Grand Lux Cafe
Categories: Desserts, American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, Asian Fusion [Edit]
13420 Dallas PkwyDallas, TX 75240 (972) 385-3114
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Sun 11:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Garage, Valet
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Full Bar
21 Reviews for Grand Lux Cafe
High quality, decent food. Their menu isn't as extensive as Cheesecake Factory but it boasts the same variety. I split a patty melt with my dad that we both enjoyed. Expensive, but considering the portion size I suppose that's alright.
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This place is pretty decent... it is pretty much an asianesque version of the cheesecake factory... you pretty much know what you're getting when you eat here - which is huge portions of primarily comfort foods. It's very popular and it works well for the target crowd who happens to be shopping usually at the Galleria.
If you want something different, try the asian nachos... it's something new and unexpected - but I liked it.
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So much good food!!
Vietnamese Chicken Summer Rolls - mmm, who can resist peanut sauce?
Double Stuffed Potato Spring Rolls - OMG!!! Loaded mashed potatoes, wrapped in egg roll rappers and deep fried?!?! Decadent, yummy comfort food
Pan Roasted Chicken Breast - Lots of flavor
Braised Yankee Pot Roast - My absolute favorite meal at Grand Lux, so tender and flavorful, and the braised cabbage, whipped sweet potatoes and other veggies? YUM!!!
New Orleans Beignets - served with 3 sauces, order in advance
Warm Rustic Apple Pie - also order when you order your meal, it takes a while; more of an apple galette, and very, very yummy; big enough to share between 2-4 people
And a few iffy things...
B.B.Q. Chicken Pizza - soggy in the middle of the pizza, need I say more?
Slow Roasted Short Ribs of Beef - sort of sour tasting and not in a good way, it was given to me as an alternative to my Pot Roast when they ran out
Roasted Pineapple Upside Down Cake - might have been better if I hadn't had the superior version at Babe's not long before trying this version
I love this place, even if it's a bit expensive, and most servings are enough for 2 meals.
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First off let me say that I am completely thrown by Layla's "Boner" story featured in her Grand Lux Cafe review that inconveneiently sits to my right as I try and type this in. Unfortunately, my summation will not hold a candle to that nor feature any clever nicknames for male appendages.
Secondly, it's rare that I have a completely different experience thanour Yelp goddess Meridith but I was reminded to post my Dallas Grand Lux review based on my excellent visits to the one in Vegas. The Chinese Caramel Chicken I ate at the Venetian location last night completely blew away the same dish prepared in the Galleria's kitchen.
Yes, Grand Lux is run by the Cheesecake Factory people but skews more Asian in its dishes or so it seems. We Yelpers often rail against the chains but CF does a pretty consistent job in producing tasty meals from an expansive menu. The food that I have consumed at the Dallas version has been average at best. This particular Caramel chicken was dry both inside and out. The burger ordered on another night was underseasoned and overcooked, something I have yet to see at CF.
Finally, I ordered a pineapple upside-down cake for dessert one time, waited 30 minutes for its prepation, only to find it dry and flavorless. My favorite dessert from a company that specializes in that arena and it's totally botched? Boo-Hoo!
Unless, I was shopping at the Galleria, which happens never, I would elect to drive to CF if I was looking for that type of meal. If I was at the Galleria, there are only like 200 other places within a mile radius. Of course if you're paying, I'll be there in 5 minutes. I'll be sure to keep the boner in check.
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I'm suprised at all the bad reviews for this place...for what the grand lux is (part of the same chain that spawned the cheesecake factory), it really is relatively quite good. this place isn't a mom & pop restaurant, it isn't a diner, it isn't a classy restaurant with a 6 course menu, it's a restaurant in a mall and part of a large chain. if you take the time to actually look at the menu and read the descriptions of the food, you can find some really good stuff.
The menu really does have a ton of different options, including healthy things. We went in at lunch time (busy) and our server was really great- be brought and took away dishes at the right time, refilled all our drinks appropriately, got all of our many modifications to dishes correct, and was just a nice guy. The food was good, and there really wasn't anything to complain about. Sure, its not the most amazing food I've ever had, but there was nothing bad about the food we got.
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I went to various Grand Luxes and realized that I haven't written a review yet.
I pretty much had really great experience with them. Service is great, friendly and fast. Food is huge portions which I either share or bring home with me. And Taste is overall pretty damn good. I've had various dishes: Shrimp Scampi, Pasta with Grilled Chicken, ADORE their Miso Glazed Salmon, etc.
I truly LOVE their beignets and chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream. Honestly, it doesn't get any better for me regarding those two desserts.
Yeah, so minus the hideous decor (no style at all!) this place is a great place to have lunch or dinner with a group of friends or family.
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It's not often that the word "Boner" and "Awesome food" get to be used in the same review.
The first time I went to this place, the female half of the couple to our right whispered to her date, "I can totally see your boner." It wasn't so much a whisper, because I heard it, the guests at the table behind us heard it, and the busgirl heard it. From that point on, I thought of this place as Grand Boner.
Regardless of it's titillating effect, this place is really awesome for a chain. I hate the Cheesecake Factory (mini-rant: If you're going to put ads in your menus, at least use the revenue to offset the price of your food. $15 salad, fine. $15 salad AND a Ray-Ban ad? Sucky.) so I was pleasantly surprised at how fresh and diverse the menu is. I say that like I get things like the Miso Salmon or the Herb Crusted Whatever, but really the only thing I ever order there is the Grand Lux Melt. It's like a patty melt from heaven. Thick grilled cheddar bread, juicy burger, grilled onions, oooey gooey cheese, fries...this is a sharesey kind of meal.
I admire those who try new things there. The menu is like 38 pages long, the portions are mid-west big, and everything looks great. But man, that melt. Whoa.
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I had bad service when I went and it was the first time I went. The appetizers took about 30 minutes to come out, and the entrees came out about 35 minutes after that, and throughout the meal the server was nowhere to be found and the restaurant was not even busy! We ordered simple things because we wanted to be in and out within an hour and fiften minutes (we got there at 9pm and left at 11pm). Later closer to the end of the meal the manager comes by and apologizes and only offers to comp a pie($3.50) and my entree ($16.00). I was upset! I ordered some chicken and garlic pasta or something and when it came out it looked like and tasted like mac and cheese. I sent it back and got something else. Otherwise the food was not bad. 3 stars is pushing it.
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Ok, I ate here with a small group. I had heard many good things about Grand Lux and maybe my expectations were a little high.
We ordered the mashed potato spring roll things, and I think they were by far the best part of the meal.
Jenn ordered some Shaking Beef dish that they said would be cooked to a minimum of medium well and asked if that was ok. I should have taken my cue here.
I ordered the Jamaican Pork Chop. Can you say OVERCOOKED? Seriously people, this is not 1957... medium rare is perfectly fine for pork chops. This pork chop was cooked to a tasty well done. The rice, mashed sweet potatoes, black beans & mango salsa that accompanied the pork were all delicious.
I took the leftovers home, but were unable to eat them because well done pork, reheated... equals rubber. I tasted Jenn's shaking beef, and I thought it had a good flavor, but again, overcooked. Jenn's DF had the caramel chicken something and it was by far the best meal of the evening.
A friend of J's DF ordered a baked chicken which was just ok, he said. He also ordered the molten lava cake for dessert. I ordered the pineapple upside down cake with macadamias. Jenn had the Banana Cream Pie and DF had the Creme Brule Duet.
I didn't try the lava cake, but it looked like it was by far the best of the desserts. Jenn's Banana Cream Pie was the best of the ones I tried. My cake was ok, but nothing to write home about and wasn't even hot enough to melt my ice cream... which was interesting as it was one of the items you had to Pre-Order. The Creme Brule was ok, but not any better than I can make in my own kitchen.
I am sure that I probably just ordered the wrong thing that night, but for my first experience at Grand Lux, I think I'm being generous with the 3 stars.
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I'm not sure that it really deserves 4 stars, maybe more like 3.5, but when I've gone there, I've had a nice experience. It sort of, "is what it is": chain, done by the same people that do the Cheesecake Factory, upscale commercial stuff. You know the steez: P.F. Chang's, etc.
It's good and a worthwhile place to go if you are around the Galleria and just want something upscale and yummy. It's sort of comfort food for the upper-middle class. It's not really amazing, but I feel like the food is yummy and the dessert is too.
It's not a great value, though, so if you are a penny-pinching sort, don't even bother; you'll be pissed.
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Came here for a friend's birthday and since we the server told us they had large portions, the girls wanted to share the dishes so that meant I wasn't gonna be the one ordering. Francesca L. ordered us the Pasta Carbonara and the Madeira Chicken. The combo was just right together. The Pasta Carbonara seemed kinda of plain, but it was nevertheless good. The Madeira Chicken said it used a madeira sauce what ever that's supposed to mean, but it tasted like a sweetened up soy sauce.
I had a mojito to start off my drinking for the night and they make a pretty good mojito. The mojito kind of had a syrup-y feel to it so I'm guessing they added a lot of sugar to it. They pulverized the mojito just enough to where there was a little bit of spearmint leaf in each sip. Overall, the balance of alcohol, sweetness, and taste was ok. I also got a taste of the champagne. I'm not sure what kind it was, but it wasn't too dry and there were subtle kicks of fruit with the bubblies.(Yes, I said bubblies)
Talk about decor! Every inch of the place has some kind of paint, decoration, or something on it. Not a single area where it's just plain. I liked the translucent glass triangle tessellation curtain that separated the waiting area from the bar, the ginormous ceiling, and how the seating areas aren't all the same.
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Dont know much about Geography, dont know much about algebra, but I do know that this place wasnt so grand..its ok..I felt like i was eating Dennys food at a classier spot:) the food wasnt to write home about...i gave it 2 tries, didnt go well both times..
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I've been to Grand Lux a few times and everytime I've had a good experience. The service is a little slow, but I really enjoy the food. It is a little pricey, but as long as you know that going in then it's not really a big deal I don't think.
The Double Stuffed Potato Spring Rolls are fabulous - they are like egg rolls but stuffed with mashed potatoes with with cheese, bacon, and green onion on top. I brought a guest there with me in April and she's still craving these little things! I've also had the Coco-Mac Chicken Satay - it was good, but not nearly as good as the potato spring rolls.
For a meal my 2 favorites this far have been:
Sunday Night Pasta -A Rich Slow Simmered Meat Sauce with Chunks of Beef Short Ribs, Steak, Fresh Mushrooms, Onions, Garlic and Parmesan Cheese. Served over Spaghettini (I get mine over penne though)
and
Rustic Lasagna -Pasta Layered with Fresh Mushrooms, Chicken, Spinach and Cheese, all Covered in a Creamy Roasted Tomato Sauce (this lasagna is "deconstructed" however so its not your typical presentation, but it was yummy!
For Dessert -
The Molten Chocolate Cake is pretty fabulous and they have the BEST chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. If you order them at the start of your meal they'll bring you a box of them warm and fresh from the oven after your meal is over.
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Mmm...Grand Lux Cafe. This place is a must, if just for dessert! Their made to order desserts are what drew me in. Their menu is very comprehensive, even more so than that of the Cheesecake Factory, their parent company. Prepare to get lost!! If you have a tough time trying to make a decision as to what to eat, this place isn't for you. Everything sounds so good! The entrees are good, too, but nothing really wowed me. That is, until dessert! The made to order beignets are a fried, powdery mess...but oh so delicious! They come complete with dipping sauces of the fruity and chocolatey kind, but are a treat just by themselves. I am tempted to try their other dessert offerings, but my heart has a soft spot for those beignets. Delish!
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I use to work here, as a mater of fact I helped open this restaurant. Going back gives me good memories, I like to sit at the bar being served by my old co-worker Mike.
Asian Nachos are a great way to get started, followed by Grand Lux burger melt (medium rare). Then it's hard to choose the dessert of either the Rustic Apple pie or Molten Chocolate cake.
If you go tell the bartender Mike (works day time bar Monday through Fridays) about this review.
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Okay, after eating here in Vegas, I did not have high expectations. In Vegas, it is pretty bad so I was not too excited when this was picked as our dinner destination. However, it was decent. They warned us that the portions are large and next time I will heed this warning because I felt pretty miserable after dinner. The warm bread is very good as a starter but you have to ask for more if you want more.
Our service was fine but not outstanding. My biggest complaint is the prices. The food is pretty good, but not $13 for a sandwich good. Also, I got my husband a "to go" Diet Coke to go along with the meal I took home for him. It came out in a tiny plastic cup and they charged me $2.75. Rip off! Out of principal, I almost downed it and got a refill. Anyway, the mushroom burger was good but next time I will 86 the butter because it was on the greasy side. The fries (I like them crunchy) were pretty darn good. All in all, it is the Cheesecake Factory (same decor, virtually the same menu, they offer CF cheesecake) under a different name. It is a chain, one of the better ones, but nothing I would go out of my for.
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I feel bad giving Grand Luxe only 3 stars because the food really is exceptional. The problem is it's very LOUD. Don't plan on sitting at the table and having an intimate dinner with nice conversation. Ain't gonna happen here.
If you go out just for the food, this is the place to go. Several desserts that you order with your meal as they are freshly prepared. Their lemonade is delicious. Entrees are excellent. Service is great as well.
It's just too damn loud to enjoy the company of those you are dining with. To me, that's most of the pleasure of a meal.
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By the same company as Cheesecake Factory...extensive menu with so much to choose from..quite overwhelming when you are hungry.
I've been a few times and I have always enjoyed my meal. Piping hot and fresh, the fries are too crunchy though, kind of like McDonald's which I don't like. The atmosphere is nice, really pretty ceilings!
They have a few made to order desserts which must be ordered 30 mins in advance. I had the roasted pineapple upside down cake with ice cream and macadamia nuts...oooh it was sooo good. sweet, crunchy, and warm plus the cool, creamy ice cream. Downside was my waiter SUCKED~~~almost forgot all about my delicious cake..jerk!
Meridith is right, it is pretty darn expensive!
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If you enjoy a decadent, calorie-laden English afternoon tea, RUN to the Grand Lux Cafe. I have been 4 times, each time with a different guest. They have all raved about the experience, and have subsequently taken their friends. The Grand Lux Cafe's scones, finger sandwiches, pastries, and teas are heavenly. Afternoon tea is served between 2.00pm and 5.00pm daily. The restaurant is owned by the Cheesecake Factory, and it's reflected in the decor. Service can be a bit slow, especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but it's worth the wait.
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Okay, I know Grand Lux is a soulless corporate brainchild of their parent company, the makers of the Cheesecake Factory. And I know that I normally despise chain restaurants, and I know that a lot of people will probably think that this restaurant is no different from Cheesecake- but I really, really like it.
It's hard to say why, except to say that everything just *works*. The decorating is completely over the top, and straddles the border of being incredibly gaudy, but doesn't quite get there. It seems as if every time I go there, every time they seat me someplace new, and I get a different perspective on the art that decorates the ceiling and walls. Like Cheesecake, the colors are warm and inviting, and is designed in something of a Venetian style that seems vaguely art-deco.
The food is similar to the Cheesecake Factory, though there is a bit more of an Asian influence to the dishes (they have meals from all over the world, but Asian seems to predominate). The entrees are well made but not spectacular, and of course the portions are enough to feed three people.
The Grand Lux 'twist' is their baked-to-order desserts, which must be ordered at the start of the meal because they take so long to make. This means that you really have to pace yourself during your meal to appreciate the dessert.
The desserts are incredible! My personal favorite are the beignets and the cookies, though the chocolate cake and pineapple upside down cake are outstanding. I've tried all of the baked to order, and none of them disappointed.
This is also a decent stargazing location, as I've seen Babyface, Jason Terry, and some football player from UT there during some of my random visits.
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I agree with you Wallace, except that I despise the decorations, and the whole high ceiling kinda thing they have going on...The food is very good actually, even if this restaurant confuses all of its customers with an apperent lack of theme...it really sets me off, but yes, the desserts are sooo good.
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