Chili's — 4500 Belt Line

On the south side next to Floyd's 99 Barbershop

In memory of Norman Brinker, 1931-2009, who passed away Tuesday. His obituary as it appeared in The Dallas Morning News.

You're familiar with Chili's. Not much can be added. Menu. Smoking and non-smoking sections available. Full bar. Happy hour is all day Sun-Thur and until 6:00 Fri-Sat. At least once in your life try Chili's chili. Served Texas style - no beans. Righteous.

Hours:
10:45am - 11:00pm Sun-Thur
10:45am - midnight Fri-Sat

MapQuest map is here.

Kaboom Town — July 3rd

This is touted as one of the top ten fireworks displays in the nation and is extremely popular. The Town of Addison brain trust decided to hole the event on the evening before Independence Day. In fact, it was once called The Fourth on the Third.

There are a few thing you should know about it:

•Fireworks are set off at the south end of Addison Airport. If you choose to view the show from one of the restaurants on Belt Line, pick one with patio seating on the south side. Duke's and BlackFinn have the best patios for this event. Reservations are not accepted and if you arrive at 6:30 for the 9:35 fuse lighting you might, just might, get a table.

•Traffic immediately afterwards is best described as horrendous. Wait it out. Stay where you are until 11:30. The good news is the Addison Airport Tunnel is toll-free until the traffic clears out.

•The town offers a (somewhat) free party at Addison Circle Park. Admission and entertainment is free but you must pay for food and beverages. Picnic baskets, however, are allowed. Take cash. Credit cards will not be accepted.

•To go truely cheap try a parking lot. Sam's is sometimes fickle but will probably allow you to park there. BYOB but remember, restaurants have restrooms and parking lots do not.

•The Cavanaugh Flight Museum flyover should not be missed.

Subway — 5100 Belt Line, Neighborhood 7

Village on the Parkway next to The Flying Fish


Did you know that there's a Subway sandwich shop in Addison? Now you do. Did you know that they now offer breakfast? Now you do. They're very proud to now serve the pretentiously named Seattle's Best coffee.

Menu (their breakfast menu is currently not available online.)

Google map is here.

There is also a Subway at 3751 Belt Line near Marsh.

Hours:
7:00am - 10:00pm daily

The Outer Marker Sports Cafe — 16101 Addison Road

NW corner of Keller Springs, near the Addison Airport Tunnel entrance



Back when legendary Addison bartender Tiger Gaynier worked here it was called Long Shots Sports Grille. Tiger went on to greener pastures. This place went to seed. As of this writing the web site had not been updated. Neither had the bar. Recommendation: don't go out of your way to go there.



Hours:
5:00pm - midnight Tue
5:00pm - 2:00am Wed, Thur, Fri
6:00pm - 2:00am Sat
closed Sun, Mon

Benedict's Restaurant — 4800 Belt Line

SE corner of Inwood Road


This place has been around for decades. It offers a semi-fine dining experience with similar prices. The dress code, however, is very casual. When it is offered, try the half sandwich plus soup ($6.50). Their breakfast specialty seems to be omelettes ($9.25-$10.75) which come with country fried potatoes and your choice of English muffin or toast. One of these days I'll try the aspergrass (their spelling, not mine) omelette (their spelling, not mine). Also available are hot cakes (pancakes) and waffles. Both are $6.95 and up.

Lunch begins with French onion soup ($4.25) or an assortment of salads ($8.95 and up). Sandwich selections include an 8 ounce burger ($7.95), French dip ($9.95), club ($9.25) and chicken chipotle ($8.25). The crab melt ($10.95) begins with a slice of grilled sourbread topped with lump crabmeat salad, tomato, sliced avacado and Swiss cheese, broiled and served open face. All sandwiches come with country fried potatoes or chips.

Benedict's decor is New England reminiscent with wainscoting and Cape Cod chairs. Music by James Taylor and Smokey Robinson. Kids menu available.

Hours:
6:00am - 2:00pm Mon-Fri
6:30am - 3:00pm Sat-Sun

Google map is here.

Dunkin' Donuts — 4900 Belt Line

At the SE corner of Landmark.


Other than donuts, the menu is limited. There are a few breakfast (and lunch) sandwiches with the filling between a sliced English muffin, croissant, bagel or two pieces of flatbread. People go here for the coffee and there is the typical argument over whether it's the best or highly overrated. I prefer Dunn Bros. If you lost the bet and now have to provide donuts for the entire office call 972-239-1700 for pricing. Seating for 18. No smoking. Menu link. Dunkin' Deli items may not be available at this location.

Hours:
5:00am - 8:00pm daily

Google map is here.

Chuck's — 2661 Midway

At the SW corner of Trinity Mills

This review is for my friends at the Addison Service Center (hi Nicole, Michelle, Stacy and Chris) and others at the north end of Addison Airport.

Chuck's is a Richie Cunningham hangout. It's a sock hop diner in red, white and black, with "Peppermint Twist" and the Big Bopper coming from the speakers. Wafting through the air is the smell of charcoal grilled burgers. As Al Gore had yet to invent the Internet during the era of poodle skirts, Chuck's has no web site. Below is a partial menu. All burgers are huge and come with fries. To save calories and 50¢ order without.

•Old fashioned (mayo + mustard) $5.69
•With cheese +30¢
•Hickory cheddar $6.49
Chicken salads (4 varieties) $6.89
•Hot wings (8) $5.99
•Baked potato $4.49 and up
•Ice cream float $2.39

Chuck's is very family friendly. No smoking.

Hours:
11:00am - 8:30pm Mon-Wed
11:00am - 9:00pm Thur-Sat
closed Sundays

Google map is here.

Twin Peaks — 5260 Belt Line

On the south side between Dallas Parkway and Montfort.

Cleavage anticipation. I've been waiting for this place to open. This is where the boys go when they tire of Hooters. This is where the girls go when...well, not too many go there. Like all Twin Peaks, this one looks like a hunting lodge. The stools look like they're made from rough-hewn wood. It's fake. The rocks around the fireplace look like they came from a river bed. They're fake. The boobage on many of the waitresses look like...let's not go there.

First, the menu. I asked our waitress if the Rocky Mountain Oysters were what I thought they were. "Yes they are," she smiled and said. Then I asked if there were many requests for them. She again smiled and said, "No, not really." I ordered the pulled pork sandwich. It was good. My friend just munched on some fries. We had a couple of man sized beers which Twin Peaks claims is served at 29°. I beg to differ. They tasted like they were only 33°. $2.95.

This being Addison, smoking is allowed in the large bar area. The hostess will be happy to sit you in the non-smoking corner. A patio provides fresh air when the garage doors are open. There are 7 flat screen TVs showing sports but unless a major game is on you're usually treated to music by Harvey Danger or similar. One oddity is that the bar tables are permanently ensconced into the floor.

Happy hour (2:00-7:00pm and 10:00-11:00pm) offers 99¢ girl size select draft beer. On Saturdays and Sundays kids 12 and under eat free until 4:00pm with an adult meal purchase.

Hours:
11:00am - midnight daily

Google map is here.

I wonder why it's called Twin Peaks?