Windmill Lounge is the type of hidden dive you need in your pocket. Sure parking isn’t the greatest, but you deal with it because the drinks are good and strong. Here you’re likely to make memories at 12 AM and forget them by 4 AM. But, before those memories start fading into your Windmill Whiskey Sour, you need to order some grub.

Located near the Medical District since 2005, the crowd here is a scattered mix of scrubs, regulars and a few newbies sprinkled in for good measure. Appetites may vary, but so too does their new drink and food menus.  You’ll want to begin by wetting your whistle with The Louise, a blend of vodka, OJ, strawberry nectar, ginger juice, mint syrup and sparkling wine or the very rum forward Hemmingway Daiquiri.

Not exactly your traditional “dude food” options air more on the lighter side. Like the Glazed Chili Almonds, made in house, they’re coated in what tastes like a honey and sesame seeds. You can easily find yourself guiltlessly plucking nut after nut while drinking down your boozy beverage. For something meatless, yet filling and sharable, get their Mexican Potato Skins. I was a little skeptical at first, but the grilled corn, black beans, avocado, queso fresco and crema on top of a rather tender tator skin left me surprisingly not missing my bacon.

Sharable items extend to flatbread at Windmill Lounge. Always a lady who is in need of extra cheese, it is quite unnecessary with the Blanca. This cheesy, creamy concoction of mozzarella, white cheddar, chevre, parmesan and alfredo is a dairy lover’s dream manifested on flatbread. Other options include their Honey Ham, a semi-sweet and salty blend of prosciutto, apples, goat cheese, honey, arugula and garlic oil and their Roasted Mushroom.

The flatbreads aren’t overly filling, but they get you where you need to be, if you’re not especially hungry.  But, if your appetite is tinkering towards voracious and you’re not in the mood to share, then let your eyeballs wander down to the pressed sandwiches. Served with kettle chips, choose between the Cuban, Windmill Dip, Classic Italian or Veggie. Focus your attention on the Windmill Dip. Lightness is once again present, it’s almost fluffier than other dips. The roast beef is sliced very thin, while the caramelized onions and gorgonzola horseradish sauce is perfectly encased in a crisp browned bun. Paired with the warm jus, it is as faultless as you can get in a French Dip.

During your next visit to Windmill Lounge after a few spins on the jukebox and two Pisco Sours make your move on the menu. Few things are better in life than a stiff one, some gyration and a Cuban Sandwich. TxMb

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Where to find them-5320 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75235

Phone (214) 443-7818

That whole parking thing- It’s pretty awful. No joke.