Jesse's Place

DALLAS: Jesse's Place
2904 S Ervay St
Dallas, TX 75215
214-421-2223
Open M-Sat 11-7

Jesse Gross has owned this building for twenty-two years. In that time it has housed a fried chicken joint and a night club. Before then it was one of many Hardeman's locations that have all but disappeared (save one South Dallas location). The place has been serving as an event venue with intermittent band bookings in their event space, but in July Jesse reopened the BBQ joint. There's an old custom Bewley pit back there from the Hardeman days, but Jesse said he's looking for a pitmaster to really expand the smoked meat menu. For now the offerings are printed on some inkjet paper taped to the wall. There's a $0.99 menu which includes a small chopped beef sandwich and frito pie. Larger sandwiches and a hot link are just $2.99. Ribs and sliced beef were nowhere to be found.



After ordering through the bar covered window, I waited for my food while a woman came through the door into the uncomfortably small lobby looking for a free lunch. It's cash only, so my only five dollar bill had already gone through the window. Behind me the prominent signs were informative of the dress code and the consequences for fighting. When my order was handed over I went out to enjoy it on the trunk of my car. Frito pie was cheap ballpark quality fare. Hot links were slightly dried out but spicy Smokey Denmark's on a standard hot dog bun with Bull's Eye BBQ sauce. Chopped beef was sloppy joe quality stuff with sweet sauce and little smokiness. Given the price it's hard to complain, but I'm anxious to return when he finds that pitmaster. I'm sure he'd be happy to know if any of you out there are interested.

Rating - Pending