YOUR GUIDE TO DINING OUT

from 2010 July Oak Cliff

out&about in July

CHUBBY’S $ When looking for a restaurant to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all want a place that serves up variety, hearty helpings and even bigger portions of friendliness. The Touris family has developed a recipe that delivers all of the above at a good price. With four locations in the Metroplex, Chubby’s Family Restaurant provides a rustic setting with down home cooking. Catering available.

Locations: 11331 E. NW Hwy. 214-348-6065 and 7474 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 972-298-1270.

EL TIZONCITO $ Located at Illinois & Westmoreland, this Mexico City taqueria is a Dallas must-visit. The décor offers a casual experience that corrects the misconception of an original Taqueria. The Tacos al Pastor shaved down from the vertical oven and the unique Tamarind Margarita are a musttry. “What a pleasant surprise.” George Bush. “Excellent service complement exceptional food.” Gary Fisher. “Best Tacos in Dallas.” Mico Rodriguez. Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Catering available. 3404 W Illinois Ave. 214.330.0839.

TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE $$ODWB

Tillman’s is a place for really good food, drinks, and music in a fun, casual, come-as-you-are environment. An update on the classic Texas roadhouse with regional menu favorites, familiar tunes and no-one is a stranger hospitality — all energized with a modern take. A combination of both rustic and lush in everything from the menu to the décor make Tillman’s a good-time anytime destination. Bishop Arts District 324 West 7th St. 214.942.0988. www.tillmansroadhouse.com.

ALTANO 2007 ($10) PORTUGAL>

July around here is known for two things — the course, and heat. The average high temperature 95, and the record high for every day is 105 or month’s 31 days.

So why do so many wine drinkers insist on drinking red wines for holiday picnics and backyard barbecues July? Your guess is as good as mine. Those wines, their high alcohols and rough tannins, sound pleasant as sitting on the roof during a July afternoon.

The explanation that I usually get from red drinkers who insist on red wine even though it makes the sweat bead on their foreheads is that they like white wine. You can’t argue with that, and know because I have tried and failed. Instead, I learned to recommend red wines that offer the wine qualities they like, such as dark fruit without trace of sweetness, without the qualities that make big red wines so unpleasant in hot weather.

Generally, these wines aren’t always from the known parts of California (or California at all). yet, because they aren’t always from the best-known parts of California, they are often inexpensive almost always offer good value. These three are just start and are all available at Central Market:

This red blend from the Rhone region of France, mostly grenache, is and well-balanced (think red fruits) with some black pepper. Given how cute the name and label are garden fence, while jardin means garden in French), it’s surprisingly good. Put this in the refrigerator 20 or 30 minutes to cool it down, and drink it any kind of grilled beef.

Riccardo

Cotarella, who oversees this line of Italian wines, genius. The Falescos are always cheap, always made, and always deliver value. The sangiovese cherry fruit, acid and even some minerality, and head and shoulders above similarly priced Chianti. Drink this with smoked chicken or most roasted vegetables.

This red blend from Portugal is one of the great secrets of the cheap wine business. It has lots of raisiny fruit — think of it as much lighter version of an Australian shiraz. It’s suitable for porch sipping and hamburgers.