In Search of Deep Ellum’s Best Late Night Eats

Once a neighborhood of divey bars and music venues, Deep Ellum has officially been transformed into one of the city’s busiest entertainment districts. During the day, it’s not strange to see mothers pushing kids in strollers to brunch, young hipsters, and everyone in between sharing the streets.

But true to its roots, Deep Ellum is still mostly a nighttime destination. The neighborhood is home to major music venues like The Bomb Factory and Club Dada and a thriving bar scene, and a number of new Deep Ellum eateries have extended their hours to accommodate late-night drunchies and post-show cravings.

Starting on Main Street and walking one block over to Elm, hit these five Deep Ellum eateries for the neighborhood’s ultimate late-night eats crawl.

Stop #1: Harlowe M.X.M.

• What to order: The “late night cookies”
• When they’re available: from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

This rooftop bar is a buzzy cocktail destination, and the “late night cookies” are the neighborhood’s most portable late-night snack. Not cookies at all, these freshly-made pork and veggie Chinese dumplings are prepared daily for the restaurant by Cookie Popp, and served in a takeout box perfect for wandering the streets.

Stop #2: #GetFried Fry Cafe

• What to order: Texas cheese fries
• When they’re available: ‘til midnight on weekdays, 3 a.m. on weekends

There is no greater drunk food than french fries, especially when they’re drenched in cheese, gravy, or other toppings. There are plenty of inventively-topped fries here, but stick with the classic — the Texas-style fries are topped with nacho cheese, bacon, chives, sour cream, and a sprinkle of chili powder. Buffalo chicken fries are also a solid option.

Stop #3: Stonedeck Pizza Pub

• What to order: The Cheeburger-Cheeburger
• When it’s available: until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and until 11:30 p.m. on Sunday

Walk off those french fry carbs with a walk around to Elm Street’s Stonedeck Pizza Pub for...more carbs. Inspired by the classic Saturday Night Live sketch, the Cheeburger-Cheeburger pie is decidedly creatively topped with vinaigrette-tossed lettuce, beef, tomato, pickles, lettuce, and a cheddar-provolone mix. Need more cocktails to sustain the late-night eats? Consider a moonshine flight.

Stop #4: Armoury D.E.

• What to order: Breakfast burger, Darkwing Drums
• When they’re available: until 1:45 a.m.

Hungarian cuisine isn’t easy to find in Dallas, especially at 1 a.m. Continue walking down main for the bounty of good eats that awaits at Armoury D.E. If you’re somehow still hungry, try the deep-fried duck wings tossed in mango-chili sauced and creatively called Darkwing Drums. The burger of the week is always a killer, like this week’s “Breakfast of Champions,” topped with melted Swiss cheese, grilled ham, and an over-easy egg.

Stop #5: Glazed Donut Works

• What to order: All the doughnuts
• When they’re available: ‘til 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

This walk-up pastry shop can be spotted by its lines, and it’s a sweet way to end a lengthy (and filling!) Deep Ellum food crawl. Vegan doughnuts are on offer, as is a truly decadent doughnut grilled cheese that will soak up any remaining booze left in your system.

Stop #6: Big Guys Chicken & Rice

• What to order: Chicken and rice platter
• When it’s available: Until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, midnight the rest of the week

Halal cart chicken and rice is a late-night staple in most cities, and it’s becoming a favorite in Deep Ellum. For folks who are really late, Big Guys keeps the kitchen open until 4 a.m. on the weekends, making it an excellent final destination for the night.