Addressing the Problem of the Dinner Dilemma

The Big Decision

If your family is like mine, then the topic of where to eat for dinner is usually highly debated, and with all of the options available around us, it becomes almost impossible to pick just one. I’m going to try and do you a favor by telling you some of my personal favorites so that maybe, your decision will be a little easier.

First of all, let’s tackle one of the hardest parts about picking a place: deciding what type of food you even want. If you are looking for something spicy, I would recommend trying out a Mexican or Thai restaurant. Either of these restaurant types offers a delicious mix between tradition and spice. If you’re not big on spice, though, and you want something hearty and more filling, than American or Italian is the way to go. After every meal you will feel so stuffed it’s hard to get out of your seat after dinner. Maybe, though, you might want a nice, quick, light meal, and if this sounds appealing, then you might want to find a Mediterranean restaurant or a nice sandwich shop. All of these options are good but finding out what you’re in the mood for isn’t the only step to picking a good place for dinner.

The next things that can help you to determine what you’re in the mood for is finding out how much time you’re willing to spend. While you might want a fast meal or to-go order, it also might be a time where you are willing to sit down and enjoy the meal. So, take the time factor into consideration with your planning as well.

Between deciding on these two factors, while you won’t have an exact restaurant, finding out where to go becomes much easier. With this in mind, let me get into the actual places I would recommend.

Quality Quick Bites

Starting off the article, I would like to tell you about some nice quick ideas. Starting off this list is a Mexican joint called Rusty Taco. Rusty Taco is a fast food taco spot right across the street from Jesuit. I’m sure most Rangers have had the joyous opportunity to indulge in one of their fresh, flavorful, delicious tacos; however I still think whether you’ve have or haven’t had it before, heading over to grab a nice meal here is always worth the trip.

If Mexican isn’t calling your name and you want some heartier bites, I would recommend heading to a good BBQ joint. One of my personal favorites that always hits the spot is Rudy’s. Although you can find better BBQ out there, there is truly nothing as consistent and quick as Rudy’s. Rudy’s is a chain of BBQ restaurants all over the South that offers mouth watering and soul filling meats, sides, and toppings. During these warmer months, there is nothing better than to sink your teeth into some nice brisket, and Rudy’s is an easy way of achieving this.

Continuing on the topic of juicy, tender meat, an even quicker alternative to Rudy’s is Wingstop. Wingstop, although not a beef-focused establishment, provides some quick delectable options. Aside from their ranch which is to die for, they have every flavor of sauce and seasoning you could ever need for your wings, not to mention the fries and corn which is so good it’ll have you forgetting you’ve ever needed anything else in life. Buffalo Wild Wings, which was my go-to wing place for years is insignificant compared to Wingstop, not to mention Wingstop being more affordable, always crispier, and always fresher.

If you’re looking for something lighter though, grabbing a sandwich should always be a go-to. This is because sandwiches are almost entirely customizable, from the bread type, vegetables, to the sauces and cheese, there truly is something for everyone. A sandwich shop that I think does a great job making some of the best sandwiches you’ll ever have is Potbelly. Potbelly is a sandwich shop that unlike places like Subway and Jimmy Johns due to how it makes subs that don’t get soggy right away. Instead, they make delicious sandwiches using bread that keeps its shape, giving it the authentic feel as if you or your parents made it fresh. Although it feels a bit homier, let me tell you it is far from basic. They use the freshest of ingredients and toast the bread to just the right crispiness to ensure the perfect bite. Another perk is that it is a quick fix, typically taking no more than 15 minutes to go in and out.

Scrumptious Sit-Down Spots

If you’re willing to sit down though and enjoy some good company, you are provided a whole different set of options. The first sit-down place I personally would recommend is Ka Thai over on Arapaho Rd. Ka Thai provides some really good authentic Thai food with gentle attentive service, resulting in a really nice family meal. Between their sweet exotic limeades to the exquisite Thai food bursting with flavor, there is truly something for everyone (they even have chicken strips). If you love Thai food than I can guarantee you that this place will give you just the satisfaction for your cravings.

Moving on, I want to tell you about one of my favorite Italian places, located in the Village on the parkway called Pie Tap. Pie Tap is a pizzeria that finds a way to take a upscale spin on Italian cuisine while still maintaining a casual atmosphere and reasonable prices. With starters like their sourdough garlic knots to delicious pizzas and pastas, you’ll always leave with a full stomach and happy taste buds.

A Heartwarming Hidden Gem

Moving on to a much lesser known spot that I think should be 10x more popular than it is would be my favorite Mediterranean fusion: Ardy’s. Not to be confused with Arby’s, Ardy’s offers fresh delicious foods like kebabs, gyros, and savory grape leaves; the food there truly heals the soul after every meal. Mediterranean food is always good, but at Ardy’s, they find a way to make it even better. Not to mention, they have a policy that if you don’t use your phone for the duration of the meal, they will give you an order of delicious cream puffs for free!

The Sensational Summary

Finding out where to eat is never easy but I hope that you at least got some new ideas from this article. While finding out where to eat is always an almost impossible task, it is usually easier when you have some solid options to pick from instead of starting from scratch. I’m sure that you might have other favorite places to eat at, but I can tell you first hand that if you don’t know where to go or want to try something new, these are all solid picks. I hope that reading this article was helpful and I was able to tell you about some new places that you’ll try out.

Tune into The Roundup for more food and restaurant reviews!