enjoyed the sides, especially the skin-on fries topped with grilled onions. I had already gotten my food before I realized they had fried jalapeno strips, which I would have gotten but I was already feeling like a glutten since the portions were so large. A co-worker in Dallas highly recommended Ron's on the Northside. Any opinions? I don't recall them being mentioned on this board. Or how about Risckys (sp?) just west of the cattle yards-it looked suitably divish. I tried the tuesday special Rellenos at Mias. It was filled with a mixture of ground beef, small chunks of potato, almonds, and raisins. I thought it wasn't seasoned with enough salt (easily remedied) or topped with quite enough sauce, but otherwise good. Certainly a lot different from the cheese rellenos I grew up with in LA. Excellent freshly made guacamole and good salsa-both the standard that's brought to the table, and a spicer version that was still chunky but had a smokey flavor. I drove back to the airport on Beltway blvd, which seems to have a high number of ethnic spots that are worth exploring. At Northgate and Cheyene I noticed an Argentinean restaurant/market that I am going to make a point of going to on my next visit. Dallas seems pretty rich in Chowhound opportunities-far more than I expected by reading this board, which seems to devote a lot of space to Lola (?) and The Mansion of Turtle Creek (?) This really is an observation more than a cricisim. It seems like a lot of requests for recs. are from out-of-town expense act. folks looking for the "best-cost-no-object-meals," whereas the real treasures are more hidden. Sat Sep 20 13:14:18 -0700 2003 499142 0 mistermike 3 499258 Mike, Note that a lot of the talk about the Tasting Room at Lola on this board took place in the few months immediately after it opened. Since the Dallas Morning News got around to reviewing it, I haven't heard much about it at all on this board. During the bulk of the chowchatter, it was still a high end "hidden treasure." I agree with you, though. There are a lot of chow opportunities in Dallas. And most of them are, for me at least, still unexplored. But I'm working on them. Scott Mon Sep 22 15:04:11 -0700 2003 499236 0 Scott 4 499346 Scott, In your explorations make sure to briefly note any new places that you try and think are worthy. It looks like I'll be visiting Dallas a bit more often, so I'll be posting my impressions. It looks like there's a lot of uncharted territory in DFW. Thu Sep 25 21:50:55 -0700 2003 499258 0 mistermike 4 499367 Speaking of Lola, their prices have gone up. 10 courses are $55 (instead of $49) and 15 courses are $75 (instead of $65). It's still a steal for what you get. Highlights last night included a mussel gratin (with leeks, cider, and finely diced apple in a hollandaise) and a butternut squash flan. Scott Fri Sep 26 14:40:09 -0700 2003 499258 0 Scott 5 499373 Thanks for the update, Scott. I am taking my oldest son there for his 18th birthday on Saturday night., and it sounds like we're in for a treat. Fri Sep 26 16:14:39 -0700 2003 499367 0 Kirk 1 499146 Make the short drive to the city for better options. (See Nick's account of a recent Dallas food tour for some ideas.) For BBQ institutions, try Angelo's in Fort Worth. Or if you're just looking for good BBQ at a non-institution, try Railhead's conveniently located Grapevine location. For a Tex-Mex institution, I'd go to Mia's. (Or, if you can swing it, Mi Cocinita. It's in an out-of-the-way location--a backyard in a residential area, actually--in the south of Fort Worth. They don't have dinner hours and aren't open on weekends. But, if I ever end up on death row, I'll take an order of their beef enchiladas as my last meal and die smiling, thinking, "You know, this capital punishment thing ain't half bad.") Scott Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/90577#497652 Tue Sep 16 19:09:26 -0700 2003 499132 0 Scott 2 499147 And if you do go to Mi Cocinita, don't forget to get some tamales to go. I love the meaty flavored enchilada sauce there. Great stuff. Scott didn't mention it, but the brisket tacos, an off-menu order, is the way to go at Mia's. Tue Sep 16 19:27:20 -0700 2003 499146 0 Nick