photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Hurtado BBQ
We have to admit it. Sometimes we’re really jealous of Arlington. Particularly in the area of dining. Particularly when we want dim sum or African cuisine or New York-style halal chicken and rice sprayed with an addicting white sauce or ... like we said, sometimes we’re really jealous of Arlington.
The city’s restaurant scene is thriving now more than ever, thanks to new development. Then again, it’s always been good. Not flashy, not showy. You won’t see Top Chef: Arlington anytime soon. But beyond the fast-food spots and obvious chains, you’ll find wonderful mom and pop gems of all tastes and cuisines. Oh, and there’s a lot of them.
Here, then, is a list of essential Arlington restaurants that, admittedly, barely skims the surface of A-town’s restaurant scene but hopefully symbolizes its scope and greatness.
ABC Seafood & Dim Sum
Fort Worthians wanting dim sum have been flocking to this white tablecloth spot since it opened in 2005. Through the week, you order from a menu. On weekends and holidays, the restaurant goes full dim sum mode, wherein small plates and baskets of chicken feet, dumplings, rice noodle rolls, and other Chinese delicacies are rolled around on a cart, like you’ve seen on TV; you grab what you want.
2420 E. Arkansas Lane, abcdimsum.com
Ahi Poke Bowl
Ahi Poke Bowl
Four years ago, long before poke became a thing in North Texas, former Hawaiian Khang Vo opened this unassuming poke shop, where he educated locals in the language of Hawaii-style marinated tuna, piled in a bowl with fresh veggies and rice. Despite competition, Texas’ first poke restaurant is still going strong, thanks to Vo’s vow to use only the freshest of fish.
3701 Cooper St., ahipokebowl.com
Al’s Hamburgers
Originally opened by Al Matthews in 1957 and now run by his daughter and son-in-law, Al’s is one of Arlington’s many long-running institutions. In 1989, the restaurant moved into its current location, where locals gather for some of the city’s finest thin-patty burgers, the sizzle of the grill popping in the background. Later this year, Al’s will make a third move, this time to bigger digs at nearby Fielder Plaza.
1001 NW Green Oaks Blvd., alshamburgers.com
Ba Le
This tiny, hard-to-find Vietnamese restaurant is Arlington’s go-to for banh mi sandwiches. You’ll probably drive by it a few times before you realize you’ve driven by it a few times. The pho is fine, but do try a banh mi, draped with the filling of your choice, from grilled chicken to pork belly to eggs, and fresh and fragrant veggies, all sandwiched between bread that manages to be both crispy and soft.
2240 Browning Drive
Bay34th Street Diner
Bay34th Street Diner
Named after and inspired by owner Tim Arjo’s former New York ’hood, this upscale diner specializes in three meals: breakfast, lunch, and brunch. There’s a wide selection of breakfast dishes — cinnamon rolls and waffles to New York specialties such as crepes — and there are dozens of sandwiches, burgers, and salads for lunch, plus a half-dozen Italian dishes. The only thing missing here: egg creams. Otherwise, hello, New York.
3330 Matlock Road, bay34thstreet.com
Candlelight Inn
An inexhaustible number of first dates and marriage proposals have taken part behind the closed booth doors of this landmark restaurant, open since 1957. Owners have changed, and the restaurant itself has gone through more facelifts than a Hollywood has-been, but smitten lovers still snuggle here over pizza, Mexican food, steaks, cold beer, and checkerboard tablecloths. Ain’t love grand?
1202 E. Division St., candleliteinnarlington.com
Dino’s Subs
Dino’s is a long-running sub shop — open since ’80 — that has amassed such a following, you’ll have plenty of time to scan the huge menu while you’re waiting in line. Go for The Dino, made with peppered beef, baked ham, salami, and provolone; or the pastrami, which many Arlingtonites live and die by. And when we’re not completely full, and even sometimes when we are, we’ll polish off the meal with a scoop or two of Blue Bell.
2221 S. Collins St.
First Chinese BBQ
There are multiple locations of this local chain, but the Arlington store is one in a million. Servers openly argue with one another, there’s always a loud racket coming from the kitchen, and the place is always in a state of chaos. It’s a lot of entertainment to wash down your roasted duck, bowls of wonton noodle soup, and an endless parade of dumplings. All are served family style, and that’s what this noisy, fun place feels like: family.
2214 S. Collins St.
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Fork in the Road
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Fork in the Road
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Fork in the Road
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Fork in the Road
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Fork in the Road
Fork in the Road
This breakfast/lunch spot is similar to what you might find on South Congress Avenue in Austin — a little diner with funky décor and fantastic food. Go for chef Josh Hopkins’ burgers: You can build your own using unusual toppings such as pulled pork and pepperoni. Mandatory side: the three-cheese mac and cheese called “crack-aroni.” The wise show up early for breakfast and Hopkins’ killer biscuits.
1821 S. Fielder Road
Havana Bar & Grill
Opened in the winter of 2016 by a trio of Cuban emigres, this lively little spot remains one of the city’s best restaurants and one of the few places in Arlington that serves authentic Cuban cuisine. A stew of shredded flank steak, tomatoes, peppers and onions, ropa vieja is particularly good, as is the bistec empanizado campestre, a deep-fried, lime-marinated sirloin
3701 S. Cooper St.
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Hurtado BBQ
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Hurtado BBQ
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Hurtado BBQ
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photo by Crystal Clear Photography
Hurtado BBQ
Hurtado BBQ
Arlington’s first independently owned craft barbecue joint comes from pitmaster Brandon Hurtado, who has spent the past year or so honing his smoking chops by working out of a nearby trailer. Smoked for hours in a wood-burning pit, his crusty, fatty brisket is his calling card, but don’t sleep on the excellent sides, tacos, or specialty items.
205 E. Front St., hurtadobbq.com
Istanbul Grill
Downtown Fort Worth is home to the second location of this Mediterranean mini chain; the original is in Arlington. Owner Sam Sensel runs a nice, high-end place, with excellent food that includes staples such as baba ghanoush and hummus, along with lesser-known dishes like izgara kofte, grilled meatballs made with lamb, beef, and mozzarella; and haydari, an addicting Turkish yogurt dip.
6204 S. Cooper St., istanbulgrilltx.com
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Mercury Chop House
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Mercury Chop House
Mercury Chop House
Perched on the ninth floor of a high-rise, Mercury Chop House is one of the few fine-dining restaurants in Arlington. And it’s a real stunner, from the beautiful views to the incredible selection of wines to the plush, luxurious atmosphere. Steaks are a must but take a bit of time to prepare. Lunchers and impatient dinner guests can blow through a great burger or huge plate of lobster ravioli in less than an hour.
2221 E. Lamar Blvd., mercurychophouse.com
New York Eats
This favorite specializes in a unique niche: New York street food. Most of the dishes are of the Mediterranean/halal slant and include the coveted chicken over rice, popularized by national chain The Halal Guys. Here, it comes as it would if you ordered it from a New York street vendor: in a large foil plate, streaked with addicting white sauce, with sides of falafel if you want. Late hours make it a UTA student hangout.
604 Doug Russell Road, newyorkeats.net
Paula’s Mexican Restaurant
Beloved by locals, this low-key breakfast and lunch café is one of the city’s better Mexican food spots. It’s a fantastic option for breakfast — plates of migas and chilaquiles are huge and come with rich, refried beans and warm, thick flour tortillas, made in-house. At lunch, sour cream chicken enchiladas or beef fajita tacos are the dishes du jour.
1224 W. Arkansas Lane
Piccolo Mondo
Piccolo Mondo
The Joe T. Garcia’s of Arlington, this nearly 40-year-old Italian spot has as many fans as detractors. Long-timers love the classy, romantic atmosphere, live piano music, and brisk service. Others say the straightforward Italian food should be upped a notch or two and clings too mightily to the past. Maybe that’s the beauty of owner Antonio Capaccioli’s institution; it’s not meant to move forward.
829 E. Lamar Blvd., piccolomondo.com
Pioneer Restaurant
Most large Texas cities have at least one small-town-style café — a place where regulars eat and meet and talk about politics and women and cars over big plates of bacon and eggs. For many, this spot is the long-running Pioneer, with its sassy, kiss-my-grits waitresses and extensive breakfast menu that includes items such as a rib-eye steak and eggs plate for $11.
306 109th St., pioneerrestaurant.com
Red Claws Crab Shack
Especially on weekends, people line up for hours to snag a seat at this four-year-old, New Orleans-style seafood boil spot. No surprise: Food is delivered quickly to your table, and the boozy drinks are as generous as they are affordable. For the boils, wait till crawfish is in season, beginning in the spring, or else you’re stuck with small, frozen mudbugs. Peel-and-eat shrimp is good year-round.
4629 S. Cooper St., redclawscrabshack.com
Taste-Afrik
Taste-Afrik
Opened in 2017 by Lola and Malcolm Fajemirokun, Taste-Afrik is one of the few restaurants in the area to specialize in African cuisine. The menu is made up of dishes closely tied to the couple’s Nigerian homeland: jollof rice (a rice dish made with tomatoes, onions, and cumin); suya (grilled meat on a stick, like a kebab); pounded yam with dried plant seeds called egusi; various meat pies; and “puff-puff” — fried, sweet dough balls similar to doughnuts. Wash it all down with a tall glass of sorrel, a perky, housemade drink made from hibiscus, cloves, and ginger.
1201 W. Arbrook Blvd. tasteafrik.com