Dick's Last Resort - Comparison of the Dallas, San Antonio and Myrtle Beach Locations

Dick's Last Resort is an unusual place, to say the least. It's what I'd call a novelty restaurant, with attitude. They now have become a chain, which bothers me a bit as chains usually lose something in the translation from the original. The original Dick's is in Dallas, TX. I'll review it, their first spin-off down in San Antonio, and the Myrtle Beach location.

*Dallas, TX*
Sitting on a corner between a parking lot and the infamous West End of Dallas is Dick's Last Resort. Dick's motto is 'You can't kill a man born to hang.' This should be your first clue that this is most definitely not going to be a quiet dining experience...

The first time I stumbled upon this gem, I sat out on the boardwalk so as to watch the passers-by. It was a warm evening, yet not too hot... I was craving catfish for some reason and saw a diner eating just that. Sooo we sit down for a spell. Up comes the waitress, rolling her eyes. "OK look, we don't have menus so I'm gonna rattle it off once and ONLY once. Do not ask me to repeat myself." I almost bust out laughing.... but unsure of what was going on, I held it... barely. So she rattles off this menu and then says "So do ya know what ya want or does the BLONDE need a few minutes to think about it?" OK.. I lost it here. Tooo funny. Bear in mind this waitress is wearing buttons everywhere with such mottos as "I have PMS and a gun, wanna argue?". I did need time to think about it... A few minutes later she returns.. "So what the hell do ya want?"

Thus was my introduction to Dick's Last Resort. I loved it. You have to understand this is not rude, it's fun. It's all meant and delivered in an ornery sorta way. Some folks don't 'get it'. I've been here many, many times since and have seen folks actually get up and walk out. I just shake my head and wonder what is it that keeps them from letting their hair down once in awhile and having a good time? Ahh well. I love it, and I make a point of going every time I'm in the Dallas area.

By the way, I did have the catfish for $11.99. It was brought out in a bucket, and my plate was a paper mat. They also put a bib on me. The Catfish was delicious. I'm one of those folks that is picky about catfish. I either love it or I hate it, there is no middle ground. Dick's does it up perfect for me.

Our latest visit to Dick's in Dallas was after my daughter's Renaissance Wedding at Scarborough Faire just south of Dallas. This was my friend's first visit so I was wondering how he was going to take it all... he was rollin! A major hit. There were a group of veterinarians sitting at the next table having a great time when one of them spilled their drink... So the waiter sees this and wanders over non-chalantly, looking over the vets, smirking. "Alright everybody get the hell up, you're moving" and starts grabbing their plates. They just lost it, as did we. Tooo funny. The drink spiller was given a dunce cap.

At this visit I had 'Stake' which is a 12 oz rib eye for $14.99. It was both tender and tasty. My friend had the Rib 'n Chicken combo for $14.99 and said it was pretty good. We sat inside this time, where a live band was playing oldies and cracking jokes. I think this visit was even more fun than any prior. I had heard that they had toned it down due to complaints by folks that have no sense of humor, but nobody told our waiter that, thankfully. Gads it was fun!

*San Antonio, TX*
This Dick's Last Resort is the first of spin-off of what is becoming an empire. I think it is Dick's secret plan to take over the world, one city at a time. In San Antonio, Dick's is at one end of the famous River Walk, surrounded by foliage and on the edge of the river. Like Dallas, you can sit outside on the patio or inside with the band. We sat outside the one time I visited this location. The food was comparable, but not the atmosphere. *sigh* Yes folks, sadly this location already suffered from Chain-itis. It wanted to duplicate the ambiance of the original, but fell short. They seemed.. I dunno.. forced maybe? Like they just didn't have the correct personality to pull it off... and this definitely is a job where a particular personality is needed.

Anyway.. here I had the bucket of shrimp for $10.99. This is peel 'n eat shrimp and very very good. Now, different parts of the country serve their peel 'n eat shrimp differently, here it is cold (like it should be), rather than warm as it is served on the east coast. I should mention that the dinners come with wonderful honey bread and cole slaw... OK, the buckets come with that. Other items may have different sides.

*Myrtle Beach*
The Shame of Barefoot Landing! Located on the north tip of Myrtle Beach's famous Barefoot Landing tourist trap, this Dick's Last Resort is surrounded on two sides by water with a wrap-around deck. Very nice location. It was about 3pm so we missed the lunch crowd and were ahead of the dinner crowd. We walked in and looked around a minute then heard "Grab a menu and sit the fuck down right there." ooooh yeah! We were at the right place alright! So we grab our menus and start over to that table when a waitron grabs us and says "hell with him! I'm the one that has to bother with ya, sit over there instead." I adore this place.

We were too early for the band but sat inside anyway due to the severe weather that weekend. The PA was crankin' out old 70's tunes though and that suited us just fine. Things like Deep Purple and that ilk. My friend got the black & blue burger for about $6 and loved it. This is a blackened burger with blue cheese and he said it was done perfect. I went with my old favorite and got the lunch bucket of awesome catfish for $9. Cheaper than the dinner bucket as it has one less fillet, which was fine. Plenty to fill me up.

Alas, the waiter brought our meal (after throwin our 'plates' at us.. 'plates' being paper mats.. ) and I notice on the lunch menu that my catfish was to include bread and slaw... so I call him over, point to the menu and say 'bread and slaw!! I want my bread and slaw!'. You would think I would learn, wouldn't ya? He stares at me, says 'give me the damn menu' and proceeds to jerk the menu out of my hand, then walks away mumbling loudly 'bread and slaw, bread and slaw, she wants her damn bread and slaw.' It went downhill delightedly after that. Yes, this addition to the chain has lost nothing in the translation. The staff here is well trained and they have the right personality. If we had come during their peak hours I've no doubt they would have rivaled the original in Dallas. Good Job Myrtle Beach! Keep it up!

*What Else?*
Lot's else! This is a favorite tourist stop, and as such has tons of items to remember your Dick's adventure. They have bumper stickers, t-shirts (my fave is 'Real women love Dick's), sweat shirts, glasses, Zippo lighters.... OH! Let me tell you about customer service; While at the Dallas location last, I wanted the Zippo, I collect them. Unfortunately, they were locked in a display case and nobody could find the key. We were leaving Texas the next day and I really really wanted that lighter. Well, I did not get that lighter. Not then anyway. After we returned home I called them. They were very nice and took my Visa number to ship one. Well, it did not get shipped when they anticipated... so what did they do? They sent the lighter free of any charge whatsoever. I was very impressed with everyone I spoke with about this silly lighter. Best customer service ever!

But don't you dare ask them for a sack to put your stuff in... All I'm saying is, you have been warned so I'm not responsible for your embarrassment...

*Where Else Are They?*
You can now find a Dick's in Dallas, San Antonio, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston. As I said, I've been to three so far, and the original in Dallas is still best, but Myrtle Beach is a real close second.

*Bottom Line*
IF you have a sense of humor and fun, do not miss visiting Dick's Last Resort. It is soooo not for the timid or faint of heart, but a blast for everyone else. Good food and a rip-roaring good time!