This whimsical cereal bar in Bishop Arts has more than 100 different kinds of cereals, which is probably more than you thought existed. In addition to the classics you can find at the grocery store, The Spelled Milk serves cereal from all around the world, including gluten-free, vegan and keto-friendly as well as a rotating selection of niche limited-edition flavors. The store is lined with vintage boxes, ads and murals, giving the place a museum-like quality. It's an experience worth putting on your pants and leaving the house for, the highest praise we can give to a bowl of cereal.

If you're a crust person, Humble Pie is your pie shop. The fruit pies here all have a thick pastry crust as comforting as grandma's quilt. The traditional apple pie is loaded with 2 pounds of apples (tart Granny Smith and sweet Gala) and topped with a thick crust. The Damn Fine Cherry uses tart and sweet cherries. The Hell Pepper Peach is a traditional Southern pie in which the peaches are tossed with one Carolina reaper pepper, each bite a bit of sweet and heat. The Bayou Goo pie is made with cream cheese, candied pecans and chocolate cream all covered with chantilly cream, more chocolate and candied pecans. They also have mini pies if you want to try one of everything, which of course you do.

The tater tots fried in duck fat at Gemma are a decadent and indulgent treat that redefines a classic favorite. The duck fat imparts a rich, savory flavor and an extra layer of crispiness that is simply unparalleled. The inside remains light and fluffy, providing a perfect contrast to the crunchy exterior. Accompanying these gourmet tater tots is a smoked malt vinegar aioli that adds a complex, tangy twist. This dish is a standout at Gemma and pairs nicely with steak, duck or chicken with a sophisticated take on a beloved comfort food.

Chef Terrill Burnett at South Polk Pizzeria in Oak Cliff classifies his pizza as "Neo-New York style," a cross between Neapolitan and New York. The result is a thin crust with a nice little bounce. The Detroit native, who was junior chef at Nobu and also worked in the kitchen at Knife, makes as much as he can from scratch, including the pizza sauce and ranch dressing. The sausage is from Jimmy's, and he also carries halal beef, turkey pepperoni and vegan cheese as options. There's a small dining room here, but many orders are to-go, which is made easy on the website. Try the cup-and-char pepperoni with sausage and a hot honey drizzle.

In 2023, The Grapevine Bar had to move from its original location on Maple Avenue after the building and land were sold, and we were, admittedly, a bit panicked. Would it be able to transition to a new space and take with it the quirky, laid-back feel it so uniquely offered? Not only is it the same come-one-come-all vibe that never takes anything too seriously, now there's just much more space, with several outdoor courtyards to smoke ciggies and sip a strong frozen cocktail.

Hudson House has a lot going for it: a great burger, good happy hour and the entire seafood menu. So, the humble mac and cheese may fly under the radar, but no visit here should go without a side of the comforting dish. In fact, it's worth a trip alone. It's worth frequent-flyer miles. Swirly fusilli pasta packs in the smooth cheese. A thick layer of lightly broiled cheese lies atop the dish, like a quilted blanket. A perfect balance of rich, smooth and gluttonous, this is superior mac and cheese.

Royally plated desserts, intricately patterned crepes and huge chocolate fountains are all trademarks of Dessert Avenue, a new dessert-themed cafe in Murphy. A 13-page menu of desserts makes decisions here a sinfully challenging task, but a delightful one for the sweet-toothed. Patrons can find a safe start in any of Dessert Avenue's five signature crepes, filled with fruits, creams and syrups before being enveloped in a cascade of hot chocolate fondue; or with the pastries, sourced directly from local bakers. Fried cheesecake, molten lava cake and a signature sizzling brownie plate are other standouts on the menu that prove tempting, especially during late-night hours.208 W. FM 544, No. 106, Murphy

Since 1966, Jimmy's has been a Dallas favorite for imported groceries, wine and old-school Italian charisma. The same family, the DiCarlos, continues to run the spot. The small aisles here are full of hard-to-find goodies and a curated selection of Italian wines. The freezers are loaded with pasta and sauces to take home and make an amazing meal. But head to the back of the store for a muffaletta, Italian sub or meatball sandwich, all made to order. Go for an Italian beef with thinly sliced meat, oregano and peppers soaked in an au jus.

Start with a stellar batch of shrimp shumai steamed dumplings before diving into a bowl of ramen. There are plenty of broths to choose from: tonkatsu, black tonkatsu, baisen shoyu and miso. Can't decide? Order the half-and-half, which comes in a divided bowl allowing you to slurp two different types, topped with proteins like shrimp with shell on (for prime flavor) and chashu. They also serve sides of tsukemen if you're here for the noodles. Decked out in natural wood with semi-private booths and modern Japanese accents, this is a great date-night spot. There are also locations in Denton and Fort Worth.

The State Fair of Texas lasts about a month in the fall, but you can get bonafide fried food treats year-round at this South Dallas restaurant. Southside Steaks & Cakes won a Big Tex award in 2022 for its Peanut Butter Paradise, which is a honey bun rolled in funnel cake batter and injected with caramel before getting a dunk in a deep fryer. It's then topped with peanut butter and chocolate. You can also get cheesesteaks, which are a favorite at the State Fair.