Tag Archives: lakewood

a good place to land

At least they own up to the fact that they are a dive … because Lakewood Landing sure as hell is.  The dim lighting veils the locals and gives the atmosphere an intriguing feel – I think it’d be too dark to eat anywhere but the booths!  Stroll past the bar where the locals quietly sip their elixers and you will find a pool table, juke box, and Golden Tee complete with a couch for your VIP cheering section.  Don’t count on LL for game-watching because they have limited and small TVs.

It’s incredibly quiet in Lakewood Landing; my friend and I were holding the 2nd loudest conversation and were very aware of that fact (the loudest was two men that we think had been there since noon!).  On the weekends it livens up, though.

We ordered a drink and dinner; the first drinks weren’t very strong but the 2ndround seemed MUCH stronger.  The second the food hit the table, we dug in (in a big way).  They have INCREDIBLE wings and cheese fries – I can’t wait to go back to try more of their culinary offerings.

LL is definitely a much-loved local spot, but one everyone should experience for themselves so you can understand Lakewood residents in a whole new light.

Drink strength: 3 
Overall: 3.5

Lakewood Landing
www.lakewood-landing.com
5818 Live Oak Street | (214) 823-2410

drive into the light.

Mondays are my day off.  Monday is my day to clean.  Monday is my day to work out.  Monday is my day to buy healthy food at Central Market.  BUT this Monday somehow turned into a quick (too short) run, a button-bursting dinner at Matt’s Rancho Grande, and drinks drinks drinks at Arcade Bar.

Their recession Mondays are brilliant.  $2 for anything?  YES, PLEASE!  It’s so nice to walk up to the bar with a $5 bill and be able to buy a drink … and a drink for a friend … with tip.

The drinks were strong for $2 a throw.  After our randomly expensive Sunday night at Stan’s, a cheap night was needed and we seemed to get the same buzz for $24 for the two of us (that included dinner at Matt’s) as Sunday’s $98!!

Arcade Bar is a good place to be a regular.  When we walked in, there was a table in the back with an intense poker game going on and two dogs roaming around the tables begging for a sip of beer (yes, it’s dog friendly … and no, we didn’t give them any beer).  The restrooms are delightfully clean, the music was fully of guilty pleasures, Trivial Pursuit cards were on each table for entertainment, and there was fresh popcorn beckoning us from the back of the bar.

To top it off, we got a private tour of the Lakewood Theater which is under the same owners as Arcade Bar.  If you haven’t been inside, get there soon.  Open since 1938, everyone in Dallas knows the bright neon lights of the Lakewood Theater tower.  If you see it … drive into the light.

Drink strength: 4 
Overall: 4.2

Arcade Bar/Lakewood Theater
www.lakewoodtheater.com
1825 Abrams Parkway, Dallas 75214 | (214) 821-7469

Specials:
Monday | Recession Monday | ALL NIGHT | $2 you-call-its
Wednesday | Winnipeg Wednesday | $2.50 wells and domestics
Thursday & Saturday | Karaoke
Friday | live music

no bull

Pulling up to Cock and Bull (which is quite hidden) I knew I was in for an experience.  Anyone who has been hasn’t just been … they all seemed to have frequented the place for a time.  When I walked in and saw a group of regulars doing shots of Sambuca with the bartender, I knew I was home.

The service was snappy (really snappy) and the waitresses checked on us often.  The booths were really only the least bit tattered and had the look that they’d smell if you got too close.  Try not to use the bathrooms if you can help it.

We went on a Monday and Mondays are the night of the $9.50 burger and draft deal.  Who could ask for more than a great burger and draft deal with many choices of both drafts and burgers (I had the one with mushrooms and it was deLIGHTful).

In short, a pretty ok night in a fun area.  Give Cock and Bull a try … especially if it’s in your neighborhood.

Extras:  free WiFi, 1 TV (if they let you turn it on)

Drink strength:  2.5 
Overall: 3

Cock and Bull Neighborhood Pub
www.cockandbulldallas.com
6330 Gaston Avenue
(214) 841-9111

Specials:
Sunday| Stella Artois $4, Blue Plate Special $6 
Monday | Burger and Draft $9.50, wells $2.50 
Tuesday| Domestic Bottles $2.50, ½ Price Appetizers (axcept cheese plates)
Wednesday | ½ Price Wine by the Glass, cheese Plate $8, Heineken $3 
Thursday | Guinness/Harp $4, Irish Car Bomb $5