Sometimes things just work out. When Eddie Cervantes opened Primo’s in Uptown Dallas well over a decade ago, there was no up in Uptown. A blighted area with great potential, most all traffic and dollars were heading to Far North Dallas. But Primo’s was an immediate hit, and his perseverance paid off. The area is now thriving and Primo’s is in a primo location.
Known for its fine Mexican food – it is the Mansion at Turtle Creek Chef Dean Fearing’s favorite restaurant – Primo’s really is known as the favorite watering hole of the upwardly mobile. Serving the best Margarita in town, which is no small achievement in Dallas, Primo’s is always crowded and it should be. It is consistently one of the best bars in Dallas.
From the early arriving lunch crowd until last call, Primo’s packs them in. You can set your watch by the time some regulars arrive, and they seem to chart their territory. Most veterans drink bar right near the restrooms. Those that visit not as frequently tend to gravitate bar left, where getting a drink can be a challenge. But the bar and wait staff, usually donned in t-shirts and shorts, are very friendly and super attentive. I have never seen an incident at Primo’s, and I have worn out the front and back door of the place.
There is always the birthday party or bachelorette party that will take over tables in the front or the room in the back. The patio facing bustling Mckinney Avenue is a choice seat on warm days and nights.
Tuesday night is always packed because of drink specials which tend to attract a large number of female clientele. But striking up a friendly conversation with a stranger or a friend is very easy at Primo’s, especially in the space challenged bar area.
Warm chips and excellent salsa begin every meal or are available at the bar for munching. The menu is extremely reasonable in price, although opt for two of the most expensive items on the menu “the shrimp or chicken mesquite” which are still under $15 and just outstanding.
No draft beer but a fine selection of bottled beer especially Mexican beer is available and very cold. Parking was more of an adventure until a valet lot went up across the street, but beware of parking in other establishment’s areas. They don’t seem to have much respect for the pioneer.
Mavericks drink there. Stars drink there. And those are just the sports teams. Local Mavericks and movie stars go there too. All to an unassuming place that picked the right time and the right place to open when Dallas needed a place like Primo’s so desperately.” D. M.