Close to a decade ago, I enjoyed dinner several times at the Wildwood in Southlake, Texas shortly after it opened. Recently, when I had to select a restaurant to review in Garland, Texas and discovered that Wildwood had opened a second location there last year, I had to try it! And so I bring you my Wildwood Garland Restaurant Review.
Check out the “Dinner and a Show” bi-weekly column at TheatreJones.com, which includes this restaurant review paired with an upcoming performing arts show in Garland (and other restaurant reviews around North Texas).
Wildwood Garland Restaurant Review
I was surprised that the interior at the new Wildwood location didn’t feel as upscale as the original. However, it was inviting and comfortable, and I’ve since learned that the original underwent a redesign in 2016 to make it more modern and casual, and they carried that new design over to their second location. At the same time, the menu was also updated and a new tagline was added – “smoke, craft, whiskey” – to reflect their signature wood-fired grill cuisine, craft beers and specialty cocktails featuring bourbons and ryes.
Because I was eating Whole30 when I visited — and because it’s always better to dine with someone fun who shares an appreciation for good food — I took a favorite dining partner in crime with me.
Wildwood Garland Appetizer
He ordered an appetizer I could only drool over — the Dragon Dip pictured above. It’s a mustard seed infused cheddar cheese beer dip, served with two small loaves of toasted pretzel bread. The dip was creamy, comforting and delicious (although a tad greasy), and the bread was soft and fresh. Would he order it again? Definitely.
Meanwhile, I ate a salad. Although any salad pales in comparison to a cheese beer dip with pretzel bread, my Artisan salad was tasty. Made with mixed greens, mission figs, jicama, grape tomatoes and toasted pepita seeds, the ingredients were fresh and a nice combination in terms of taste and texture.
Wildwood Hanger Steak
For my entree, I ordered the Hanger Steak, with a few alterations so I didn’t cheat on my Whole30 eating program. I have to give a shout out to our server here! She was amazingly patient, diligent and sweet. She went back to the kitchen several times on my behalf, to inquire about ingredients and how things are prepared (on my list of “no-nos” was sugar, soy, alcohol, grains … and more). With her help, we determined that the Hanger Steak, without the red wine reduction sauce, was my best option. And instead of mashed potatoes, I opted for the seasonal vegetables.
My steak was the star of the meal! I have to admit that I was feeling a little sorry for myself because I had to “miss out” during our dinner because I was eating Whole30. And eating a steak without a sauce? This girl loves her condiments, and that sounded torturous. Then … I tasted my steak. And then … I tasted my vegetables. Wow. I was truly surprised and most definitely NOT missing out! My steak was perfectly cooked (medium rare), tender and flavorful, with a hint of hickory smoke on the outer char.
The seasonal vegetables were a mashup of roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, squash and red onions. I loved this combination so much that I have re-created the combo at home several times since. It was the perfect pairing with my steak, and I’d order it all again, exactly the same, except I’d try the red wine reduction sauce next time.
Hickory Smoked Fried Chicken
My dining partner ordered the Hickory Smoked Fried Chicken with napa slaw. He subbed out the parmesan fries for their green beans. The chicken is prepared “hot Nashville-style,” and it was tasty, but not as crispy as he would have preferred.
The green beans, on the other hand, were perfect – seasoned well and not overcooked. The napa slaw had a nice flavor combo, but it was surprisingly spicy with jalapenos in it. That’s not a complaint – just a warning.
We were too full for dessert (and, well, I couldn’t eat sugar). The options sounded good, but I was looking for one particular dessert I thoroughly enjoyed at the Wildwood in Southlake years ago — a chocolate chip cookie s’more they brought out on a cutting board with a glass of milk. It was so memorable that I tried to recreate it at home years later (I got close but not close enough). Looks like I’ll have to try again because it’s no longer on their dessert menu.
Despite Wildwood’s tagline (smoke, craft, whiskey), it isn’t a distillery. However, it’s bar does specialize in bourbons and ryes from American small-batch distilleries, which sounds like the perfect excuse to return in a warmer month, when the bar becomes an indoor/outdoor bar. I plan to check out some of their cocktails and, of course, order the hanger steak again!
