If you’re looking for an afternoon detour, why not take a trip through Dallas County by way of driving the Belt Line Road Loop! It’s a feat most Dallasites have never undertaken in one single drive, but sections of it might even be part of your normal commute. It probably can be split up by parts in order to complete more realistically, but for those who dare to tackle this quest in one go ‘round, you can prepare for some good eats on each stretch of the square-like “loop”! From the rolling hills of Cedar Hill, TX to the hoppin’ night life of Addison, TX, there really is more to see than you think! Belt Line has multiple street name changes as you travel through 16 cities along the outer edges of Dallas County. The dichotomy of affluence and poverty from suburbia to more rural areas can bee seen along your car stroll. All of the drive can be followed along a map through all the name and setting changes, but be careful at FM 1382 in DeSoto, it’s a real trickster! Not only will your Tour de Belt Line take you all around Dallas County, the food will take you all around the world!
Buttons - Addison, TX
Buttons excites its eaters with jazzy entertainment and southern food that will feed the soul. Stop by the Addison location, just right off Belt Line Rd. and Addison Rd., for a taste into a world of snazzy, colorful, and soul inspiring classic comfort food. Be ready for southern hospitality and food infused with the flare of rhythm and blues. Chef Hicks offers you a menu jam packed with traditional southern favorites like fried chicken and waffles, collard greens, and pot roast. Stop in for weekday happy hour from 3-7 for half-price starters and drink specials galore! Get jazzed on good eatin'!
White Rhino Coffee House - Cedar Hill, TX
www.whiterhinocoffee.com
230 West Belt Line Road
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
972-293-7361
Get Directions
Sometimes the work week can seem never ending. Therefore White Rhino Coffee off of Beltline and FM 1382 in Cedar Hill says take a micro-break from the world through a freshly brewed cup o’ Joe. White Rhino Coffee loves to cultivate a space fun and laughter, which is also chill enough to bring your laptop and headphones to work uninterrupted. It allows family and friends to get together and enjoy great coffee and snacks. There is nothing like a fresh-brewed hot or iced coffee made just the way you like it. For those of us who need a serious pick me up and can not decide what to get, LYD recommends getting the Sebastian Signature Drink or the Toasted Coconut Signature Drink. Both drinks are ice blended coffee drinks with a signature component that separates them from the rest. The Sebastian has a sweet cinnamon-y coffee mixture while the Toasted Coconut has a hint of fresh, finely chopped up coconut mixed with creamy whip cream and coffee. Iced tea lovers rejoice, White Rhino’s selection is fantastic! Order the Chamomile Citrus WRCH offers a variety of drinks and food from Italian sodas, teas, and fruit blended smoothies to brownies, cookies, and sandwiches.
Visit your “Home away from home” with WRCH’s selections of board games and movies offered, relaxing couches, work tables and desks to get that caffeine mind going, open computers to research and check your email, the outside patio which is considered puppy-friendly, or a just space to just enjoy getting wired on coffee. The environment of White Rhino welcomes all ages, its drinks and munchies introduce eye-opening flavors and spices to your life, and its pull-up to-go area allows you to relax and bask in the glory of the getting a micro-break from the world while not moving an inch from the inside of your ride.
India Garden - Garland, TX
Once again the Loop does not disappoint! At the shopping center where Broadway Blvd takes over for a portion of Belt Line Rd. lies a true gem of a restaurant. India Garden has many options to offer due to their extensive menu with chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, an every-day lunch buffet, and a colorful Sunday brunch. No matter the time of your arrival, just make sure you start your meal with one of their appetizers like the Masala Dosa. India Garden offers a vast array of authentic Indian fare for those new to Indian food or those who craze it on a daily basis. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful in guiding the curious eater by pointing out the most appetizing dishes. The food is spicy and infused with a number of flavors to awaken your senses. But what a find for Garland and the Belt Line Loop!
Argentina Bakery - Irving, TX
www.argentinabakery.com
3401 W Airport Fwy # 112
Irving, TX 75062-5931
972-252-4809
Get directions
Since the Dallas Cowboys picked up and headed to Arlington, Dallasites haven’t had as much travel to Irving. Well, let your stomach guide you as you buckle up in your ride and cross the Trinity River over to the Westside for a real treat! Irving is housing a true shining star of a coffee shop and bakery with authentic South American fare too boot. Argentina Bakery off the Irving stretch of The Loop is serving up deliciously enticing “postres”, or desserts, with fresh brewed coffee. Argentina Bakery offers up traditional cakes, cookies, pastries, snack items as well as being an international grocery store with imports straight from the mother country. Argentineans are famous for their affinity for beef and dulce de leche, their version of caramel. Argentineans really know how to indulge and take a break from your busy life and Argentina Bakery really highlights the essence of that.
Grab an empanada from Argentina Bakery for a quick snack of a puffed pastry meat pie filled with savory ingredients that range from ham and cheese to eggs and beef. Wash that down with a shot of Argentinean-brewed espresso or a Green Tea Smoothie for a real pick-me-up! Use their Wi-Fi and a table or cozy chair to relax for a bit while enjoying some homemade snacks and pies. If your sweet tooth is really aching for some goods, then you definitely have hit the right spot! Ask the staff for a translation of some of the pastries as the bakery has kept the original names, but your eyes will surely do the choosing here any way! Eclairs, fruit tarts, Trufas, Masitas, Tarteletas, Piononos, Besitos, Conitos, and Alfajores, everything is sweet and delicious! Most Argentinean desserts are not as sweet as American specialties, but they definitely hold their own! What a great refreshment break from the road!
Joe’s Italian Café - Addison, TX
Belt Line, baby; this road has it all! Pull over for an Italian food break or take that lady or fella of yours on an affordable but classy night out by way of Joe’s Italian Cafe in Addison. Take in the fine aromas of homemade Italian cooking while sipping on a glass of wine, but only if you’re the one in the passenger seat of course! Fresh Italian pastas, homemade sausages, and desserts are all made on site at a reasonable price for your eating enjoyment. Enjoy a quiet, romantic Italian night for two at Joe’s Italian Café or dinner with close friends before you hit the town. Joe’s has such a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home, but better, with a gourmet chef at your fingertips! And holy cannoli, don't forget dessert!!!
