Kessler - Dallas, TX Area Guide

Oak Cliff, the district the neighborhoods are located in, was annexed by Dallas in 1903. Stevens Park was named after its developer, John Stevens. Many homes in the area were built in the late 1930s and still retain their historical integrity, though many have experienced interior renovations. The Kessler Theatre provides a place for art enthusiasts, hosting a range of art shows, displays and classes.

Stevens Park's neighborhood association also puts on a variety of annual events such as Oktoberfest and monthly “happy hour” to foster a close-knit community. Museums are not located in these neighborhoods.

Mexican restaurants rule in these neighborhoods, and with establishments ranging from tortilla factories to upscale Tex-Mex dining, those with a taste for south-of-the-border flavors enjoy quite a selection. A heavily populated "hub" of such restaurants lies along West Davis Street and the branch of Fort Worth Avenue.

The Cheesesteak House brings in diners from all over Dallas. Sandwiches come with your choice of onion rings, fries or onion straws, all which provide a great crunch to complement the tender steak. Try ordering extra cheese and bell peppers to really take your cheesesteak to the next level.

For "homegrown handmade local eats," locals flock to Smoke, founded and co-owned by chef Tim Byres. Famous for the family-style entertaining, old-school cooking from scratch and signature slow-smoked meats, this is the sort of place to arrive hungry without snacking beforehand so you can truly appreciate the menu. Feast on delicacies such as the grilled quail, or dig into the all-natural pulled whole hog sandwiches, N.C. style with red vinegar, mustard and blue cheese cole slaw.

Norma's Cafe serves up plenty of Southern comfort food. While many cafes present themselves as copycat 1950s' diners to attract tourists, this authentic diner established in 1956 has been churning out delicious meals for over half a century now. The cheddar biscuits and yeast rolls served by the basketful remain one of the best parts of dining here. You can also find a breakfast and lunch version of chicken-fried steak on the menu, definitely worth sampling.

When you need a night out, Kessler and Stevens Park have a range of options for activities without the need to venture downtown. Bars pack densely around the intersection of North Bishop Avenue and West Davis Street. Bolsa, a unique "new American" diner and bar, hosts a variety of creative drink choices with a modern vibe. The Kessler Theatre hosts live music, performance art and film showings, all in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. Patrons enjoy the open dance floor or simply listening to the beautiful acoustics that resound throughout the building.

The neighborhoods of Kessler and Stevens Park are known for their wide residential streets. These roads make it easy for cyclists to share the road with cars, especially if they use the number of biking trails in the area. While the neighborhoods are certainly walkable, the space between roads and amenities in the area means that most errands require a car. A few free public parking lots can be found in the northern side of the neighborhood at the Stevens Park Golf Course and at the Kessler Theatre. Dallas’s primary public transportation line, DART, has a D-Link branch that services the neighborhood and provides trips to downtown. Cabs are difficult to come by in the area as they are more focused on downtown Dallas, though residents can certainly utilize Uber to get around as well. Interstate 30 can be easily accessed by residents to lead into the heart of Dallas.

Children and dogs are welcome in one of the biggest parks within the neighborhood boundary, Kessler Parkway. With Coombs Creek cutting through it, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing or water frolicking. Kidd Springs Park has no shortage of activities, hosting a shaded playground, pool, sports courts, recreation center for the exercise-centric and even a butterfly garden. The recreation center facilitates annual programs and events for residents of all ages.

Living in these historic, well-kept neighborhoods does cost slightly more than the average cost for living in Dallas. Renting a one-bedroom apartment will take, on average, about $945 out of your bank account each month. Buying a beer in a local pub can cost up to $5. You may be able to save money at the gas pump here with a gallon of gas costing 8 percent less than the national average. The neighborhoods’ proximity to downtown means a bus ticket to the city center costs a mere $5.

A rather eclectic selection of stores find their home in Kessler Park, with many located along West Davis Street and Fort Worth Avenue. A range of high-end shops can be found. The most common establishments carry fine dessert products. Emporium Pies, a petite bakery located in a cottage, presents a dreamy selection of specialty pie slices with a homey yet retro feeling. Satisfy that sweet tooth at the CocoAndre Chocolatier, which crafts handmade truffles alongside a variety of gifts for special occasions.

Bicycling enthusiasts enjoy browsing at the Oak Cliff Bicycle Company, located just south of the neighborhood. This store sells new and vintage bikes as well as accessories.

Your shopping trip is not complete until you visit Bishop Street Market, an award-winning shop offering edgy greeting cards and unique gifts you don't find anywhere else. This is the perfect place to pick up a present for any occasion as it offers complimentary gift-wrapping with a beautiful assortment of tissues and paper. For stocking up the fridge and pantry, locals have a few choices for grocery stores. Many small-chain establishments are available such as One Stop Food Store and Elrod's Cost Plus Supermarket. Anyone seeking to buy local, organic food will not be disappointed in these neighborhoods. Dallas Farmers Market downtown offers fresh local produce and other goods during limited hours Friday through Monday. Arts and crafts vendors also set up in the fall until the end of the year, making this a great place to shop for holiday gifts. This market also showcases a chef on the second Saturday morning of each month. The chef shows you how to make a favorite recipe and how to shop the market for ingredients.