The New Age of Snider Plaza Restaurants

If you’ve been around Dallas long enough, you know Snider Plaza has its staples — the icons that will (hopefully) never leave us. Bubba’s, Burger House, Banditos, New York Sub, and Kuby’s hold court like the Plaza’s royal family. Even Short Stop — which, to this day, I’m still not sure how it stays in business — but I love her anyway. But Snider Plaza isn’t just frozen in time anymore. The “new age” spots have moved in, and some are thriving… and one should politely excuse itself from the plaza, forever.

Jack & Harry’s

The newest kid in Snider Plaza — and because it’s a Vandelay Group spot, we all knew it would hit. In Vandelay we trust.

I walked in at 5 p.m. on a Thursday in jeans and a nice top… big mistake. Everyone else looked like they were either closing a business deal or getting engaged. Not a table in sight. The hostess offered the bar, but I said I’d wait for a table and just grab drinks there. She smiled and warned me it’d be two and a half hours. I thought she was bluffing. She was not. Make. A. Reservation.

While waiting, I had some strong but forgettable drinks. Got so hungry during my standoff with the hostess that I caved and ordered a little gumbo — which, in the moment, felt great. Later I realized it was mid. I was just starving.

When we finally sat, the dining room felt like an old-money living room — fireplace, cozy, polished. I ordered the crab cake and it blew me away: light, fresh, and topped with a paper-thin Parmesan crust that somehow gave it the consistency of a muffin (in the best way). 10/10.

The Parmesan-Crusted Snapper was everything you want from a high-end piece of fish. My man ordered the French Onion Filet Mignon and moaned at every bite. He was nervous it would be too rich, but it was perfectly balanced. If you like French onion soup, this is your move.

And the Mr. B’s Twice-Baked Potato? Almost knocked me out of my chair. That was the sluttiest potato I’ve ever had. Do. Not. Skip. It.

Verdict: Pricey, but impressive. A serious date night spot.

Ramble Room

Opened in 2023 and part of the Imperial Fizz group (aka TJ’s Seafood), I’ve somehow never had to wait for a table — not because it’s empty, but because the place is massive. The vibe is shiny and modern, less cozy than its Vandelay neighbors.

Unlike Penne, which leans more toward families, Ramble Room is catering to everyone including the younger, fun crowd. The menu’s huge — great for groups — and apparently oyster heaven. (Not my thing, but my friends slurp them every time.)

Their best-kept secret? Tuesday nights. For $50, you get one starter, two entrées, and a dessert. Usually, those deals are where restaurants hide the sad menu rejects. Not here.

We started with the ricotta toast — fluffy bread piled high with pomegranates and relish. My friend and I agreed it “tastes like September.”

For the mains, we decided to split two things: the Italian sausage rigatoni and the chopped chicken salad. The rigatoni was easily one of the best pastas I’ve had in a year — I was housing it, literally trying to get my friend to keep talking about herself so I could eat it all.

Dessert was a vanilla plum pudding — very tasty, but we were so full we had to tap out.

The drinks here demand your full attention. The blood orange marg? Unreal. The kind of good that makes you stop mid-conversation just to say, “Oh my god.” Ramble Room isn’t going anywhere.

Verdict: Food is gas, versatile, and fun spot for larger groups.

D.L. Mack’s

Not brand-new (opened in 2021) but still part of Snider Plaza’s “new age” — and yes, another Vandelay spot. I kept forgetting about this place… until I tried their vodka rigatoni. Now I think about it weekly.

The vibe works for anything: date night, casual dinner, or solo glass of wine at the bar. Think: Beverly’s energy, but with a hint of that “HP family” presence. The patio is perfect when the weather plays nice.

The staff? Lovely. Once a hostess mixed up our tables — it was giving first day energy. We waited maybe 10 extra minutes (didn’t even notice), but they felt so bad they comped our first round and told us to pick a free appetizer. I thought I was being punked.

If you go, the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni is non-negotiable. The Chinese Chicken Salad is also a front-runner, and I’ll take their large cracker-crust pizzas from the happy hour menu over the Tavern pizzas any day.

Verdict: A reliable go-to with excellent food, great service, and “dress it up or down” flexibility. Always have a good time.

Bar Sardine

And now… the walking red flag of Snider Plaza. Shocking, because yes — it’s a Vandelay restaurant. I literally clutched my pearls when I found that out. But hey, every family has that one weird-ass cousin.

Every time I’ve been here (five or six times, purely against my will), it’s the same: the staff is straight-up rude and radiates passive-aggressive energy. They look at you with so much judgment I literally catch myself checking for food in my teeth. Victim of true gaslighting, I thought maybe I was the problem — but after asking friends, even friends’ parents, it’s clearly just how they operate. I even DM’d one of my Insta followers who posted from there and asked, “Are they being rude today?” She replied, “OMG YES — we were literally just talking about it.” At this point, the staff either needs therapy or a reality check.

The food? Mediocre. “Lighter bites” are sad. The restaurant itself is pretty — small, but with that speakeasy vibe that makes you think you’re about to get an incredible cocktail. Unfortunately, the execution is tragic. The espresso martinis are ass. The only nice person I’ve ever encountered here was a male bartender who could tell we were struggling and tried to make us something off-menu… but even he couldn’t save it. Another cough syrup mess, just served in a nice glass.

Verdict: Honestly, I’m rooting for the construction outside to keep blocking parking until this place slowly bleeds out.

If you’re coming to Snider Plaza, the new spots are worth exploring — just make a res at Jack & Harry’s, bring friends to Ramble Room, and keep DL Mack’s in your back pocket for comfort dinners. And Bar Sardine? Let’s just never speak of her again.

Honorable mention: Slider and Blues. It took me forever to try the reboot, but it’s honestly really good — worth a stop!