Dining Out with Rob Balon

Dahlia Café

 
The Dahlia Cafe in Liberty Hill at first glance seems like one of those charming hill country mom and pop joints. Well it is that: but it’s a lot more as well. This is downtown Austin quality in a bucolic setting.

The appetizers seem fairly conventional until you taste them.The Onion Rings are dense and resonate with taste and texture. Not greasy at all and with a nice aftertaste from the chipotle horseradish dip, they are a must order. And what are Crispy Chicken Livers doing on a menu way out in the country? Well they’re disappearing because they’re really tasty.The liver flavor is subtle and the jalapeno cream gravy is a perfect complement. And the Chili Cheese fries are to die for: the fries are crispy and smothered in chili and cheese. Not a long shelf life to this dish: but eat them quickly and they are amazing! Oh yes, and their homemade Kettle Chips, crunchy and invariably tasty with a jalapeno dip, should be mandatory with every order.

The entrees resemble the offerings of many blue plate joints, at least in print. Taste is an entirely different matter. Take, for example, the staple of many Texas hill country cafes, the Chicken Fried Chicken. At Dahlia, the breading sparkles, the chicken is uber-fresh, and the overall taste profile is one to be proud of with the jalapeno cream gravy taking it over the top. The same can be said for the Meatloaf. This derives from a legacy family recipe and the addition of the homemade spices, celery and onions to the moist meat makes for a lovely, nuanced flavor that any Texas roadhouse would be proud to call its own. And the Pork Chops prove the inestimable skills of a chef who really knows how to make a good marinade.The chops are grilled over an open flame and and the flavor of this dish is literally off the charts. The Ribeye is an excellent choice and fairly priced at $16.99. The beef is nicely marbled and while your cardiologist may not concur, let’s face it: marbled beef yields flavor!

Dahlia has a number of sandwiches, wraps and burgers to choose from. The Philly Cheese Steak tastes like the real East Coast version, not like some of the wilder versions of this sandwich seen in Texas. And that’s a good thing. I am also quite impressed with the Mushroom Swiss Burger and the Patty Melt. Unlike many little mom and pops that nuke their burgers, Dahlia’s are perfectly cooked which leads to burger bliss. The rolls are also fresh: a critical variable in burger satisfaction.

The desserts, in and of themselves, are worth a visit to Liberty Hill and Dahlia Cafe, My first bite of the Coconut Chess Pie produced an “aha” moment followed by several “oh mans”. I’ve always liked this pie but have never tasted one this good outside of Amish country in Pennsylvania. The Bourbon Pecan Pie is another slam dunk.The pecans are not over baked and the filling is smooth and redolent of that smoky bourbon taste. All in all, this is a Pecan Pie to be reckoned with. The pies are made at the restaurant and the selection varies.As one might expect, they sell out quickly.

Dahlia Cafe is not a restaurant to be underestimated. The fact that it’s in Liberty Hill is a huge plus for all foodies who live within a 20-mile radius. This place is an answer to many of your culinary cravings and its proudly family owned.