Ahhh, Arlington: Home of "America's Team" the Dallas Cowboys and their behemoth stadium, not to mention the Texas Rangers and Six Flags Over Texas, the overpriced favorite summer destination of kids who want to ride roller coasters till they puke. All these entertainment meccas make Arlington a major hub for chain restaurants, but there's plenty of fantastic food to be found if you know where to look. Here are 16 places worth stopping for a bite next time you find yourself in Arlington. (And don't forget to check out the rest of our Where to Eat in the 'Burbs series: Addison, Carrollton, Richardson, Plano, Denton, Frisco, McKinney and Irving.)
There are plenty of great pho spots in Arlington, but this one stands out for one reason: crisp, chewy baguettes that are baked in-house. Try a banh mi or just get a loaf to dip into your soup.
The Arlington location of this go-to chicken house serves up the same fantastic fried bird as the rest of 'em (and the mediocre sides, but that's not the point). Not in the mood for fried food? Try the smoked chicken instead.
Real New York-style pizza made by (gasp) real New Yorkers -- and according to an Eater reader, "the best eggplant parm in Texas." Try the deep-dish Sicilian, or there's even a stuffed-crust version that's bound to beat the pants off of Pizza Hut's. [Photo: Andres G./Foursquare]
Strangely located on the 9th floor of an office building, this is nonetheless the only place to go if you're seeking French(ish) food (or fine dining) in the area. Plus, who wouldn't want a romantic meal with picturesque views of Six Flags? If you do decide to drop the coin on a date night here, don't miss the souffles for dessert.
This always-packed burger joint from chef Kenny Mills is known for huge, flavorful burgers. Can't go wrong with the signature CH Burger, with a patty that incorporates chopped brisket, plus bacon and housemade steak sauce. Awesome huge onion rings, too.
While David's probably won't break Texas Monthly's Top 50 anytime soon, the gigantic portions, tasty ribs, solid chopped beef sandwiches and awesome onion rings will definitely do if you find yourself in the area with a serious hankering for some barbecue.
[Photo: Foursquare]
For a damn fine sandwich, look no further than Dino's, where the meat is cut to order and the menu has about a zillion different options. Whatever you get, be sure to order it with the works and "Dino dressed." Great ice cream and lots of draft beer (which they'll apparently let you take to-go?!), too.
Excellent Turkish food including red lentil soup, yogurt-marinated kebabs, feta-stuffed borek (deep-fried phyllo rolls), kofte and more. Don't skip the Turkish coffee with your dessert. Bonus: BYOB.
Skip the terrible, overpriced food at Six Flags and go here instead for bargain-priced nachos al pastor, chilaquiles or a massive torta.
[Photo: Francisco F./Foursquare]
This old school Chinese/Vietnamese spot won't impress anyone with its run-down decor or sketchy bathroom, but the food -- including Viet-style hot pots and Chinese-American dishes like orange chicken and chow mein -- is tasty and cheap.
Another top-notch pho restaurant located in an unassuming strip mall, this one has exceptionally tasty broth, great boba tea and Vietnamese coffee, and bonus: a giant saltwater fish tank to stare into while you slurp your soup.
[Photo: Isaac V./Foursquare]
For a one-of-a-kind experience, head to this pay-whatever-you-want restaurant with a hippie co-op vibe. Portions are small to minimize waste, but expect anything from quiche to beef sirloin with truffle butter, plus housemade desserts. BYOB.
[Photo: Lisa P./Yelp]
We can pretty much count the number of Filipino restaurants in DFW on one hand. This place specializes in authentic desserts like halo-halo and exotic ice cream flavors such as ube and pandan, but there's also savory food like pork adobo and longanisa with a fried egg.
This Arlington outpost of the East Dallas favorite serves the same amazing suadero and choriqueso tacos alongside that irresistible salsa verde. Round out the meal with a Topo Chico.
[Photo: Francisco R./Yelp]
You can't miss this ridiculously shiny red diner, which serves up excellent, fresh renditions of diner classics including burgers, giant onion rings and breakfast plates. Fellow food critics Katharine Shilcutt and Scott Reitz are vocal fans of the potato chip-crusted chicken fried steak.
There are plenty of great pho spots in Arlington, but this one stands out for one reason: crisp, chewy baguettes that are baked in-house. Try a banh mi or just get a loaf to dip into your soup.
The Arlington location of this go-to chicken house serves up the same fantastic fried bird as the rest of 'em (and the mediocre sides, but that's not the point). Not in the mood for fried food? Try the smoked chicken instead.
Real New York-style pizza made by (gasp) real New Yorkers -- and according to an Eater reader, "the best eggplant parm in Texas." Try the deep-dish Sicilian, or there's even a stuffed-crust version that's bound to beat the pants off of Pizza Hut's. [Photo: Andres G./Foursquare]
Strangely located on the 9th floor of an office building, this is nonetheless the only place to go if you're seeking French(ish) food (or fine dining) in the area. Plus, who wouldn't want a romantic meal with picturesque views of Six Flags? If you do decide to drop the coin on a date night here, don't miss the souffles for dessert.
This always-packed burger joint from chef Kenny Mills is known for huge, flavorful burgers. Can't go wrong with the signature CH Burger, with a patty that incorporates chopped brisket, plus bacon and housemade steak sauce. Awesome huge onion rings, too.
While David's probably won't break Texas Monthly's Top 50 anytime soon, the gigantic portions, tasty ribs, solid chopped beef sandwiches and awesome onion rings will definitely do if you find yourself in the area with a serious hankering for some barbecue.
[Photo: Foursquare]
For a damn fine sandwich, look no further than Dino's, where the meat is cut to order and the menu has about a zillion different options. Whatever you get, be sure to order it with the works and "Dino dressed." Great ice cream and lots of draft beer (which they'll apparently let you take to-go?!), too.
Excellent Turkish food including red lentil soup, yogurt-marinated kebabs, feta-stuffed borek (deep-fried phyllo rolls), kofte and more. Don't skip the Turkish coffee with your dessert. Bonus: BYOB.
Skip the terrible, overpriced food at Six Flags and go here instead for bargain-priced nachos al pastor, chilaquiles or a massive torta.
[Photo: Francisco F./Foursquare]
This old school Chinese/Vietnamese spot won't impress anyone with its run-down decor or sketchy bathroom, but the food -- including Viet-style hot pots and Chinese-American dishes like orange chicken and chow mein -- is tasty and cheap.
Another top-notch pho restaurant located in an unassuming strip mall, this one has exceptionally tasty broth, great boba tea and Vietnamese coffee, and bonus: a giant saltwater fish tank to stare into while you slurp your soup.
[Photo: Isaac V./Foursquare]
For a one-of-a-kind experience, head to this pay-whatever-you-want restaurant with a hippie co-op vibe. Portions are small to minimize waste, but expect anything from quiche to beef sirloin with truffle butter, plus housemade desserts. BYOB.
[Photo: Lisa P./Yelp]
We can pretty much count the number of Filipino restaurants in DFW on one hand. This place specializes in authentic desserts like halo-halo and exotic ice cream flavors such as ube and pandan, but there's also savory food like pork adobo and longanisa with a fried egg.
This Arlington outpost of the East Dallas favorite serves the same amazing suadero and choriqueso tacos alongside that irresistible salsa verde. Round out the meal with a Topo Chico.
[Photo: Francisco R./Yelp]
You can't miss this ridiculously shiny red diner, which serves up excellent, fresh renditions of diner classics including burgers, giant onion rings and breakfast plates. Fellow food critics Katharine Shilcutt and Scott Reitz are vocal fans of the potato chip-crusted chicken fried steak.
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