The July 1981 issue of D Magazine takes the reader on a journey to some of the greatest greasy spoons in Dallas.
“Most of the cheap-eats emporiums maintain the same general characteristics,” writes Elizabeth Logan. “Often they don’t have a liquor license or a maitre d’, and if you try to pay for a meal with a check or a credit card, they’ll probably call the sheriff. And, these places maintain a limited but loyal clientele that hopes the owner doesn’t wake up to the fact that this is 1981 and triple his prices. Naturally, there are exceptions.”
The piece explores 44 thrifty dining destinations with meals for less than $5. Spoiler alert: some of the featured restaurants are still plating up similar specials in Dallas today.
Click the images to enlarge, and take a step back in Dallas dining history.