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What to Eat at Dallas's Best Greasy Spoons

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As much as we love a good brunch, sometimes the pomegranate mimosas, fancy espresso drinks, fancified eggs Benedict variations and trendy Uptown crowds can be a bit much. Sometimes all you want is a good greasy spoon — a plate of perfectly over-easy eggs paired with simple toast, crispy bacon, and absolutely zero pretense, or maybe a massive chicken-fried steak drowned in cream gravy. Both are best eaten while sitting in a worn vinyl booth and being waited on by an awesome lady named Dorothy who never lets your (admittedly rather weak) cup of coffee get less than half-full. With that in mind, here's a map of a dozen of the city's most iconic greasy spoons (and suggestions on what to order there).

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Barbec's

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Giant fluffy beer biscuits are the name of the game at this White Rock breakfast staple; they're perfect paired with over-easy eggs and bacon and a never-ending cup of coffee. Sit on the patio if the weather's nice.

Cafe Brazil

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"Greasy spoon" might be a bit of a stretch, but Cafe Brazil is definitely a Dallas institution. The menu gets bigger every year, but the best bet is still the Brazilian Breakfast: two eggs, the best toast anywhere, rosemary potatoes and a chorizo empanada with spicy cream sauce.

Char Bar

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You've probably passed this blue building on Lower Greenville a million times (it's been there since 1970), but have you ever eaten there? Stop in for a killer stack of the Melios brothers' tender, fluffy pancakes smothered in syrup -- and to admire the photos of Greece that plaster the walls. [Photo: Frank W./Yelp]

Circle Grill

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Circle Grill looks like the diner that time forgot (in the best way possible), from the glass dessert case to the waitresses that call you "honey". Get a classic breakfast plate with creamy grits, or the Creole meatloaf (and a slice of strawberry pie). [Photo: Samantha W./Yelp]

Gold Rush Cafe

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There's absolutely nothing fancy about the Gold Rush, which was dishing up classic diner breakfasts in Lakewood decades before The Mecca moved in to give them a run for their money. Try the John Wayne, a flour tortilla topped with hash browns, fried eggs, salsa and cheese and your choice of breakfast meats. [Photo: Melody L./Yelp]

John's Cafe

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John's Cafe is exactly the kind of no-frills, hole-in-the-wall type diner that epitomizes the term "greasy spoon." Get the gyro omelette with hash browns and toast.

Mama's Daughters' Diner

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Try the Texas Size Breakfast with chicken-fried steak, 2 eggs, grits (add cheese!), and biscuits, or if you're there for lunch or dinner try the rotating daily "Meat & 3" -- Tuesday means damn fine fried chicken. [Photo: Anthony V./Yelp]

Metro Diner

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The Gaston location of this 24-hour wonder sadly shut down in 2011, but the Oak Cliff location thankfully remains intact for post-bar sustenance. Try The Woody aka the 2x4: two pancakes, two eggs, two sausage links and two strips of bacon. [Photo: Granny Geek]

Norma's Cafe

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Norma's has been an Oak Cliff staple since the 1950s, and folks hungry for comfort food classics still pack the house daily. Try the chicken-fried steak or biscuits and gravy and a slice of mile-high cream pie.

Original Market Diner

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Easy Skillet, a kitchen-sink omelet with sausage, onions, peppers, cheese, and spicy Cajun seasoning; strawberry pancakes when in season. Oh yeah, and a slice of coconut cream pie (or chocolate-peanut butter, if that’s more your speed). [Photo: Kinz M./Yelp]

Waffle House

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The fact that Waffle House is a chain doesn't make it any less awesome. Whatever you're hungry for, don't forget the extra-crispy hash browns however you want them (we like 'em smothered, covered, and peppered -- that means with sauteed onions, melted cheese, and jalapenos).

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Barbec's

Giant fluffy beer biscuits are the name of the game at this White Rock breakfast staple; they're perfect paired with over-easy eggs and bacon and a never-ending cup of coffee. Sit on the patio if the weather's nice.

Cafe Brazil

"Greasy spoon" might be a bit of a stretch, but Cafe Brazil is definitely a Dallas institution. The menu gets bigger every year, but the best bet is still the Brazilian Breakfast: two eggs, the best toast anywhere, rosemary potatoes and a chorizo empanada with spicy cream sauce.

Char Bar

You've probably passed this blue building on Lower Greenville a million times (it's been there since 1970), but have you ever eaten there? Stop in for a killer stack of the Melios brothers' tender, fluffy pancakes smothered in syrup -- and to admire the photos of Greece that plaster the walls. [Photo: Frank W./Yelp]

Circle Grill

Circle Grill looks like the diner that time forgot (in the best way possible), from the glass dessert case to the waitresses that call you "honey". Get a classic breakfast plate with creamy grits, or the Creole meatloaf (and a slice of strawberry pie). [Photo: Samantha W./Yelp]

Gold Rush Cafe

There's absolutely nothing fancy about the Gold Rush, which was dishing up classic diner breakfasts in Lakewood decades before The Mecca moved in to give them a run for their money. Try the John Wayne, a flour tortilla topped with hash browns, fried eggs, salsa and cheese and your choice of breakfast meats. [Photo: Melody L./Yelp]

John's Cafe

John's Cafe is exactly the kind of no-frills, hole-in-the-wall type diner that epitomizes the term "greasy spoon." Get the gyro omelette with hash browns and toast.

Mama's Daughters' Diner

Try the Texas Size Breakfast with chicken-fried steak, 2 eggs, grits (add cheese!), and biscuits, or if you're there for lunch or dinner try the rotating daily "Meat & 3" -- Tuesday means damn fine fried chicken. [Photo: Anthony V./Yelp]

Metro Diner

The Gaston location of this 24-hour wonder sadly shut down in 2011, but the Oak Cliff location thankfully remains intact for post-bar sustenance. Try The Woody aka the 2x4: two pancakes, two eggs, two sausage links and two strips of bacon. [Photo: Granny Geek]

Norma's Cafe

Norma's has been an Oak Cliff staple since the 1950s, and folks hungry for comfort food classics still pack the house daily. Try the chicken-fried steak or biscuits and gravy and a slice of mile-high cream pie.

Original Market Diner

Easy Skillet, a kitchen-sink omelet with sausage, onions, peppers, cheese, and spicy Cajun seasoning; strawberry pancakes when in season. Oh yeah, and a slice of coconut cream pie (or chocolate-peanut butter, if that’s more your speed). [Photo: Kinz M./Yelp]

Waffle House

The fact that Waffle House is a chain doesn't make it any less awesome. Whatever you're hungry for, don't forget the extra-crispy hash browns however you want them (we like 'em smothered, covered, and peppered -- that means with sauteed onions, melted cheese, and jalapenos).

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