And need some good recommendations for hole in the wall restaurants etc.
1st a beer:
Revolver -- Blood and Honey
One of the best beers I've ever had and comes from Granbury, TX.
Pairs with just about anything and is like 7% ABV but isn't a dark beer. Do yourself a favor and try the brand even if you don't like the Blood and Honey beer.
---
Ramen:
http://www.sumoshack.com/
Amazing Ramen place near SMU. Lots of flavor and beer on tap.
---
Burgers:
Twisted Root Burger Co. is always a good choice for burgers, beer and shakes. They have a few locations but every location I've hit up has been good service and quality.
Wife and I did the one near SMU a few times and the one in Arlington once.
---
BBQ:
There is a ton of choice on this one but wife and I liked:
Lockhart Smokehouse
Lockhart is good, well priced BBQ with really no frills. They have SOME sides but they aren't really worth mentioning.
Home - Hard Eight BBQ
Great quality and a GOOD amount of classic sides with the drawback that you have to commute a bit to get there but Coppell is a nice area (basically the asian Mecca of DFW)
For some reason neither of these places served the best burnt-ends. The best burnt ends I had came from:
Bone Daddy's (DON'T GO TO THEIR WEBSITE..apparently it has some malware that is taking it over atm...)
This place is a chain but don't discount it and 100% try the Burnt-ends if you go there.