Wade's Landing — Restaurant in Rockwall

The ambiance is gorgeous, with golden Edison lighting and handwoven Tulum style chandeliers. The green, brown and ivory colors seem to take into account the space that the restaurant physically exists, acknowledging the trees and greenery visible from every window and inviting them to be a part of your experience.

We were quickly seated and then greeted by the server. The menu is small, with an entire side of it being dedicated to wine, beer and their ridiculous cocktails. The other side keeps it simple with 5 categories: Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Mains and Sides. That’s it. I think it’s worth noting that the appetizer section with 9 selections is the deepest of the menu.

We ordered two appetizers, Cauliflower Dynamite ($10 / Roasted Cauliflower, Dynamite Sauce, Toasted Panko, Herbs) and Chicken Wings (6 / $12, Lemon Pepper). The chef surprised us with a third appetizer which they claimed was the best of the house: Million Dollar Deviled Eggs ($12, Deviled eggs with Bacon Jam and Pickled Chilies). Each of them was outstanding.

The Cauliflower was savory, fresh and maybe the healthiest of the choices as it’s prepared roasted. The wings were plump, crispy and noticeably higher quality than normal. As for the eggs, I couldn’t imagine anyone makes them better.

I ordered two cocktails, the “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” ($13 - Bacardi Coconut Rum, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Passion Fruit Puree, Orgeat, Grilled Pineapple, Torched Cinnamon, Mint Bouquet) and later the “Red Solo Cup” ($13 - Grey Goose Vodka, Fresh Lime Juice, Blood Orange Reduction, Ginger Beer, Dehydrated Blood Orange, Mint Bouquet). Both of them came in their own specific cups, and were a blast.

Particularly the It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere may have been the best cocktail I have ever had, anywhere. And that’s the highest compliment I can possibly give. I mean it. It’s like your best memories of Hawaii, Cancun, and Key West blended together in a glass and served with a straw. If this is all I came here to have: it would be worth the trip.

For dinner we ordered Ahi Tuna Salad ($19 - Sesame Encrusted Tuna, Spring Mix, Heirloom Tomatoes, Carrots, Shaved Cabbage, Wonton Strips, Ginger Dressing) and the Steak Sandwich ($22 - Grilled Filet, Roasted Peppers & Onions, Provolone Cheese, Chimichurri, Ciabatta). Jessica reports that the salad was delicious, bigger than expected and totally filled her up, but not to the point of being bloated. My steak sandwich was fine, though I don’t think I’d order it again. The steak was overcooked for my preference, and the bread kind of overwhelmed the combination of flavors. Even so, this was a fine sandwich and on the other side of those two cocktails I was feeling so good it was hard to keep my foodie hat on too tight.

The downsides to Wade’s Landing would be the lack of indoor seating, lack of easily accessible parking, and the cost of goods. This place just won’t be for everyone, and that’s totally ok. You can overcome seating challenges with a reservation, they have addressed the parking challenges with valet, and I’ve always believed in paying for quality. That’s exactly what you’re going to get at Wade’s Landing, and many other beloved locally owned and operated area eateries. Good. The success of original concepts like Wade’s will only continue to protect the culture and identity of Rockwall in the first place.

In fact, it may even play a part in its very definition.

I would absolutely recommend checking out Wade’s Landing if you have the opportunity. It’s not just good: it’s exceptional. We now have one less reason to...

Wade’s Landing in downtown Rockwall, is SO good! Such a nice compliment and chef’s kiss to our already exquisite fine dining experience in the Heart of Rockwall.

The Dynamite Cauliflower absolutely joins the ranks of my favorite appetizer Blue Crab Dip at Zanata. It is THAT good.

The cauliflower is a unique take on it versus any other place I’ve ever been that serves calimari. It was quite tasty, very good. Not too cooked not too undercooked just right. The 5 o’clock somewhere pineapple drink was the 💣 dot com.

Kateley got the landing burger so good. She loved it.

I got the salmon which was so huge, largest portion of salmon I’ve ever seen, so good, was hard to not try to eat in huge chunks like a caveman as it was so delicious and full of taste. Arguably among the best salmon I’ve had.

Now the desserts they don’t have listed but it also changes (so call ahead and ask) today they had a churro fried pie…. Guys…. Imagine a smoking hot fresh apple cobbler pie in the shape of a large turnover covered in churro tastiness and cinnamon… absolutely DIVINE!

The BEST dessert I’ve EVER had a restaurant!

We left so full and delighted. And the way they do the parking is perfection, it’s all valet (included for free) you just tip, that was so lovely and such a nice end to a wonderful evening.

Wade’s landing cracked the code on this location inside and out. We loved that they brought back the booths like Cayote Rojo had (when my wife and I got married here back in 2012). I think this would serve as an exceptional wedding venue too!

The interior is fantastic, warm, contagious energy, and the staff is TOP NOTCH. I tried the watermelon moonshine (too spicy for my taste) and I gladly was willing to pay for it understanding it just wasn’t for my taste. Three different staff came to visit me within like 20 seconds to swiftly change it out with something Else I said, please no, I’ll pay for it I just wanted to try . They insisted, we want you to be happy and enjoy your drink.

Blown away. We tipped very well, and we will definitely be back. They get my coveted 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! If you haven’t tried it yet… GO, what are you waiting for!?

Don’t let the parking deter you, valet is complimentary. Such a nice touch. 🤌🏻

Our waitresses first day too and she shared that with us at the end, we didn’t believe it. That proved to us also that they take training and customer service to the next level. We appreciated.

Bravo Mark...

Update: this is a response to the owner who also called my sister asking to take down her review along with mine. My sister said the conversation is over and she has every right to post what she went through and so does everyone else involved. I provided pictures to prove I was definitely there, and the lady with the short hair is who helped get the job referral. Quick tip instead of copying and pasting the same response to everyone saying the review is not real, maybe put that effort in training and making sure employees are not mistreated. This is a genuine review and I even posted the 90% ice they put in drinks. Absolutely sad.

I came here once and loved the place! I was even able to get my little sister an interview and they hired her. She worked there for 3 plus weeks and they been absolutely horrible and mistreating her. Everyone knows one another and work with each other to get fair amounts of tables to serve. Although my little sister hasn’t been able to get more than 5 since working here. She went to complain to the manager by the name KK (Kamakana) and he tells her “you have to make the staff like you a bit more” nothing about her as an employee or her performance. instead of making it fair for everyone, he just allows everyone do what they want, except for my sister obviously. I like to include they have been making my sister prepare silverware and clean and so much more just for $2 an hour which is normal for waitresses since they work of tips, but unfortunately since they won’t allow my sister to serve tables like the rest of the employees you could only only imagine how little she has made there. I like to include a heavy set lady by the name Adyson also has been taking all the tables and absolutely would not allow my sister to get one. Not sure what her problem with my sister is although another woman should never do this to another young woman who is in the same spot as her. The manager KK just makes customers feel uncomfortable and just stands around loitering taking shots drinking on the clock saying explicit things to customers making them feel very uncomfortable and wanting him to leave, but he just stays uncomfortably too long all the time. I’m glad my sister left. The manager should be ashamed of himself for allowing this to happen. Absolutely sad and...