Eating Elmwood

Elmwood is a residential neighborhood with a 1950s commercial district at its heart. Some businesses there, including a gas station and a car wash, are closed. And retail has not yet come back to life in Elmwood. But its restaurants, some brand new, some longtime Oak Cliff favorites, are thriving.

LULU’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN 1 (1234 Newport Ave. 214.339.1661) We’re not sure how many years Lulu’s has been serving Tex-Mex and Mex-Mex from its tiny maroon building, but it’s a neighborhood institution. Open at 8 a.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lulu’s is family owned and operated.

PAPA JOE’S BACKYARD BARBECUE 2 (1233 Newport Ave. 214.941.4092) Papa Joe’s is the new kid on the block, serving barbecue and beer, cafeteria style. They’re open for dinner Thursday and Friday, and they serve lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday.

LA FONDITA 3 (1409 Ferndale 214.941.9221) La Fondita is known for its tiny space (just seven tables inside), it’s friendly owners, and its home-style Mexican food — delicious tacos, amazing salsa and authentic everything.

BOY’S TAQUERIA 4 (1913 S. Edgefield 214.946.3738) The key word at Boy’s is “cheap”. Here, you can get six tacos for $5. Barbacoa, lengua, al pastor, chicharrón, fajita and chicken — go ahead, order one of everything.

HUGO’S BEER ANDTACOS 5 (1817 S. Edgefield 214.943.3616) Now that Oak Cliff is wet, we can have beer with our tacos like normal people. Hugo’s is in a converted former barbershop, and there are a few tables, but it’s really a takeout place.

MARRITO’S TORTILLERIA 6 (2002 S. Edgefield 214.943.8661) Marrito’s has been at the corner of Elmwood and Ferndale for ages, offering homemade tortillas, tacos, tortas, enchiladas, burritos and, on the weekends, menudo and barbacoa.

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Eating outside

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We Dallasites love our patios. In a city where eating out is a great pastime, eating outside is fantastically sexy. And in Oak Cliff, there is no shortage of patio dining. Should we even tell you about LA COSTEÑA ? We don’t want to ruin it for ourselves. It’s this Mexican seafood joint whose customers mostly are Pumas jersey-wearing guys who want to eat their oyster cocktails and drink in peace. The food is pretty good. Aside from the seafood cocktails, there are cheese enchiladas with shrimp, fried fish and hearty fish stews. But the real draw here is out back, where there’s a big plaza and, sometimes, a DJ. Plus, there’s a sand volleyball court. Game on. 234 Sunset at Llewellyn, 214.946.5650.

BOLSA is one of the places in Oak Cliff that draws people from as far away as Preston Hollow and Plano. It is super hip. They have fancy, fancy cocktails. And the patio features a minimalist design that’s so cool you forget you’re in Dallas. 614 W. Davis at Llewellyn, 214. 367.9367, bolsadallas.com.

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NOVA is like Bolsa for hipsters. The menu is adventurous, and the food is always good. But it’s less pricey and more casual, and they serve Pabst in a can. On weekend nights, there is often live music on the patio. 1417 W. Davis at Windomere, 214.484.7123, novadallas.com.

Remember what Oak Cliff was like before LUCKIE’SSMOKEHOUSE? Before the mural featuring Bat Girl, Jason Roberts and Spanky from “Our Gang”? We don’t even like to think about it. Luckie’s owners transformed an abandoned gas station into one of the hottest restaurants in Oak Cliff. Sure, they really do have nice art in there. And the barbecue is good, too. But the most important aspect is the bar that opens to a huge patio. It’s the new place to see and be seen in Oak Cliff.

1300 W. Davis at Clinton, 214.943.2300.

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Eating in a tie

Business lunches can be awkward. Eat slowly and try to get more food in your mouth than on your clothing. Remember not to drink too much. Now that we’ve got ourselves together, where to go? In Oak Cliff, there’s a restaurant for any type of client.

HATTIE’S has a legendary brunch and birthday-worthy suppers. But we like it best for lunch. It has good lighting, a relaxed atmosphere that’s just shy of casual and a menu that makes people smile. We’d love to try the buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad or ham and brie sandwich with tomato chutney sometime. But we can’t not order the fried green tomatoes or four-cheese macaroni. 418 N. Bishop at Seventh, 214.942.7400, hatties.com.

HUNKY’S is good for many occasions, including times when you’re schlepping kids around or just getting a quick beer and a burger with pals. We like it for a casual business lunch, particularly one that’s after 1 p.m. By then, the rush has died down and you can get a table by the windows, sip a root beer and look over sales numbers, or whatever it is people do at work. It’s cool because it’s in the Bishop Arts District, but it’s cheap enough to treat clients without breaking the company. 321 N. Bishop at Eighth, 214.941.3322, hunkys.com.

Is it crazy to recommend CHARCOBROILER for a business lunch? It depends on the message you’re trying to send. Charco Broiler is an old-school steakhouse where food is ordered cafeteria style, and a big steak with salad, baked potato, Texas toast and iced tea is $12. If you’re entertaining a Donald Trump type, take him to Fearing’s. For Charco Broiler, we imagine a Warren Buffet type. Or maybe even a John Gotti. 413 W. Jefferson at Bishop, 214.942.6806,