b"goodEATSthe perfect place to meet up with friends after work, or host a big familywiches and salads get the Smoke House treatment with ingredients likeSnuffersgathering. Lunch specials are very popular and include a spring roll orSmoked Turkey and Smoked Bacon, and dont miss the Smoked Gouda MacIf loaded cheese friesthe kind with tons of gooey cheddar, chopped crab wonton and soup (dine-in only), and whether you opt for somethingn Cheese. A family style to-go menu makes this a great party option, too. bacon, jalapenos, and chivesare your thing, then you probably already hearty, such as Kung Pao Chicken or Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry or lighter5760 Legacy Dr., Ste. 4 | Plano know about Snuffers. But let us not forget that this is a burger place, too, fare, such as steamed chicken and vegetables with sauce on the side, youre(972) 473-7478 so try not to fill up on those fries. We drool over the sweet and tangy Dr. sure to leave satisfied. Rolls and dumplings are prepared fresh daily. Thereswww.kennyssmoke.com Pepper BBQ Bacon Burger; the Green Chile Cheeseburger is also outstand-a nice selection for vegetarians, too.A full bar, including beer, wine anding. Or, skip the burgers and go for the Texas Giant Chili Dog or Black Angus mixology-driven cocktails, rounds out your meal perfectly. Steak Strips with cream gravy. You can thank us after youve hit the tread-6740 Winning Dr. | Frisco mill. Or, opt for one of the lighter menu items, like the Chicken Strip Salad (469) 213-2002Burgers with grilled fajita chicken or Grilled Chicken Platter with veggie medley.4343 W. Northwest Hwy., Ste. 345 | Dallas Multiple locations throughout DFW(214) 366-1606 Grub Burger Bar www.snuffers.com3223 Lemmon Ave., Ste. 103 | Dallas While this is definitely a darn good burger bar, a few surprises on the menuVillage Burger Bar (214) 954-9558 take it up several notches. For lighter fare, the Ahi Tuna Salad is tossed withRemember Monks on Seinfeld, the caf where the group gathered reg-www.hwrestaurants.comRoyal Chinaa kicking-it wasabi-teriyaki vinaigrette. And you certainly wouldnt expectularly to nosh and chat? Thats how it is at Village Burger Bar in Watters Crawfish Pistolettes at a burger joint, now would you? And then theresCreek. Yes, the food is stellar (Cheffed-Up Gourmet Burgers, Truffle Fries Royal China made-from-scratch touffe, wrapped in a French bread roll and servedand Decadent Shakes), but its also a place where family comes first. Many A family-owned Dallas favorite since 1974, Royal China offers an extensivewith house made Mississippi Comeback Sauce. Veggie burgers are actuallycustomers pop in several times a week to watch games and let the kids run menu of popular Chinese and Chinese-American classics, such as Cashewflavorful and a nice alternative to beef, as is the Jive Turkey Burger witharound. Its All Day/Every Day happy hour is also a draw.Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Shrimp with Honey Walnutsand all arepesto, chipotle aioli and avocado. Optional burger toppings are fun and957 Garden Park Dr. | Allenconsistently delicious. But it just might be the noodleshouse made,inventive, from fried eggs to ghost chili sauce.(469) 854-6616from scratchthat keeps existing fans happiest and newer ones clam- 4925 Greenville Ave., Ste. 150 | Dallas www.villageburgerbar.comoring for more.Try the Dumpling Sampler and/or Xiao-Long-Bao (soup(972) 370-3636dumplings), which are traditionally filled with pork, jicama and meat gel-atin. Each dumpling gives you a wonderful, chewy bite of dumpling and8255 Preston Rd., Ste. 300 | Planoinside, broth that is meant to be slurped once it has cooled a bit. This is the(972) 535-5157 Cafes, Diners & Coffeehouseskind of place where you find yourself asking your server what the guy atwww.grubburgerbar.comthe next table ordered, so you can have it next time. 6025 Royal Ln., Ste. 201 | DallasHopdoddyAscension Coffee(214) 361-1771 Hopdoddy believes happy burgers start with happy cowshumanelyAscensionimpliessomething www.royalchinadallas.com raised and without any added chemicals or hormones. In fact, just aboutthat has risen to a higher level everything at Hopdoddy is happy: local and organic vegetables, handcut and the coffee at this place is Samui Thai fries, made from scratch buns (including gluten-free options) and craftcertainlygivenhighestpriority. If youre looking for great Thai food,beers. Theres no table service, per se, but staff helps you find a seat and isWe love how folks at Ascension de-step right into Samui. Upscale Thaimore than happy to bring you refills or anything else you need. Waits atscribe coffee as complex like wine, dcor makes it a sophisticated op- the Preston Center location can be long at lunch but worth it. communal like beer, but habitual tion for evening dining but dont6030 Luther Ln., Ste. 100 | Dallas like water. The food menu is also overlookthelunchspecials (214) 363-2337 given emphasis with chef-driven, generouslyportionedandveryon-trend items such as burrata and tomato jam on toast, and on week-reasonably priced. Too many menu3227 McKinney Ave., Ste. 102 | Dallas ends, baked ricotta hotcakes. Feel free to linger at this every-day, all-day, choices to decide? Start with the(214) 871-2337 neighborhood destination.Original Sampler Platter with something for everyone in your party includ- The Staring Chicken Satay, Sun Wrapped Shrimp, Calamari, Bags of Gold, Monsoon5100 Belt Line Rd., Ste. 502 | Addison 3625 The Star Blvd., Ste. 300 | FriscoRoll, Sunshine Roll, and Veggie Tempura. Big Bowl Soups are a meal in and(972) 387-2337 (972) 292-9766of themselves, and standout entrees include Pad Kee Mow (wide rice noo- www.hopdoddy.comdles, eggs, basil, and veggies in light soy sauce and paprika) and PanangMultiple other locations throughout DFWBeef (flank steak simmered in coconut panang curry). Theres also a niceKennys Burger Joint www.ascensiondallas.comcocktail menuwe keep coming back for the Lychee Martini.Whether youre in the mood for a 5700 Legacy Dr., Ste. A1 | Plano really great, classic burger like ZedsCaf Brazil(972) 398-2807 Straight Up or something a little dif- While this Dallas staple offers a varied menu of appetizers, soups, salads, www.samuithai.com ferent like Mushroom Brie or Blackentrees, desserts, coffees, and more, ingredients lean heavily toward Mex-& Blue (with Cajun spices and bleuiconot Brazil.Were okay with that though because tasty, comfort food cheese), Kennys doesnt disappoint.options abound.Breakfast portions are generous, and most entrees in-Barbecue Loaded Cheese Fries are the bombclude a signature side of crispy Roasted Rosemary Potatoes or Fried Sweet here, and if youre really feeling in- Potatoes. Migas with house made chorizo really hit the spot.Several loca-dulgent, dont forget the thick cut onion ringstheyre epic. tions are open 24 hours on the weekends, and the University Park location Hutchins BBQ 1377 Legacy Dr., Ste. 120 | Frisco is open 24 hours always. Its not easy to find that in Dallas! Its rare to find a Texan who doesnt take BBQ seriously, but the Hutchins(214) 618-8001 Multiple locations throughout DFWfamily manages to take it to the next level. Meats slowly smoked over pe- www.cafebrazil.comcan and oak woods and pits that run 24/7 ensure every pig, cow, turkey and5809 Preston Rd.,Ste. 588 | Planochicken tastes as mouthwatering as it looks. By the plate or by the pound,(972) 378-0999 City Cafyou'll find freshly made sausages, brisket, ham and ribs, and for goodness'www.kennysburgerjoint.com This neighborhood gem is a great sake, don't forget to add in a dozen or so brisket stuffed jalapeos (avail- placetoimpressout-of-towners able on weekends). Sides are homey and filling, and the catfishreallyLiberty Burger in a fancy-but-not-too-fancy way. goodis a nice alternative for any pescatarians in your group. Liberty Burger knows how to keep things lovingly local, from grass-fed,A classic interior and quiet ambi-1301 N. Tennessee St. | McKinney minimally processed beef to artisan buns and beyond. Even the vegetablesence are the perfect backdrops to (972) 548-2629 used in its famously fresh veggie burger are grown locally. As if that werentexpertlypreparedfood,starting enough, Liberty supports numerous local schools, nonprofits, and fund- with the Signature Fresh Tomato 9225 Preston Rd. | Frisco raisersall the more reason to feel good about your visit. Start with anSoup, moving right along to the (972) 540-1920 order of Big O rings, done steakhouse style, then move on to your choice ofCrab Louis Salad with stacked avo-www.hutchinsbbq.com burger (juicy beef, lamb, veggie, ahi tuna, or less fat/all flavor bison) withcadosimply to die for. If youre a liver lover (lol), youll flip for the Crisp a clever variety of toppings. We love The Nooner with cheese, bacon, ham,Chicken Liver Salad with baby spinach, corn and warm bacon vinaigrette. Kennys Smoke House hash browns, and a fried eggwe only wish it came with a nap! SaladsSeafood entrees are exceptionally fresh, and theres a generous selection of No doubt about itTexans loveare just as carefully prepared as everything else and filling, too. Round outwines by the glass, too.barbecue. But the thing that makesyour meal with an adult shake or cocktail and if you possibly have room, a5757 W. Lovers Ln. | DallasKennys Smoke House so special isdelicious mini pie. (214) 351-2233 that it offers more than just stan- Multiple locations throughout DFW www.thecitycafedallas.comdard Texas barbecue fare. Tasty eatswww.givemelibertyburger.comlike smoky Pulled Pork Tostadas are featured alongside must-have bris-ket, sausage and ribs. Even sand-GoodLifeFamilyMag.comNOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2019 69"