Budget-Friendly Valentine's Day Restaurants in Rockwall, Texas

Valentine's Day dinner can often be quite an expensive ordeal for many couples, but with most Americans working on a tight budget this year, many couples are looking for off-the-beaten path ideas for Valentine's Day restaurants. Rockwall, Texas (located about 30 miles East of Dallas, Texas) is a perfect town for any Valentine's Day dinner, and offers a wide variety of budget-friendly and inexpensive dining options.

Kyoto - (9900 Lakeview Parkway Rowlett, Texas 75088 or 1599 Laguna Drive Rockwall, Texas 75087) This is a Japanese Steak House/Hibachi grill with two locations in Rockwall. Technically, one of the locations has a Rowlett address, but both locations are within 15 minutes of one another. And, both locations have prime spots over-looking Lake Ray Hubbard.

Kyoto does not actually take reservations, but they have a Call-Ahead option; we used this option for my birthday a few months ago. My mom called about a week before my birthday and told them what day and time we would be coming in to celebrate. Although they claim this is not an actual reservation, we were seated immediately upon arrival ahead of a long line of people waiting to be seated.

Both locations boast a fresh sushi bar, or you can opt to sit at one of the hibachi tables. Keep in mind that even if you want sushi, you can still order rolls at a hibachi table. That way, you get the best of both worlds - fresh sushi while still watching the hibachi chefs cook the rest of your meal.

We have eaten here numerous times, and the food is always wonderful. They serve a wide variety of meats - chicken, shrimp, steaks, etc. And, the hibachi chefs are hilarious. (For those of you that are unfamiliar with hibachi, this is the type of restaurant where the chefs cook your food on the hibachi grill connected to your table. The chefs are always very humorous and joke around with the people at the table, too.)

As the main entertainment for the night are the chefs, they do not offer a dance floor or any type of dance music. But, the atmosphere is eccentric; be forewarned that if you are just going as a couple, you will be seated with other people as each hibachi table holds around eight people. But, for under $75.00, you can both get a meal with at least one meat, rice (their amazing fried rice is $2.50 extra, per meal), grilled vegetables, a shrimp appetizer, soup, salad, and Japanese noodles. No one ever leaves Kyoto feeling hungry.

This is a great budget friendly restaurant for a Valentine's Day dinner, especially if you want to get a group of couples together for one, large table. For the amount of food you receive here and the price you pay, compared to what you get at a larger steakhouse for a lot more money, Kyoto is a great, fun, and inexpensive Valentine's Day dinner. (Visit www.kyotosteakhouse.com for more information.)

Smitty's Roadhouse Grille - (308 North Fannin Rockwall, Texas 75087) Smitty's is a romantic bar and grill that will make you feel like you have stepped back in time; the dark woods and nightclub atmosphere will make you feel like you have entered in to an old-time authentic bar in New York. This restaurant, located in historic downtown Rockwall, is small though; so, if you do decide to try Smitty's for your Valentine's Day dinner, make sure you call in advance to make a reservation.

Smitty's does offer an outside deck if it is warm enough to be seated outside and enjoy the beautiful Rockwall sunset. On weekends, there is always a live band playing old tunes or smooth jazz music.

They do offer a Valentine's Day prime rib special, but you really can not go wrong with any thing on their menu. If you do not want to stick to a typical, romantic Valentine's Day entrée, order a hamburger. They offer some of the juiciest beef patties and the best homemade sourdough buns that you will ever find.

There is a beautiful, dark paneled bar that extends half the length of the restaurant, but as stated above, the actual restaurant is only one, large room. Make sure to call in advance as this is a favorite among Rockwall locals, and you may find yourself in a very long waiting line if you do not make advance reservations. (Visit www.smittysroadhousegrille.com for more information.) This inexpensive Valentine's Day dinner will run you under $40.00 if you stick with entrees off of the actual mean; pricing for the Valentine's Day package will be given if you call to make a reservation.

Luigi's - (2002 S. Goliad Street Rockwall, Texas 75087) This dimly-lit and authentic feeling Italian restaurant will be sure to fit your Valentine's Day dinner budget. Luigi's is a well-known favorite among Rockwall locals, and any new comer will be sure to agree after eating here.

Upon being seated, you will be served warm garlic bread while you make your choice for dinner. They offer every type of homemade Italian meal you would desire - meatballs, lasagna, ravioli, chickens, seafood, etc. And, most meals are priced under $15.00 - which, will be sure to fit within your Valentine's Day restaurant budget.

There is not a dance floor, but the ambiance is enough to set a romantic tone for any meal. Make sure to show up early as they typically do not take reservations, but the wait time for a table can grow rather quickly. A couple can easily have their Valentine's Day dinner here for under $40.00, even if you both order a glass of wine to compliment your entrees.

Picnic - Although this is obviously not a restaurant, Rockwall is known for its amazing views and sunsets over the large local lake (Lake Ray Hubbard.) If you drive in to Rockwall on either main highway leading in to the town (Interstate 30 or Highway 66), you will pass over multiple areas of the lake.

So, for a budget friendly and inexpensive Valentine's Day dinner, why not skip the restaurant scene entirely? Pack a picnic basket from home, or stop somewhere to pick up some chicken and sides on your way to the lake. Then, drive in to Rockwall and look for any public areas near the lake.

If you are coming East on Highway 66, right when you cross the last bridge from Rowlett in to Rockwall, there will be a large gazebo on your left hand side. This is a public area with parking; you can park here and walk down to the water's edge to find the perfect spot. Or, if you are driving East on Interstate 30, you will pass an area on your right hand side that looks like a small, Italian village. This area is known as The Harbor; there are a multitude of stores, boutiques, restaurants, and a movie theater. You can also park here and walk down to many areas surrounding the lake. (If you are coming from the opposite directions for either spot, just simply reverse the sides.) If you do decide to try the Harbor area, you can always walk around the beautiful Italian-themed village after your romantic picnic and take in the wonderful ambiance the Harbor offers.

This picnic idea may not be what you typically do on Valentine's Day as a couple, but for this year, it is romantic, inexpensive, and a very budget-friendly Valentine's Day meal. Plus, there is nothing better than sitting near the lake, snuggled under a soft blanket with your loved one, and watching the sun set with an Italian village behind your back.