When Samson's Gourmet Hot Dogs shuttered its Oak Lawn brick-and-mortar this year, we were more than a little bummed — these creative, tasty hot dog creations catered to everyone, from the gluttonous to the gluten-intolerant and even vegans. Luckily, Samson's isn't dead: The business is now focusing its efforts on catering and its food truck, which has been slingin' creative wieners in Deep Ellum every weekend this summer.
Readers' Pick:
Easy Slider
Ever since Luscher's Red Hots hit the scene in Deep Ellum, it's been Dallas' biggest hot dog heavy hitter. From the Post Oak Red Hot — a Texas take on the classic Chicago-style dog — to the Meat Fight Smoked Sausage and the Depression Dog, it's impossible to go wrong on this menu. Luscher's also proved itself as a community gathering place this year when local chefs and restaurateurs gathered at the hot dog spot to gather food for Dallas cops after July's fatal police shooting downtown.
Readers' Pick:
Angry Dog
When it comes to Tex-Mex, the old standbys always beat the newcomers. Some of the old guard has fared better than others, and Avila's has continued to prove that it's worth its salted rim. The cozy Maple Avenue spot serves a commendable margarita, either frozen or on the rocks, that will help you wash down their delicious but dangerously spicy salsa. Ruin your diet with a combo like the Avila's Special, one chicken enchilada topped with tomatillo, one chicken enchilada topped with sour cream and one cheese enchilada.
Readers' Pick:
Chuy's Mexican Restaurant
This Austin import is known for its breakfast tacos as much as its salsas, the recipes for which rabid fans argue about at length online. Tacodeli's signature salsa, the Salsa Doña, is a creamy green salsa chock-full of jalapeño and garlic. If you're feeling brave, go for the Salsa Habanero, made with habaneros, carrots and the tears of your enemies.
Readers' Pick:
Gloria's
If you eat a sandwich at any restaurant in Dallas, there's a good chance the bread came from Empire Baking Company. The family-owned bakery has a retail store at Inwood and Lovers Lane, but you'll find their beautiful baguettes and pain au levain all over the city at spots like Scardello.
Readers' Pick:
Empire Baking Co.
It's worth the drive to visit Local Yocal Farm to Market, a rancher-owned butcher in McKinney. The meat oasis specializes in grass-fed, hormone-, antibiotic- and steroid-free meat like premium wagyu and DNA-verified Angus beef. The shop also sells local products you'll find at the McKinney Farmers Market and hosts Steak 101 classes to teach omnivores about the complicated world of beef. If you're bored with beef, Local Yocal carries naturally raised Berkshire pork and, depending on the season, grass-fed lamb.
Calling themselves the "Artsy Donuttiers in North Dallas," Jarams Donuts specializes in adorable and delicious doughnut creations like the Pineapple Fruinut (a funnel cake doughnut filled with pineapple chunks) and a crème brûlée doughnut with a delightfully caramelized exterior. Their heart-shaped croissant doughnut with hibiscus syrup and white chocolate-dipped cherries replaced flowers as our go-to Valentine's Day gift this year.
Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters takes coffee seriously. Owner Shannon Neffendorf sources his coffee with care, creating direct trade relationships with coffee farms around the world. In December 2015, OCCR opened Oak Cliff's Coffee Goods, a shop filled with the tools necessary to brew with integrity, and in February this year Neffendorf took its first coffee sourcing trip to East Africa.
There's no denying that the macaron has taken Dallas by storm. You'll find this delicate French confection at bakeries all over the city, but one sunny spot has made these sweet cookies their raison d'être: Joy Macarons. With flavors like lemon fleur de sel, and violet and black currant, Joy has made a reputation as Dallas' favorite mac-slinger. This year, the Oak Cliff shop expanded with a new location on Lower Greenville, and their macaron ice cream sandwiches were a summer hit.
Batch cocktails — libations made in advance — aren't just convenient; at Bar Belmont, they're superb. Fun glass bottles are filled ahead of time with cocktails like the Hemmingwayward (cherry wood-infused white rum, Luxardo Maraschino, grapefruit, lime) and the Mifune (vodka, matcha tea syrup, lemon, soda). An added bonus: the $13 bottles each hold about two cocktails, so you really get your money's worth. Carry your Hemmingwayward out to the patio for a cocktail hour with a view.
