Get ready for some fast service, and a loud atmosphere that will drive you back for more!
How It Started
If you’re not familiar with the TV show Fast N’ Loud which aired on the Discovery Channel between 2012 and 2020, let me fill you in. For the car junkies out there, this was the epitome of a perfect reality show. Cars that are dilapidated and unwanted by most owners, are then supped up and given a new lease on life – okay, I’ll stop with the puns – by owner of Gas Monkey Garage, Richard Rawlings.
Now fifty-something, Rawlings started out owning and then eventually selling a print shop, in order to start his dream garage. His specific intent was to eventually get a TV show. Because of his love for cars and rebuilding them, the risk was clearly worth the reward. The show was a huge success for the duration of its run, and subsequent to the show’s end 6 years ago, Rawlings decided it was time to capitalize on the show’s name and start a restaurant.
The Icehouse
Enter Gas Monkey Icehouse. Having opened just a little over a year ago, they’ve been met with a positive reception from the community and keep those seats warm and their beer ice cold.
Unsurprisingly, the restaurant’s main demographic are car enthusiasts, and additionally families and those in youth sports. While 50% of the clientele may be there because of Rawling’s show, the other half may not even know about it or him. Having chosen Gas Monkey as their go-to restaurant for the fun vibe and delicious food, this lends itself to a wider range of customers than what would normally be expected. While it does offer a full bar, don’t be shy to bring your kids here. Even with as lively a vibe as there is, it’s without the risk of any adult monkey business, so that all ages are welcome. Another fun reason to bring the kiddos along with you, is that once a month the icehouse hosts car shows. Even more motivation to be coming in regularly. Who wouldn’t want to see some of the coolest rides around, and probably some unique ones to boot?
The Food, That’s Fast
There’s something to be said about good old fashioned American fare that is memorable. Most of the time when you go to a place that serves bar style food, you’re expectations are not exactly high. Gas Monkey delivers though. With the staples that we all know and love (pizza, burgers, wings, etc.), you’re definitely in for some high impact flavors, and some solid reasons to return – and bring others back with you.
Let’s start with their most popular items. They’re mainly known for their smashed burger -which is completely understandable. The two patty burger topped with American cheese and jalapenos, has an old fashioned flavor and filling size to satiate your hunger. And to wash it down, you should choose one of their 32 ice cold beers they have on draft, which are all served in frozen mugs. The frost and froth are both neat to see after they initially put it down on the table, and definitely encourage you to drink to your heart’s content.
But why stop there? If beer isn’t your jam, then maybe a Margarita is. At least, that’s what my husband had while we visited, and he was definitely not disappointed. The Cadillac Margarita that he ordered was made with Patron Silver tequila, orange liqueur, agave syrup and fresh lime juice, topped off with a signature salt rim.
And if you’re wanting a more girly drink, try the Cosmo, as I did, which was enough sweet to tide me over until the delectable dessert we had.
The Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Sandwich was flaky, tender and had all the right flavors. The Steakhouse Bacon Burger was also terrific, but the one that deserves a standing ovation is the Chopped Beef Grilled Cheese. It tasted like a pot roast sandwich – but cheesier. And on crispy toast. It was fantastic, and when I go back, I will be ordering that again. Unless I try something else off the menu that I didn’t get a chance to taste that day.
But the real reason I’d go back – the brownie. That’s right, I said it. The Double Wide Brownie will make all your dreams come true, and then some. That brownie was so big that it lasted me several days to get through it. Filling, chocolatey heaven-like gooiness…there are not enough words to describe just how delicious this was. And then the icing on the cake – or I guess in this case, the ice cream on the brownie – was Henry’s vanilla bean. Just perfection, and I’m not even kidding that this dessert was the best part of my meal.
And as a fun fact, nearly everything here at Gas Monkey is made in-house from scratch, including their salsa and pizza sauce. So if it tastes fresh – there’s a good reason.
The pizza was also delicious, but if I were you, I’d stick to the pepperoni over the vegetarian, as it packs so much more flavor. And on that sourdough crust, it’s the most unique flavor combination I’ve had in a while. The loaded brisket nachos are definitely also up there as far as what you should order while visiting. Skip the chicken and go with the brisket. Its tender, perfect flavor profile couples ideally with an ice cold beer and a good game on one of their many flat screen TVs.
The Atmosphere
Here at Gas Monkey, they aren’t messing around with high energy vibes or atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you’re met with a definite garage-like environment, from the cage in which the gift shop is located, to the industrial piping along the ceilings. There’s an old car on display inside the restaurant near the hostess’ booth, and if this weren’t enough to leave you with a working man’s style atmosphere, the colors in here are very dark brown, and black – giving it the less is more aesthetic. TVs surround the place from left to right so that you never miss anything that is going on. The day we were there, the World Cup was live, and cheering fans were scattered in a full house.
The outdoor courtyard area is large, beautifully maintained and with an outdoor bar seating area, it opens up the restaurant so much giving such spacial dimension.
The Charm of Gas Monkey
While the icehouse may seem like it’s just another bar, it’s really a lot more than that. With sports enthusiasts who come regularly to watch a game on TV, families coming in to enjoy some time out together (and even bring their dogs which are welcome on the patio), the dynamic here is diverse, fun and vibrant. They’re also located in a great area. Only about 30 minutes north of downtown Dallas, you’ll find it in the Grandscape district of The Colony, located amidst a hodgepodge of other restaurants, bars and family fun activities.
Overall, there’s no reason not to come to Gas Monkey. The question is only, when? Just make sure that when you do stop in to Gas Monkey Icehouse, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
To check out Gas Monkey Icehouse’s website, click here
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