Welcome to "The Monday Mention", a weekly feature where I highlight several local businesses in a Dallas/Fort Worth neighborhood or shopping center. There are tons of great restaurants, coffee spots and businesses around the metroplex, so I'll spend some time each week visiting these neighborhoods, interviewing managers and business owners and sharing my favorite experiences in the form of "mentions".
My third Monday Mention takes us back to "Hillside Village" for round 2! Last week, I featured three restaurants that are family favorites of ours. Because Hillside Village has grown more popular, there are so many good businesses in this shopping center to choose from and highlight. I wanted to feature three more of my favorites this week: SusieCakes, White Rock Coffee & Dream Cafe!
#1 SusieCakes
SusieCakes is THE PLACE TO GO to get all your cupcake and cake needs for any large gathering, birthday party, school or church event or if you just want to go get something delicious during a break or on your way home! Although they are fairly new to Hillside, they have a ton of locations around the U.S., including one in Austin, Texas. They serve everything from cakes to cupcakes to cookies, and they are known for using "back to basics ingredients", which you'd find in an old-fashioned pantry. SusieCakes has season flavors and specials, including Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes, a Banana Chocolate Chip Cake and an Apple Crumble Pie. The Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes are filled and frosted with pure coffee buttercream and topped with a cinnamon sugar mixture. The Banana Chocolate Chip Cake has ripe bananas and semi-sweet chocolate chips filled and frosted with cream cheese frosting. Lastly, the Apple Crumble Pie is one of their best sellers, loaded with Granny Smith apples and brown sugar on their buttery, organic pie crust, topped with a sweet handmade crumble. It's incredible!! SusieCakes is open every day from 10 AM - 7 PM!! They will be closed at 6 PM on October 31st.
#2 White Rock Coffee
White Rock Coffee has a few locations around Dallas, including a new spot in Lakewood on La Vista, a Lake Highlands shop, a spot in Preston Hollow, Preston Center and University Park. The one in Hillside Village is their "express" location, which is their lone drive-through only location. While you can't go inside this shop, you can walk-up and order at the window, which is popular for neighbors, joggers and those with dogs on a walk! If you come to this location in the morning around 6-8 AM, be prepared to wait in a small carpool type line that runs through the parking lot by Manny's Tex Mex. Aside from great coffee and tea, their menu is filled with great food items, including breakfast sandwiches, starts and croissants, muffins, scones, seasonal pop tarts and kolaches. My personal favorite menu item is the Ham & Cheese Croissant!! It's currently Pumpkin SZN, and that includes beverage items such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Banana Bonfire Latte, and food items that include a Pumpkin Scone, an Apple Butter Kolache, a S'More Rice Krispie Treat, a Pecan Bar, a Pumpkin Pop Tart, a Vegan Apple Turnover, a Pumpkin Loaf and a Wheat Free Pumpkin Muffin!! This location is open every day from 6 AM - 7 PM!!
#3 Dream Cafe
Dream Cafe is a personal favorite of our family, and my go-to spot for breakfast when I need to a place to work with wifi. When I go to get some work done, the staff know me so well that they know which booth I like to sit in that has an outlet. My breakfast go-to meal is the Strap Hanger, which includes two-eggs (I choose scrambled), hash browns or cheese grits, a popover or toast and either bacon, sausage or veggie suasage. I also like to get the Avocado Toast as well! On Saturday and Sunday, you can find most of Lakewood and Dallas eating Bruch at Dream Cafe, which has been dubbed "The Best Brunch In Dallas". They offer items such as Berries and Cream, Biscuits and Gravy, Benedicts, Granola Crusted French Toast, Cloud Cakes, Chicken & Waffles, a Monte Cristo, Huevos Rancheros, Austin Tacos, Migas, Shrimp & Grits and some of the best Mimosas around! They also have a daily Happy Hour, which includes select appetizers and sparkling drinks for $7, house wines for $7, well drinks for $5 and $2 off draught beers.
On a personal note, I found out that the future of Dream Cafe's Lakewood location is uncertain. Hillside Village is under new management, and according to what I know, there are other restaurant groups and owners that are vying for that sought-after location. Dream Cafe is beloved to the neighborhood and community, and we have to show our support and let our voices be heard. Dream Cafe is asking everyone to "Keep The Dream Alive" by sending in comments of support HERE. Please consider taking a few minutes to click that link and add your name to the list of supporters who want Dream Cafe to stay!!
Their weekly specials are called "Supper Club Specials", and include dinner and a beverage for $15 from 6-9 PM Mondays - Saturdays and 6-8 PM on Sundays.
Mystic Monday: Mystic Pasta
Texas Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Wildfire Wednesday: Wildfire Sandwich
Throwback Thursday: Classic Burger
French Friday: Gilroy Chicken
Southern Saturday: Chicken & Waffles
Sunday Blues: Blue Plate
Other businesses located in Hillside Village include Chop Shop, Modern Animal (Veterinary Care), Betty Lou, Froggies 5&10, Miller Westby, Session Pilates, Sprouts, Pink Sundays, The Little Things, Sephora, Salon Suites, Rio (Jiu Jitsu), Playtri, Haven, Juice Land, Vie Nail Bar, Chest Tailor, J Hilburn, Massage Heights, Ferrari Orthodontics, The Lash Lounge, Rico’s Shoe Services, Hillside Tavern, Olivella's Pizza & Wine, F45, Ebby Halliday, Sugared + Bronzed, Face Foundrie, Alchemy 43, Dallas Swim Kids + The Little Gym, Manny’s Tex Mex, Joe’s Cleaners, Boardroom Salon For Men, Pet Bar, Palmer's Hot Chicken, Haystack Burgers & Barley & Parlors Ice Creams
Thank you for following my Monday Mentions! Be on the lookout for more great restaurant recommendations and business highlights each week!