Remodeling Talk... The Most Cost-Effective Remodeling Projects in Dallas, Texas

Remodeling Magazine recently published their 2011 Cost vs. Value remodeling report, including Dallas specific data. The report ranks 35 home remodeling projects by impact on home resale value. The full report is available at www.remodeling.hw.net. Here are Dallas’ lakewood.advocatemag.com

Is It over for Matt’s?

On the blog, we’ve been following the strong rumor that a Mi Cocina will replace Matt’s Rancho Martinez when Matt’s Lakewood Shopping Center lease expires in February 2012. The Tex-Mex matter is stoking really hot opinions, for and against.

04.25.11 It’s not hard to imagine Mi Cocina taking over Matt’s patio and turning the place into a popular Lakewood hangout, much like the Mi Cocina on Skillman is a hotspot in Lake Highlands. But a new restaurant that draws an even bigger crowd than Matt’s will certainly make parking a lot more dicey, too. We’ll let you know when and if there’s an official announcement.

— MEGHAN RINEY

A SAMpLE OF YOuR COMMENTS: dIANA: Another Mi Cocina?! Great restaurant, but not a good fit for our neighborhood. I’m not looking forward to the valet line. Matt’s, please stay close.

MARk WINGFIELd: This is awful news! Why trade a unique and wonderful place like Matt’s for overpriced froo-froo?

MOCkINGbIRdL ANE: I am happy with this news. Just because a place has history doesn’t mean it has good food.

SNICkY6: Please quit killing Lakewood’s funky institutions! Gone is the old diner where you could get greasy eats in the middle of the night, gone is the charming super-funky Cafe Brazil, gone is the good ol’ El Chico ... enough already! Lakewood is Lakewood because it’s not all shi shi. I hate this news!

COLINNWN: I like Mi Cocina’s food. But it is an overexposed chain, and it isn’t a good match for the area’s personality. Quit Dallas-ing my Lakewood!

Media Key: where to find us on the world wide web facebook.com/LakewoodAdvocate twitter.com/Advocate_ED advocatemag.com/newsletter lakewood.advocatemag.com/blog lakewood.advocatemag.com/video oneTriBe: Mi Cocina is OK, but far too expensive. Matt’s has saved me many times (as a single parent) with their kids-eat-free nights.

Brian: Mi Cocina will draw a more lively, hip crowd at night and fit right in with the nearby music and theater.

Sue Tinkle: Matt’s is a Lakewood institution — excellent patio, good food, funky ambiance. I can go to a Mi Cocina anywhere, but usually don’t because I’m not a big fan.

Fred: Mi Cocina popular in Lake Highlands? Well, they aspire to be Highland Park when they aren’t copying Lakewood. I wouldn’t be so sure [a Mi Cocina] will go over in Lakewood and make parking “more dicey”. Longtime Lakewooders are still upset that Cantina Laredo “upscaled” the oldest existing El Chico. read more comments or write your own Search: Matt’s