Out and About - Dallas/Garland, Texas

Assignment #3: Texas

Howdy! We became Texans during our first summer of working in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. This metro region has many adventures and career opportunities for everyone. It is one of the fastest and largest growing metro areas in the U.S. and it was cool to experience the culture of this environment. We made our Home #6 in Garland, Texas for our 3rd contract assignment, and our 2nd assignment with the travel healthcare staffing agency of CoreMedical Group. Andrew worked in Murphy, Texas and Alyssa Worked in Wylie, Texas. 

This was Andrew’s first experience of Texas, while Alyssa traveled throughout the state on family vacations and cheer competitions. Garland is a large city about 15 miles from Dallas (35 minutes) that has a 1:1 ratio of taco stands to people. Murphy is an old farm town that is transferring into a small city as the inner city people are moving into the “country”, which is located about 8 miles from Garland (18 minutes). Wylie is an older country farmland that is growing into a city as well.

We spent this contract mostly in the DFW region exploring and 13 weeks was not enough time to check everything out! We spent our time traveling to the historic downtowns in the region, “The Square” in Garland, the Stockyards in Fort-Worth, a Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown Band concert at AT&T stadium, a Texas Ranger baseball game, traveling to Tallahassee, Florida for Alyssa’s sister’s undergraduate graduation, weekend visit from Alyssa’s parents, and some pool days at our rental home.

We’ll discuss everything we have been to and done based on the towns during this contract to create a Trailguide of our Dallas-Fort Worth travels. 

Garland

This is where we called Home #6. We stayed in a tiny home that was once a one-car-garage. We could venture out to “The Square” of downtown Garland, which was a 10 minute stroll. The Square was our go to place. Although not large, it had everything you needed and was apparently revamped in the previous 6 months before we arrived. We enjoyed a drone show on the 4th of July, community concerts, wine walks, market days, and Friday and Saturday nights. We enjoyed the location where we stayed and loved our hosts.

• Latham Bakery

  • This was the first place we went to on The Square. We admired the case of baked goods, quiches, and the smells of coffee. Very cute and relaxing. This place had incredible soups, sandwiches, and other options. The type of place locals go after church on Sundays. This is where Andrew feasted after falling ill with food poisoning.

• Rosalind Coffee

  • Another coffee shop on The Square. Definitely a different vibe and mostly a coffee shop with a big space inside. The type of place young/work from home people come to work on their laptops. The locals definitely prefer either Latham or Rosalind, but not both.

• Fortunate Sons

  • New Haven style pizza, al dente pasta dishes, and cocktails. This may have been our favorite place on The Square. Sits right on the corner, with a huge tree with a string of lights hanging from it in their outdoor space where they have bands playing on Friday and Saturday nights. Great food, great space, and an ATX feel to it.

• Intrinsic Smokehouse Brewery

  • On The Square. This is where we had our first experience of Texas BBQ without the long lines. They have an indoor/outdoor space where live music is also played. A BBQ and a brewery in one, what else do you need?!

• Sweet Pearls

  • This place was in the FireWheel Town Center. They had some sweet flavors of homemade hand dipped ice cream. A good guy founded this place.

• Scoop n Buns

  • This place has Venezuelan style ice cream and flavors. Also have boba and located just outside of The Square.

• Dos Banderos

  • The only Tex-Mex style cuisine on The Square. Very affordable and classic Tex-Mex. 

• Lakewood Brewery

  • We found this place during one of the last weekends we were there. Located in an industrial park, in a warehouse, with a large indoor area, and a larger outdoor area. We were here in the Texas heat, and boy it was hot, the drinks were good, and Andrew was winning in Jenga.

White Rock

When we told people we were headed to DFW, they would say go to the “White Rock” area. This is one of the greener areas in DFW. There is a great outdoor open road track around White Rock Lake you may go walking/running/biking around. Andrew was still recovering from food poisoning when we went to the park in this area.

• Smokey Rose

  • This may have been one of our favorite places to go for appetizers and cocktails. We never had a full meal here, but definitely one of our go to’s. They had a complimentary valet service, a nice shaded, fan blowing outdoor space, and a ton of dogs.

• Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co

  • A busy coffee shop in this area. Good coffee, but definitely more pricey.

• Jet's Pizza

  • Yes, we know this is a chain but Alyssa loves pizza. Our first time trying it and will be seeking it out in other cities.

Sachse

We always drove through this area on our way to our clinics in Murphy, Wylie, and to the gym. We sometimes shopped at this Kroger because of a higher quality and seemed more safe than the one in Garland. More of a residential area.

• Frankie’s Mexican Cuisine

  • This is definitely where the locals hangout and eat. Great queso, salsa, and margaritas. We were lucky with it being the bartender’s birthday and receiving full pour tequila shots on the house!

Rowlett

Just a town outside of Garland. We drove here just to get the acai bowls at Grain and Berry. Their Facebook/Instagram ads got us on these hot Texas summer days.

• Grain and Berry

  • These acai bowls were huge and priced just right. Definitely our favorite spot to hit up after playing Pickleball in hot Texas heat.

Rockwall

Another small town on the other side of Rowlett. Open spaces and we decided to head out this way to enjoy some wine on a date day.

• Rosini Vineyards

  • Drove a bit into the countryside and was well worth it for the quieter environment away from the city noise. Everyone headed inside the winery due to the heat, but we embraced the heat outside on the fake grass turf, listening to the pond fountain, and drinking sangria. They also have some great dips that we got to sample.

Wylie

A very historic western looking downtown with one main street. We ate at an old cafe that is the local favorite. Alyssa worked in the modern, industrial area of Wylie. Definitely where city folk try to escape the city to live more of a “country lifestyle.” Wylie, just like Garland, has frequent community events in their downtown areas.

• The Ballard Street Cafe and Grill

  • We had brunch here. Huge portions that cost very little. Home cooking food in an old style building.

Plano

Another historic downtown area that we only did a drive by. Plano is a more modern industrial area. We went to a section of Plano for some quick bites. We played a couple rounds of mini golf nearby at The Colony at a place called Pop Stroke. 

• Suburban Yacht Club

  • A Texas style California cuisine restaurant (haha what style). We enjoyed a tiki-style cocktail, chips and dip, and headed out.

• Union Bear

  • A very busy restaurant style brewery with a ton of seating and people.

• Sangria y Cerveza Tacos & Tapas Lounge

  • The name says it all. A restaurant style tapas lounge turned club when the sun goes down. Seems like a go-to for folks going out to the bars/clubs for the night or for the munchies afterwards.

Arlington

Arlington, home of all Dallas pro sports. Jerry’s world, aka where the Dallas Cowboys play, is a place you need to check out. We were there for a Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown Band concert, went to a Texas Rangers baseball game, and met up with a fellow classmate.

• Texas Live

  • A huge bar, with huge TVs to watch your sports. Very popular for nightlife and hanging out.

Lower Greenville

A lively dining and nightlife strip packed with trendy restaurants and bar scenes. It is an entertainment district of Dallas. At night, the sidewalks are filled with college aged students.

• Truck Yard

  • An outdoor popular bar scene that resembles its name. Grab a drink at the bar and find a lawn chair to kick back and listen to the live music that is frequently played. Just an enjoyable area with friends.

• HG Supply Co

  • The name stands for hunter-gather style food. Very fresh and tasty healthy meals.

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

  • Again, who doesn't love ice cream. Hand dipped ice cream with a variety of unique flavors.

Deep Ellum

As one of Dallas's first commercial districts for African-Americans and European Immigrants, a place full of clubs for a boisterous crew. Also, home to some famous Texas BBQ.

• Terry Blacks

  • This was our first experience of the craziness of Texas BBQ. Long lines, large portions, and very tasty meats and sides. Texas BBQ is no joke, and Terry Blacks is a classic spot throughout Texas.

Addison

An incorporated town North of Dallas, we visited this place when Alyssa’s family was in town for dinner and to grab some cookies that Alyssa was eyeing up for some time.

• Viodorra

  • A casual-contemporary place for some Mexican cuisine and margaritas.

• Cookie Society

  • A gourmet cooking company that is very similar to Crumbl Cookie. However, they keep their flavors monthly and do not change weekly. A nice local startup that is expanding.

Best Wishes,

Andrew & Alyssa