First Look: Sylvan Avenue Tavern Has Great Views, Huge Burgers and Sporty Vibes

Sylvan Avenue Tavern recently opened at the mixed-use development Sylvan Thirty. It’s a sister bar of Bryan Street Tavern (owned by the same group) and sits above TEN Ramen. There’s an elevator to cart you up to the second-floor spot or you can race your date up the stairs.

The space used to be a yoga studio and has some lingering “om” vibes in the air. Windows surround the dining room; sunlight bounces off the honey-toned tables and chairs. A treetop-level view of the old Belmont Hotel is quite nice. On the flip side is a balcony with some tables with views of the large Marge bridge and a bit of downtown (photo at bottom). 

There are two pool tables, a Golden Tee Golf game and a few other games opposite the dining room on the other side of the bar. TVs are hung throughout and TouchTunes, a personal favorite, allows guests to be the DJ. It’s turned up enough that your money is well spent, but not overwhelming that you can’t talk over it.

The menu has a few staple carryovers from Byran Street, like The Lou pizza with Jimmy’s sausage and pepperoni, and Waylon’s Special with Jimmy’s spicy sausage, pepperoni and Canadian bacon.

A usual-suspect lineup of appetizers is bolstered by a few interesting dishes like “Not your gas station pork rinds,” Tito’s fried jalapeños and a red pepper hummus claiming to be the best in Dallas. We started with the West Dallas deviled eggs that have little dollops of bacon jam nestled under a mound of whipped yolk. They’re a divine adaption of bacon and eggs.

But burgers reign here, each made with a half-pound of prime beef. We shared a Black and Bleu ($14.50) that came with blue cheese, garlic aioli and more bacon jam. We’re not here to tell you how to eat a burger, but this is a beautiful plate of meat, cheese and bacon that is a satisfying meal without the bun. All their burgers are served with skinny fries. The Wake And Bake has fried jalapeños, chipotle mayo, applewood smoked bacon, Cheese Whiz and a fried egg. I know, right?

The menu has other points of interest that make us want to return soon. Like pasta dishes (a radiatori bolognese) and desserts, like Alex’s lemon icebox pie and a Bayou Chocolate Goo pie.

The bar has a full lineup of booze and local drafts beers on tap, plus Yuengling.

Sylvan Avenue Tavern is a nice addition to Sylvan Thirty; a neighborhood bar with some “om,” a great kitchen in a pleasant space with a cool view. With parking.

Party tip: visit their Facebook page for a BOGO burger offer through Oct. 31. That’s like four meals.

Sylvan Avenue Tavern, 1888 Sylvan Ave., Suite F250 (second floor above TEN Ramen), 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.