Tag Archives: SMU

Take a Stand

It’s like “Cheers”, but better … somewhere you can go and just be yourself and do your own thing. At least that’s what The People’s Last Stand’s owner, Kartik Rathore, thinks of his new speakeasy-esque bar in Mockingbird Station … and I’m inclined to agree. Taking queues from some of my favorite Big Apple bars, the former corporate brainiac decided that he could do it better.

Opening October 7th, The People’s Last Stand will feature classic and not-so-classic cocktails by the ever-so-smooth Omar Yeefoon, who formerly mixed at Cedar Social and The Dubliner. TPLS will use infused liquors to spice up their already imaginative cocktails like the lemongrass-infused elixir that will go into the Thyme Bomb or the bourbon infused with cinnamon that will play the main role in The Great White Jail.

Not into cocktails? TPLS will serve over thirty wines (some by the bottle); they plan to expand their wine wall over time. For the beer lovers, they’ll offer a wide selection of craft beers (some on tap). But really, why wouldn’t you want some of those amazing cocktails … really?

In addition to an amazing selection of alcoholic beverages, John Hickey, the top dog in the kitchen, will offer sandwiches with names like “Gandhi” and “Nelson Mandela” (after historical figures) along with salads, and cheese and meat plates (cheese … they said the magic word). TPLS uses local and organic ingredients, so eat hearty!

Other highlights of TPLS are a movie theater and shops super close to make for a great date night … or just a fun afternoon. If you’re into the more beautiful things in life, they’ll be featuring art from local artists that is for sale, switched out monthly. The decor is simple with two flat-screens behind the bar, power outlets at the bar, and free WiFi (that makes me wish I worked from “home”).

I hope to see you all at the grand opening this Friday where I’ll be hosting and giving away goodies! Watch my Facebook page this week for a swag bag giveaway from TPLS!

The People’s Last Stand
5319 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 210 (in Mockingbird Station)
214-370-8755
www.thepeopleslaststand.com

Hours: Mon.-Sat., from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Specials:
SOON TO COME!

milo butterfingers

Milo’s is a famous place in Dallas … it’s been open for almost 40 years and has garnered quite a following. The regulars can be seen most nights hanging out eating cheese fries and nursing beers. The waiters and waitresses like to give everyone a hard time but only to sweeten the experience that is Milo Butterfingers. Also, most people who have been here more than twice have an epic story about the place; ask someone who looks seasoned and you’ll be sure to hear a great allegory or two.

The run-down building is an ideal place to grab a chill drink, play some games (they have fooseball, pool, video games, and multiple dart boards), and gorge on typical bar food. The patio is fantastic in the summer … it’s somewhat hidden by ivy and signs and has plenty of seats and a bar. Complete with TVs, this is a man’s man kind of place where girls are welcome … even if it comes with some looks from said guys.

Milo’s get quite crowded with SMU students early on Thursdays and then the kickball teams take over later in the evening. Monday nights are a good time at Milo’s along with many holidays … these people never break when there’s a potential party.

Drink strength: 4
Overall: 4.5

Milo Butterfingers
5645 Yale Blvd | (214) 368-9212

EVERY DAY | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. | $1 off pitchers, $0.50 off bottled beers and liquor

mai-tai one on – CLOSED

It’s been years since I’ve been into Trader Vic’s, Dallas’s very own retro-fitted tiki bar. A reader suggested I grab a few of the Tuesday $3 mai-tais for which Trader Vic’s is very well known.

After only two … I was festive (and for a good reason, there are 3 shots of liquor in each one!).

The Mai Tais at Trader Vic’s aren’t for the weak of heart, nor are any of the other fruity concoctions that the bar whips up. Each drink is incredibly different with a unique glass and an equally as unique name (cite the Chi Chi, Navy Grog, Kamaaina, etc.). If my liver could take it, I would love nothing more than to spend a week at that bar trying each drink. The Mai Tai even comes in three different flavors: rum, vodka, and tequila (which tastes like a fruity margarita).

To keep my composure, I ordered the crab rangoons which were incredibly savory (the mu shu my neighbor got was equally as good).

The bar got quite crowded but we noticed the restaurant was almost empty… even Elvis’s booth, #40, was empty (when he came to Dallas he would always request booth 40 because it can be seen from the door). While the institution isn’t as crowded as it was in ‘67 when it opened originally in the Hilton Hotel with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Elvis, it’s still nice to gather around the bar that Old Blue Eyes frequented. (Read more about the history … it’s enthralling!)

Drink strength: 4.5
Overall: 4

Trader Vic’s
www.tradervicsdallas.com
5330 East Mockingbird Lane
(214) 823-0600

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 4-7 p.m. | $5 Mai Tais, Bahias, Zombies, crab rangoons, and mu shu pork
Tuesday | all night | $3 Mai Tais

Desperados

This little gem on Greenville is usually completely missed or thought to be a strip club. It isn’t a strip club, but an escape from dallas’s typical Mexican restaurant scene.

On the patio the music isn’t too loud and the greenery and small fountain make you forget that you are sitting right beside Greenville and Electrique Boutique.

The margaritas are strong and a great deal for only $3.50 (they were dubbed the best margarita in Dallas by The Margarita Society) and the drinks are somewhat stout. (Plus, the kitchen ran out of small glasses so my last drink was served in a HUGE glass). The wait staff is very attentive and won’t steal your credit card if you leave it on the table. … And the food is pretty.darn.good.

Since I haven’t ever seen it crowded, bring a group of friends and experience this little beauty for yourself.

Desperados
www.desperadosrestaurant.com
4818 Greenville Ave | Dallas, TX 75206-4120
(214) 363-1850

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 3-7 p.m. | $3.50 margaritas, $2.75 domestics, $2.85 wells

Pluckers Wing Bar

Pluckers claims that they are the official home of the freshman 15 … mine happened to be the senior 15 since I wasn’t 21 until then to partake in the Wednesday night tradition of the motherplucker. My life (and my physique) was changed when the daily specials at Pluckers came into my life.

This particular Sunday, I braved the rain with my fearless companion for the evening, Jeff. We sat and began to contemplate which of the drink specials we would take advantage of first. I chose the bloody mary to ease in to the night (bad choice, it was incredibly thin and didn’t have any spice) and Jeff went for a Crown on the rocks (a mere $4 for a delightful helping).

Since shots were only $2, we decided we had to partake and chose of the twenty-odd shots on the list. We went for Girl Scout Cookies – delight. The shots and drinks come with quite a kick to wash down the brilliantly fried food they offer.

Since Pluckers is open late, expect to be entertained by the other patrons and the interesting wait staff. Sadly, my waitress screwed up my order and the service was somewhat slow, so filled up on french fries and vodka (not a bad night).

Contribution from my guest reviewer, Jeff: there is an abundance of large TVs and it’s a great place to watch a game (or three). And the motherplucker … is 34 oz.

Pluckers
www.pluckers.com | @pluckers
5500 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 363-9464

Daily Specials:
$3 premium well (Tito’s, Wild Turkey, Bacardi, Sapphire, Dewars)
$4 Crown, Grey Goose, Jack Daniels, Patron, Don Julio
$3.50 Jager shots

Monday | All you can eat wings $14.99, specialty drink specials
Tuesday | Kids eat free (limit 2! ha!), Texas Tuesdays: $2 Titos, Ziegerbock,Lone Star
Wednesday | TRIVIA!, motherplucker night (basically, a gigantic beer for a tiny price)
Thursday | All you can eat boneless wings $12.99, $2 Margaritas, $2.50 selected Mexican beers, $4 Mexican martinis
Sunday | $2 speciatly shots, $3.50 Jager, $4 Patron Silver

Penne Pomodoro

Another Sunday, another brunch … and Penne Pomodoro’s rivals the best of them. $1 Bloody Marys, bellinis, and mimosas start any Sunday Funday off the right way!

Many weekend mornings I hear the perverbial siren call of the Bloody Marys at P.P. and never regret answering that call — at least not until I’m immobile from the “fun” at 3 p.m. The strength of the drinks lures me back time after time even though I don’t like Italian food (which I feel says a lot!). If you get the mimosa they will actually bring the bottle of champagne to your table to refill; you usually end up with a glass of champagne with just a touch of orange juice by the end of the meal. The bellinis are delightful frozen masterpieces that cause brain freezes from drinking too heartily.

Sadly, the service isn’t great unless you can find a way to get the older gentleman with the glasses as your waiter (I had to get up to get my own water this past week). The wait staff for the most part is nice, and I always seem to be jealous of whatever adorable outfit the girl at the front is wearing.

Basically, P.P. holds a special place in my heart … especially since it’s close enough for me to walk home after the copious strong and cheap drinks!

Penne Pomodoro
www.pennepomodoro.com

SPECIALS:

Snider Plaza
Saturday and Sunday | brunch | $1.00 Bellinis, Mimosas and Bloody Marys with purchase of entrée

the times they are a-changin’

You’ve seen the commercials … “Remember when $1 could buy you a gallon of gas or a good cup of coffee?” Well I have my own “remember when” now … remember when $1 could buy you a margarita at Ozona?

Well, Bob Dylan had it right: the times they are a-changin’. The legend of the $1 Ozona margarita is one to be passed onto our grandchildren when they tell a story about finding a bar by campus that serves $10 margaritas and it being a steal in the year 2062.

Upon walking into the College Station outpost last night, a sign hung on the door alerting the $1-margarita-seeking clientele of SMU summer school students and laid-back 20-somethings that the price would be raised … nay, doubled.

My take: unless they have twice as much bad tequila in them, the novelty for this girl is gone and she is saving her $2 for a rainy day.

Ozona Grill & Bar
www.ozonagrill.com | @ozona
4615 Greenville Ave | (214) 265-9105

SusieDrinks

Drink well. Travel often.