Rhonda A.
Yelp
After living in the Oak Cliff/Kessler Park area for more than 4 years, I feel it is perhaps a good enough time of experience to reflect on how everything is so cool and fun in the Bishop Arts District. It was amazing when I first arrived in 2013, but several years later, I feel like this sweet bond I have with this entertaining area South of Dallas just keeps getting better. In a million different ways for a million different reasons.
For starters, I worked at one of the more popular restaurant for almost three years. It was physically demanding work that provided the income I needed while fighting health issues. Which I am always grateful for that opportunity. The food was and still is amazing. Walk down the main road, Bishop Avenue right off Davis Street. There are a dozen styles of cuisine available in all price points. These are individually owned and operated restaurants that work diligently to be creative, unique, and traditional in their own style and interpretation. You won't be disappointed.
Seeing the gentrification of a racially diverse suburb has been interesting. I know everything old has its own life cycle, and will be reimagined, repurposed, and revitalized into something new and unique. It's one part sad, two parts modern reality. A cocktail of life in Dallas 2017. Things are BOOMING, with a capital B. Housing is in high demand. Several mixed used developments(M.U.D.), are currently under construction. With the classic retail street level store and housing lofts above will be added bonuses of a carless living, high density community.
More Dallasites and visitors frequent this charming neighborhood. And we welcome them of course. There is a cultural eclectic mish mash of many aspects that create the vibe here: it was a previous artist colony when rent was very cheap and older, crumbling buildings were abandoned or eye sores. Several visionary entrepreneurs saved part of Dallas & Oak Cliff's history, and for that we all get to appreciate the remaining and preserved 20th century buildings and legacy. Since zoning has been behind the times, parking is crazy. Forgetaboutit. Seriously. Wear comfy shoes because there are bumpy lumpy well worn sidewalks and walkways or nothing at all. Especially with all the construction going on, paths are really inconsistent. So be careful. Ladies, y'all look marvelous in your super high heels, but one wrong step and ouchie momma, your ankle is going to twist or snap, and it won't feel great. Just saying.
Now there are amazingly fun and family parades and annual events that take place in this cultural hot spot. Sign up for the Advocate Newletter, which is a paper magazine or online cornucopia of history and happenings of Oak Cliff. It never stops dazzling me on what the movers and shakers of past, present, and future have done or partaking of. There is one of a kind history and people with close ties to the area: Bonnie & Clyde. 7-11. Edie Brickell. Lee Harvey Oswald. Stevie Ray & Jimmie Vaughan. And many more.
My most tender memory will always be my friend, Michael McGuire. He was a funny, fun loving taking life by the seat and the floor and the cocktail glass too, kinda guy. His short life dimmed at only 41. But he packed more joy, laughter, crazy hell raising days than perhaps a dozen people combined. He lived a FULL existence everyday. And fought his demons with grace and wit. I love and miss my friend. But he is still in the memories of Oak Cliff and the Bishop Arts District where it is never a dull time!!