70 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2018 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2018 71 AMERICAN BreadZeppelin While sandwich wraps may have been soooo 1990’s, you gotta admit—there’s something pret- ty appealing about cramming a bunch of delicious ingredients into a handheld bread-like thingy. So, take that concept and instead of using a stale tortilla, you use a de- licious, hollowed-out artisan baguette (hollowed-out, by the way, equals fewercarbs!).Ifbreadisn’tyourthing(andwe’lltrytounderstand)—skip italtogetherandgoforaheartybowl(i.e.,salad).Withmorethan40gour- metingredientsand20dressings,you’resuretofindsomethingtolove.It’s asandwich;it’sasalad;nowait,it’saZeppelin! MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW www.breadzeppelinsalads.com Earl’sKitchen+Bar A warm, contemporary décor throughout the dining room and spacious patioinvitesyoutorelaxandstayawhile,andthediversemenuofferslo- callysourcedfoodsogoodyoumightnoteverleave.We’retalking“serious” cocktails,juicyburgers,mouthwateringappetizersdesignedtobeshared, akiller14-ounceribeye,gorgeoussaladsthatmakeyouthinkyou’reeating more than a salad, and“on trend”offerings like the Quinoa and Avocado Powerbowl. Come for lunch, dinner and late night—then, come back on weekendsforbrunch(anddon’tmisstheStrawberries+CreamWaffle). 7401WindroseAve.,SuiteD100|Plano (469)969-2490|earls.ca FirstWatch Sure, these days you can get trendy and healthy menu items like avocado toastatjustaboutanywhere,butatthisplace,it’sover-the-topgoodwith smashed avocado, extra virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and Malden sea salt. A seasonal menu focusing on fresh produce offers lighter fare in warmer months and comfort food in cooler months, making it a perfect choice any time of the year. Carnivores shouldn’t miss the scrumptious Millionaire’s Bacon—four slices of hardwood smoked bacon baked with brownsugar,blackpepper,cayenneandamaplesyrupdrizzle. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW firstwatch.com Kenny’sWoodFiredGrill Everyone loves Kenny’s restaurants, including the Burger Joint, Italian Kitchen and Smoke House.What makes theWood Fired Grill location per- fect for date night, though, is its classy supper club décor and simply put, thefood.Steaks,chops,burgersandfishareallperfectlypreparedandde- licious.EverymealstartswithKenny’sfamouspopoversandinourhumble opinion, should include their half-pound jumbo lump crab cake. It’s too deliciousnottoorder!TryaGreyGoosemartini–theirvodkaiskeptontap at28degrees.Smooooth. 5000BeltLineRd. | Dallas (972)392-9663|kennyswoodfiredgrill.com LazyDogRestaurantandBar Reminiscent of a Jackson Hole, Wyoming après-ski lodge, this Addison outpost at the Village on the Parkway offers something de- licious for everyone. From comfort food classics such as burgers and bigsaladstoheartierfareincluding Lamb Stroganoff and Housemaid Veggie Lasagna, Lazy Dog feels like the perfect place to replenish all those calories you burned off on the slopes(ormorelikely,holidayshoppingattheGalleria). VillageontheParkway|Addison (469)754-1300|lazydogrestaurants.com Newk’s Fast-casual, healthy dining is, no doubt, quickly becoming a “thing” in NorthTexas, and Newk’s is an ideal place to jump onto that bandwagon. Everythinghereismadefromscratch,andthere’ssomethingonthemenu forevenyourpickiesteaterstolove,fromfreshsalads,delicioussoups,and pizzas to a plethora of drool-worthy sandwiches. There’s even a special menu sectiondevotedtoMac&Cheese(wecravetheSixCheesePimento withBaconversion).Dinein,orderonline,orcheckoutNewk’sGrab-N-Go. 5960WestParkerRd.|Plano (469)298-2071 6750GaylordPkwy.,Suite290|Frisco (214)494-4602|newks.com PDQ You know how it is when you’re hungry and want something quick, but youalsowantittobeonthehealthierside,and,ohyeah—youdon’twant to get out of your car?Think PDQ. While this acronym typically stands for “Pretty Darn Quick,”(and they are!) in this relatively new, but rapidly ex- panding concept, it stands for “People Dedicated to Quality.” While the menu is decidedly poultry-driven, it’s also surprisingly varied, with sever- al good-for-you fruits and veggies tucked into unexpected but delicious places. Zucchini fries and Blueberry Coleslaw (try it!) sit unpretentiously alongside hand-battered chicken tenders served with made-fresh-daily sauces.Thesaladsaregenerous,fresh,andfilling,andtosatisfyyoursweet tooth,tryahandspunmilkshake. LocationsinFrisco,Plano,Murphy eatpdq.com SixtyVines What could be better than a great glass of wine? How about a great glass of wine—on tap? Not only does this mean that each glass provides the best possible taste at the perfect temperature, reusable kegs equal less spoilage and less landfill. But let’s get to the food: SmallplateslikeManilaclamswith creamy white wine chowder broth or wood-fired cauliflower with lemon dill yogurt are perfection. Hungrier appetites will find plenty to choose from too, such as fregola served risotto style, then topped with crispy wildmushrooms.Theburger,madewithAkaushibeef,issomethingyou’ll dream about later, and entrees, such as chicken, fish and chops, are solid choices.Perfectforbothlargepartiesandintimategatherings. 3701DallasPkwy|Plano sixtyvines.com WhistleBritches The logo says a lot: Chicken. Biscuits. Beer. But what it doesn’t convey is that Chef Omar Flores and his team pickle brine each and every bird, creating one of the juiciest, most flavorful chicken experiences we’ve ever had. And at Whistle Britches, it is all about chicken: half chickens, whole chickens, roasted chickens, fried chicken tenders— even chickens glazed with pomegranate molasses. Sides and starters are comfort-driven, such as pickled jalapeno pimento cheese, served with saltines. Or deviled eggs with country ham. Three cheese mac. Grits with gouda. Are you hungry yet? Brunch, lunch and dinner served, along with a nice selection of cock- tails,beerandwine.Dessertsarestraightforwardandtotallydecadent. 6110FrankfordRd. |Dallas whistlebritcheschicken.com ASIAN HowardWang’s While the Grills and the Brasserie offer slightly different menus, Howard Wang’s is famous for nicely-sized portions of well-seasoned Asian Fusion food, served in a sleek, contemporary atmosphere. Large round tables makeittheperfectplacetomeetupwithfriendsafterwork,orhostabig family gathering. Whether you opt for something hearty, such as Kung Pao Chicken, or Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, or lighter fare, such as steamed chicken and vegetables with sauce on the side, you’re sure to leave satis- fied.There’s a nice selection for vegetarians, too. A full bar, including beer, wine and mixology-drivencocktails,roundsoutyourmealperfectly. hwrestaurants.com 4343W.NorthwestHwy.,Suite345|Dallas (214)366-1606 1471E.SouthlakeBlvd.|Southlake (817)488-4666 3223LemmonAve.,Suite103|Dallas (214)954-9558 Mr.Wok FromTom Chung Ramen to Egg FooYoung and everything in between— everything is good. Do not miss two of their most popular dishes: Peking Duck and Beggar’s Chicken. The succulent duck is carved tableside and madedaily;whentheyrunout,they’reout—sogetthereearly.Afterthe meat’s been carved, your server will ask whether you want the bones in a soup or stir-fried. Ask for a little bit of both—you’ll thank us. Beggar’s Chicken is a whole chicken stuffed with Chinese sticky rice that’s been stir-fried with shallot, Cantonese sausage, veggies, and five-spice powder andthenwrappedinlotus,bambooleaves,andbreadcrust,sealinginthe juices and flavors during it’s 22-hour basting (yes, 22). Order the Chicken twodaysinadvance;it’sworththeforethought.BYOB. 260014thStreet|Plano mr-wok.com RoyalChina Afamily-ownedDallasfavoritesince1974,RoyalChinaoffersanextensive menu of popular Chinese and Chinese-American classics, such as Cashew Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Shrimp with Honey Walnuts—and all are consistently delicious. But it just might be the noodles—house made, from scratch—that keeps existing fans happiest and newer ones clam- oring for more. Try the Dumpling Sampler and/or Xiao-Long-Bao (soup dumplings) – each one gives you a wonderful, chewy bite of dumpling andinside,broththatismeanttobeslurpedonceithascooledabit.Thisis the kind of place where you find yourself asking your server what the guy at the next table ordered, so you can have it next time. Service is excep- tionallyfriendly.Fullbar,too. 6025RoyalLn.,Suite201|Dallas (214)361-1771|royalchinadallas.com SamuiThai Upscale Thai décor makes it a sophisticated option for evening dining but don’t overlook the lunch specials—generously portioned and very reasonably priced.Too many menu choices to decide? Start with the Orig- inal Sampler Platter with something for everyone in your party including Chicken Satay, Sun Wrapped Shrimp, Calamari, Bags of Gold, Monsoon Roll,SunshineRoll,andVeggieTempura.BigBowlSoupsareamealinand ofthemselves,andstandoutentreesincludePadKeeMow(widericenoo- dles, eggs, basil, and veggies in light soy sauce and paprika) and Panang Beef (flank steak simmered in coconut panang curry). There’s also a nice cocktailmenu—wekeepcomingbackfortheLycheeMartini. 5700LegacyDr.,SuiteA1|Plano (972)398-2807|samuithai.com BARBEQUE HutchinsBBQ NEWLISTING! It’s rare to find a Texan who doesn’t take BBQ seriously, but the Hutchins family manages to take it to the next level. Meats slowly smoked over pecan and oak woods and pits that run 24/7 ensure every pig, cow, tur- key and chicken tastes as mouthwatering as it looks. By the plate or by the pound, you'll find freshly made sausages, brisket, ham and ribs, and for goodness' sake, don't forget to add in a dozen or so brisket stuffed jalapeños (available on weekends). Sides are homey and filling, and the catfish—really good—is a nice alternative for any pescatarians in your group. 1301N.TennesseeSt.|McKinney (972)548-2629 9225PrestonRd.|Frisco (972)540-1920|hutchinsbbq.com Kenny’sSmokeHouse No doubt about it—Texans love barbecue. But the thing that makes Kenny’s Smoke House so special is that it offers more than just standard Texasbarbecuefare.TastyeatslikesmokyPulledPorkTostadasarefeatured alongside must-have brisket, sausage and ribs. Even sandwiches and sal- ads get the Smoke House treatment with ingredients like smoked turkey and smoked bacon, and don’t miss the Smoked Gouda Mac n Cheese. A familystyleto-gomenumakesthisagreatpartyoption,too. 5760LegacyDr.|Plano kennyssmoke.com Ten50BBQ NEWLISTING! We love Ten50. Yes, the BBQ is ev- erything you could wish for in true Texas BBQ (meaty ribs, succulent sausage, juicy brisket), and des- serts and sides are delicious (don't miss the crispy fried okra and extra cheesy mac 'n cheese). But we also love the restaurant's cool Austin vibe and the opportunity to simply chilloutdoorswithgoodfriendsandagreatplateoffood.Thefriendlystaff will be happy to help you navigate through the cafeteria-style ordering process; you choose your protein first, then go inside for everything else. Weekendscangetcrowded,butonceyou'vegrabbedyourspot,feelfreeto sitback,sipabeerandstayawhile. 1050NorthCentralExpy.|Richardson (855)783-1050|ten50bbq.com BURGERS GrubBurgerBar Whilethisisdefinitelyadarngoodburgerbar,afewsurprisesonthemenu takeitupseveralnotches.Forlighterfare,theAhiTunaSaladistossedwith akicking-itwasabi-teriyakivinaigrette.Andyoucertainlywouldn’texpect Crawfish Pistolettes at a burger joint, now would you? And then there’s made-from-scratch étouffée, wrapped in a French bread roll and served withhousemadeMississippiComebackSauce.Veggieburgersareactually flavorful,asistheJiveTurkeyBurgerwithpesto,chipotleaioliandavocado. Optional burger toppings are fun and inventive, from fried eggs to ghost chili sauce. And don’t miss the“killer milkshakes and generous appetizers, enoughtomakeaseriousdentinyourappetite. 4925GreenvilleAve.,Suite150|Dallas (972)370-3636 8255PrestonRd.,Suite300|Plano (972)535-5157| grubburgerbar.com Hopdoddy Hopdoddy believes“happy burgers”start with“happy cows”– humanely raised and without any added chemicals or hormones. In fact, just about everythingatHopdoddyis“happy”:localandorganicvegetables,handcut fries, made from scratch buns (including gluten-free options) and craft beers.There’s no table service, per se, but staff helps you find a seat and is more than“happy”to bring you refills or anything else you need.Waits at thePrestonCenterlocationcanbelongatlunchbutworthit. hopdoddy.com PrestonCenter|6030LutherLn.,Dallas (214)363-2337 3227McKinneyAve.|Dallas (214)871-2337 5100BeltLineRd.|Addison (972)387-2337 Kenny’sBurgerJoint Whether you’re in the mood for a really great, classic burger like Zed’s Straight Up or something a little different like Mushroom Brie or Black & Blue(withCajunspicesandbleucheese),Kenny’sdoesn’tdisappoint.Load- ed Cheese Fries are the bomb here, and if you’re really feeling indulgent, don’tforgetthethickcutonionrings—they’reepic. 1377LegacyDr.|Frisco (214)618-8001|kennysburgerjoint.com 5809PrestonRd. |Plano (972)378-0999 VillageBurgerBar RememberMonk’sonSeinfeld,thecaféwherethegroupgatheredregular- ly to nosh and chat?That’s how it is atVillage Burger Bar inWatters Creek. Yes,thefoodisstellar(Cheffed-UpGourmetBurgers,TruffleFriesandDec- adentShakes),butit’salsoaplacewherefamilycomesfirst.Manycustom- erspopinseveraltimesaweektowatchgamesandletthekidsrunaround. 957GardenParkDr.|Allen(469)854-6616 5700LegacyDr. |Plano(972)801-2772 villageburgerbar.com CAFÉS, DINERS & COFFEEHOUSES BreadWinnersCaféandBakery Isyourfamilyhavingatoughtimedecidingwhat’sfordinner(orbreakfast orbrunch)?Bring‘emonovertoBreadwinners.SouthernLumpCrabCakes with spicy remoulade? No problem. Free-Range Roasted Chicken with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetable orzo, and peppadew vinaigrette?Yep. Big, juicyGreenChileJalapenoBaconBurger?Ofcourse!Howaboutsomething moreobscure,likeSmokedGoudaFonduewithbasil,orPorkBellySliders? Breadwinnershasthose,too. Don’tworry,ifyou’vegotahankeringforbig, hearty breakfast items such as Beeman Ranch Akaushi Strip Steak & Eggs or one of several Eggs Benedict varieties, you won’t be disappointed. Stop by the mouth-watering bakery on your way out for a little something to enjoylater,allbyyourself. Uptown,InwoodVillage,Plano,NorthParkCenter breadwinnerscafe.com CaféBrazil While this Dallas staple offers a varied menu of appetizers, soups, salad, entrees, desserts, coffees, and more, ingredients lean heav- ily toward Mexico—not Brazil. We’re okay with that though be- cause tasty, comfort food options abound. Breakfast portions are generous, and most entrees in- clude a signature side of crispy Roasted Rosemary Potatoes or Fried Sweet Potatoes. Migas with housemade chorizo really hit the spot. Several loca- tionsareopen24hoursontheweekends,andtheUniversityParklocation isopen24hoursalways.It’snoteasytofindthatinDallas! MultiplelocationsinDFW|cafebrazil.com Cindi’sNYDeli If you’re looking for authentic New York deli food, go to Cindi’s. Now. Oh, and it just happens to be owned by a lovely Vietnamese woman named Anh Vo. Housemade bagels and breads, Reubens, patty melts, generous omelets and matzo ball soup are just a few of the things that keep trans- planted New Yorkers and original Dallasites alike flocking to Cindi’s— morning,noonandnight.Themenu’shuge,sosufficeittosay,ifyou’vegot a taste for something, Cindi’s probably has it—and it’s all good. Breakfast servedalldayandcateringavailable.WithlocationsthroughouttheMetro- plex,there’ssuretobeaCindi’snearyou. FivelocationsthroughouttheMetroplex cindisnydeli.com CoffeeHouseCafé This little jewel box offers delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner at reason- ablepricesinadelightfulsetting.It’stheperfectplacefordatenightorjust about anything else. Their coffee is European style, handcrafted, mostly organicandallthat.Ifyoufeellikeadatenightathome,theyevenoffera drive-through.It’sallgood.Butreally,youhadusatdrive-through. 6150FrankfordRd. |Dallas (469)248-0554|coffeehousecafe.com CrossroadsDiner Earlier this year, Crossroads relocated to the NE corner of Preston and Campbell, making this former Walnut Hill favorite even more convenient fornorthDallasites.Yes,thefamousstickybunsareooey,gooey,andover- the-top,studdedwithchoppedpecans,caramel,andcinnamon—butthis is a diner after all. You can’t go wrong with the made-from-scratch, blue- berry pancakes and hearty frittatas, but you’ll also want to try lunchtime faresuchasMyMom'sEggSaladSandwichonwheattoastorthesublime Crispy Fried Chicken and Warm Brie sandwich. Crossroads welcomes kids andlargeparties,and,whilethisbusyplacedoesn’ttakereservations,sim- plydownloadtheNowaitappandyou'llgetatextwhenyourtableisready. 17194PrestonRd.|Dallas crossroads-diner.com DeliNews Sometimes, you’ve just gotta have a sandwich – a really big, juicy one on pillowybread,piledhighwithdelimeats,cheeseandcondiments.AndDeli News,atrueNewYork-styledeli,restaurantandbakeryhasservedthebest for the past twenty-two years.They’ve got everything the ex-NewYorker is looking for: whitefish, chopped liver, pastrami and more. But they do dinner, too. Dine in or take out (they also cater) from their hot food menu includingbeefstroganoff,boiledchickeninthepotwithmatzoball,stuffed cabbagerollsandbraisedshortribs. 17062PrestonRd.|Dallas (972)733-3354|delinewsdallas.com DreamCafé This favorite breakfast-lunch-dinner-brunch spot, equally popular among young, energetic families and sleepy singles sporting disheveled hair, of- ferssomethingforeveryone:vegetarianentreessoheartyyou’llnevermiss themeat;gluten-freedishes;breakfastitemsfordinner(ChickenandWaf- fles with bacon gravy?); and plenty more. Just looking for a nosh?Try the Blue Cheese Chips loaded with apple-smoked bacon and scallions or the Thai Crab Fritters with lemongrass, lime leaf, buttermilk, and chile. With friendly service and cocktail offerings, the dream is very much alive. Now withalocationinLakewood. Addison,Uptown,Lakewood thedreamcafe.com FroggCoffeeBar&Creperie Cause sometimes you need a crepe, too! And when the craving hits, it’s time to head to Frogg. If the Nutella and Stuff crepe (with foster and cara- mel sauces, whipped cream, apples and cinnamon) isn’t enough to make you jump in your car, maybe the friendly and knowledgeable baristas will winyouoverwithoneoftheirdelicioushotbeverageoptions,toppedwith beautifullatteartdesigns.Heartierappetiteswillappreciatetheirdelicious soups, sandwiches and filling omelet crepes. This place feels like a little sliceofEuropeanheaven. LocatedinAllenatWattersCreek froggcoffee.com HighlandParkOldFashionedSodaFountain Cravingnostalgia,alongwithTHEbesthalfhamsalad/halfpimentocheese sandwich in town?Without a doubt, this is where you need to be. In busi- ness for over 104 (!) years, which in Dallas terms is practically like the Me- solithic era, very little has changed in the last century at HPOFSF, except for the gracious addition of central air-conditioning. Oh, if those original bar stools could talk! Moms and business moguls alike mingle over Frito chilipies,superiorshakesandwhatwethinksimplyhastobehousemade vegetablesoup—it’sthatgood.Andwhetheryou’recravingamalt,cooler, float,freeze,sodaorsundae,they’reallsublime. 3229KnoxSt.|Dallas highlandparksodafountain.com HugsCafé Everything about Hugs makes us want to smile—from the friendly staff, to the exceptional customer service, to the giant“HUGS”sign on the wall, and of course, to the food. Owner Ruth Thompson created the Hugs concept as a lunch-only place where adults with special needs could find meaningful work and then used her cooking background to create truly delicious menu items. You’llfinddailysoups,freshsaladsanddecadentsandwichesthatarepiled high with tasty fillings. Our favorite just might beThe Chickie Hug, made withHugs’signaturechickensalad,cucumber,freshspinachandtomatoon your choice of bread. Ultimate Picnic Potato Salad is a must-try side, and everyoneravesabouttheSignatureWeddingCakeCookies. 224E.VirginiaSt.|McKinney (469)301-6900|hugscafe.org LePeep With a relaxed atmosphere and extensive menu, including all of your morning favorites (Gooey Buns served with cream cheese and Mom’s goodEATS Dining Guide Our editors scoured the greater Dallas area for tried-and-true dining destinations that are family-friendly (even teens!), affordable and delicious. Herearesomeofourfavorites.