The goal at Dodie's Reef was to bring as much of New Orleans as possible to a 5,000-square-foot space in Dallas with outdoor seating for up to 130 people. The results are admirable—between the live-music patio at street level and the festive rooftop, Dodie's resounds with French Quarter character. The restaurant is filled with aromas of jambalaya, steam from hot boiled shrimp, and the clinking of glasses filled with frozen hurricanes.

Dodie's Cajun and creole-focused menu features staples such as po' boys, muffulettas, and Mardi Gras–inspired seafood platters. The wide-open interior is decorated with vintage New Orleans–style bar signs and intricate ceiling tiles. Dodie's also features 24 flatscreen TVs, one of which is a 130 inches, showcasing all the major pro sports—the best option aside from buying season tickets or 24 TVs.