While we watch the 2024 Olympics, we’re paying special attention to the impressive roster of Dallas-Fort Worth athletes. For the August Hot List, our lineup of buzzy restaurants begins with one of Dallas track star Sha’Carri Richardson’s favorites.
If it’s good enough for one of the fastest women in the world, it’s good enough for us. Go Team USA!
Blackjack Pizza in South Dallas
Richardson said her favorite burger spot is Blackjack Pizza in South Dallas. While this quick-service restaurant is, by name, a pizza joint, it also sells cheeseburgers. The Dallas Observer said it sells some of Dallas’ most underrated burgers. Sounds like it’s time to go get one. And ... a pizza?
Blackjack Pizza is at 2536 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas.
Dee’s Table Burgers & More in Frisco
For the first time in Dee Lincoln’s several decades in the restaurant business in D-FW, she finally opened a restaurant that leans on her Louisiana roots. Dee’s Table at The Star in Frisco is a family-friendly burger joint with Cajun entrees. Dressed-down dishes like shrimp hushpuppies and a Frito pie show Lincoln’s casual side.
Dee’s Table Burgers & More is at 3685 The Star Blvd., Frisco.
El Tiempo Cantina in Arlington
Ask someone from Houston about El Tiempo Cantina: It’s beloved. Part of the reason for that is because the family behind it founded Ninfa’s, one of Texas’ best-known fajitas restaurants. On July 1, 2024, El Tiempo opened in the Texas Rangers’ former ballpark, a venue now called Choctaw Stadium that’s across the street from the newer baseball diamond. Fajitas and margaritas are the thing to get here. Put it on your list next time you’re in Arlington for a sporting event.
El Tiempo Cantina is at 1011 Nolan Ryan Expressway, (inside Choctaw Stadium, but accessible from outside of it), Arlington.
DFW Restaurant Week deal
Starting in early August, DFW Restaurant Week brings $49 or $59 dinners to nearly 150 restaurants across the region. The idea here is simple: Dine out in D-FW, during a month that can be slow for the industry, and you get a pre-planned meal that also benefits a local nonprofit.
Here’s the list of DFW Restaurant Week participants. Which restaurants are you eyeing?
Find more DFW Restaurant Week details at dfwrestaurantweek.com.
Lucky Dog Saloon in Uptown Dallas
First things first, Lucky Dog Saloon honors the Dallas owner’s dog, and I like that. Boss — that’s the dog — is so beloved that there’s a tall painting of him right inside the door. He’s dressed as if he were British royalty, naturally. The bar is a casual spot, great for one drink at happy hour. Or three, if there’s a good game on. (Just get a safe ride home.)
Lucky Dog Saloon is at 2701 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas.
Mar y Sol Cocina Latina in Dallas
We’ve all been to a beach bar where nobody seems to be wearing shoes. Wipe that idea from your mind and replace it with Mar y Sol, a sophisticated restaurant that evokes an oceanside resort vacation where mezcal cocktails and whole fish are on the menu. Mar y Sol comes from Alberto Lombardi, the 50-year restaurant veteran who owns Toulouse, Taverna, Bistro 31 and others. It’s my next pick for date night.
Mar y Sol Cocina Latina is at 4511 McKinney Ave., Dallas.
Me Enloteces in Oak Cliff
Look for the pink: That’s Me Enloteces, an elotes stand that our Imelda Garcia said recently opened in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District. The menu includes traditional elotes, corn cobs rubbed in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and ramen topped with hot sauce and “chip dust.” The pink party continues with mango dragonfruit agua fresca and a strawberry cheesecake shake.
Me Enloteces is at 111 N. Bishop Ave., Dallas.
Ookuma in Dallas’ Cedars neighborhood
My colleague Claire Ballor gives us the dish on Japanese burger joint Ookuma, which opened in place of Sandwich Hag in the Cedars in late June 2024. George and YuYee Kaiho, who co-own Ka-Tip Thai Street Food in the Dallas Farmers Market, serve their burgers on toasted brioche buns with Kewpie mayo.
Ookuma is at 1902 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas.
Radici in Farmers Branch
Chef Tiffany Derry’s Italian restaurant Radici continues to draw crowds to Farmers Branch. Is it her welcoming presence or her heartfelt menu that keeps people coming back? Both, probably. The roasted eggplant involtini, or “rolls,” and the risotto croquette with pork sausage, chicken liver, smoked mozzarella and pesto caught my eye.
Radici is at 12990 Bee St., Farmers Branch.
Reata in Fort Worth
After leaving Fort Worth’s Sundance Square in late June 2024, Reata made a quick reopening a few blocks away on July 25, 2024. Restaurant president Mike Micallef said the menu of cowboy cooking has stayed the same — good news for fans of the nearly 30-year-old brand. Just set your maps to a slightly different spot in downtown Fort Worth.
Reata is at 530 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth.
Sanjh Restaurant in Irving/Las Colinas
When we learned that Michelin would release a Texas Guide later this year and we started dreaming of where its anonymous inspectors might have eaten, Sanjh kept coming up in conversation. The restaurant in Irving/Las Colinas is new, and it’s attracting people from near and far who crave Indian food in a fine dining setting. If you go, you’ll want a reservation.
Sanjh Restaurant is at 5250 N. O’Connor Blvd., Irving.
Check out past Hot Lists
- July 2024 — theme was cool restaurants in hot weather
- June 2024 — theme was steak frites
- May 2024
- April 2024 — theme was ABCs of new restaurants
- March 2024
- February 2024 — theme was date night spots
- January 2024 — theme was healthy
- December 2023 — theme was restaurants with holiday decor
- November 2023 — theme was budget-friendly
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- June and July 2023
