This Unassuming Texas Diner Is Every Foodie’s Summer Obsession

Creative takes on classic American dishes. This summer, let your inner foodie run wild at one of Dallas’s most creative comfort food spots.

Grab a bite at Jonathon’s Diner in Dallas, Texas.

Summer doesn’t have to mean trying all the latest seafood after beach days by the Gulf Coast.

Sometimes, it’s more about treating yourself or your friends to a meal at an American diner with all the comfort foods of home.

Let’s explore what they have to offer!

What to Expect

Generally, grabbing a bite to eat at this diner costs about $10-20, on average. It’s easy on the wallet — enough for a relaxed meal out without any financial planning required.

Not only do they have creative spins on the American comfort food dishes you love and crave, but Jonathon’s Diner also makes desserts homemade.

It’s a casual eatery, so no need to get dressed up. Of course, you’re totally welcome to break out that great outfit you’ve been saving for summer.

It’s also a low-key spot for friends or out-of-town family.

Reservations are required, so plan ahead — coordinate with your group and lock in a date early.

They do have outdoor seating. As you know, Texas summers get sweltering in a hurry. Make sure you have plenty of water.

They’re known for great cocktails — a nice bonus for a late morning out.

Their hours are from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day.

It’s mostly a breakfast and lunch place, so don’t count on it for a dinner or late-night diner craving. Rise and shine early!

Saturdays are their busiest days, followed by Sundays in the late morning. Mondays are also surprisingly busy.

Hungry folks spend anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half here. Budget your schedule and commute travel time accordingly.

The building sits low on the side of the road and can be easy to miss, but parking wraps around it with decent availability.

But parking wraps around the building. Some spots are closer to the entrance; if you’d prefer one of those, opt for an off-peak day or time.

It’s a small building and parking lot, so parking will be limited.

The sign is also easy to miss. It’s got a big “J” and “S” for Jonathon’s. The letters in the middle are harder to read. But if you find that “J,” odds are that you’ve found what you were looking for.

In case you type in Jonathon’s and two locations and addresses pop up, you’re not imagining it. There are two locations for Jonathon’s: one is at 1619 North Beckley Avenue, and the other is at 5337 Forest Lane.

We’re diving into the Beckley Avenue location, in Oak Cliff. Head on over!

Interestingly, Jonathon’s Forestwood — now in North Dallas — is actually the original location, which started out in Oak Cliff before relocating.

Jonathon’s Forestwood got its start in May 2011 in a tiny Oak Cliff space at 1111 North Beckley Avenue.

Because of a rent increase, Jonathon’s had to move in 2021. They moved North!

After navigating the challenges of renovating a new space, they reopened a couple of years later — serving up the same classics fans had always loved.

The Jonathon’s that’s currently in Oak Cliff, at 1619 North Beckley Avenue, is open for both dine-in and takeout. If you want to place a takeout order, call 214-782-9273.

They don’t accept weekend brunch reservations, so keep that in mind as you block out time for brunch this summer.

At weekend brunch, they can seat groups of up to 10 guests. They don’t typically seat more than 10 guests in a party.

They also recommend keeping parties to 6 or less to keep wait times low for everyone.

They ask all guests to be parked, present, and accounted for inside the restaurant to be seated.

Weekend brunch is serious here!

Most of their seating are 2- and 4-top booths, so they only have a couple of tables that will accommodate larger parties.

That’s part of the reason for keeping group party numbers to the single digits.

Note that, if you do come with a very large party, there’s a high likelihood that the group won’t be able to all sit together.

Weekday reservations for groups are limited as well. They have a few spots open, but you’ll need to call 214-782-9273 and ask for a manager.

Tell them you’re calling to get a weekday-only reservation for a party of 8 or more people.

Where to wait it out? They have outdoor seating for guests. There aren’t any indoor waiting spaces, so pack a little fan if you’re going at a time when the wait time could be lengthy.

You can wait for tables to open up outside, or you can sit in your car until your table is ready. They have a system where they’ll send you a text when your table is ready.

Just be sure all members of your group are present and ready to be seated, when they text you.

They don’t use any third-party delivery services. Instead, they have takeout. You can place to-go orders up to 30 minutes before closing time.

How about catering? Corporate? Private events?

Jonathon’s offers catering for both corporate parties and events, and birthday parties and anniversaries.

If you call Christine at 945-269-0004, she’ll work with you on making a menu that’s unique to your event. They say no event is too large or too small.

Jonathon’s Menu

Let’s start out with weekend brunch items.

I’d go with the Breakfast Tacos ($12). These include bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, flour tortillas, a side of pico de gallo, salsa, and brunch potatoes. You can’t go wrong with a taco.

Another option is simply labeled Breakfast (same price). This would be two eggs, made your way, with two sides and a slice of toast.

I like the name of this next one: Dad’s Benedict.

It’s funny because it’s true!

This dish comes with ham, two eggs over easy, an English muffin, hollandaise, and a side of brunch potatoes. It’s $15, priced a little higher.

The Danger Dogs ($9) are shareable — pancake-battered turkey sausage links served with spicy mustard. Fair warning: have a glass of water nearby.

If you always look for the fruit option at a brunch place, there’s a fruit plate at $10. The fruit is seasonal, so be sure to ask what they have in the kitchen.

I couldn’t believe I found a Sopapilla Waffle — at $14, it’s on the pricier side, but it’s a glorious mashup of two beloved things.

This Belgian waffle is deep fried and tossed in cinnamon and sugar. It’s drizzled with honey and topped off with toasted almonds and a side of vanilla crema.

I don’t think I could go for this, but there’s an All in One Waffle for $16. It’s got everything you could imagine!

The waffle is stuffed with bacon baked inside, and it’s topped with scrambled eggs, pork sausage, caramelized onions, green chiles, cheddar cheese, Chef Jon’s peppered gravy, and a hot sauce drizzle.

The staff members at Jonathon’s say no modifications to this dish, please.

I can understand that: it’s about going all in on an All in One Waffle. You’ve got to take it all.

There’s a Bloody Mary bar, with house-made mixes you can customize with your own garnish and heat level.

Ranging from $8–10, your vodka options include house vodka, Stoli, Stoli Hot Jalapeño, Absolut, and Tito’s.

A perfect name for a dish at a brunch, the Nooner is a burger with bacon, ham, swiss cheese, American cheese, sliced tomatoes, a fried egg, and mayo on a toasted bun.

What I like about it is that it feels like a blend of a breakfast haphazardly thrown together and a lunch where you rolled in at the last minute. Perfect for late risers.

Soups are based on the day of the week and vary. Some recent options were Chef Jon’s Chili in a cup or bowl ($5 or $8) or Chicken Enchilada.

One of their salads, the Working Man’s Salad, is for those of you who don’t get summers off like the kids do.

Sit down to one of these salads, including bacon, ham, chicken, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, and romaine lettuce with a honey mustard dressing.

Jonathon’s has a long list of cocktails, wines, bubbles, and more. Be sure to study this page of the menu to find what you may like. Their wines come from Italy, France, Argentina, and more.

Their Mimosa at $5 has house bubbles and freshly squeezed orange juice. If you’d rather have pineapple, there’s a Malimosa with coconut rum, pineapple, house bubbles, and grenadine.

Their Grapefruit Reba, another great name, has Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka mixed with lemon and grapefruit. Something sweet and tangy.

One name I couldn’t skip past is The Smurfette. For anyone who loves Smurfs, there’s a stoli blueberry vodka with blue curacao and lemonade. It’s yours for $10.

To find it, search ‘Jonathon’s Diner Dallas’ in your Maps app

Where: Jonathon’s Diner, 1619 North Beckley Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75208

Jonathon’s Diner is anything but a relic — it’s a living, evolving take on the American comfort food experience.

It’s basically busting at the seams with creativity and new twists on old classics.

So make Jonathon’s one of your summer pit stops — you’ll leave with a full plate, a great story, and at least one new favorite.

Smell the comfort food you love. But taste something new.

Find them online at jonathonsoakcliff.com and pull up directions on Google Maps before you head out — because a Sopapilla Waffle and a Smurfette cocktail are worth every minute of the drive.