Tucked away along the back roads of Dallas sits a small, relatively new restaurant called Backwoods Bar & Kitchen. It gives off a farmhouse vibe, but in the most comforting way, with cheerful employees donning flannel shirts. It’s certainly different than most dining experiences I’ve had.

I took my closest friends to this restaurant during the day on a Saturday and we were met with a loud crowd but surprisingly no wait time. We were seated immediately and served fast, which is always welcomed in a busy restaurant. The dining room is spacious and open and you don’t feel as if you’re shoved up against other guests. In warmer months, large garage-door type windows open and allow for outdoor seating.

Our food was served on mixed-matched plates, one even featuring a snowman. This was a small detail, but it felt like we were being served by our family. The menu prices were not bad, offering decent-sized portions for a college student budget. I didn’t feel like I was breaking the bank after a night out.

We started with boneless bites with a variety of sauces, including barbecue and thai chili, but we settled on simple buffalo. The bites were spicy, but not overpowering; they had a slight tang to them which paired well with the bleu cheese. Most importantly, they weren’t caked in breading, which is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to boneless bites.

We also ordered a pretzel braid to share. It was a wonderfully soft and chewy pretzel served with fresh ground mustard and beer cheese. The cheese was underwhelming and a bit bland, but the pretzel itself was delicious.

For my main course, I had the “Backwoods Burger,” a burger topped with smoked gouda, garlic aioli, bacon, and lettuce. I opted out of the onions and tomato as I do not enjoy either vegetable. The burger was a little overdone, but the gouda, as well as the seasoned fries it came with, were enough to make up for it.

I recommend checking out Backwoods if you’re looking for a place to eat with friends. This restaurant also hosts live music on Fridays which makes for a fun night.