Fireside Pies

Description:

• While Fireside serves up the best New York-style pizza in Dallas, locals talk about this funky, casual, and energetic place in the revered tones usually used for fine dining -- which means it's packed every night. They don't take reservations, so that often means you're in for a wait. But hang in there and have a beer, because the wait is worth it. The hand-stretched, pecan-wood-fired pies are spectacularly fresh and scrumptious, as well as monstrous in size. They use a "heavy-handed" cheese blend of mozzarella, fontina, fontinella, and Parmegiano Reggiano. Picking faves from the creative list is hugely difficult, though the Peta Pie (goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, arugula, roasted red peppers, and roasted pinyon nuts) has my name all over it. There are also great fresh salads (also huge) and grinders, and beer by the pitcher, a compact wine list, and a full range of cocktails and soda floats. Whether you're inside the plant-filled main room or out on the patio, you'll be in good company, with a crowd of cheerful regulars. Its success has led to expansion, and there are now locations at 7709 Inwood Rd. (tel. 214/357-3800) and in Plano at 5717 Legacy Dr. (tel. 972/398-2700).

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010