If you like steakhouses try JR's steakhouse in grapevine, and if you don't feel like going upper class for the night, try the new JR's grill. Usually when we go there we will get the sampler platter for the appetizer, by the time that is gone, we are barely hungry for the main dish. Plus they have a halfway decent beer selection.
Two of my favorites have been mentioned, so ME TOO!!
La Calle Doce, and Gloria's in Oak Cliff. Can't be beat!
They recently put a Gloria's in at the Harbor, on lake Ray Hubbard. I love their bean dip brought out with chips and salsa as a prelude the meal. It also helps that they're located right across from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Every time I dine at Gloria's I walk across the way to duck in for some chocolate covered pretzels, or even more decadent, a slice of chocolate covered cheesecake!
Matt's Rancho Martinez. It is Tex-Mex heaven! They have locations in Lakewood shopping center, Garland on Hwy. 190 close to Firewheel and Cedar Hill at Up Town mall. Locally family owned and everything is fresh!
I love this place!!
hmm...Enos for pizza and beer, Urban Taco for tacos (and their chips and salsa combos are awesome), rockfish is pretty good for some quicker seafood stuffs...I don't get over to dallas too often (I live in Fort Worth) but we like to hit these places up when we do.
One of our favorites in that part of town (near the AT&T performing arts center) is Fedora on Routh St. There are several other restaurants in the same building...
Screen Door, a Thai/Japanese place, etc..
I haven't been to a Marianos, but I have heard that Mi Cocina has a pretty good marg as well. They're building one in Rockwall, so I'll let y'all know how it is.