Dining at beloved local establishments like Café Pacific in Highland Park Village is a time-honored tradition for many Dallas residents.
For regulars like my friend Javier Burkle and me, our Summer Friday lunch at Café Pacific revolves around enjoying the same familiar experiences.
We start our meal by ordering the sweet potato strings, a delightful appetizer that, while not on the menu, is always a must-ask item.
The portion sizes and their unlisted status make them an intriguing part of our meal.
As we continue our culinary ritual, we order calamari *extra crispy,* a wedge salad (chopped and with chicken for Javier), and my favorite Wok Fired Asian Chicken Bowl with no scallions and spicy glaze on the side.
Fortunately for our sweet tooth, we concluded our savory course by indulging in a dessert shocker: the Half Pecan Ball.
Javier’s request for a mini-version of the classic dessert brought forth the delightful discovery of the Half Pecan Ball, a treat I had never heard of before but now holds a place in my heart.
This unexpected find got me pondering the intriguing world of off-menu items around Dallas that only the in-the-know diners are aware of.
While some restaurants have established their off-menu offerings, others keep them under wraps, waiting for adventurous diners to inquire.
One place I always recommend to friends visiting from out of town is rise, a unique salon de soufflé that stands out in Dallas.
Everyone knows about the Reese’s Pieces soufflé as a hidden gem there, but my Instagram followers recently tipped me off about an even more exciting secret: the Oreo soufflé.
This beloved dish typically makes an annual appearance on Earth Day, leading me to believe it was a special one-time treat.
But thanks to my friend Bethany’s recent visit to rise, I discovered that the Oreo soufflé is included in their secret menu, along with other hardly known flavors like Hazelnut and Chocolate Mint.
Interestingly enough, guests are required to bring their own Oreos, but thankfully it seems just four or five are sufficient to enjoy this favorite dessert alongside the other delicious options.
Bethany’s inquiry with her waiter, Garrison, confirmed this insider tip, while his charming, wry take on this quirky restaurant rule only added to the excitement.
As I ruminate on the indulgence of both the Half Pecan Ball and the Oreo soufflé, I lean back and ponder additional reader-sourced tips I’m eager to explore further.
In my quest for hidden culinary delights, I’ve gathered some fantastic off-menu suggestions from fellow diners.
One standout recommendation comes from R+D Kitchen, where guests can order a secret *bread service*—a delicious addition I confirmed was available just this month.
Additionally, it turns out that you can still get meatballs with marinara, allowing diners to enjoy the nostalgic menu items from the past.
Not to be overlooked, Hillstone, despite some recent menu changes, allows diners to continue enjoying their legendary Cheese Toast, an irreplaceable classic.
For those craving some pho, you’ll find that Mot Hai Ba offers this delicious option, but not on weekends.
For a hearty dish, the Chicken Fried Steak at Prego Pasta House comes highly recommended, with sources claiming the portions are huge enough to share.
Meanwhile, lamb chops are still available at Rafa’s, and spaghetti and meatballs can be requested at il Bracco, even if they aren’t listed on the actual menu.
Another curiosity lies within Javier’s, where guests can ask for a *by-request-only* hot batch of salsa, perfect for visitors looking for an extra kick to their meal.
If you’re visiting Las Palmas, you might just be lucky enough to find the Chicken Caesar Wrap, which has gained viral popularity on TikTok, thus solidifying its status as a local treasure.
As I reflect on these exciting discoveries, there’s no telling how long these options will remain available before they vanish into obscurity.
For now, I say let’s revel in these hidden gems and enjoy dining glory at some of Dallas’ finest culinary establishments.
image source from：papercitymag
