Black-Eyed Pea restaurant, in Oak Lawn

Black-Eyed Pea (3857 Cedar Springs Rd., 214-521-4580), the down-home, affordable chain of homestyle Southern cooking, got its start in Dallas, although the company is now based in Denver. The original location is this casual spot on the gay strip in Oak Lawn, and it remains very popular for its chicken-fried steaks, roasted turkey with dressing, "mom's meatloaf," and grilled catfish fillets. Save room for the fruit cobbler or carrot cake.