13 February 15 - 21, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Dallas’ 10 Worst Date Restaurants Looking to subtly move on? Whether it’s Chuck E. Cheese or Medieval Times, some restau- rants could help make breaking up easy. BY CARLY MAY GRAVLEY R ecently, the topic of good and bad date locations has blown up on social media. Viral videos ranging from praising a night out at Waffle House to bemoan- ing a first date at The Cheesecake Factory have sparked much debate on what’s OK versus what’s tacky when it comes to taking someone you like out to eat. We put out a call on Threads for terrible date night suggestions and several of their re- sponses made our list. Here are some restaurants that are less than ideal for setting a romantic mood. Applebee’s Multiple locations These massive chain restaurants have a bad reputation when it comes to planning a date, so much so that we could’ve stacked this list with them and received zero backlash. In fairness, however, they’re not all so bad. Red Lobster has an ironclad co-sign from Be- yonce, and there’s no denying that Olive Garden’s breadsticks go hard. While we may like Applebee’s Dollarita season, it’s particu- larly in our crossfire here due to the Walker Hayes single “Fancy Like,” where he brags his wife is so low-maintenance she doesn’t protest Applebee’s dates. Bottled Blonde 505 N. Good Latimer Expressway Bottled Blonde is a lot of things, but a good place to get to know someone isn’t one of them. The rowdy nightclub vibe makes holding a conversation nearly impossible. But if a little noise doesn’t deter you, this spot’s reputation for discrimination towards patrons, confusing dress code policies and frequent instances of customers getting robbed just might. If all of these things scream romance to both you and your date, congrats on finding your soulmate. There really is someone for everyone. Chuck E. Cheese Multiple locations There are all kinds of date night spots that combine food and games that we wholly recommend. The difference is that places like Dave & Buster’s and Barcadia are not only more oriented toward adults than Chuck E. Cheese, but they’re also not bankrupt shells of their former selves. Those of you who haven’t dined with Charles Entertainment Cheese since his heyday in the ‘90s may have fond memo- ries of seemingly massive spaces with state-of-the-art games, towering play structures and performances from the world’s greatest animatronic rodent band. The remaining locations boast only a handful of games, no play area and no ani- matronics. A date here speaks for itself. American Girl Place 13464 Dallas Parkway American Girl Place is the dream destination for a child to have tea and snacks with their American Girl doll. But as far as date night spots for adults, the vibes could not be more rancid. It’s impossible to have flirty banter when you’re surrounded by the blank, soul- less stare of Samantha, Molly and friends. If you, for whatever reason, don’t think a date at this spot is creepy as hell, don’t worry. All of the children and their parents do. Medieval Times 2021 N. Stemmons Freeway Jousting, Andalusian horses and eating roasted chicken with your hands while watching a sword fight — what’s not to like? Plus, at Medieval Times drinking and screaming are highly encouraged. To make the show even juicier, according to Reddit, there’s always backstage drama with the cast: “There was a night where the bar staff got a section to consistently boo one of the nights [sic] for cheating on his then girl- friend who happened to be a princess who was performing that night.” But never un- derestimate the magnetism of a winning knight who gets to crown the prettiest dame. Inside everyone is hoping the winning knight picks them out of the crowd. Big knight energy for the win every time. You don’t stand a chance. Sky Bar Lounge Love Field Here’s our best bad date idea: Surprise your partner by waking them up at the crack of dawn and announcing that you’re going to the airport. They’ll be dazzled by the prospect of a surprise vacation. When you get to Love Field, walk them through baggage claim, then up es- calators where you’ll find a Dunkin’ Donuts and the Sky Bar Lounge. (No boarding passes or security checks are required in this area.) The Sky Bar has a full bar and hot dogs on a roller. And then immediately go back home. To quote ourselves about 100 words ago, “What a fun and quirky way to start a fight.” Dick’s Last Resort 2211 N. Lamar St. Everyone knows the deal at Dick’s Last Resort. The waiters are comically rude and make you wear hats with insults on them. We’re not say- ing it’s a bad spot for a couple with a sense of humor, but we are saying that if you despise and resent your date, drive the point home by agreeing with every insult the servers hurls at them. You could say things like, “Sorry, babe. I didn’t think they got so personal.” What a fun and quirky way to start a fight. Market Street Deli, Plano 1929 Preston Road We understand the appeal of serving food in a grocery store. If you’re out shopping with your family, it’s a quick and convenient spot to grab chicken, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. But this is undeniably a bizarre spot to bring a date, especially if you don’t live or shop for groceries together. But why Market Street? And why this specific loca- tion? Two words: personal experience. The Lodge 10530 Spangler Road Strip clubs and Medieval Times have a lot more in common than you may think. They both have a specific vibe and a performance element that not everyone considers roman- tic. If you and your partner are both down to hang out there for a date night, have at it. However, if your partner isn’t so keen, tell them The Lodge has a $40 dinner-for-two deal and $6 lunches, and play the “inflation is killer” card. But for the love of God, don’t pitch this to someone if you’re not certain they’ll be cool with it. Arlington Survey says!? The place most readers voted as the worst place to take a date was simply Arlington. Just don’t tell FIFA, which just awarded the city nine World Cup games. As much of a gift as this is, it was followed with a slap: they’re going to call it Dallas Stadium for the tournament. There is great Vietnam- ese food in Arlington, though. Mike Brooks You can smell the nzzz nzzz nzzz in the air at Bottled Blonde. | CITY OF ATE | t Dish >> p14 1713 N Market St. - Dallas - TX 214. 468. 4729 Reserve a Table at TheLiamsSteakhouse.com in Dallas’ NOW OPEN
