Where to Go Before—or After—the Boulevard

In Dallas, some traditions revolve around the main event. Others are about everything that happens before—or after—it.

On an SMU game day, kickoff is only one part of the plan. There is the early coffee run, the table everyone manages to gather around, the reservation made well in advance, and the place where no one is quite ready to call it a night.

Whether you are coming in for the game, meeting friends along the way, or simply looking for somewhere nearby to join the energy, these are the places we recommend to start early, grab a bite, make the reservation, and keep it going.

Start Early

Boulevard days have a way of beginning long before the official festivities do. Start with coffee, something fresh, or a proper breakfast before the neighborhood fills with red and blue.

White Rock Coffee, Kilo Coffee, Herb’s House Coffee, and Foxtrot make an easy first stop when the priority is caffeine and getting the day underway. Nékter Juice Bar offers a lighter beginning, while Shug’s Bagels and Café Brazil are reliable choices when something more substantial is required.

For a slower start, 360 Brunch House and Sweet Paris turn breakfast into the first gathering of the day. The point is not necessarily to be in a hurry. It is to settle in, meet your people, and ease into the rhythm of the Boulevard.

Grab a Bite

Not every stop needs to be a production. Sometimes the best plan is the familiar one: something satisfying, a comfortable table, and a place that can easily accommodate a group.

Burger House and Bubba’s are long-time neighborhood favorites, while Bandito’s, Olivella’s, and Ozona are made for the kind of casual gathering that can happen before the Boulevard or immediately afterward. Los Charros at Graduate Dallas brings the gathering even closer to campus.

Come as you are, order what sounds good, and leave enough room in the schedule for the plans that inevitably change.

Make the Reservation

Some Boulevard plans deserve to feel like plans.

This is the category for the table booked ahead, the outfit that can carry you through the day, and the meal that becomes an occasion of its own. The choices range from neighborhood dining rooms such as D.L. Mack’s, Jack & Harry’s, Ramble Room, and The Finch to sushi at Oishii SMU, French bistro energy at Bar Sardine, and the more spirited flavors of El Molino and Sueño.

There is intentionally no distinction here between lunch and dinner. Game times change, traditions vary, and the right reservation may come before the Boulevard, after the game, or somewhere in between. What matters is having a place waiting when everyone is ready to sit down.

Keep It Going

When the game is over but the evening is not, Dallas offers plenty of ways to extend it.

Barley House remains closely connected to the Boulevard experience. Its tent near Bishop and Binkley is often part of the day itself, with live music, food and drink wristbands, and a welcome for both home and visiting fans. Afterward, Milo Butterfingers and The Green Elephant keep things relaxed, familiar, and full of game-day energy.

For cocktails and a more polished final stop, there is Boxcar, Lounge 31, or Park House—the latter for members and their guests. The destination may change depending on the group, but the instinct is the same: one more drink, one more conversation, and no immediate need to end the night.

The Full List

Below is the complete Dallas Curated directory for where to go before—or after—the Boulevard. The restaurants are presented alphabetically so you can browse the full collection, explore the individual restaurant pages, and choose the place that fits your plans.

The list will continue to evolve as new places open, old favorites change, and more Boulevard traditions become worth keeping close.