- Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith spent over a decade with the Dallas Cowboys.
- In that time, he's found a few places he trusts when it comes to BBQ and a night out on the town.
- Cattlelack Barbecue and The Monarch stood out as two of Smith's recommendations in the Big D.
Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith spent more than a decade with the Dallas Cowboys, lighting up opposing defenses as one of the greatest rushers the league had ever seen.
In those years, Smith has spent plenty of time taking in all the food and drinks the city has to offer.
Smith shared with Insider a few of his top picks for barbecue and a night out in the city while promoting his partnership with Bounty paper towels ahead of the Super Bowl.
Asked about his favorite barbecue in a city that is famous for it, Smith smiled.
"Oh man," Smith said. "There's a place called Cattleack Barbecue. It's very, very good."
Cattleack is owned by a friend of Smith's, Todd David, and it keeps the type of hours that immediately signal: This place is making something special.
"This is a spot that's opened probably one day a week," Smith said. "From lunchtime to just outside of lunchtime. Boom, they're done."
Indeed, the hours listed on Cattleack's website show it is open only on Thursdays and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as the first Saturday of every month.
Smith said that Cattleack can handle all the great barbecue staples one might expect, but one dish stood above the rest — what's simply known as the "beef rib" on its menu where the BBQ joint offers two pounds in each serving.
"You're getting that big, brontosaurus rib, the beef rib," Smith said. "Those are some of the finest ribs you're ever going to have, man. Big as all get out. Big-ass bone."
Looking through Cattleack's Instagram page, there certainly are some big ribs.
According to the menu, Cattleack's beef ribs come in at an average of two pounds each — more than enough for a meal on their own.
Classics like brisket, burnt ends, pork ribs, turkey, and pulled pork are also available by the pound. Available sides include burnt end beans, chili mac and cheese, cole slaw, potato salad, broccoli salad, and cheesy chipotle corn.
"And when you go, tell Todd David that Emmitt Smith sent you," Smith concluded.
Smith also mentioned that there was a barbecue spot in the buzzing Deep Ellum neighborhood that he enjoyed, though he was blanking on the name at the time of our interview. Friends I polled from the Dallas area suggested that Smith was likely referring to Pecan Lodge, which also looks delicious.
Pecan Lodge has regularly been cited as having the best brisket in Dallas, and also features a variety of meats available by the plate or pound.
Beyond barbecue, Smith also offered suggestions for a night out on the town
When asked for a recommendation on where to take a date in Dallas, Smith asked how much I was ready to spend.
"$300?" I offered.
That, apparently, was not the right answer, and Smith laughed and put his head in his hands. Once I upped the budget to $1,000, Smith was ready to help.
Nick & Sam's was the first spot to jump to mind. This is a steakhouse where the prices are not listed on the menu online. I was suddenly appreciative that Smith forced me to fatten my fictional budget.
Located in the neighborhood of Oak Lawn, Nick & Sam's features steakhouse fare as well as a robust seafood and sushi menu. Two dishes on the menu celebrate other Dallas sports stars, former Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki and current superstar Luka Doncic. Smith does not appear to have his own item on the menu yet, but maybe in time.
The food does look killer though.
Smith also spoke kindly of Monarch, a modern Italian restaurant by Michelin-star chef Danny Grant.
"The Monarch is in a high-rise building in downtown Dallas, overlooking the skyline, beautiful scenery, and everything else," Smith said. "They've got a speakeasy bar, and then they've got a rooftop bar as well."
The Monarch lists their prices, and while you can certainly find items at a softer price point, if you want to party like Emmitt Smith, be ready to drop some cash.
Featured cocktails cost $20 each, and several pasta and steak entrées are available for less than $50 each, but looking through the menu one item immediately catches your eye — Live Alaskan King Crab, for $1,000. The dish includes chilled lump lettuce wraps, spicy mini buns, tableside rigatoni, and wood oven roasted crab legs. Monarch's Live Alaskan King Crab was listed on Thrillist's Dallas dining bucket list.
"You can have a good time with a thousand bucks at either one of those spots," Smith said.
Sounds like he's had the crab.
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