After the Round – Birdie’s Eastside

For those of us who play golf regularly, birdies are a good thing. And if you are a resident of East Dallas, you now have another option for some birdies, and it is just as good as the ones you make on the course. Birdie’s Eastside is the newest brainchild of restauranteur Jon Alexis, who is known for his other ventures like TJ’s Seafood, Malibu Poke, Escondido and Ramble Room.

Birdie’s Eastside was once a Luby’s. Yes … the same Luby’s you likely dined at with your parents or maybe even grandparents. Gone are the LuAnn Platters served in the buffet line and replacing them are turquoise interior booths with high ceilings that open the space, making it perfect for a night out as a couple, or for a dinner and cocktails with friends or family. And though most of the interior and exterior seating is kid-friendly, there is an adults-only lounge just down a hall away from the main dining area, should you want a little more chill vibe for a first date or a chat about business with a client or co-worker. 

The first thing that greets customers as they arrive at Birdie’s is the massive patio. This outdoor dining space features plenty of tables, bench seating and multiple large TVs, which makes this a tremendous spot to take in some college football or NFL action as you enjoy some libations and food among fellow SMU or Cowboys fans. The patio at Birdie’s immediately enters the chat as one of the best and most well-equipped in Big D.

The cocktail program at Birdie’s is everything you would want for an afternoon catching some games on the patio or a meet-up with friends or colleagues. Classic cocktails include a great Maker’s Mark old fashioned or Socorro ranch water. Or, for something that will really refresh you post-round on one of those beautiful autumn days, go for the cucumber mint cooler, which is made with Kettle One vodka, lemon and simple syrup. Any of these drinks are perfect to accompany a snack or some great conversation among friends. 

Although it is starting to cool down, Birdie’s also has a very unique portion of its cocktail menu that features frozen delights you won’t want to miss. These include a frozen expresso martini, a traditional frozen marg, a frozen blood orange marg, and the very different frozen Sauvignon Blanc slushie, that has profiles of apple, lemon and agave. Any of them will cool you down as the sun kisses your face on their huge patio. 

There are also plenty of local craft beers, domestics, imports, wines and even a great selection of martinis, should you want to go that route. They also offer buckets of beer that come with … wait for it … SIX beers for the price of five. One of the things that drives me bananas about standard buckets of beer is they usually come with just five in the bucket. Of course, I know why, it usually leads to another bucket because there is an odd number. But it’s nice to see an establishment offer that sixth beer, and they only charge you for five. Nothing wrong with a free brew-dog? Am I right?

Birdie’s menu has something for everyone. From soups, salads and healthy bowl selections to flatbread pizzas, sandwiches and rib-sticking larger entrées. If you are on the patio for game day, the loaded fries or Birdie wings are a player, with the fries coming equipped with queso, bacon, cheddar, sour cream and scallions. Don’t want the full order? No problem, Birdie’s offers the fries in a half order, also. The wings are eight to an order and come in traditional Buffalo, bourbon BBQ, tikka masala, lemon pepper or kung pao flavors. I recommend the kung pao, as they have a little Asian flare and a little heat that tickles your palate on the back end. 

If I can recommend one absolute must for your meal or to share with your party, go with the birria sliders, also located on the gameday portion of the menu. These sliders come with tender shredded brisket, melty cheese, cilantro, avocado salsa and white onion, all loaded on sweet slider buns and served with a side of consommé for dipping. They come four to an order and are a nuclear bomb of flavor. They are one of the most unique menu items anywhere in Dallas, and you simply can’t miss out if you make a stop at Birdie’s. 

Flatbreads come in several varieties, including a Buffalo chicken, pepperoni and bacon, fig and prosciutto or a jalapeño brisket. Each are crispy and flavorful, with a nice crust and bold flavors. They’re perfect to share among the table, or order for your meal. 

If you are in the mood for something a little more substantial, there are plenty of sandwiches on the menu, including a great southern fried chicken sandwich that comes with pimento cheese and hot honey, it’s a taste of southern living all in one bite, and is fantastic from first bite to last morsel. The double smash burger is also a player for those wanting a beefy, cheesy crowd-pleaser. It comes with some creamy Thousand Island dressing and your standard setup of LTOP. 

Birdie’s entrée menu is just as pleasing, with choices like shrimp and grits, roasted chicken, hangar steak or even a lighter salmon option that is perfect for those looking to keep their waistline in check. Healthy bowl options are also on the menu, like the vegan harvest, which is a great combo of veggies including portobello mushroom, cauliflower, sweet potato, all topped with some cashews, chickpeas and a lemon herb vinaigrette. If you want some additional protein, add chicken or steak for a few bucks more.

Salads, wraps and a great tomato basil soup round out the menu options at Birdies, if you are in the mood for something quick and easy for your power lunch. All the salad options are a full meal, which won’t leave you hungry as the clock reaches mid-afternoon at the office. 

Of all the new places I have tried in Dallas over the last several months, Birdie’s is at the top of the list. They have bar-food options elevated to a degree you won’t find anywhere else in the city, along with plenty of healthy options and finer-dining fare you can enjoy for special occasions. It’s very unique, from the great patio to the adults-only lounge, Birdie’s Eastside checks all the boxes for a superior dining experience with a fun, causal vibe. Whether you live in the area or are willing to make the trip to Dallas, you won’t regret checking it out. 

We golfers love birdies on the course, and now we love Birdie’s off the course, too.