Best Bar Burger and Beer Bets in Big “D”

Alright, even though my task is to handle bars and nightclubs for Lit Monthly, I just had to write something about Dallas hamburgers. So, I decided to tackle some of the best "bar" burgers in Big "D" and here is what I came up with...

Best Bar Burger and Beer Bets in Big “D”

As summer approaches, there’s not much that’s more appealing than an ice cold beer and a hot juicy cheese burger, other than perhaps the cut of the new swimwear fashions. And while the food reviews in Lit Monthly are more than ably handled by our staff gourmand, Bill Tate, many of you who know me know that I’m somewhat of a hamburger aficionado/snob, so I felt the need to list some of my favorite Dallas area “Burger and Beer” bars to you help beat the heat and eat some red meat!

Hamburgers are a mighty touchy and personal subject here in Big “D”, so first let me qualify my hamburger standards. When I’m reviewing a burger joint, I try to order the burger “as served” with the house cheese, because after all, that’s how the creator decided to make it originally, and it’s a good across-the-board base-line to use. Plus, a hamburger without cheese is like a day without sunshine! I also resist adding chili, bacon, fried eggs, avocado, or any other extraneous burger topping. If you add specialty ingredients, you might as well be comparing burgers to hot dogs. As the short-order cooks say, “Burn one, take it through the garden, and pin a rose on it!” (a Hamburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion).

Other things that I look for in a burger is if the patty hand-formed and what’s the pre-cooked weight? In what order are the ingredients stacked? How good is the bun and is it buttered and toasted? How much of the burger do you end up wearing (i.e. the “Mess Factor”)? And finally, how much moolah am I gonna have to fork over for this baby?

As for beer, I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis… Just kidding! I always drink beer, and I like my brewskis wet and polar cold (preferably with ice crystals floating in them). “Stay thirsty my friend.”

Now, so as not to infringe upon Bill Tate’s restaurant territory, and to separate these places from all of the other great burger joints in town, I consider these burger bastions to be more bar than restaurant.

Adair’s – 2624 Commerce St. Dallas, TX 75226 (214) 939-9900 http://adairssaloon.com/

A large juicy burger, served with a jalapeno. Try yours with an ice cold Lone Star. The atmosphere in this true Texas honky-tonk is as great as the jukebox selection. I do typically have to season the meat here, but the experience of the place alone is certainly worth checking it out.

Angry Dog – 2726 Commerce St. Dallas, TX 75226 (214) 741-4406 http://www.angrydog.com/

A nice sized patty (albeit not hand-formed me thinks) that’s fairly well-seasoned on a crispy grilled, buttered bun. Some minor assembly is required. This place has stacked up 17 “Best of Dallas” awards since 1992. The hot dogs and hot wings also rock. Try your burger with chili on the side.

Lakewood Landing – 5818 Live Oak St. Dallas, TX 75214 (214) 823-2410 http://www.lakewood-landing.com/

Winner of no less than nine “Best of the Observer” awards, including “best dive bar,” the Landing presents a smaller (6 oz.), but very tasty burger on a buttery, toasted bun, with a high “mess factor.” Both the Philly steak sandwich and the BLT (with tons of thick cut bacon) have big followings here (thanks Lon and Heather!).

Lee Harvey’s – 1807 Gould St. Dallas, TX (214) 428-1555 http://leeharveys.com/pages/about.html

L. H.’s produces a truly inspired burger that won’t disappoint. A big, well seasoned patty sits atop a crispy, toasted bun. The onion rings and tacos kick some ass too. And sitting at a picnic bench, drinkin’ some frosty suds, while watching a live band jam on the front porch, is a real kick.

The Loon – 3531 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75204 (214) 559-3059 http://www.loonmtn.com/

Known primarily for the strength of their drinks, the Loon produces an above average burger and some of the best pizza in Dallas. The burger toppings are serve “chop-style,” meaning that the onion, pickles, tomato, and lettuce are all chopped into small bits and placed on the burger, like a chopped salad, so you get a little bit of everything in every bite.

Midway Point – 12801 Midway Rd. Dallas, TX 75244 (972) 484-3470
Many of the “Point” locations have either gone by the wayside or have detoured from the original burger recipe that made this small local chain such a success. The Midway Point has stayed true to its roots and still produces one of the best and most overlooked burgers in town. A huge patty made with real quality meat. Get the cottage fries (cooked crispy). The nachos are always spot-on too.

Snookie’s – 3 locations – Oak Lawn, Keller Springs, and Ft. Worth http://www.snookiesbar.com/ASP/PageObjects/mainObj.asp?p=3&t=1

Another Street Brothers (Gene and Dace) concept, this local chain is frequented by restaurant and bar industry people, which right there should tell you something about their prices, service, and the strength of their drinks! Being from the “Street,” they also serve up a very respectable burger and a pretty decent chicken fried steak. The cheese fries are the bomb!

Uptown Bar and Grill – 2523 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 969-9433 http://www.uptownbarandgrill.com/

Uptown’s burger has won the Observers “Best Burger in Dallas” award, and while it may not have been in the running for the last year or two, their ½ lb. hand-formed patties still stand the taste of time! Try the chili, the French dip, or ham and cheese sandwich for a nice change of pace. Team Trivia Wednesdays are fun. They also host karaoke on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Burgers and Beer are, to quote King Crimson, “Two of a Perfect Pair.” Now, who could disagree with that? Hamburgers hold a dear place in my heart, as my cardiologist can tell you, and I’m always on the lookout for the best new burger in town. Drop me a line if you know of an off-the-beaten-path burger joint, and check out my blog for a much more in-depth list of DFW hamburger havens.

All in for Al Fresco

As spring is in the air and we are starting the "outdoor" season here in Dallas, I thought that it would be fitting to do an article on DFW area Bar and Restaurant decks or patios that inspire me to relax and consume. So, here it is...

All in for Al Fresco by Greg Holman

Italians invented the term al fresco (literally translated “the fresh”) to describe the act of wining and dining outdoors, as it was such a common occurrence in their daily lives. So why is it that food and drink always seem to taste better when consumed outside? I know that indoor air quality can suffer from impurities such as chemicals and cleaners, which affect our sense of smell and taste. I also know that when we dine al fresco it’s usually in bright, beautiful sunshine which charges us with vitamin D, that one study has shown to be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that can occur during the winter months, but I think that outdoor dining also brings back childhood memories of picnics, drinking from the hose, and gobbling a juicy, ripe peach from the neighbor’s tree. Whatever recollections are re-awakened by open-air eating, al fresco is a style of dining that’s both casual yet lively and can offer up an almost party-like atmosphere.

On the subject of open-air eating, Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, the 18th century French epicurean wrote in his book The Physiology of Taste, “Seating themselves on the greensward, they eat while the corks fly and there is talk, laughter and merriment, and perfect freedom, for the universe is their drawing room and the sun their lamp. Besides, they have appetite, Nature's special gift, which lends to such a meal a vivacity unknown indoors, however beautiful the surroundings."

Well, spring has sprung with a vengeance here in Big “D”. Buds are on the trees, the winter’s hibernation is over, and it’s now time to leave the safe confines of our warm burrows and head out into the sunlight. It’s time for dinner and drinks on the deck! But if pulling out the bag of charcoal and firing up the grill seems a bit demanding, Dallas certainly has an abundance of establishments to satisfy your “Party on the Patio” urges. And with the city-wide smoking ban, global warming, and the fact that the city of Dallas doesn’t charge a licensing fee for establishments with outdoor dining (unfortunately this excludes sidewalk dining, which requires a public right-of-way license), we should see even more al fresco eateries popping up in the future. Not to mention the fact that in this depressed economy, outdoor dining can almost double a restaurant or bars available seating.

Whether you’re looking for a boisterous time of people watching, you want upscale digs with a view, you’re looking for a quiet tree-covered spot with a nice selection of beers, or perhaps you just want to sit back on a big comfy couch and watch the sun set over a serene lake, we’ve got a place for you.

Here are a few of my favorite spots to catch some rays and a buzz!

Bar Belmont

901 Fort Worth Ave. - Great views of downtown, from across the Trinity, next door to Smoke, and possibly on the new route for the Uptown trolley extension. Try a Belmontini!

Ginger Man

2718 Boll St. – A phenomenal selection of beers, live music on Saturdays, two tree-covered, multi-level decks. The Beer Companion Plate is great.

Glass Cactus

1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX - Incredible views of Lake Grapevine at sunset from several levels of HUGE decks. Plus, where else can you lay on a bed with five other people and have drinks brought to you? (If you do know of somewhere else, invite me!)

Idle Rich Pub

2614 McKinney Avenue - Noisy but great spot to see nice cars, watch the trolley go by, and people watch. The cheese plates, mini-burgers, and fish and chips rock.

Iron Cactus

1520 Main Street - Three levels overlooking Pegasus Plaza, downtown. It’s like they just sliced the side of the building off. Great margaritas and some of the best stuffed jalapenos around.

La Calle Doce

415 W. 12th Street - Oak Cliff hot spot for Mexican seafood and Margaritas. The deck is the front porch of an old house. The Snapper al Mojo de Ajo is awesome. This is one of David Bowie's favorite Dallas restaurants.

Lee Harvey’s

1807 Gould Street – This Dallas staple for the hip crowd is pretty much only a patio. Live music on the weekends, two bars, great burgers and tacos, and a very comfy atmosphere.

Obzeet

19020 Preston Road - Consistently voted one of the best patios in Dallas. It almost feels like you're in the Caribbean instead of on Preston. They feature live music, a Koi pond with a waterfall, and amazing deserts.

Ozona

4615 Greenville Avenue - Also regularly voted one of the best patios in Dallas. Famous for their chicken fried steak and their Sunday make-your-own bloody mary bar. Multi-level tree-covered deck.

Park on Henderson

1921 Henderson Avenue – It really feels like you're sitting in a park that’s filled with native plants, bamboo, and a three-trunk Live Oak. The drinks are impeccably mixed and they have Bocce Ball courts!

Quinn

202 W. Davis Street – They have a small but charming deck and offer a wide selection of beers and well made food. The chili is out-of-this-world and made fresh every day. Just on the edge of the Bishop Street Arts District.

Sneaky Pete’s

2 Eagle Point Road, Lewisville, TX - This Lake Dallas staple is popular with the younger crowd, as there is lots of shirtless/bikini-clad eye candy to be seen. Dock your boat and disembark for some live music and drinks.

The dog days of summer are looming large on the horizon; a time when men (and women) of comfort seek air-conditioned refuge from the scorching Dallas summer heat. So, while spring is still in the air and we are blessed with temperate days, filled with sunshine and light breezes, head out and grab an umbrella-covered table and sip on a nice cool drink at one of the many great patios that Dallas bars and restaurants have to offer. Buon appatito, Ciao!

Martinis – One is alright. Two are too many, and three is not enough.

Well, I've been watching some of the 1960's hip, swingin', bachelor, romantic comedies lately and it's made me long for the classic days of cocktail hour that I remeber my parents and grandparents enjoying when I was a kid. So I thought that a Lit article about the king of cocktails, the Martini, was in order. So, here it is...

Martinis – One is alright. Two are too many, and three is not enough.

Whatever happened to the sophistication associated with cocktails and the cocktail hour? I long for the days of strong, simple drinks, smoking jackets, elegant gowns, cigarette girls, and torch singers accompanied by a full orchestra. Where are all the red, velvet curtain-lined dinner clubs and smoky, sultry lounges? Not in Dallas I can assure you. I yearn to put on my tux (yes, I own my own tux) and take my wife out for an evening of drinking and dancing, but not to some digital hip-hop beat, and not to Lady Gaga or Kelley Clarkson, but to a big jazzy, swingin’ band like Hunter Sullivan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, or even Mr. Pink, in a place like Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club in Los Angeles.

Cicada Club

Hopefully someone will soon realize that people are longing for a taste of class, a regression to the way things used to be in the “good old days” of wining, dining and lounging, and open up a ritzy joint that fits this bill.

But, if we can’t get a classic dinner club experience here in Big “D,” we can at least get a good Martini, the drink of choice for the upper crust. And I’m not talking about the simpering, sweet, distant cousins; the Appletinis, the Chocolatinis, the Wheat-Grasstinis, or any other bastardization of the classic cocktail. I’m talkin’ about Gin or Vodka, shaken with ice, enhanced by perhaps a whiff of Vermouth and a couple of olives (we’ll allow cocktail onions and lemon twists too), served up in a frosty, elegant V-shaped glass, which I will expound upon shortly.

The drink that Hollywood made famous developed a wide following in large part due to the celebrities who held a warm place in their heart for this heart-warming cocktail. People like W. C. Fields, who drank two doubles at breakfast and consumed two quarts of Gin daily; Richard Nixon, who liked a seven to one ratio of Gin to Vermouth; Dorothy Parker who said “I like to drink Martinis, two at the most. Three I’m under the table, four I’m under the host.”; George Burns who said “Happiness is a dry Martini and a good woman… or a bad woman.”; William Powell, who as Nick Charles (of the Thin Man film series) consumed copious quantities of the classic cocktail; and of course James Bond who liked his “Vesper” Martini (named after Vesper Lynde, the beautiful blonde double agent in Casino Royale) “shaken, not stirred.”

Now, a word about the Martini glass itself, where form follows function as its stem allows you to hold the glass without warming its contents, while the conical shape keeps ingredients from separating, and the wide brim creates surface tension, helping to bring out the aroma of the chosen gin or vodka. While these benefits of the shapely glass may seem apparent, others have suggested that the wide brim on the glass made it easier to quickly dispose of illegal alcohol in the event of a speakeasy raid, during America’s prohibition period.

While the drink’s true origins are shrouded in mystery, many believe that a rendition of what we now recognize as the Martini was created in San Francisco in 1862 and was known as the “Martinez.” It’s rumored that a bartender at the Occidental hotel, named Jerry Thomas was challenged by a gold prospector, to make a special drink in honor of the miner’s recent trip to the gold strike in Martinez, CA. It consisted of 4 parts red, sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin and was garnished with a cherry. This is certainly not the only claim to the invention of the infamous cocktail, but I find it to be one of the earliest and most credible.

With as many drinking establishments as Dallas has, there are a number of them that serve up a decent Martini. And whether you prefer your Martinis with Vodka or Gin, clean or dirty, here are a few good places to pick up a dry Martini and wet your whistle…

Abacus

4511 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75205 (214) 559-3111

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

5251 Spring Valley Rd. Dallas, TX 75254 (972) 490-9000

Houston’s

8300 A Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75225 (214) 691-8991

Inwood Lounge

5458 W. Lovers Ln. Dallas, TX 75209 (214) 764-9106

The Library Bar at the Warwick Melrose Hotel

3015 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas, TX. 75219 (214) 224-4134

Perry’s

2911 Routh St. Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 871-9991

Sambuca

2120 McKinney Ave. Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 744-0820

Sevy’s Grill

8201 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75225 (214) 265-7389

While Martinis can be a bit pricey, they’re certainly a great bang for the buck, as two or three good ones will have you feeling like Bond, James Bond. So dust of your tuxedo, put on an air of class, and head to your favorite lounge, to sip on an ice cold, classic American cocktail.

As I wrap this article up and slip into a long-stemmed frosty “elixir of quietude,” I say to you, the originator of the Martini, whoever you truly are, we offer our most sincere thanks, gratitude, and scorn; for your creation, which has certainly come a long way since its inception, has both saved and ruined the lives of a multitude of people and has furnished many of us with foggy memories of Vodka and Gin-soaked evenings, amorous nights of drunken passion, and long mornings of suffering and yearnings for yet another Martini. We salute you! “Bartender, … I’ll have another.”

Don’t be an “A” Hole, Join the “A” List and Drop by an “A” Club Today, You’ll Be Glad You Did!

Ok, here is the latest article for Lit Monthly (in it's unedited form). "A" clubs is the topic. Sorry about not having an article in last month's issue but I was asked to be bumped so that we could fit in a couple of specialty articles for the NBA All-Star game issue. It started out as a 1,700 worder, but I cropped it down to 1,500 here and 1,300 for the magazine, but I'm sure that Mark will cut it down to 1,000 by the time it goes to print.

Don’t be an “A” Hole, Join the “A” List and Drop by an “A” Club Today, You’ll Be Glad You Did! By Greg Holman

Just what the hell is an “A” club anyway, and why would I want to go to one? Well, “A” clubs or “A-List” clubs are bars that cater to a crowd who enjoys gyrating to live music from one of the area’s top dance/party bands, while window shopping the prominently displayed pieces of meat. The music is loud, eye candy is plentiful, and so are the drinks, and there is almost always a cover charge.

As much as I enjoy hanging out in my dive bars, I also enjoy “A” clubs for a change of pace and the quality of live music that they deliver. These clubs are not for the timid, however! They can become living, breathing entities unto themselves, moving, flexing, and metamorphosizing, based on the mood of the crowd. In some “A” clubs, like Memphis, you almost get a high from the combination of tight quarters, thumping bass, and the swaying movement of fellow club goers. But look out for those Rufie-coladas!

The bands that play these clubs are the cream of Dallas’ musical crop and many of the players migrate from one band to another, or play in several “A” bands at the same time, and all are in high demand. These are the bands that play the big corporate parties and major hotels, on holidays. They command top dollar because they deliver CD quality sound with every live performance.

I’ve compiled a small list of “A” clubs which is by no means complete, and certainly welcome your input. A list of bands that frequent these clubs also follows.

Dallas Area “A” Clubs:

Cool River

1045 Hidden Ridge Irving, TX 75038 (972) 871-8881 - Las Colinas is the location for this stand-alone steak house/high-end club which sports some very nice architecture and design inside. They’ve been booking great bands here for decades and serve up a mean slab of meat. If the guys get tired of the “club” scene on the dance floor, they have a comfy cigar lounge! http://www.coolrivercafe.com/

Glass Cactus

1501 Gaylord Tr. Grapevine, TX 76051 (817) 778-2800 – Wow! What a club. Big bucks went into this place. This overwhelming space occupies more than 39,000 square feet of the Gaylord Texan resort. With a sprawling multi-level deck overlooking Lake Grapevine, it’s a great place to arrive early, grab a bite to eat, and watch the sun set. After dinner you can work the calories off on the 2,000 square foot dance floor. National touring acts are regularly booked on the main stage, as well as DFW’s top dance bands. http://www.glasscactusnightclub.com/

Memphis – 5000 Belt Line Rd. Addison, TX 75254 (972) 386-9517 - Memphis has a close place in my heart and has been a live music institution in the DFW area, featuring the best dance/party bands for the past quarter of a century. Every popular local band from Dallas Brass and Electric (Top’s old band), to Random Axis, and Emerald City started playing here. Attached to, and sharing a kitchen with Shuck and Jive, you can get some decent Cajun food here too. The owners (once managers) Lenny and Jay are staples of the place and somewhat infamous themselves. Notice the brass name plates above the bar; you either have to know somebody, or buy a bottle of Dom Perignon to get you name up here (I just happen to know someone! Like I could afford a bottle of Dom…). http://www.memphis-dallas.com/

Sharky’s on Greenville* – 7402 Greenville Ave. #320 Dallas, TX 75231 (214) 361-5436 - The oldest continuously operating bar on Greenville has recently taken a sojourn into live music and has hit the ground running, booking many of the top “A” bands in town on the weekends, such as Top, Random Axis, Deneyed, and Domino Effect. The club is good sized and volume is dispersed allowing you to actually be able to have a conversation at the bar. They also feature live music several days during the week, so check out their calendar for updates. http://www.sharkysongreenville.com/

*(Closed until further notice)

Sherlock's

5100 Belt Line Rd. #760 Addison, TX 75254 (972) 726-6100 & 9100 N. Central Expressway Dallas, TX 75231 (214) 692-1111 - Being part of a national chain has its benefits, not the least of which is the ability to bring in great bands with no cover charge. There are several DFW locations, but here I will just mention the Dallas and Addison locations. These venues are winding, multi-roomed behemoths, with pub like atmospheres and pretty good food (I like their fish tacos). There’s a lot of cruising going on here, but it’s not overly ostentatious and can be easily avoided if you’re not “looking for a date.” http://www.sherlockspubco.com/

“A” Club Bands:

These are bands that have been rocking the DFW scene for years. All are certainly worth their salt when you want to boogie the night away. Visit them at their listed websites for performance dates.

Deneyed

Everyone knows Chee! But, if you don’t, he’s a first class guitarist that heads up Deneyed as well as playing for several other bands including the Cardinals of Sin. Deneyed takes cover music to a different level by adding their own arrangements to popular dance tunes, often giving them a bit of a funky, almost island or reggae-like feel. http://www.myspace.com/deneyedguerrillamusic

Emerald City

The ultimate Dallas dance/party band, Emerald City has national appeal and has met with national success, landing a gig for President George Bush, in Washington D.C. A huge band with a huge following, they command huge prices for their gigs and are often booked for corporate events on large holidays. They do put on a great show and the horn section always rocks. http://www.emeraldcityband.com/

Good Question

Bruce Klein, a great guy and former lead vocalist for Random Axis fronts this lively ten piece show band that packs a helluva punch. A full horn section and two female vocalists make for an incredibly full sound. http://www.goodquestionband.net/

Le Freak

Now this is a party! These guys have got it down, so grab your platform shoes, afro wigs, and white leisure suits, because straight out of Studio 54 comes Le Freak, with a full-frontal vintage boogie assault. A really fun show, the “Freak” will have you hustling the night away and laughing your ass off! http://www.myspace.com/lefreak

Mars Hill

Phenomenal guitarist Dave Barnet started “the Hill” shortly after leaving Random Axis and a successful soiree into Christian Rock. The band has grown into an 8 to 10 piece party band that will shake you to your rafters. http://www.marshillband.com/

Professor D

Another long-time staple of the “A” club scene is the eight piece show band Professor “D” (originally Professor “D” and the Playschool). They’ve been audibly attacking DFW club goers since 1989 and show no signs of slowing down. They’ve been booked by every major sports franchise in Dallas for good reason; they sound great! Enroll yourself in the school of funk and take a lesson from the Professor. http://www.professord.com/

Random Axis

Established in 1989, “R.A.” has been playing around DFW for a very long time and has seen more line-up changes than you can shake a lead guitar player at. One interesting note; long time sound man for the band, Michael Raupp also sings backing vocals, while operating the sound board. http://www.randomaxisband.com/

Top

Top (aka Topasana Sansom) has been fronting the best dance bands in Dallas for over 15 years and was the lead vocalist for Dallas Brass and Electric for years. His vocal range is astounding as is his female vocalist Rion. Top always backs himself up with “Top”-notch musicians. http://www.topdfw.com/

While these clubs vary in age, condition, and location, the bands remain consistently good and offer more excitement in their live performances than a house DJ, playing canned music does. So if you’re looking to dance, browse some eye candy, or just want to enjoy some well executed live music, check out one of the clubs or bands listed. You surely won’t be disappointed.

Greg