Grandscape in The Colony is rapidly becoming the epicenter for fun and entertainment in the Metroplex. In addition to retail like Scheels and Nebraska Furniture Mart, Grandscape also has a multitude of entertainment options like Cosm, Andretti Indoor Carting and its recent addition of Fritz’s Adventure.
If you are familiar with the Gas Monkey brand and Richard Rawlings, then you have likely seen his ventures over the years. Beginning with his rise to prominence with his Gas Monkey Garage and hit TV show Fast N’ Loud, this Fort Worth native began parlaying that success into bars and music venues, including Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live. Now, the 56-year-old has launched another vehicle for those not only with nitrous oxide flowing through their veins, but those who love great drinks, great bar grub and great times.
The party begins once you enter the doors at Gas Monkey. As you hit the throttle on your evening out, you are met with a friendly face at the door waiting to seat you and your party in one of multiple areas that are all buzzing with activity. Two downstairs bars have plenty of seating, if you are flying solo or just want to belly up with your buds after a warm afternoon on the golf course. If it’s available and you are with several friends, ask for the “big green table,” which sits at the center of the action on the bottom floor. It’s a great place to take in a game or enjoy your dinner with friends, family or co-workers. There are plenty of TVs to take in your favorite sport or team, which means this will be the place to be on a Saturday or Sunday when football rolls back around, or during the summer months as the Rangers enter the dog days.
In addition to the indoor seating areas, which also features a second story, there is a massive outdoor patio with a great view of the Grandscape boardwalk, more TVs, and a huge stained-glass wall that faces the west, making evenings on the patio glow with colorful ambiance as you sip cocktails or enjoy an ice-cold beer.
Speaking of those cocktails, Gas Monkey Icehouse offers nine signature drinks, from a simple Paloma or frozen marg, to its Summer Squeeze, which is a smooth refreshing blend of Deep Eddy Lemon vodka, Leinenkugel’s Shandy and fresh lemonade. This cocktail keeps things light and crisp on those hot summer afternoons. It’s a must-try if you have just spent a day taking in some shopping or activities around Grandscape.
The draft beer selection is also second to none. From standard domestics like Mich Ultra and Miller Lite to more exotic selections like Mexican lagers, wheats, ales and stouts, you will find any number of brewskis to wet your whistle as you dive into the menu and search for your apps and dinner.
The lunch and dinner menu at Gas Monkey Icehouse is simple, yet elevated bar-style grub. For starters, try some of the beer-battered chicken tenders. These crunchy, juicy strips of chicken breast are coated with a Garage Beer batter, which comes out of the fryer with a great crunch while remaining nice and juicy. They are served with some house-made ranch and some of their signature comeback sauce (more on that in a minute).
In addition to the rib-sticking tenders, they also offer their Flying Monkey wings. If you are a fan of a wing that comes out crispy, then you will love these. They are naked (no breading), but still maintain a great crisp while staying nice and tender. I opted for the lemon pepper rub, but they also offer standard buffalo, whiskey BBQ, and honey Sriracha varieties. At each table, there are a trio of sauces, including a Green Light hot sauce, their Texas Burnout and their dangerous but flavorful Texas Skidmark, which has some ghost pepper that will add a nitrous-fueled burn to any dish. But I personally took my lemon pepper dry rub and then added a bit of the Skidmark to them, creating my own spicy lemon pepper wing, and they were nails. All the great flavor of the lemon pepper, with a subtle burn that didn’t tear me up too badly.
Of course, if you are a spice fiend, you can get the wings tossed in the Skidmark straight from the kitchen if you choose. If you aren’t a spicehead, the tenders also come with some comeback sauce, which for my money is one of the best dipping sauces I have ever sampled. This is a creamy combo of mayo, burnout sauce and some finely chopped dill pickles. The pickle brine is subtle, but the little hint of spice makes this a first-rate dipper for your tenders, fries, burgers and sandwiches. It’s a pickle lover’s dream, and you will want to lick the bottom of the ramekin once it’s almost gone.
Other great sharables include the Redneck Loaded Fries, which take Gas Monkey’s house-made taters and cover them with melty cheddar, bacon, green onion, ranch and jalapeños. They are perfect to split for the table, or if you want, make them a meal all to yourself.
There are also multiple handheld options, including a couple of great burgers. The Smash’d Burger is a must if you are interested in a beefy option. Two smashed patties come with American cheese, caramelized onion, pickles, jalapeños and some secret sauce. The patties aren’t quite as thin as your standard smash burger, but they still offer a great crust, and with them maintaining a little thickness, there is still some great juiciness as you indulge. The whole burger works with the spiciness of the peppers, the smooth, creamy sauce, melty cheese and a little sweetness from the caramelized onion. I paired this with traditional fries, and it made a great meal, even if it might not be quite as waistline-friendly.
In addition to the smasher, there is a steakhouse bacon burger that comes with pepper jack cheese, bacon, friend onions, A1 and some spicy aioli. It’s another curveball on this menu that will satisfy those carnivorous gearheads in your group.
Another great sandwich on the menu is the Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Sandwich. If you are a fan of the chicken sando, then this one will knock your socks off. The chicken comes out crunchy without being too oily, and the cool slaw on top really takes things up a notch. A little spicy aioli adds a creamy note, and the pickle chips add a salty vibe. If you are looking for a pro tip, take some of the burnout sauce from the table, add just a little drizzle to make this more of a buffalo-style sandwich. No matter how you choose to eat it, you’re going to love it. Pair it with some delicious sweet potato fries as the perfect accompaniment.
All handhelds are also presented with a pickle spear that is unlike any other you have seen. Usually an afterthought on the plate, you won’t forget this one, and if you’re like me, you can’t wait to re-create them later at home. Each spear is dusted with Old Bay seasoning, which not only draws out a little of the moisture in the pickle, making them juicy and delicious, but also adds a wonderful flavor profile. I am absolutely trying it on my own down the road.
As great as the wings, tenders and handhelds are at Gas Monkey Icehouse, the reigning champ at the newest addition to Grandscape are the pizzas. Bar pizza can be hit or miss, as good ‘za requires a combination of great crust, fresh ingredients and belt-busting flavor profiles. The Garage Pizzas on the menu at Gas Monkey are just that …
If you are one who likes a simple pie, then go for the Plain Monkey, which is San Marzano tomato sauce topped with mozz and pecorino. The melty cheese oozes, and the sauce offers a bright note throughout. It’s simple, but delicious. There is also the Peppi Monkey, with pepperoni added to the aforementioned plain cheese pizza. But, if you want the ultimate pie, try the meaty monolith that is The Gorilla. Mozzerella, pecorino, pepperoni, taco meat and bacon, all drizzled with hot honey. This pie is piled high with toppings, but the crust holds up with very little flop, and despite the bacon, pepperoni and taco meat, it isn’t overly greasy. Take your slice and give it a little dip in some of the house-made ranch to really drop your bite into the high gears.
If you are just popping in for lunch and looking for a lighter option, there is an Icehouse Cobb salad or Yardbird Caesar for your choosing. You can even pair it with a delightful non-alcoholic mocktail like the strawberry lemon fizz or a watermelon cooler.
We popped by Gas Monkey for dinner, but they also offer a brunch menu with additional delights, like the Chunky Monkey Waffle with Nutella, banana, chocolate chunks, walnuts and vanilla cream. Breakfast tacos, hash, French toast or a hangover smash burger are also on their brunch menu, any of which can be washed down with a sunrise margarita, bloody Mary or mimosa.
Grandscape has long been on the cutting edge of entertainment and retail, and Gas Monkey Icehouse just reinforces that dedication to making this entertainment district a must-see for locals and visitors to The Colony. The atmosphere at Gas Monkey is mischievous and alive with activity. During games, especially once the Cowboys get going, it will be electric and packed with people who are all looking to eat, drink and be merry. Gas Monkey Icehouse has all the makings of a long-lasting destination for those in DFW to cut loose and put the pedal to the metal.