Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Restaurant Review - Denny's

I can hear you now.  "Nobody writes a restaurant review about Denny's!"  Okay, you're right.  But, just hear me out.  Denny's is one of my granddaughter's favorite places.  That means something important.  After all, she's an expert in the art of having fun.

This story actually begins several years ago, well before she was even born.  When her mother was about her age.  One day, we all piled into my father-in-law's car and set-off on a roadtrip to California.  This is when I learned more about Denny's than I ever really wanted to know.  You see, my wife's dad was totally addicted to Denny's.  He loved their coffee and everything else.  So, we ate every meal between Texas and California at Denny's.  Which wasn't all that hard to do.  Seems one would be coming into view just about time for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner, or coffee break, or rest break, or snack, or...well, you get the idea.  And, lucky for us, they are open 24/7.

Guess my granddaughter comes by this Denny's thing naturally.  Must run in the family.    Anyway, whenever we are out, Denny's is her first request. 

When we arrive, she heads straight for the counter.  Sitting on that stool, watching all those plates of food materialize thru a window, then to be whisked away is kind of interesting.  And, there is the coloring and games.  But, the main attraction is probably the Denny's drink rocket.  It comes with some kind of fizzly stuff she can pour into her drink.  Afterwards, you can take the rocket home (for a price, of course).  In case you haven't guessed, the photo is of some of my granddaughter's growing rocket collection.

I always order the same thing - a breakfast item (a survival tactic I learned during our California trip).  She always orders her favorite - kid's cheese pizza with grapes.  So, why wouldn't all this be fun for a kid?  Sounds like we have all the ingredients - spinning on a stool, coloring and playing games, drinking some fizzly concoction out of your very own rocket ship, eating pizza, and squirting grapes.  I think all of that should qualify as fun for any kid.  Oh, yeah.  I almost forgot our concluding treat - a shared strawberry milkshake.  I guess the place isn't that bad after all.

Next time, you need to entertain a kid (and all the McDonald's are closed), think Denny's.  It ain't that bad.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Restaurant Review - Steak 'n Shake

OK, I confess.  I'm a nut for 1950's stuff.  Historic Route 66 stuff.  Ice cream stuff.  And, more.  All of that fun stuff, in lots of ways, reminds me of a very happy childhood.

So, while on a visit to Rolla, Missouri, it could be expected that a friend would share that all of that stuff could be found in town under one roof.  Well friend, it wasn't long before I was on the hunt for a place named Steak 'n Shake.  And, there it was.  Sitting on old Route 66 in all its fabulous 50's black and white, glass bricks splendor.

A few years later when the announcement came that Steak 'n Shake would be opening in Arlington, you can't imagine my excitement.  I was one of their first customers.  In fact, I've spent a lot of time there.  They are open 24/7.  This photo is of their first restaurant here.  A little different than one of those originals, like in Rolla.  But, the food is the same.

So, here is the lowdown.  The menu is all-around tasty.  The chili is a nice change of pace from our southern-style.  The coffee is great.  But, it's the milkshakes that are spectacular.  They are the best.  No one else even comes close.  So, I recommend always getting one (or more) to go.

Thankfully, there are two in town.  You know.  In case a meteor hits or something, maybe one will still be open.  Well, you get the idea.  Check 'em out.

Click this link, Fun Places To Eat, for a map and link list of Steak 'n Shake and other fun place locations.  And, this link for more Restaurant Reviews.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Restaurant Review - Oasis on Joe Pool Lake

OK, it's not in Arlington, but it's close.  And, the Oasis Restaurant and Lakeview Bar is easily one of the most fun places to eat in this part of the Metroplex.  The Oasis is part of the Lynn Creek Marina located toward the southwest end of Joe Pool Lake. 

The view of the lake and marina is soothing.  Boats of all sizes pass right before you as you dine.  The sound of the water is all around.  And, the wooden floors add to the charm and character.  The food is great, and the wide selection means you can go back again and again.

But, the real fun is outside.  Bring the kids and lots of old bread, or crackers, or anything edible.  Because there are always lots of hungry ducks.  And, that ain't all.  There are millions of hugh, hungry carp.  The show they put on for you and the kids is more than worth the price of a box of saltines.  They work hard for just crumbs.

We have taken the kids out there many times, and we'll go back many more.  It is always great fun.  So, go south on SH 360 past I-20.  At Camp Wisdom go east.  At Lake Ridge Pkwy. go south.  As the lake comes into view, look for a left exit.  It will be the last (second) left exit before you get to the lake.

You and your kids (and the ducks and carp) will be glad you did.

Click this link for more Fun Places To Eat in Arlington.  And, this link for more Restaurant Reviews.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Restaurant Review - Catfish Sam's

Love at First Bite!  That's the motto at Catfish Sam's.  And, it applies to everything.  The relish tray, the bottomless pinto beans, the bottomless hush puppies, the homemade yeast rolls, the french fries, and of course, the catfish.

It's the kind of fare that brings me and my catfish eatin' buddies, Bart Thompson and Glenn Day, back again and again.  That's Glenn helping to hold up Catfish Sam's sign.  But, we are drawn back by lots more than the wonderful food.  There are fond memories, especially of Sam Lester, and there is the friendly, casual, nostalgic atmosphere.  Sam was the best host who ever lived.  And, his family carries on the tradition.

Sam's parents started this place back in the 50's.  The old US 80, Bankhead Highway, (now Division St. in the photo) was the South's equivalent of Route 66.  Things were bustling.  But before Catfish Sam's, his parents owned the store just down the street from my Grandmother's house in Gainesville, Texas.  That's where my older (and meaner) cousins would buy Cherry Bombs, but that's another story.

There have been some fireworks at the restaurant, too.  It burned down a few years ago.  I had just dined there the day before.  And, left my Green Frog Restaurant ball cap.  When I went back, both my cap and Sam's were gone.  It was a really tough day.  Not everyone has a ball cap from one of Texas' legendary roadside cafes (in Jacksboro).  So, I asked Sam if he wouldn't mind searching the ashes just in case there might have been a lone survivor.  He just smiled that big Sam Lester smile.

Someday soon I'm going to write another Catfish Sam's story.  It will appear over in the Arlington Experiences category.  My working title is:  Beans, Blues and Bed...a Westside Weekend Getaway!

Click this link for more Fun Places To Eat in Arlington.  And, this link for more Restaurant Reviews.

R. Steve McCollum, Arlington Texas Attractions.com

Arlington Restaurant Review - Trail Dust Steak House

This is my first Arlington restaurant review.  So, lets start with a fun one.  How about Trail Dust Steak House, because they don't come much more fun.  And, to prove my point, I've included a few photos.

Meet Joey, my grandson, at his very first birthday party.  Joey's Mom wouldn't let him play on the slide with all the other kids, maybe next year.  But, butt scootin' on the dance floor was alright!

You get the picture.  Trail Dust is a fun, family place with a western flair.  The steak and ribs are great, but the mesquite grilled salmon is my favorite. 

The location is excellent, just north of Six Flags Over Texas on Lamar Blvd.  Click this link for more Fun Places To Eat in Arlington.  And, this link for more Restaurant Reviews.

Looking for fun places for kid's birthday parties?  Then check this page, Map - Kid's Birthday Party Places.

Hope you enjoy your visit as much as we did.

R. Steve McCollum,  Arlington Texas Attractions.com