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 send some time each week visiting these neighborhoods, interviewing managers and business owners and sharing my favorite experiences in the form of "mentions".
My first Monday Mention has me talking about "White Rock Center", which is a shopping center near White Rock Lake in Old Lake Highlands. The center is located at the intersection of Buckner Road and Northcliff Drive. I decided to "mention" three businesses that are favorites of mine, but I'll include a list of the other spots in the center, as they are equally important and valued by the neighbors!
#1 Burger Schmurger
I first visited this fairly new burger spot a few weeks ago, and was instantly hooked! My kids love this restaurant, partly because the name is fun to say, but also because they get to play the old school video/arcade games! Burger Schmurger opened in April of this year, and it has been extremely popular and busy ever since! I got to meet the owner, Dave Culwell, and he is extremely approachable and hands-on. My favorite menu item is the "Side Chick", which is a fried chicken sandwich with Schmurger Dills, pickled red onions, a house oil drizzle, a Sriracha aioli and house slaw. I'd also recommend the Pretzel Bites - they are amazing!! The current Burger of the Month for September is called the "Low and Slow Burger". It includes smoked pulled pork (provided by Rodeo City Provisions), house BBQ sauce and Schmurger Dills. This restaurant is now open daily from 11 AM - 11 PM. It's a great place to take the family or sit at the bar and watch a sports game!
#2 El Vecino Tex Mex
Our family LOVES El Vecino. I lost count on how many times we have been over the years, but it's in the hundreds. If we are going to eat and are stumped on a spot to visit, El Vecino is our go-to that everyone in our family loves! Out of all the restaurants I've ever been to, this one has the most visible and hands-on owner I've ever met. John McBride is always seen at the host stand, greeting customers and helping out wherever he is needed. He opened El Vecino in 2017, and it's honestly been packed almost every time we have gone in - consistently! My favorite menu item is the El Quenco (Bowl). It's filled with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, pico de Gallo, poblano/spinach rice, avocado, black beans, corn and cheese. The have weekly specials, which include "Tiny Two-Bite Taco Tuesday", "Wednesday Enchilada Special" and "Thursday Chile Relleno Night". In addition, they have weekend specials which vary each week. Currently, their latest offering is "Mango Shrimp", which includes 5 jumbo shrimp sautéed in a mango, habanero pico de gallo. It's served with white rice mixed with peas, carrots and corn and black beans on the side. El Vecino is open from 11 AM - 9 PM on Sunday - Tuesday and 11 AM - 10 PM on Wednesday through Saturday. It's affordable, family-friendly and delicious!
#3 East Dallas Middle Ground
Even though I'm not a huge coffee drinker, I still really love a great neighborhood coffee spot! I like the atmosphere, the quiet environment and the smell of coffee! I visited East Dallas Middle Ground and was really impressed. I met Sophia, who said her favorite menu item is the Cardamom Orange Latte. She mentioned that this coffee shop was a women-owned business, and it's been open since last April. They have quiet office spaces that are available to rent, which cost $10 an hour. The shop also offers a kid-friendly play space, so if you need to work and have your kids with you, you can take them there! There "Specialty Lattes" include a White Rose, Cardamom Orange, Dark Raspberry and Macadamia Cookie. Currently, they are offering an "Autumn Menu", which includes specialty drinks such as a Salted Caramel Chai Latte, a Harvest Apple Latte and a Pumpkin Spiced Latte. Middle Ground is open from 7 AM - 4 PM on Monday - Saturday and 8 AM - 2 PM on Sundays.
Other businesses located in White Rock Center include East Lake Dental, Green Oaks Physical Therapy, Amanda Dalton School of Dance, The Bar Method, The Primrose School, District 9 Daught Haus, Freemans Village Cleaners, Afonso's Italian Restaurant, Someday Soon Chiropractic, Arris Western, Therapeutic Innovations, The Only Facial of White Rock, Green Spot (gas station), State Farm office, Le Caveau & Vital Athletic (coming soon).
Thank you for following my Monday Mentions! Be on the lookout for more great restaurant recommendations and business highlights each week!
*Dave Culwell photo provided by the Lake Highlands Advocate (online)