Since developers such as Westdale have bought up land in Deep Ellum, there have been jokes about the imminent arrival of Baby Gap stores and juice bars. Before we get all doom and gloom, let's take a moment to appreciate that it has been revitalized at all. The new Deep Ellum bears little resemblance to the old one, it's true. It has lost some of its cool, grunge factor. But it's also a lot safer than it was in the '90s and on weekends the streets are teeming with people, compared with just five years ago. And it's still home to the best music venues in the city such as The Bomb Factory, Club Dada, Three Links and Trees; galleries that support underdog artists such as Kettle Art; and upstart business like the thriving Dallas Comedy House. It still has its artist's soul, not to mention that the neighborhood has quickly gone from a restaurant desert to a mecca with some of the most interesting options in the city, representing a variety of cuisines, from barbecue at Pecan Lodge to dressed-up Southern at new Matt McCallister outpost Filament to falafel at D.C. import Amsterdam Falafel House. You rock, Deep Ellum, and it's OK to change.
Readers' Pick:
Deep Ellum