I am not sure why, but, in addition to real estate topics, I love blogging about my favorite restaurants in Dallas and someone suggested to me that I provide my blog readers with a reference summary of my reviews. I am not a professional foodie or food critic, but I do like to eat and I do know which meals I enjoyed and which ones left a bad taste in my mouth.
Jon Zolsky suggested that I leave a disclaimer on my restaurant posts, so, just for the record, I have not ever, nor will I ever accept any gratuity, free food or other compensation for including an establishment, business or service on my blog or for the nature of my comments on it. (How's that for an absolute disclaimer?)
Judging by the list of places I have reviewed on my blog I should weigh much more than I do, and seeing this list, I realize how many more of my favorites I have not been to lately! So by popular demand (of two) here is a summary of links to some of my favorite Dallas area restaurant/food reviews by category:
American (Casual):
Maple & Motor: Maple & Motor: A Bacon & Burger Bonanza!
Dodie's Seafood Cajun Diner: Dodie's Seafood Cajun Diner: A Winning Recipe!
Lucky's Café: Lucky's Café: Mmmm... Breakfast!
Celebration Restaurant: Celebration Restaurant... A Reason to Celebrate!
The Porch: The Porch: Great Dallas Restaurant, or Rocking Chairs & Whittling?
Café Brazil: Café Brazil: Good Food + Good Caffeine = Happy Customers
Rudy's BBQ: Rudy's BBQ - Here we go again!
American (Fine/Expensive):
Five Sixty: Plucked then Pucked: My Duck at Five Sixty!
Asian:
Roti Grill: Roti Grill: Indian Food Fast, Not Indian Fast Food!
Ginger Thai: Ginger Thai - Good Thai Food and Reasonable Prices make for a Winning Combination
Royal Thai: Royal Thai... Yummy and Fit for a King!
Bengal Coast: Bengal Coast: An Asian Dining Adventure!
The Green Papaya: The Green Papaya - A Tempting Vietnamese Bistro
Tex Mex/Central American:
Gloria's Restaurant: Having Dinner with an Old Friend: Gloria's Restaurant
Italian:
Taverna: Taverna: Authentic Italian Food Prepared Authentically!
Cremona Bistro: Cremona Bistro: New digs for a Dallas Favorite!
Fireside Pies: Fireside Pies: Because man does not live by bread alone!
Sal's Restaurant: Sal's Restaurant: New York Pizza in Dallas
Mediterranean:
Café Istanbul: Café Instanbul: Definitely Delightful
Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill: Ali Baba Mediterranean Grill: A New Old Experience
When I bought my first home 13 years ago, I lived in Oak Cliff. Oak Cliff, at the time, did not offer a wide variety of restaurants, but one that stood out from the many Tex Mex restaurants was a Restaurant called Gloria's.
Located at 600 W. Davis Street, Gloria's was different than many other restaurants because of the freshness of the food, the black bean dip that was served with the chips and salsa, and the Salvadoran influence in the food.
Gloria's has always been a favorite of mine. The menu has good diversity, not only featuring Tex Mex favorites like enchiladas or quesadillas, but also a variety of more Salvadoran specialties like Fried Plantains and Yucca alongside the more traditional accompaniments like guacamole.
Many of my friends like their shrimp and fish entrées, but when I went tonight for dinner, I headed right to one of my favorites, their Carne de Res Asada... a delicious marinated skirt steak. For dessert, there is always a debate between Gloria's delicious Tres Leches cake or the outstanding Flan. Either choice will not leave anyone with a sweet tooth disappointed!
Over the past 13 years, since I bought my home in Oak Cliff, Gloria's has expanded into a regional chain with 10 locations. I have been to several of the others, including their popular locations on Lemmon Avenue and the recently expanded one on Greenville Avenue in Dallas, but to get the original Gloria's experience I still like to go back to the original one in Oak Cliff. It's like having dinner with an old friend!
Yesterday I finally had the chance to check out the Dallas burger joint that everyone has been buzzing about... Maple & Motor. Let me just say that:
1. It was worth the wait.
2. I am kicking myself for not getting there sooner.
3. I will be going back.
4. YUM!
Maple & Motor is located at 4810 Maple Avenue, across the street from Dallas' Elliott's Hardware. They have a rather simple menu that is done exceptionally well. Burgers and Sandwiches(including Chicken, BLT's Grilled Cheese, Brisket and Fried Bologna) as well as Fries, Cheese Fries and Onion Rings. I had a Bacon Cheeseburger and Onion Rings. The burger was juicy and flavorful, the bacon was crisp and the bun was fresh. The Onion rings were beer battered and delicious, flavorful, but not overpowering.
Jack, one of the owners, greeted us personally and made sure everything was to our liking... and believe me, it was! Maple & Motor is small and gets easily packed at peak times during the week, so be forewarned, but believe me, even if they are crowded and busy, wait it out... you'll be glad that you did!
Check out their website at mapleandmotor.com or their Facebook page... and oh yeah, they offer free WiFi too, but go for the food, not the technology!
There are many ways to market to consumers, but effective market does more than simply grabbing their attention, it also conveys the essence of the product or service that is being provided. One of my favorite establishments whose owners do little in the way of advertising or formal marketing is the Highland Park Pharmacy on Knox Street in Dallas.
I like the Highland Park Pharmacy because all you have to do is look at it and you know exactly what you are getting... and old fashioned Pharmacy. You can tell just by looking at the signage... the lettering/fonts and the awnings are all of a style that you would have expected from an establishment founded early this century... and the Highland Park Pharmacy delivers on that promise even today. Friendly service, a breakfast/lunch counter with probably the best pimento cheese sandwich I have ever had and old fashioned breakfast foods. It's a throwback to a simpler time... where service was valued, quality was strived for and nobody cared if your establishment was a WiFi Hot Spot... or even knew what one was!
Sometimes being able to judge a book by its cover is a good thing. If the cover of the book or the exterior establishment sets an expectation in the minds of consumers, then delivering on that promise is, in my opinion, a case of good marketing!
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If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and are looking for a REALTOR® to share experience, offer you guidance, and make the home selling or Short Sale process a bit easier and more friendly... like it used to be when service was more than a word, it was a core value, call me today at (469)449-9840 to schedule a consultation. Or visit my Dallas Real Estate website at EasyTexasRealEstate.com. I'd be happy to help you move forward and achieve your Real Estate objectives! Not located in the D/FW area? Contact me anyway... I'd be happy to refer you to a REALTOR® in your area who can help you.
This photograph is the exclusive property of Steve Shatsky. It may not be used or reproduced in any manner without expressed written permission from Steve Shatsky. ©Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Halloween is almost upon us, and for those who are new to Dallas, a favorite Halloween event is the Dallas LGBT community's Crossroads Halloween Street Festival. The highlight of the evening is the costume parade featuring some of the best and most imaginative costumes I have ever seen. Many people start planning for the following year right after the current year's event!
This year the festival will take place on Saturday, October 31. Things begin to get busy by 8 or 9:00 in the evening and get busier as the night progresses. The costumes are always fun and elaborate and the crowd always has a great time. You do not need to be a member of the LGBT community to enjoy yourself and the crowd.
The event takes place on Cedar Springs Boulevard between Douglas and Oak Lawn. Parking can get limited with the crowds growing bigger each year, so allow time to find parking.
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Working on behalf of Short Sale clients throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area has provided the opportunity to assist remarkable people facing real-world financial challenges and foreclosure.
A third generation REALTOR® serving clients througout the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex since 2004, Steve Shatsky has proudly lived in Texas for over 15 years. Based on his professional experience in real estate and his sincere desire to provide the highest caliber of service and help struggling homeowners, in 2007 Steve decided to establish a team of Realtors that share his vision... the Home Sales Remedy team, now affiliated with Prudential Texas Properties.
Prior to his career in real estate, Steve built a highly successful career with some of the world's most respected companies including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Honda of America, The Coca-Cola Bottling Group (Southwest) and SAP. He attributes his professional success to his personal philosophy.
Steve believes that clients deserve...
Isn't that really what anyone would want when working with a REALTOR®?
In addition to working with both buyers and sellers in all price ranges, I also specialize in Short Sales / Pre-foreclosures in all areas of the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex.
Over 4 years ago, when I was first approached to assist clients in selling their home with a pre-foreclosure Short Sale, it was difficult to find another real estate professional that was knowledgeable in this specialized type of sale. The fact is that there are always homeowners who face the struggles of needing to sell their home quickly due to the changes in life's circumstances that could impact any one of us, but when the economy and real estate market are stronger the need for this type of assistance is less.
Today, times have changed. As local foreclosure rates climb, Short Sales in real estate are now a more commonly recognized alternative for homeowners facing foreclosure. In fact, they have become such a phenomenon that stories about Short Sales appear with increasing frequency in the national media.
That is why in 2007 I created the Home Sales Remedy team. As a Dallas area Broker Associate / REALTOR® affiliated with Prudential Texas Properties, I have seen again and again the lifeline that a Short Sale can be to clients and have developed a specialized approach to handling these transactions successfully.
Working on behalf of Short Sale clients has provided the opportunity to assist remarkable people facing real-world financial challenges. With an understanding of these challenges, I am confident that the Home Sales Remedy team provides the level of service that smart homeowners know they have a right to expect and genuinely deserve. For more information on Short Sales, be sure to check out my website at:
http://www.homesalesremedy.com = Dallas Short Sale Specialists
http://www.steveshatsky.com = Dallas Real Estate Search & Agent Information Site with local information links
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