Whether you're celebrating Father's Day for the first time, planning a father-son night on the town or simply taking the whole family out to dinner, this year can be even more special with just a few tips. We asked the dads in our office to toss out some words of wisdom, and these are their responses. Of course there's no shortage of things to do or places to eat here in Irving, so we've listed just some of their favorite picks for you.  

 

Father's Day Hint #1 - Home Cooking

Dad's not only suffered through a year and a half of home schooling, home officing, and home haircuts, he's also been dreaming of eating out at his favorite restaurant or just wanting a night out alone with Mom. Whatever Dad desires, take time to visit with him and find out what HE likes. You might be surprised if he chooses a home-cooked meal. He's probably forgotten what else is out there. But rather than eating in, why not take him out and let someone else do the home cooking? Just in case Dad gets stuck making a decision, here are some home-cooking hints . . . 

 

Po Melvins

4070 N Belt Line Rd  |  972-255-3919

 

There is nothing po' about Po' Melvin's. Their fried shrimp platter is perfect, like dining-out-on-the-coast perfect, all crispy and delicate. And the chicken and dumplings are just what your momma makes - freshly cooked and shredded chicken, paired with melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. Their service is also down home and friendly, just like their food. People drive from miles away to eat here. Your dad will love it too!


Mama's Daughter's Diner

2412 W Shady Grove Rd  |  972-790-2778

 

Mama's Daughter's Diner serves up southern comfort food big enough for a man's appetite. Their daily specials come with three sides and a basket of rolls or cornbread. On Father's Day, choose from chicken and dressing, meat loaf, breaded or grilled catfish, roast beef and gravy, grilled or chicken-fried chicken, or the locals' favorite - chicken fried steak.

Mama says you can also have breakfast for dinner, and they serve it all day long. If Dad is craving something hearty, I recommend Mama's Favorite Breakfast with eggs, hash browns and homemade biscuits with sausage gravy. Add some bacon, sausage or ham and that takes care of the major food groups. What the heck, you might as well add a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream on the side. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. 

 

Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar

3225 Regent Blvd  |  469-941-2253
 

When you bring Dad to Whiskey Cake, tell him he has to try the Chicken Waffles. It is a huge pile of food! The well-marinated chicken tenders are covered in a thick and crunchy batter.  Paired with the waffle, eggs and syrup, it's an explosion of taste in every bite. Everything on the menu is made from scratch using slow-cooking methods on a live-wood grill, smoker, and spit. Why? Because food just tastes better that way.

Be sure to invite Jack Daniels or Johnny Walker to your table, well, because whiskey is their first name after all. There are over 100 different brands of whiskey from Texas to around the world. And you didn't think I'd forget to tell you about the cake, did you? Imagine a toffee torte smothered in bourbon anglaise, topped with spiced pecans and house made vanilla whipped cream. I'll leave you to think about that for awhile.

 

Father's Day Hint #2 - Hidden Gems

Keep things flexible with Dad. Go ahead and make plans, but if he decides at the last minute that he's craving something completely different, be open to go with the flow. Here are some ideas for the more out-of-the-ordinary places to go. We call them "Irving's Hidden Gems."

 

Mi Comal Mexican Restaurant

1411 N. Belt Line Rd  |  972-790-2662
 

Mi Comal has some great, down-to-earth, hand-made tacos and more. They are an authentic family-owned restaurant who continues to impress locals and visitors alike. As one of our local foodies, Mark McKee, explains, "Their tabilatas and tortilla soup are incredible and the salsa needs a sippy cup for the road, it's that good!" They always say that when visiting a new town, you should ask the locals where to eat, so there ya go.

 

Bout Tyme BBQ

4002 N. Belt Line Rd  |  469-890-9975
 
May be an image of food

 

Chef Keith Stokes cooks up some of the best St. Louis-style barbeque in Irving, but you won't find him inside a restaurant. The Bout Tyme food truck is located on the northeast corner of Belt Line Road and Country Club Drive, in front of the Valero gas station. If your dad desires great fall-off-the-bone barbecue, then this is the hidden gem you're looking for. Their hours are from 12-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.

 

Empa Mundo

3977 N Belt Line Rd  |  972-746-4516
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Featured in D Magazine and landing the Best in Irving award for over four years in a row, Empa Mundo also made Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States in 2018. Their gourmet Argentinean empanadas include American flavors such as pizza, brisket and chicken, but you should try the Chilipanzinga for an explosion of spices or the vegetarian Humita with corn, onions, cheese and white sauce. They come with a chimichurri dipping sauce to create a taste that'll keep you coming back for more. And don't forget dessert. Besides their gourmet cookies, they also offer sweet empanadas such as banana & Nutella, camote with sweet potato and marshmallow, or my top choice, guava and cream cheese. This place is your favorite that you didn't know you loved.

 

Father's Day Hint #3 - New Tastes

If Dad is adventurous, be bold and suggest trying out new foods. Irving locals know there's a diverse selection of cuisine found mostly in other parts of the world, right here in our own back yard. Bring Dad the taste of South America, Japan or India, without ever leaving Irving.

 

Blaze Brazilian Steakhouse

310 W Las Colinas Blvd  |  469-208-7977
 

First of all, Brazilian meats are the bomb! And now Blaze Brazilian Steakhouse is serving Lobster Tail as an add-on. The selection of food alone will impress Dad, and the experience of dining with gauchos serving your meat tableside is a real treat. Your dad will be at a loss for words, well, because his mouth will be full.

 

Edoko Omakase

1030 W John Carpenter Fwy #100  |  972-600-8626
 

The chefs at Edoko boast that they don't make everything, they make everything special. And they are right! Whether Dad wants to try their sushi, teriyaki chicken or bulgogi toban, everything on the menu is fresh and flavorful. They will take the time to explain what everything is and where it comes from, but you can impress Dad and do your homework first. For example, bulgogi toban is a popular preparation of Japanese beef. Toban refers to the ceramic skillet in which it's prepared and bulgogi is a traditional beef marinade. Once the beef has been marinating in these flavorful bulgogi juices, Edoko cooks it to perfection and serves it with mushrooms, shishito, onion and jidori. 

 

Our Place Indian Cuisine

8150 N MacArthur Blvd  |  214-574-7406
 

Our Place brings traditional Tandoor (Indian clay ovens) cooking to Irving with South Indian specialties like masala dosa - a crepe made with lentil and rice flour then stuffed with potato curry; Tandoori favorites like chicken tikka - boneless chicken marinated in yogurt with special herbs and spices; and Indian-Chinese cuisine like ginger chicken - deep fried chicken cooked in special ginger sauce, served with egg fried rice. There is so much to choose from on the menu, so I would recommend asking the staff to tempt you with their selection based on your tastes. Lunch buffet is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

 

Father's Day Hint #4 - Decisions, Decisions

This solution has solved many conflicts with my own dad when trying to figure out what or where he wanted to eat. Use the 5-2-1 rule. When you ask Dad where he wants to eat for Father's Day and he says, "I dunno," just pick out five or your favorite restaurants or types of foods. Out of those five, let him choose two. Out of those two, you pick the one you like best. Dad will either agree and be thankful he didn't have to make a decision, or he'll hate the idea and come up with his own choice. Problem solved.

To help you choose your top five, here are some Irving restaurants serving up Father's Day specials (and some exciting events, too).

 

  • The Ranch - dine-in brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. A variety of stations will be set up, including the Breakfast and Hearty Selections station, Texas seafood bar, salads station, carving station, taco station and a bread and dessert station. $48.95, $19.95 for ages 9-13, $12.95 for ages 5-8, free for ages 4 and younger.

  • Mexican Sugar - dine-in brunch on Sunday, June 20, features cajeta French toast with pan dulce, crème anglaise, cajeta sauce and whipped cream; vanilla cinnamon pancakes topped with seasonal fruit; the breakfast Americano with two over-easy farm eggs, salsa verde, salsa roja, chile spiced bacon, corn tortillas and cilantro potato hash; and chicken chilaquiles with pulled chicken, salsa, queso fresco, avocado and a sunny-side up farm egg. Drinks include mimosas and the Bloody Maria.

  • Via Real - offers a Father's Day Brunch Buffet featuring Prime Rib on Sunday, June 20, at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Cost is $32 for adults and $12 for children. Reservations are required.

  • Pie Five Pizza - offers a BOGO online special on Saturday, June 19. Buy one personal pizza, get one for free. Offer is valid for signature pizzas and pies with up to five toppings. Just mention this deal when ordering your favorite pizza.

  • LAW Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort and Club - offers a four-course a la carte barbecue brunch on Sunday, June 20. Chef Christof Syré will be featuring a special menu for $95 per adult and $45 for kids under 12. Including two complimentary mimosas or bloody marys. The meal includes a seafood platter and Texas peach and arugula salad to start. Then choose between a brunch item of tomato soup, bacon Benedict, or French toast. Main options include quail, beef rib roast, salmon steak, and charred summer squash. For dessert, choose between a deconstructed cherry jubilee or strawberry rhubarb cheesecake.

  • The Keg - offers a special 3-course steak and lobster dinner on Sunday, June 20, including salad and Billy Miner Pie for dessert. In addition, Dad will receive a $25 voucher for a future visit! Cost is $60/person. Reservations are required.

  • Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill - free 16 OZ Draft Beer for Dads on Sunday, June 20th.

  • Splatter Day at Irving Mall - bring Dad to the Mall on Saturday, June 19, from 12 - 4 p.m. and create a masterpiece on canvas. Park by the entrance closest to ITS Academy. Event is located across from Vision Works. Advance tickets are required. Cost is $30.

  • Stumpy's Hatchet House - work up an appetite or work off what you ate with Stumpy's Father's Day special offer - free throws for Dad with two paying guests. Reservations are going fast, so call today and reserve your time. Sunday hours are 2-8 p.m.

  • Pinstack Bowl - features The Man-The Myth-The Steak special. From June 14-20, Dad can enjoy a 35 oz. tomahawk steak with mac & cheese, asparagus, and a 20pt game card for just $42. Availability is limited.