Finding good Cajun food in Dallas isn't exactly easy, but Charlie McGuinness and the folks behind Greenville Avenue institution Dodie's have always been known for serving reliably solid Cajun dishes, especially those of the deep-fried variety. Now, though, McGuinness has set his sights on a more upscale clientele with his forthcoming sports bar, 504 Bar and Grill.
Named for the area code that covers much of New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana, 504 Bar and Grill will take over the space formerly occupied by New Big Wong, just a few doors down from the original Dodie's. Both spaces sit on a prime piece of real estate. As McGuinness told CultureMap, the spot is one of the only restaurants on Greenville Avenue that has a dedicated parking lot.
McGuinness didn't divulge much about the menu, but he did note that it would include grilled oysters and "some real nice stuff." The deep-fried goodness that is the majority of Dodie's menu is likely not included in the category of "real nice stuff," but these guys clearly know their way around Gulf seafood. The prospect of Cajun-influenced food in Dallas that isn't swimming in fryer grease is exciting, if only because lighter Creole fare is otherwise practically non-existent.
The tentative opening date for 504 Bar and Grill is set for January or February of next year, pending completion of a planned outdoor patio that will extend into the space's parking lot and building renovations. If the experience of other Dallas restaurateurs is any indication, it's likely that the new restaurant will open later than sooner thanks to construction delays and permitting issues.
504 Bar and Grill joins other highly-anticipated Greenville Avenue restaurant openings in early 2015, including Chef Danyele McPherson's Remedy, and Rapscallion, the modern Southern restaurant from the Boulevardier team. With all of these openings in the next few months, the Greenville Avenue restaurant renaissance is showing no signs of slowing down, and 504 Bar and Grill may have a leg up against its stiff competition with those dedicated parking spaces.
