clock menu more-arrow no yes
More Maps

Where to Eat the Meltiest, Cheesiest Queso in Dallas

The 38 Essential Dallas Restaurants

The 18 Hottest Restaurants in Dallas, January 2022

Louie's, home of awesome pizza.
Louie's, home of awesome pizza.
Margo Sivin/EDFW

10 Dive Bars With Tasty Food to Soak Up the Booze

Because man cannot live on vodka-sodas alone.

by Whitney Filloon
View as Map
Louie's, home of awesome pizza.
| Margo Sivin/EDFW
by Whitney Filloon

After a night of running up a bar tab at one of Dallas's finest dives, you may be tempted to have your Uber driver swing by the Whataburger drive-thru window — but seriously, don't do that to yourself. There are plenty of bars in Dallas offering not only cheap drinks, but also reasonably tasty food. Here are 10 dive bars you can count on to help pad your stomach.

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Lee Harvey's

Copy Link
1807 Gould St
Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 428-1555
(214) 428-1555
Visit Website
The burgers and wings at Lee Harvey's get a lot of love, but truthfully the best accompaniment to one of their icy cold canned beers or whiskey drinks is an order of the gigantic onion rings -- battered and fried to crispy perfection.

Also Featured in:

2. Adair's Saloon

Copy Link
2624 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 939-9900
(214) 939-9900
Visit Website
The burger at Adair's tastes like it was grilled in someone's backyard, in the best way possible -- a thick, juicy patty that's just greasy enough plopped on a standard-issue fluffy bun with American cheese. The fries served along with it are a strange anomaly -- there's no fryer in the kitchen, so instead they cook them on the flat top -- but their uniqueness is kind of endearing.

3. Lakewood Landing

Copy Link
5818 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-2410
(214) 823-2410
Visit Website
The burger at Lakewood Landing is the stuff of legends (as are the much-trumpeted midnight corn dogs), but the real sleeper hit of the menu is the breaded and fried pork tenderloin sandwich -- a Midwestern classic that's not often seen around these parts.

Also Featured in:

4. Louie's

Copy Link
1839 N. Henderson Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-0505
(214) 826-0505
Fabulously dark and divey, Dallas institution Louie's draws loyal crowds nightly for the thin and crispy pizza. The Caesar salad is also a must, but be forewarned: it's massive, so bring a few friends. (And don't forget to bring cash or Amex.)

5. Angry Dog

Copy Link
2726 Commerce St
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 741-4406
(214) 741-4406
Visit Website
Nachos are about as basic as bar food comes, but not all nachos are created equally. The guys in the kitchen at this Commerce Street staple take great care in ensuring that just about every chip is covered with creamy refried beans, melty cheese, pickled jalapenos, and marinated grilled steak or chicken (we recommend the combo option).

Also Featured in:

6. Bryan Street Tavern

Copy Link
4315 Bryan St
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 821-4447
(214) 821-4447
Visit Website
The pizza at this East Dallas hangout is frankly some of the best in the city, and can go head-to-head with many pizzerias. The thin, crackery crust makes an excellent base for all sorts of different topping combinations, including oddities like the Dalton (buffalo chicken, blue cheese, celery). Yes, celery on a pizza.

Also Featured in:

7. Milo Butterfingers

Copy Link
5645 Smu Blvd
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 368-9212
(214) 368-9212
Visit Website
This divey sports bar has been serving SMU crowds for over four decades. Pitchers of beer are dangerously cheap, so it's probably wise that they also have a full menu of food. The patty melt (called a "penny melt" here) is a great way to soak up too much booze, with melty Swiss, sweet grilled onions, and a juicy burger patty on buttery toasted rye. Gild the lily with a side of cheese fries.

8. Tradewinds Social Club

Copy Link
2843 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75211
(214) 337-9075
(214) 337-9075
Visit Website
This Oak Cliff watering hole is about as divey as dives get, so you might be surprised to find some really good pizza. Rectangular pies have a thin-but-puffy, crispy crust, and the veggie toppings all taste super-fresh -- you can even get fresh basil on your pie.

9. Windmill Lounge

Copy Link
5320 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 443-7818
(214) 443-7818
Visit Website
After a few too many Old Fashioneds, you may very well need some food -- thankfully, the kitchen's open till 1 a.m. nightly. The menu is simple and homey, with paninis and some oddities like toast squares with cream cheese and jalapeno jelly; sort of like something your mom would make, if your mom was a super-awesome bartender with a killer jukebox.

Also Featured in:

10. Cosmo's

Copy Link
1212 Skillman St
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-4200
(214) 826-4200
Visit Website
This Lakewood dive with a slightly retro vibe is popular for its pizzas — which are surprisingly good, especially after throwing back three or four martinis. Topping options range from the expected (Canadian bacon and pineapple) to the fancy (sundried tomato, spinach, feta, basil). Tater tots loaded up with cheese, onions, bacon, and jalapenos are another excellent way to soak up the booze. Frequent specials like wonton soup and spring rolls, too.

Also Featured in:

More in Maps

© 2022 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

1. Lee Harvey's

1807 Gould St, Dallas, TX 75215
The burgers and wings at Lee Harvey's get a lot of love, but truthfully the best accompaniment to one of their icy cold canned beers or whiskey drinks is an order of the gigantic onion rings -- battered and fried to crispy perfection.
1807 Gould St
Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 428-1555
Visit Website

2. Adair's Saloon

2624 Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75226
The burger at Adair's tastes like it was grilled in someone's backyard, in the best way possible -- a thick, juicy patty that's just greasy enough plopped on a standard-issue fluffy bun with American cheese. The fries served along with it are a strange anomaly -- there's no fryer in the kitchen, so instead they cook them on the flat top -- but their uniqueness is kind of endearing.
2624 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 939-9900
Visit Website

3. Lakewood Landing

5818 Live Oak St., Dallas, TX 75206
The burger at Lakewood Landing is the stuff of legends (as are the much-trumpeted midnight corn dogs), but the real sleeper hit of the menu is the breaded and fried pork tenderloin sandwich -- a Midwestern classic that's not often seen around these parts.
5818 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-2410
Visit Website

4. Louie's

1839 N. Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Fabulously dark and divey, Dallas institution Louie's draws loyal crowds nightly for the thin and crispy pizza. The Caesar salad is also a must, but be forewarned: it's massive, so bring a few friends. (And don't forget to bring cash or Amex.)
1839 N. Henderson Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-0505

5. Angry Dog

2726 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
Nachos are about as basic as bar food comes, but not all nachos are created equally. The guys in the kitchen at this Commerce Street staple take great care in ensuring that just about every chip is covered with creamy refried beans, melty cheese, pickled jalapenos, and marinated grilled steak or chicken (we recommend the combo option).
2726 Commerce St
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 741-4406
Visit Website

6. Bryan Street Tavern

4315 Bryan St, Dallas, TX 75204
The pizza at this East Dallas hangout is frankly some of the best in the city, and can go head-to-head with many pizzerias. The thin, crackery crust makes an excellent base for all sorts of different topping combinations, including oddities like the Dalton (buffalo chicken, blue cheese, celery). Yes, celery on a pizza.
4315 Bryan St
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 821-4447
Visit Website

7. Milo Butterfingers

5645 Smu Blvd, Dallas, TX 75206
This divey sports bar has been serving SMU crowds for over four decades. Pitchers of beer are dangerously cheap, so it's probably wise that they also have a full menu of food. The patty melt (called a "penny melt" here) is a great way to soak up too much booze, with melty Swiss, sweet grilled onions, and a juicy burger patty on buttery toasted rye. Gild the lily with a side of cheese fries.
5645 Smu Blvd
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 368-9212
Visit Website

8. Tradewinds Social Club

2843 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75211
This Oak Cliff watering hole is about as divey as dives get, so you might be surprised to find some really good pizza. Rectangular pies have a thin-but-puffy, crispy crust, and the veggie toppings all taste super-fresh -- you can even get fresh basil on your pie.
2843 W Davis St
Dallas, TX 75211
(214) 337-9075
Visit Website

9. Windmill Lounge

5320 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75235
After a few too many Old Fashioneds, you may very well need some food -- thankfully, the kitchen's open till 1 a.m. nightly. The menu is simple and homey, with paninis and some oddities like toast squares with cream cheese and jalapeno jelly; sort of like something your mom would make, if your mom was a super-awesome bartender with a killer jukebox.
5320 Maple Ave.
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 443-7818
Visit Website

10. Cosmo's

1212 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
This Lakewood dive with a slightly retro vibe is popular for its pizzas — which are surprisingly good, especially after throwing back three or four martinis. Topping options range from the expected (Canadian bacon and pineapple) to the fancy (sundried tomato, spinach, feta, basil). Tater tots loaded up with cheese, onions, bacon, and jalapenos are another excellent way to soak up the booze. Frequent specials like wonton soup and spring rolls, too.
1212 Skillman St
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-4200
Visit Website

Related Maps