Southlake’s Restaurant Scene Evolves with the Times

As Southlake has evolved from a small, rural community to a cosmopolitan suburb, so has its dining scene. Once home to just a handful of locally-owned restaurants and fast food chains, it was typical to travel outside the city limits to satisfy a culinary craving. Today, not only does Southlake’s 100+ gastronomic options keep residents close to home, but also attracts out-of-area diners.bouncy castles for sale america From high-end chain restaurants – such as Truluck’s, Kirby’s Steakhouse and Brio Tuscan Grille – to regional outposts like Rockfish Seafood Grill, Yucatan Taco Stand and Mi Cocina, to independently owned establishments that have become local favorites.

The banner years for restaurant openings in Southlake was 1999 and 2000, primarily as a result of the opening of Southlake Town Square, which today includes 27 restaurants, cafes, diners, coffee shops and specialty food stores (e.g. Milwaukee Joe’s Gourmet Ice Cream and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory) offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in a variety of cuisines. If you’re hankering for a New Orleans-style Sunday brunch, Copeland’s at Hilton Southlake Town Square is the place to be.

But don’t be fooled, dining options are plentiful outside of Town Square, thanks to commercial development up and down Southlake Boulevard. The newly opened and wildly popular, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, made its home in the long-established Southlake Oaks Addition and Gingerine Fresh Asian, which also opened in 2010, is located just east of Nolen Drive in Wyndham Plaza.

Other dining destinations include Southlake Marketplace at the west end of town – boasting Cowtown Sushi, CiCi’s Pizza, Golden China, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Boston Market, Benny’s Bagels, The Cakery, Austin Taco House, Baskin Robbins and Wing Stop – and Gateway Plaza near SH 114 includes Anamia’s Tex Mex, Starbucks Coffee, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Shogun Sushi & Hibachi.

Prior to this influx of national and regional restaurants, longtime residents will remember local favorites that were here before Southlake became the shopping, dining and entertainment mecca it is today:

• Feedstore BBQ: Originally opening as Southlake Feed & Tack in 1986, it became a local hangout for barbecue lovers in 2001.
• Joe’s Pizza, Pasta & Subs: Located next to 7-Eleven along SH 114 since 1995, Joe’s pizza is legendary.
• Sushi Sam: Although sushi was not as popular as it is today, Southlake welcomed this nouveau cuisine in 1999.
• Armend’s Italian Restaurant: Originally located in Suntree Square (next to Tom Thumb) in the mid-1990s, this beloved Italian restaurant moved to Kimball Center in 2000 and has never looked back.

Regardless of when you arrived in Southlake, we’re confident you’ve found a favorite place to eat. Where? Let us know your favorite restaurant and tell us why: talktous@cityofsouthlake.com.

If you are interested in more information chong qi you yong chi, contact the City’s Department of Economic Development at 817-748-8039, or at econdev@ci.southlake.tx.us to obtain a Shopping and Dining Guide, or just visit www.SouthlakeBusinesses.com and use the keyboard search to find your favorite restaurant or cuisine