Cool River Cafe — Restaurant in Dallas

Must say that this place looks nice but the food was a huge disappointment. We sat right by the window on the tarmac so that was good but we looked at the menu and the prices were pretty high. Of course we are in the airport so I guess that's to be expected. My Wife ordered the chicken sandwich on foccaccia, $22, and for her side selected the sauteed mushrooms. The chicken was grilled to within an inch of it's poor life. No real sauce or spread on it and the focaccia looked like it had been out for a couple of days. My wife is not picky and even she was really unhappy with the flavor. The side of mushrooms was about as unappealing to look at as any mushroom I've ever seen. They were like whole button your mushrooms but they were totally black. They certainly made them look like fungus. Again, no flavor or seasoning to speak of. She even tried a second one and nearly spit it out. I wouldn't even try one just on appearance alone. I ordered the Bacon Gouda burger, $23, and fries for my side. The burger came on Texas Toast and I'm looking for a little more than thick white bread on my $23 burger so I asked them for a hamburger bun instead. Again, about as disappointing a burger as I've ever eaten. The beef was flavorless and unseasoned. It was a little more rare that medium rare as well which I think is a risk no restaurant should be taking with ground meat. The smoked Gouda was looking like it came out of a supermarket store brand package and wasn't even slightly melted, still basically solid like it just came from the fridge. The bacon was about the only redeeming thing about it and it was just plain old bacon. The bun was not close to being fresh either. Lack of any kind of sauce or spread to camouflage the poor quality of the burger. Sad because I could have walked 50 feet across the terminal and gotten a Whataburger for a third of the price. And I'm not even a fan of Whataburger. So in closing, don't be tempted by the slick appearance of the restaurant. There are a number of other restaurants in close proximity that would serve you a better meal at a fraction of the cost. If you are management reading this, you need to provide something appealing to eat if you're going to charge premium prices. Blech!

Oh, the fries...

Ask for Lefty! ★★★★★

Cool River Cafe at Dallas Love Field Airport is a “frequent flier’s favorite” that elevates the dining at Love experience to a whole new level - so we try to stop by for a drink and a snack whenever we pass through Dallas. This nice little steakhouse specializes in getting you good food quickly.

Cool River is open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM, making it a perfect stop whether you’re grabbing breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick to-go bite. But trust me, you’ll want to linger if you have time. Almost makes you pray for a flight delay.

We only had 45 minutes to boarding as we headed to Montrose for a ski trip, and almost just surrendered to the gate to wait all hungry and thirsty. So glad we went to see if things were too busy.

We arrived to see there was no line and quick seating. We let our server, “Lefty” know that time was of the essence, and he assured us we were gonna be just fine.

We therefore kicked things off with a Bloody Mary (perfectly spiced) - and Sauvignon Blanc (crisp and cold) for my better half. Drinks set the stage for the star of the show: the beef quesadillas. Packed with tender, flavorful beef and melted cheese, they were a delightful surprise—far beyond typical airport fare. Every bite was a resounding testament to Cool River’s commitment to quality.

but made it with time to spare. We let Lefty know time was tight, and he made it happen.

This most recent visit was even better than usual thanks to Stephen (aka “Lefty”) and his friendly, professional service. I washed dishes at a steakhouse in high school, and always spot the top servers. Lefty definitely fits the bill. Lithe, quick-witted, and a little snarky - Lefty was right on the spot every time. His fabulous outlook and high - energy turned a great meal into a memorable one; and we made it to our gate with five minutes to spare. An absolute win.

Cool River’s ambiance is upscale yet friendly and welcoming, and Lefty’s over-the-top service is the newest reason we’ll keep coming back. If you’re passing through Love Field, make this your stop—and be sure to...

This establishment is a decent sit down restaurant inside the terminal at Dallas Love Field Airport. I spent an afternoon here between flights. The staff was friendly and attentive. The wait staff gave me space to relax and sit without pressure of ordering.

I ordered the Chipotle Burger. What I received was not like what was described on the online menu (you just use the online menu from table QR code). The menu described the burger with a creamy horseradish au jus. My burger had a tangy BBQ sauce (dark red, not white horseradish). I ordered medium, and my order was served with a tooth pick in bun and was cooked well (very well - no pink). The burger was not tasty, but the BBQ sauce was over powering for my pallet. I ordered with plain fries and they were pretty plain. I asked for a side of mayonnaise and all they have are packets of mayonnaise - perhaps because they are behind security?

The atmosphere was relaxed with families, couples, and single travelers visiting the Cool River. There are plenty of tables, high tables, bar seats, and large windows to watch one to two gates' activities if you want entertainment. The seating is reasonably isolated from the regular airport crowd and yet part of the wide open space.

If you need a place to park for a while and eat, this is a decent location. I wouldn't visit in particular for the food based on...