clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

10 Places to Sip Fancy Tea in Dallas

Have a Holly Jolly Holiday at These Dallas Pop-Up Bars

15 Essential Richardson Restaurants

More in Dallas See more maps

What to Eat at Dallas's Best Greasy Spoons

by Whitney Filloon
4 comments / new
View as Map
by Whitney Filloon
4 comments / new

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).

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Barbec's

Copy Link
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.
8949 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 321-5597
(214) 321-5597

Also featured in:

Cafe Brazil

Copy Link
"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.
6420 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 691-7791
(214) 691-7791

Also featured in:

Char Bar

Copy Link
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]
2026 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-8800
(214) 826-8800

Circle Grill

Copy Link
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]
3701 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228
(214) 327-4140
(214) 327-4140

Gold Rush Cafe

Copy Link
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]
1913 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-6923
(214) 823-6923

John's Cafe

Copy Link
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.
1733 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 874-0800
(214) 874-0800

Also featured in:

Mama's Daughters' Diner

Copy Link
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]
2014 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX
(214) 742-8646
(214) 742-8646

Metro Diner

Copy Link
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]
2316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 943-7473
(214) 943-7473

Norma's Cafe

Copy Link
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.
1123 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-4711
(214) 946-4711

Also featured in:

Original Market Diner

Copy Link
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]
4434 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 521-0992
(214) 521-0992

Waffle House

Copy Link
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).
2291 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75220
(214) 351-9910
(214) 351-9910

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Barbec's

8949 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
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.
8949 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 321-5597
(214) 321-5597

Cafe Brazil

6420 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206
"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.
6420 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 691-7791
(214) 691-7791

Char Bar

2026 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
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]
2026 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 826-8800
(214) 826-8800

Circle Grill

3701 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228
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]
3701 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228
(214) 327-4140
(214) 327-4140

Gold Rush Cafe

1913 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
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]
1913 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 823-6923
(214) 823-6923

John's Cafe

1733 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
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.
1733 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 874-0800
(214) 874-0800

Mama's Daughters' Diner

2014 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX
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]
2014 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX
(214) 742-8646
(214) 742-8646

Metro Diner

2316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
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]
2316 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 943-7473
(214) 943-7473

Norma's Cafe

1123 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
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.
1123 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 946-4711
(214) 946-4711

Original Market Diner

4434 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
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]
4434 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 521-0992
(214) 521-0992

Waffle House

2291 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75220
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).
2291 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75220
(214) 351-9910
(214) 351-9910

Related Maps