Cajun and Tex-Mex | Housemade Southern Sides | Onsite Art Gallery | Weekend Brunch

Sample Menu

• Brunch: french toast covered in chocolate syrup, banana slices, nuts, and whipped cream
• Lunch or Dinner: chicken fried steak
• Sides: grits or housemade cornbread

When to Go: Come by any day but Monday, when the restaurant is closed. Also, don't show up expecting dinner on Sunday, when the restaurant only serves brunch.

Inside Tips

• Make reservations. Space is limited, so consider calling ahead. If you want to sit on the patio, however, don’t bother ringing them up beforehand—Dixie Quick's doesn't set aside tables there.
• Accept the temporal nature of all things. The chefs shop for fresh ingredients every day, which means your favorite dish might be absent from future menus.

Praise: When Guy Fieri visited Dixie Quick's for his show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, he said their Texas Chile Pepper Steak was ''one of the best pepper steaks [he’s] ever had.''

The Vibe: Like the rotating menu, much of Dixie Quick’s decor changes by the day, including the giant chalkboard that lists that day's food. The colorful chalk script also covers the host's station in ever-changing designs. As for enduring elements, exposed brick and plaster walls surround the dining room, and large black-and-white photographs hang on display, lending the space a modern, arty vibe.

Who's Cooking: Owner Rene Orduna's food is a reflection of his life. While growing up, Chef Orduna learned the ins and outs of the kitchen by working at his family's Mexican restaurant. Once he was old enough, he set off to travel the world. What he brought back home—and ultimately to Dixie Quick's—was a blend of flavors inspired by Southern, Cajun, and Tex-Mex cuisines.

While You're in the Neighborhood
Before or After: See the photography, paintings, and other works of nonedible art at The RNG Gallery (1915 Leavenworth Street), which shares its address—and entrance—with Dixie Quick's.

If You Can’t Make It, Try This: Get your homestyle fix at Duncan's Cafe (501 S. Main Street), which serves up a slew of breakfast and lunch favorites, including hash browns and pan-fried chicken.