Lakewood Landing
Bar · Belmont ·
Classic dive bar with acclaimed jukebox, burgers, and BLTs
Classic dive bar with acclaimed jukebox, burgers, and BLTs
"Despite the famously grumpy bartenders, this is the quintessential Dallas dive bar: no fuss, fried foods, furniture that’s probably older than a few people serving in Congress, in a building that’s been around since 1940 and now feels like as much a landmark as Dealey Plaza. Order the jalapeño poppers—crispy and golden brown with a decent kick, served with ranch and oozing melted cheese the second you bite through the crispy exterior—and the loaded cheese fries, piled with melted cheddar, bacon, and jalapeños, topped with green onions, where the cheese binds everything into a balanced bite. Keep it simple at the bar: a beer, a shot, or a two-ingredient classic like a vodka soda, rum and coke, or gin and tonic (excluding ranch waters, if your drink has three ingredients, the third better be ice). The vibe debunks the idea that Dallas is snobby: dark, laid-back, sufficiently noisy, and packed on weekend nights, with TVs throughout, a pool table, and a decently sized patio, and it feels like a well-worn vintage leather jacket full of stories. Insider tip: unless you want to get snarled at, don’t order the jalapeño beer-battered corndog before midnight; it’s legendary and not that good, but it’s one of the things that makes the bar special—imperative to try at least once." - H. Drew Blackburn
"This iconic dive bar serves an equally iconic corn dog, made even more notable because it’s only served after midnight. It’s hot, crunchy, and the perfect foil to a cold beer—domestic, obviously—and whatever Tom Petty song you just put on the jukebox." - kevin gray
"This iconic dive bar serves an equally iconic corn dog, made even more notable because it’s only served after midnight. It’s hot, crunchy, and the perfect foil to a cold beer—domestic, obviously—and whatever Tom Petty song you just put on the jukebox." - Kevin Gray
"The Landing knows that nothing goes with a beer like a burger, and with that, it’s created a great dive bar burger for around $10. There’s nothing special hidden in the burger; it is just a solid third of a pound of quality beef cooked well, and topped with tomatoes, white onions, lettuce, and a choice of mayonnaise or mustard (you will never hear anyone here utter the word “aioli”). The aesthetic of this spot is as straightforward and no-frills as its burger. There is bar and booth seating, and a patio with plastic furniture — all of it is well-worn and at least two steps beyond broken in. That said, there is table service from the friendly folks who work there. Your drink will stay full until you say when, and those plates will be out of your way damn quick when you finish scarfing this burger down. Know before you go: The secret to the killer burgers here is that some incredibly overqualified people sometimes cook them. Lakewood is one of the handful of popular hangouts for service industry folks in Dallas and a place where many go to work in the kitchen when they’re between jobs." - Courtney E. Smith
"At this classic East Dallas dive, diners can enjoy stacked burgers or BLTs paired with cold brews. Not to mention, Lakewood Landing’s iconic corn dog makes for a great snack in between bars." - Eater Staff