A Cut Above

This prime Dallas steakhouse shows the rest of the country how it’s done

It might seem tricky for a steakhouse to stand out in a beef mecca such as Texas, but carnivorous connoisseurs know how to track down the best with just one magic word: Bob’s.

Founded in 1993 on Dallas’ Lemmon Avenue, Bob’s Steak & Chop House has since grown into a national destination for diners seeking large cuts of excellent beef prepared without gimmicks. The chefs don’t need to rely on trendy cooking techniques or of-the-moment fads, as the steaks are always Prime, which means they are designated in the top 2 percent of all beef, including the famous Prime filet, a cut rarely found in most steakhouses.

Each cut is served with Bob’s signature glazed carrot and a choice of potato, which can also be complemented by an array of family-style sides such as macaroni and cheese, creamed corn, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh asparagus. And the bread. How could anyone ever forget the hot loaf of freshly baked bread that wafts its irresistible scent over the table as soon as it’s set down?

But it’s not just the sides and steaks — which range from tender filets to juicy rib-eyes to a succulent bone-in strip — that have drawn devoted fans. It’s the personalized service, from the moment the valet greets you to when the host bids you goodnight, that has cemented Bob’s as the steakhouse of choice for many.

How many? Well, over the years Bob’s has expanded into Grapevine, Plano, Fort Worth, and in the luxe Omni Dallas Hotel downtown, as well as Austin, The Woodlands, San Antonio, California, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee — with more on the way.

But it doesn’t matter which Bob’s you visit, as the food, drinks, and service are always top-notch. And if you need a break from beef, options such as fresh fish of the day, rack of lamb, broiled salmon, coldwater lobster tails, or roasted duck are ready and waiting. Because each dish is prepared in-house, there are never unidentified ingredients to get in the way of a classically delicious dinner.

And that’s exactly why Bob’s has carved out a name for itself not only in Texas, but all over the nation, as the site of steak done right.

At Bob's, the steaks are served with the signature glazed carrot and choice of potato.

Photo courtesy of Bob's Steak & Chop House

At Bob's, the steaks are served with the signature glazed carrot and choice of potato.

Hummus News

Revered family-owned Mediterranean restaurant debuts in North Dallas

Samantha Marie Photography

Zon Zon food spread

An upscale Mediterranean restaurant is coming to North Dallas from a trusted name: Called Zon Zon, it'll open at 5455 Belt Line Rd. #130, in the Work/Shop center, and it's hospitality group Yela Concepts led by Yaser Khalaf (Darna, Baboush), together with his son Mak Khalef in their first collaboration.

According to a release, it'll open on December 22.

Named for Mak's sister Zaina (“Zon Zon”), the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner with a refined take on Mediterranean dining, rooted in tradition but with modern influences.

"We tried to merge what embodies Mediterranean cuisine with dishes that people in Dallas love," Mak says. "A lot of the dishes we have on menu are Mediterranean but have American and Texan influences."

Mezze favorites include hummus topped with green shatta and extra-virgin olive oil; baba ghanoush with charred eggplant, tahini, dukka, and pomegranate; crispy cauliflower with saffron labneh; tuna neya with tahini, mixed pickles, and Aleppo pepper; and kibbeh with ground lamb, onions, pine nuts, and dill labneh.

Salads include seared tuna salad with freekeh and golden beets; Tahini Caesar with tahini–Caesar dressing and za’atar croutons; and roasted beets with burrata, oranges, and pistachios.

Entrées include roasted chicken with garlic-batata and pomegranate jus; chicken shish kebab over saffron rice with almonds and raisins; hanger steak shawarma frites — a clever twist on steak frites with hand-cut fries; ZZ’s Wagyu cheeseburger with smoked provolone and house pickles; Prime ribeye with za’atar chimichurri and heirloom carrots; and apricot lamb couscous.

The beverage program complements the menu with a Mediterranean-focused wine list and creative cocktails such as the coffee-kissed Midnight Istanbul and ZZ’s Margarita, with burnt pineapple and ras el hanout.

Designed in collaboration with Dallas-based Coeval Studios, the restaurant features a 2,130-square-foot interior with an expansive 735-square-foot patio that seats 76, for a total occupancy near 100.

The restaurant boasts an open kitchen, while decorative finishes include modern woodwork, rich textures, and Middle Eastern-inspired details — stylish yet inviting, with a setting that feels like home.

“The inspiration behind Zon Zon came from wanting to create the kind of place we’ve always wished existed — a neighborhood Mediterranean spot that feels both familiar and exciting - we wanted to create a comfortable space where guests can meet up with friends or neighbors on a regular basis,” says Yaser in a statement.

Mak went to college to sudy biomedical engineering, but says he couldn't resist the lure of the restaurant world in which he grew up.

"Zon Zon is a reflection of everything we love about food," Mak says. "What makes this especially meaningful is building it with my dad — bringing our family’s story and passion to the table."

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