As a native New Yorker, for a long time I stayed away from dining in or around Times Square. It wasn’t until a group of co-workers had suggested we eat dinner at Dallas BBQ on 42nd street, that I actually took the chance. For barbeque, there is no place better.
Dallas BBQ is hard to miss with it’s bright neon sign and the barriers that display it’s name along the sidewalk. The restaurant used to be a two-floor arcade about 4 years ago. They have turned the space into one of the biggest restaurants I’ve ever seen. It can seat hundreds of customers and the staff is amazing at taking care of all of them.
Because of it’s size it can be incredibly noisy, but it has more of a group/party atmosphere than most restaurants do.
The walls are covered in cow skins, bull heads and murals of buffalo. They have a large flat-screen television in the furthest area of the restaurant where they always show the latest rodeo competition. That’s about as far as the “Dallas” theme goes, so you won’t feel like your surrounded by cowboys.
They seat groups as quickly as possible (it’s always a few minutes of a wait on weekends though) and your placemats are your menus. Their menu is separated into starters, salads, and types of meat as well as fish. There’s something for whatever you are craving. Meals cost anywhere from $10-$15, but can be very big so it’s definitely a deal if you share it with someone. The starters themselves can be had as a meal, which will take a few bucks off. Their shrimp platter is absolutely delicious for just $9.99. They also make outstanding turkey burgers.
There are no desserts to be had here, but there are their famous Texas sized margaritas that can come with our without a shot. Texas sized doesn’t even begin to explain the size of them! You can get a regular sized margarita as well, if you aren’t feeling up to it.
The service is very quick for such a large restaurant. I really feel like they know how to handle the crowds well. The food is always cooked the way you asked for it and you’ll never wait more than 10 minutes for it to arrive at the table. The waiters are a bit rushed though, seeing as they are taking care of so many tables, so don’t expect to be able to find them every time you need them. As a customer I never felt like I was specifically rushed out, even when the place was closing. They let everyone take their time and enjoy their meals.
Dallas Barbecue (or just BBQ’s as we lovingly refer to it) has become a constant hang out for me and my group of friends. Whenever we are in the area and want to grab a bite, it’s the first place we think to head to.
It’s the only place in Times Square I’d ever dare think of eating and it’s totally worth it.
