94 September 21 - 27, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER contents | shopping & services | Arts & entertAinment | Food & drink | sports & recreAtion Best Fried Catfish Ronnie’s Catfish & More Not all catfish joints are created equal. There are standard joints and then there is Ronnie’s Catfish & More, which might be in a league of its own. With multiple locations throughout the area, Ronnie’s has built a reputation for serving exceptional, succulent and expertly fried catfish. Whether you opt for catfish nuggets, tails or fillets, each is flawlessly fried to golden brown perfection, delivering a delicate crunch that gives way to the tender meat inside. What sets Ronnie’s apart is the well-seasoned and carefully crafted batter that achieves the ideal balance of crispiness while allowing the natural flavors of the catfish to shine through. 10729 Audelia Road, No. 113 469-372-0288 Best Gumbo Roots Southern Table A James Beard Award finalist in 2022, chef Tiffany Derry is serving up some of the best gumbo (My Mother’s Gumbo) in Dallas. We would even go so far as to say it is some of the best gumbo in Texas. Hers is a combination of chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp and blue crab, so you get the best of everything in a bowl of rich and savory roux. The roux is not as dark and thick as you often find in restaurants attempting to serve gumbo around here, which is a nod to a great gumbo. It’s served with an actual blue crab cluster, and if you’re willing to spend the time cracking the shell, you’ll find sweet chunks of crab meat hidden inside. 13050 Bee St., Farmers Branch 214-346-4441, rootssoutherntable.com Best Fried ChiCken Mike’s Chicken In a humble corner inside a family-owned laundromat, Tram Dao, a Vietnamese immigrant, embarked on a mission to craft the ultimate chicken tenders for her son Mike, known for his discerning (i.e., picky) palate. Over time, she expanded the menu to include bone-in fried chicken, fluffy, buttery biscuits, an array of savory sides and an assortment of flavorful dipping sauces (our favorite is Mike’s Sauce). Every order is prepared as it is received, ensuring that no chicken is left behind under heat lamps for extended periods of time. As a result, you must embrace a patient mindset upon entering, knowing that this is not a fast-food chicken joint. This fried chicken perfection is worth the wait. 4234 Maple Ave., 214-443-7822 7752 Forest Lane, 214-377-9575 mikeschicken.co Best Late-niGht GruB Thunderbird Station If you’re seeking some late-night sustenance to ward off the impending hangover after a night out in Deep Ellum, look no further than Thunderbird Station. Located in a converted service station, Thunderbird is a throwback to the groovy vibes of the ’70s with retro décor throughout, including a real Ford Thunderbird hanging above the bar. The unpretentious comfort food here hits the spot, such as Frito pie and the bologna sandwich, offered two ways. Larry’s Lunchbox is served cold with mustard, onions and cheese. Our favorite, the Boss, is served fried with cheese, grilled onion, jalapeños and secret sauce. 3400 Commerce St. 469-496-2655, thunderbirdstation.com Alison McLean BEST GUMBO & BEST SOUTHERN COOKING Roots Southern Table
