BRUNCH

Stirr

A trendy brunch spot with a 2nd-floor patio, Stirr is located in Deep Ellum. The details matter to Stirr. From the stairs that read “To the moments I can’t remember with the people I’ll never forget” to the beautiful mosaic bar, the restaurant emphasizes brand. It specializes in New American cuisine and can accommodate most food sensitivities because its menu changes with the seasons. While there, be sure to try student favorites such as the giant cinnamon roll and the tuna poke tacos.

The Rustic

The Rustic is one of the favorites among SMU students and their parents for a Sunday brunch. It features American comfort food with ample indoor seating although many student enjoy the patio with large picnic tables outside and live music. The Rustic is decently priced so the whole group can not only enjoy The Drunk Chick for dinner but also end the night with Ice Box Smores.

Common Table

A popular option pre-boulevard, this gastropub features a new twist on classic breakfast items. With items like the Breakfast Flatbread and Fried Chicken Sliders, the food isn’t fussy but is still full of flavor. On sunny days the patio out front features live music and a few large TVs playing football games. Also, Common Table has introduced Hip Hop Brunch on Saturdays, letting millennials relive some of the jams of the past.

Sundown at Granada

For students who have dietary restrictions or have friends with dietary restrictions, Sundown at Granada is an amazing option. Just a quick ten-minute drive from campus, Sundown at Granada actually designates which of their menu options are vegetarian or vegan. This restaurant has average prices, and it specializes in farm-to-table cuisine. Make sure to stop by during the different seasons to see the changing menu.

LUNCH

Flower Child

Located in Inwood Village, Flower Child is an upbeat and friendly casual dining option. The inside is very bright with lots of greenery and wicker chairs. While this is a chain, the locally sourced ingredients make it seem like a true Dallas staple. Flower Child concentrates on organic meals with gluten-free and vegan choices. No trip to this SMU favorite is complete without a picture in front of Flower Child’s “smile” mural.

Crisp Salad Co.

Crisp Salad Co. is the perfect spot to grab some lunch after you’re done shopping at Park Lane. The custom salad option is ideal for someone who can’t decide on just one thing. It also lets you design a new lunch every time you come in. If you have time you can eat on the outdoor patio, but if you have to run to class they will make it to go as well.

Pecan Lodge

Ask anyone about Pecan Lodge and they will talk about one of the most widely favorited places at SMU and in Dallas. Known for amazing barbecue, it is in fact so good that even Guy Fieri came to taste it. Be ready to wait in line though. With it’s national reputation, it can sometimes be difficult to get a bite before they sell out for the day. Be sure to try the bacon & jalapeno mac and cheese or the Hot Mess.

DINNER

Wabi House

A favorite for Dallas locals, Wabi House is in lowest Greenville and serves ramen as well as other traditional Japanese dishes. The atmosphere is warm with large booths and interesting lighting. Wabi House is decently priced (ranging from $11 to $30,) making it a nice spot to take friends after a particularly hard week or to take family.

Serious Pizza

Serious Pizza is a mix between a dinner spot and a late night eatery. This hole in the wall serves some of the biggest slices of New York style pizza in Dallas. They serve classic flavors such as pepperoni and margarita as well as some delicious specialty pizzas too like pesto or buffalo chicken. Each pizza can be ordered as a whole or by the slice. There is also the ability to make a pizza vegan.

The Porch

The Porch is a great weekend dinner spot. The interior is comfortable with plush booths and wooden dividers giving it a more intimate feeling. When the weather gets a bit cooler the outdoor seating area is a great option. The food is priced so that it won’t break the bank and there is always a specials board that rotates every day with different starters and entrees depending on what’s in season.

LATE NIGHT OPTIONS

Milk & Cream

After a midterm or final, Milk and Cream is a must. Combining a warm, fresh donut with ice cream and topped with crazy toppings like cereal or cookie crumbles, it is definitely a mood booster. Don’t forget to take a picture of the customized dessert in front of their Dallas skyline wall.

Velvet Taco

Open until four a.m. on week-ends and one a.m. during the week days, Velvet Taco is great for after a Fondren study session. Velvet Taco is a fast-food-style restaurant with tacos ranging from many different flavor inspirations like the tuna poke taco or the bacon burger taco. All of the menu items are under $10, so anyone can grab one or two tacos. Sophomores and upperclassmen alike love the tacos but both agree the best menu item is the crispy tots served as a side.

Café Brazil

When Fondren Library gets too crowded during finals, try Café Brazil. With unlimited refills of their in-house coffee and all the greasy snack foods a college student could imagine like loaded nachos or cheese fries, Café Brazil is great to get a break from the SMU campus. It is only a five minute drive from SMU and is open 24 hours every day of the week. Also where else could someone get a stack of pancakes at two a.m.?