This Deep Ellum mainstay has been cranking out some of the city's best burgers and bar grub since 1990, and it's got a lengthy pedigree to prove it. Boasting a run-down kind of charm, the place is a haven for those who don't feel the need to eat fancy. Fans rave about the fully loaded half-pound burgers, but it's the massive sized chili-cheese dogs that give the Angry Dog its name. Aside from burgers and dogs, the menu features everything from chicken wings, fried pickle chips and nachos to street tacos, grilled tuna sandwiches and chicken fried steak. And you can "woof" it all down with cocktails-- or choose from a selection of over 100 different brews in bottles and on tap.

This colorful, rustic cantina is famous for its muy delicioso Mex-Tex classics, like tacos al pastor, fajitas and chicken mole enchiladas. But you'll be missing out if you don't try the cafe's specialty that had Guy Fieri slurping with delight-- the albondiga soup, a comforting bowl of fragrant broth with flavorful omelet-like patties of meat and vegetables. Guy also went loco for the beef tacos nortenos, one of several dishes that come slathered in a heavenly chipotle wine sauce. Speaking of getting sauced, the margaritas here are muy potent. Grab a few to swish down on the comfy patio, it's a perfect way to pass the evening.

The sandwich artists at this funky mom and pop shop crank out some of the finest things between sliced bread, or in this case-- grilled sourdough, baguettes and buns. The rotating menu of sammiches includes everything from sinfully delicious Cubans and shaved rib-eyes to a veggie bahn mi (BunMi) and melt-in-your-mouth slow-roasted pork. If you want to pig out, ask for the piggly wiggly-- a burger topped with cheddar, bacon, slow-roasted pork, pickles, onions and secret sauce. Equally epic are Uber's hand-cut fries with house-made habanero ranch. There's also a stellar selection of craft and regional brews to wash it all down with. Better still, Uncle Ubers hosts an array of nightly events, ranging from live music to trivia nights.

Monkey King may be a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint with a select choice of offerings, but that clearly doesn't deter people from lining up around the block for Andrew Chen's hand-pulled noodles. The menu consists of authentic Northern Chinese street food, which includes a variety of noodle dishes topped with items ranging from spicy garlic and peanuts to slow braised beef shank. Equally delicious are the dumplings, especially the soup dumplings, featuring flavorful pockets of chicken, pork and seafood broth. Although there is no seating inside, diners can eat their noodle concoctions on the go, or try to snag a seat on the rooftop patio. Monkey King also has a nice backyard BYOB biergarten that opens up on weekends. While you wait for your food to be prepared, be sure to peep in the window to watch Chen's noodle making in action.

This jovial neighborhood watering hole is not only the perfect place to wet your whistle with a selection of more than 65 varieties of bottled and tapped brews, it's also the place to tuck into some excellent pub grub. The reasonably priced menu features a massive selection of appetizers, as well as everything from pizzas, pastas and burgers to steaks and fish. Standouts include St. Pete's lucky dog with chili, grilled onions and cheese, as well as the dancing tuna sandwich with cilantro-chile glazed grilled tuna. The place really packs a house on weekends when local musicians like Josh Hendrick and Joe Tucker put on an awesome show.

If you're looking for patties with personality and a funky ambiance to boot, then twist your way over to this epic burger mecca where you can order burgers made with everything from black Angus beef, poultry and black beans to exotic wild game like kangaroo, ostrich and camel. As well, you can customize your burger even more with a myriad of home-made condiments and toppings, ranging from potato chips and beer-sautéed onions to guacamole and peanut butter. Or go with Guy Fieri's fave-- the half-pound Western Burger with house-made barbecue sauce, pepper Jack cheese, bacon, fried onion strings and jalapenos. Wash it all down with one of the homemade root beers. Or better yet, grab a seat on the rooftop patio and indulge in a boozy milkshake with Frangelico and chocolate vodka.

There's always something pleasing to look at and spectacular to devour at this upscale modern American cafe tucked away in the historic Boyd Hotel building. Inside the sleek environs-- replete with several cozy dining areas, you'll find a seasonally composed menu by owner/chef Tracy Miller. Here, diners can choose from a seven course, prix-fixe tasting menu-- or order à la carte options that range from pan-seared lobster cakes with lemon dill cream to herb crusted lamb shanks and gourmet burgers. While Local serves wine and beer only, creative cocktails like the prosecco mojito and sake pear martini more than make up for the lack of spirits. The signature "chocolate composed" dessert of chocolate soufflé, brownie cookies and a mini Ovaltine malt makes for an ideal finish.

We agree with Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Il Cane Rosso's deliciously addictive pizzas, with wood-fired crusts and top-notch artisanal ingredients, are arguably among the best in the country. And according to the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, these orbs, specifically the Neapolitan, are as good as you can find in Italy. Even more tasty are the pizzas that come with unique toppings; especially the Delia, with house-made mozzarella, arugula and bacon marmalade. Along with pizzas, you'll find other savory things to chomp into, ranging from fried artichokes to sandwiches and hand-crafted pastas. Just as rustic as its food is the restaurant's charming decor featuring exposed brick walls, rafter ceilings and Moulin Rouge style chandeliers. Grab a seat at the bar where you can watch the pizzas sizzle in the wood-burning oven, or head out to the dog friendly patio to enjoy even more of the local vibe.

Before heating up Deep Ellum's dining scene with his elegant gastronomic studio, Twenty-Seven, David Anthony Temple (also known as Chef DAT) was cooking up the best underground dining experiences in Dallas and beyond. The restaurant's name comes from the fact that it only takes twenty seven reservations for each of the two prix-fixe dinner seatings. However, it's also named for the famous musicians who died at that age--so expect to see a rock 'n' roll theme incorporated into the decor. As far as food, chef DAT's flawlessly executed feasts cover everything from six course dinners of vegetarian, seafood or wild game to signature seasonal menus with dishes like smoked cod with candied grapefruit and fennel pollen, and sous vide Akaushi beef. The convivial vibe continues around midnight when the place turns into an upscale Casablanca style gin joint serving up craft cocktails and live musical entertainment.

Dallas is filled with barbecue joints, but none can compare with the smoky goodness coming out of this rustic barbecue haven. Pecan Lodge's cue is so good that Texas Monthly named it one of the top BBQ joints in the state, and Food Network's Guy Fieri featured it on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Here, people line up daily just to get their fix of house-made sausages, mesquite smoked brisket and mouthwatering ribs. Along with epic barbecue, you can also sink your teeth into everything from southern fried chicken and mac n' cheese to a signature dish called the "hot mess" which consists of a massive sweet potato stuffed with southwestern seasoned brisket and chipotle cream cheese. Save room for Aunt Polly's banana pudding--your taste buds will thank you for it.