b"goodEATSRoyal ChinaAussie Grind, mate. to ghost chili sauce. And dont miss the Happier Hour with $3, $4 and $5 A family-owned Dallas favorite since 1974, Royal China offers an extensive3930 Preston Rd., Ste. 120 | Frisco drinks, killer milkshakes and generous appetizers, enough to make a serious menu of popular Chinese and Chinese-American classics, such as Cashew(469) 428-0966 dent in your appetite. Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Shrimp with Honey Walnutsand all arewww.theaussiegrind.com 4925 Greenville Ave., Ste. 150 | Dallasconsistently delicious. But it just might be the noodleshouse made, from(972) 370-3636scratchthat keeps existing fans happiest and newer ones clamoring forBarbequemore.Try the Dumpling Sampler and/or Xiao-Long-Bao (soup dumplings),8255 Preston Rd., Ste. 300 | Planowhich are traditionally filled with pork, jicama and meat gelatin. Each dump- Hutchins BBQ (972) 535-5157ling gives you a wonderful, chewy bite of dumpling and inside, broth that isIts rare to find a Texan who doesnt take BBQ seriously, but the Hutchins fam- www.grubburgerbar.commeant to be slurped once it has cooled a bit. This is the kind of place whereily manages to take it to the next level. Meats slowly smoked over pecan and you find yourself asking your server what the guy at the next table ordered,oak woods and pits that run 24/7 ensure every pig, cow, turkey and chickenHopdoddy so you can have it next time.tastes as mouthwatering as it looks. By the plate or by the pound, you'll findHopdoddy believes happy burgers start with happy cowshumanely Full bar, too. freshly made sausages, brisket, ham and ribs, and for goodness' sake, don'traised and without any added chemicals or hormones. In fact, just about 6025 Royal Ln., Ste. 201 | Dallasforget to add in a dozen or so brisket stuffed jalapeos (available on week- everything at Hopdoddy is happy: local and organic vegetables, handcut (214) 361-1771 ends). Sides are homey and filling, and the catfishreally goodis a nicefries, made from scratch buns (including gluten-free options) and craft beers. www.royalchinadallas.com alternative for any pescatarians in your group. Theres no table service, per se, but staff helps you find a seat and is more than 1301 N. Tennessee St. | McKinney happy to bring you refills or anything else you need. Waits at the Preston Samui Thai (972) 548-2629 Center location can be long at lunch but worth it.If youre looking for great Thai food,6030 Luther Ln., Ste. 100 | Dallasstep right into Samui. Upscale Thai9225 Preston Rd. | Frisco (214) 363-2337dcor makes it a sophisticated option(972) 540-1920for evening dining but dont overlookwww.hutchinsbbq.com 3227 McKinney Ave., Ste. 102 | Dallasthe lunch specialsgenerously por- (214) 871-2337tioned and very reasonably priced. TooKennys Smoke Housemany menu choices to decide? StartNo doubt about itTexans love bar- 5100 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 502 | Addisonwith the Original Sampler Platter withbecue. But the thing that makes Ken- (972) 387-2337something for everyone in your party including Chicken Satay, Sun Wrappednys Smoke House so special is that itwww.hopdoddy.comShrimp, Calamari, Bags of Gold, Monsoon Roll, Sunshine Roll, and Veggieoffers more than just standard Texas Tempura. Big Bowl Soups are a meal in and of themselves, and standoutbarbecue fare. Tasty eats like smokyJakes Uptown: Burgers, Beer & Atmosphereentrees include Pad Kee Mow (wide rice noodles, eggs, basil, and veggiesPulledPorkTostadasarefeaturedNow this is where you take out-of-town visitors for a really great, no muss/in light soy sauce and paprika) and Panang Beef (flank steak simmered inalongside must-have brisket, sausageno fuss Texas-style hamburger. Yeah, there are a couple of obligatory salads coconut panang curry). Theres also a nice cocktail menuwe keep comingand ribs. Even sandwiches and sal- on the menu but really, who cares? If youre at Jakes, youre there for fried, back for the Lychee Martini.ads get the Smoke House treatmentbattered and delicious. Even desserts are fried. Really, it all goes back to 5700 Legacy Dr., Ste. A1 | Plano with ingredients like Smoked Turkey and Smoked Bacon, and dont miss thethe famous poppy seed buns, all crunchy and toasty. Vegetables include (972) 398-2807 Smoked Gouda Mac n Cheese. A family style to-go menu makes this a greatFried Pickle Chips and even Fried Green Beans (See, Mom? Were eating our www.samuithai.com party option, too. greens!). There are giant TV screens everywhere, showcasing a plethora of 5760 Legacy Dr., Ste. 4 | Plano near and far sports channels, and beer is always frostywhether in bottles Tukta Thai(972) 473-7478 or on tap. Servers are friendly, and youre welcome to stay for as little or as Delicious food, a veggie-friendly menu (dont worry, theres meat too), briskwww.kennyssmoke.com long as you like.service and a putting green? Yes, a putting green (apparently, the ownersMultiple locations throughout DFWdaughter is quite the golfer so, there you have it). Quirkiness aside, TuktaSmokewww.jakesuptown.comThais Pad Thai is one of Richardsons best and the Curry Fried Rice and PadWhats not to love about Smoke? The food is delicious, the service is spot-on, Woon Sen are equally good. Its BYOB policy makes it a budget-friendly placethe dcor is warm and cozy, and the beautiful, covered patios are romanticKennys Burger Jointto dine in, or skip the putting green and do take-out.and also a great place for people watching. And since its date night, after all,Whether youre in the mood for a really 9625 Plano Rd., Ste. 500 | Dallas dont miss the fire roasted oysters with scampi butter, chorizo and ash salsa.great, classic burger like Zeds Straight (214) 342-0121 The Dallas location is small and charming with a retro feel (its adjacent to theUp or something a little different like www.tuktathairestaurant.com Belmont Hotel), offering excellent Texas-sized hospitality. Mushroom Brie or Black & Blue (with 901 Fort Worth Ave. | Dallas Cajun spices and bleu cheese), Kennys Yao Fuzi (214) 393-4141 doesnt disappoint. Loaded Cheese Fries If theres such a restaurant genre as upscale, Chinese comfort food, servedwww.smokerestaurant.com are the bomb here, and if youre really in a romantic setting with great cocktails, then Yao Fuzi has nailed it. Fromfeeling indulgent, dont forget the thick Shanghai-style soup dumplings to Pork Steamed Buns and Ma Po Tofu toTen50 BBQ cut onion ringstheyre epic.Kung Pao Chickeneverything is freshly made and utterly delicious. SomeWhat can we say? We love Ten50. Yes, the BBQ is everything you could wish1377 Legacy Dr., Ste. 120 | Friscodelightfully unexpected twists also make an appearance, like Summer Rollsfor in true Texas BBQ (meaty ribs, succulent sausage, juicy brisket), and des- (214) 618-8001with Spicy Ahi Tuna and Asian Pear, Lamb with Scallions, and Jalapeoserts and sides are delicious (don't miss the crispy fried okra and extra cheesy Chicken. Yao Fuzi aims to please both the diner looking for familiar Chinesemac 'n cheese). But we also love the restaurant's cool Austin vibe and the op- 5809 Preston Rd.,Ste. 588 | Planofavorites, as well as those looking for something a bit more adventurous.portunity to simply chill outdoors with good friends and a great plate of food,(972) 378-0999Yaos extensive menu of Special Martinis is a refreshing departure from mostjust off Central Expressway. The friendly staff will be happy to help you nav- www.kennysburgerjoint.comChinese restaurants: dont miss the Lychee Grapefruit-tini or the Orangeigate through the cafeteria-style ordering process; you choose your protein Crush-tini with Absolut mandarin vodka, fresh-squeezed orange juice, andfirst, then go inside for everything else. Weekends can get crowded, but onceLiberty BurgerGrand Marnier.you've grabbed your spot, feel free to sit back, sip a beer and stay a while. Liberty Burger knows how to keep things lovingly local, from grass-fed, mini-4757 W. Park Blvd., Ste. 108 | Plano 1050 N. Central Expy. | Richardson mally processed beef to artisan buns and beyond. Even the vegetables used in (214) 473-9267 (855) 783-1050 its famously fresh veggie burger are grown locally. As if that werent enough, www.yaofuzi.com www.ten50bbq.com Liberty supports numerous local schools, nonprofits, and fundraisersall the more reason to feel good about your visit. Start with an order of Big O Australian rings, done steakhouse style, then move on to your choice of burger (juicy Burgersbeef, lamb, veggie, ahi tuna, or less fat/all flavor bison) with a clever variety The Aussie Grind Grub Burger Bar of toppings. We love The Nooner with cheese, bacon, ham, hash browns, and Americans love Aussies and vice versa,While this is definitely a darn gooda fried eggwe only wish it came with a nap! Salads are just as carefully so why arent there more Aussie-styleburger bar, a few surprises on theprepared as everything else and filling, too. Round out your meal with an restaurants around here? Thats whatmenu take it up several notches. Foradult shake or cocktail and if you possibly have room, a delicious mini pie.we wanted to know, and also whylighter fare, the Ahi Tuna Salad isMultiple locations throughout DFWwe were so happy when The Aussietossed with a kicking-it wasabi-teri- www.givemelibertyburger.comGrind opened its doors. This breakfastyakivinaigrette.Andyoucertainly (or breaky)-and-lunchspotofferswouldnt expect Crawfish PistolettesSnuffersgourmet menu items with zero at- at a burger joint, now would you?If loaded cheese friesthe kind with tons of gooey cheddar, chopped ba-titudethink:hand-rolledpotatoAnd then theres made-from-scratchcon, jalapenos, and chivesare your thing, then you probably already know gnocchi topped with sauted bacon, onion, sage, and spinach; or lamb cutlettouffe, wrapped in a French bread roll and served with house made Mis- about Snuffers. In fact, lots of folks say Snuffers cheese fries are THE best in salad, grilled and seasoned with sea salt and rosemary, served on greenssissippi Comeback Sauce. Veggie burgers are actually flavorful and a nicethe Metroplex. But let us not forget that this is a burger place, too, so try not with sweet potatoes and Danish feta. Desserts are decadent, and theres aalternative to beef, as is the Jive Turkey Burger with pesto, chipotle aioli andto fill up on those fries. We drool over the sweet and tangy Dr. Pepper BBQ smashing choice of coffees, too. Dont wait another day; rush over to Theavocado. Optional burger toppings are fun and inventive, from fried eggsBacon Burger; the Green Chile Cheeseburger is also outstanding. Or, skip the 50GoodLifeFamilyMag.comAPRIL 2020"