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Dallas Non-Chain Restaurants

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Backyard Gator
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In reply to VP at Pierce and Pierce • 2:52p, 8/19/26
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Fortunate Son in Garland is some of the best pizza you will eat. Connecticut style. It's top tier and I say that as someone who has been blessed to eat pizza all over the nation.

Their other concept, Good Friend Package has incredible pastrami sandwiches and their French dip is a 10/10.

Fortunate Son looks like they ripped off Pie Tap, except they claim it is Connecticut-style and use gas-fired ovens instead of coal-fired ovens like those used in Connecticut.


It's way better than Pie Tap. Have you been? Pretty unique crust done right.

I have not. I rarely go out for pizza since it is so easy to make it at home.

Pie Tap is my venue of choice for when friends are adamant they want to go out for pizza.

Fortunate Son is the result of a restaurant group trying to play pizzaiolo.
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VP at Pierce and Pierce
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 3:30p, 8/19/26
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Fortunate Son in Garland is some of the best pizza you will eat. Connecticut style. It's top tier and I say that as someone who has been blessed to eat pizza all over the nation.

Their other concept, Good Friend Package has incredible pastrami sandwiches and their French dip is a 10/10.

Fortunate Son looks like they ripped off Pie Tap, except they claim it is Connecticut-style and use gas-fired ovens instead of coal-fired ovens like those used in Connecticut.


It's way better than Pie Tap. Have you been? Pretty unique crust done right.

I have not. I rarely go out for pizza since it is so easy to make it at home.

Pie Tap is my venue of choice for when friends are adamant they want to go out for pizza.

Fortunate Son is the result of a restaurant group trying to play pizzaiolo.


But you haven't been so how can you comment? Pie Tap is good but not elite by any means. You should try it before commenting. It is rated much higher than anything Pie Tap has made.
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GAC06
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 6:00p, 8/19/26
AG
Looks like Pie Tap has seven locations, so it's also a chain
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Backyard Gator
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In reply to GAC06 • 6:05p, 8/19/26
GAC06 said:
Looks like Pie Tap has seven locations, so it's also a chain

I don't consider it a chain because it is only located in the Metroplex, it isn't a national brand like Chili's or TGIFriday's where you can find locations in virtually every city and many small towns.

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Coates
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 6:32p, 8/19/26
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Fortunate Son in Garland is some of the best pizza you will eat. Connecticut style. It's top tier and I say that as someone who has been blessed to eat pizza all over the nation.

Their other concept, Good Friend Package has incredible pastrami sandwiches and their French dip is a 10/10.

Fortunate Son looks like they ripped off Pie Tap, except they claim it is Connecticut-style and use gas-fired ovens instead of coal-fired ovens like those used in Connecticut.


It's way better than Pie Tap. Have you been? Pretty unique crust done right.

I have not. I rarely go out for pizza since it is so easy to make it at home.

Pie Tap is my venue of choice for when friends are adamant they want to go out for pizza.

Fortunate Son is the result of a restaurant group trying to play pizzaiolo.

Is this a serious post? Pie Tap is owned by a restaurant group, the same one that runs Ojos Locos (Mexican Hooters).

Fortunate Son is owned by 2 guys, they also own a Beer Garden/Burger place called Goodfriend. One of the owners grew up going to Connecticut regularly. It's really good, but you need to get there early, no reservations, not even a phone number for pickup orders and it's always packed.

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VP at Pierce and Pierce
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In reply to Coates • 8:40p, 8/19/26
Coates said:
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Backyard Gator said:
VP at Pierce and Pierce said:
Fortunate Son in Garland is some of the best pizza you will eat. Connecticut style. It's top tier and I say that as someone who has been blessed to eat pizza all over the nation.

Their other concept, Good Friend Package has incredible pastrami sandwiches and their French dip is a 10/10.

Fortunate Son looks like they ripped off Pie Tap, except they claim it is Connecticut-style and use gas-fired ovens instead of coal-fired ovens like those used in Connecticut.


It's way better than Pie Tap. Have you been? Pretty unique crust done right.

I have not. I rarely go out for pizza since it is so easy to make it at home.

Pie Tap is my venue of choice for when friends are adamant they want to go out for pizza.

Fortunate Son is the result of a restaurant group trying to play pizzaiolo.

Is this a serious post? Pie Tap is owned by a restaurant group, the same one that runs Ojos Locos (Mexican Hooters).

Fortunate Son is owned by 2 guys, they also own a Beer Garden/Burger place called Goodfriend. One of the owners grew up going to Connecticut regularly. It's really good, but you need to get there early, no reservations, not even a phone number for pickup orders and it's always packed.



Why go there when you can poo poo on it and hype up some small chain owned by a big group that gets everything from the back of a Ben E Keith truck and reheats it like most groups in DFW? Typical Dallasite, what's next? Tell us how great the concepts Vandalay or Local Favorites are hahaha?
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Backyard Gator
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9:40p, 8/19/26

I just went and looked at Pie Tap's website and I'm rescinding my recommendation.

They used to be a place to buy pizza and beer. They now have rotisserie chicken and smash burgers, they're trying to be all things to all people. That's not a pizza shop.

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GAC06
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 10:29p, 8/19/26
AG
They had rotisserie chicken when I went there when they were new 9 years ago
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CZ-exanAg
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11:14a, 8/21/26
Is Manny's Uptown still around? That place was great back in 2011-2012 when I lived up there
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GAC06
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In reply to CZ-exanAg • 12:52p, 8/21/26
AG
The original on Lemmon is gone. They have one in north Dallas at Coit and Campbell which seemed about the same food wise years ago when I went. Another near White Rock too apparently. Definitely not the same vibe as the original
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Coates
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 1:16p, 8/21/26
Backyard Gator said:

I just went and looked at Pie Tap's website and I'm rescinding my recommendation.

They used to be a place to buy pizza and beer. They now have rotisserie chicken and smash burgers, they're trying to be all things to all people. That's not a pizza shop.


I like PieTap, just thought your reason for liking them over not trying Fortunate Son was odd.

And the smash burger at PieTap is awesome. So are the ones at Zoli's and Fortunate Son, may have to have one tonight!
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LawHall88
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6:44p, 8/21/26
AG
I'll be in Plano Monday and Tuesday on business. Just me. Any recommendations for Thai, burgers, fried chicken?
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Backyard Gator
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In reply to LawHall88 • 8:02p, 8/21/26
LawHall88 said:
I'll be in Plano Monday and Tuesday on business. Just me. Any recommendations for Thai, burgers, fried chicken?

Depending on where you are in Plano and how far you're willing to drive, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is an option. They have a location in Garland and one in Frisco.
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LawHall88
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In reply to Backyard Gator • 8:08p, 8/21/26
AG
Backyard Gator said:
LawHall88 said:
I'll be in Plano Monday and Tuesday on business. Just me. Any recommendations for Thai, burgers, fried chicken?

Depending on where you are in Plano and how far you're willing to drive, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is an option. They have a location in Garland and one in Frisco.

South Plano I guess, staying at a hotel on Plano Parkway, but I'm open to driving to good places. Thanks!
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VP at Pierce and Pierce
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In reply to LawHall88 • 8:38p, 8/21/26
LawHall88 said:
I'll be in Plano Monday and Tuesday on business. Just me. Any recommendations for Thai, burgers, fried chicken?


Babe's fried chicken is elite. I am a fan of Rodeo Goat for burgers. Kenny's has a good burger too. I love Zaap for Thai.
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Johnny Foosball
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4:35p, 8/22/26
AG
Has anyone been to Gemma? Going to be in Dallas for our anniversary and thinking about grabbing a reservation here
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752bro4
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In reply to Johnny Foosball • 4:44p, 8/22/26
AG
We would eat there 1-2x per year. Always great with great service. Rabbit ragu was my go-to.
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BlueMiles
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7:28p, 8/22/26
AG
I liked Casa Navarro near Forest and Marsh.
And Tupinamba!
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fav13andac1)c
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8:36p, 8/23/26
AG
Gemma is VERY good! Great anniversary or date night spot.

ETA: for the record, I was only responding to the OP, did not realize someone had asked about Gemma. Seriously, go there.
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mavsfan4ever
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8:55p, 8/23/26
AG
I'll also throw Billy Can Can in the mix. Love that place. Cool vibe and very good food.
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Texker
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In reply to LawHall88 • 4:49p, 8/25/26
AG
LawHall88 said:
Backyard Gator said:
LawHall88 said:
I'll be in Plano Monday and Tuesday on business. Just me. Any recommendations for Thai, burgers, fried chicken?

Depending on where you are in Plano and how far you're willing to drive, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is an option. They have a location in Garland and one in Frisco.

South Plano I guess, staying at a hotel on Plano Parkway, but I'm open to driving to good places. Thanks!


It's Thai-Lao, but we like Sticky Rice in Cityline in Richardson between Plano Parkway and Renner just east of 75. OG location is in Murphy.

https://stickyricetx.com/
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