Date Night in Dallas: Memorable Evenings For $100 Or Less

by Mike Marrero

This column is intended to help couples, whether single or married, to have special date nights that do not break the bank, while still experiencing fantastic evenings with high quality food and drinks. My intention is to provide you with suggestions to help prevent date night monotony.

I keep running into readers that have not yet been to Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House, and it floors me.  You are missing out on one of the best beer and burger concepts in DFW.  This high praise is not limited to CraveDFW, but also mirrored on Google, Yelp, Trip Advisor, Foursquare, Urbanspoon, Zagat, and other local polls and publications.  

Since first opening in the fall of 2011, Goodfriend has always featured an attentive and knowledgeable staff.  They take great pride in selecting the best beers from local and national craft breweries.  In addition to having 16 taps, Goodfriend also offers over 60 bottled beers and a full selection of liquor.  While visiting with your server, ask them about their rotating drafts, which often feature rare, limited availability brews.  During peak weekend hours, there will likely be a short wait, so we recommend sharing something light to drink while waiting.  Put your name on the list and then mosey over to the bar and order a 22 oz. bottle of Crispin “The Saint” and two glasses for $12.

Once you’ve been seated, we recommend three items for sharing that will give you a nice sample of what the menu has to offer.  Order the Fried Green Beans for $5, the Love and Rocket salad with Arugula, spiced pecans, onions, goat cheese, and quince vinaigrette for $8, and the El Jefe burger which is topped with smoked brisket, hearty smoked bacon, jack and Swiss cheese for $13.  If you like things spicy, ask for a side of the house harissa with roasted tomatoes featured on the Pepper Bomb burger.  Servers and bartenders can recommend the right beverage to pair with your meal.

We recommend a Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale for $6, and a whiskey cocktail such as the South Side Brooklyn Fizz featuring Hudson whiskey, lemon, mint, simple syrup, and soda for $7.  Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House is located at 1154 Peavy Road in Dallas.

Now it is time for desert, and the next stop is most certainly a new and unique treat perfect for summer time.  Steel City Pops is located at 2012 Greenville Avenue in the newly renovated Lower Greenville Avenue area by Trader Joe’s.  Steel City Pops offers unique flavors of creamy or fruity pops unlike any traditional grocery store popsicle or paleta you may have had growing up.  This small family owned company originated when its owner Jim Watkins had enough of the corporate rat race and decided to pursue a dream.

At only $3 each, you can feel free to try a variety of their offerings.  Steel City Pops has fruity pops with flavors like Hibiscus, Blackberry, and Sweet Tea.  Their creamy pops include Avocado, Buttermilk, Vanilla Bean, and Peanut Butter flavors.  This evening you should get one pop each, and one to share.  A Blood Orange pop, a Pineapple Jalepeno pop, and a Carmel pop should do the trick.

Now it is time for a night cap with a scenic view.  Many of you may have seen photos online of your friends on a rooftop with a great view of the Dallas skyline.  That location is called Soda Bar on the rooftop of the Nylo hotel.  The Nylo is just south of downtown Dallas at 1325 South Lamar Street close to Gilley’s .  Valet parking is available, but there are plenty of free parking spaces available very close by.  There is no cover charge, and the dress code is business casual.  Once you enter the Nylo, ask to be directed to the elevator that will take you up to Soda Bar.

We suggest arriving by 10pm, as later in the evening seating and service will become sparse.  Snap some pictures, enjoy each other’s company, admire the view, and enjoy a few adult beverages before calling it a night.  Drinks prices are what you would expect for a location offering this type of atmosphere.  If you prefer quality, order a Thin Mint which is Jameson, Rumplemintz, and Godiva white chocolate liqueur for $12, and a French 75 with Tanqueray gin, lemon, simple syrup, and champagne for $12.  If your preference is something simple that will last you over a longer period of time, order a few domestic drafts at $6 each.

There you have it, another great night which included one of the highest rated burgers in DFW, a flavorful and unique desert concept, and a great view with your night cap for $100 including minimum 20% tip.  Enjoy!

Send your date night suggestions to mike@cravedfw.com.