Mustangs ringing up tabs at Chaucer’s Steakhouse

It was only a matter of time, but it seems as if the days, ornights, rather at “the Ranch” are finally coming to aclose. Chaucer’s, a previously little known MockingbirdStation establishment has quickly become the newest late nightsensation among SMU students. Recently, students have been ringingup tabs at Chaucer’s, literally giving close neighborMargarita Ranch run for its money. The question though, is whatmakes this casual-dining- restaurant-by-day, bar-by-night soappealing to students from all over the Metroplex? Blake Rudman, aChaucer’s employee says that special prices and extendedhours six days a week are the main causes for the huge rise inpopularity. Chaucer’s offers $2 drink specials on domesticbeer, cocktails and hot sake (warm Japanese rice wine) from 11 p.m.to 2 a.m. everyday. Rather than spending close to seven dollars onsome drinks at other local bars, students can keep the money spenton a night out under control. Another major plus is that after somecosmetic work where partitions within the restaurant have beenremoved, Chaucer’s can hold a maximum occupancy between fourhundred and five hundred patrons comfortably. There is the optionto sit inside the restaurant, outfitted with comfortable leatherchairs and a waterfall for a more intimate setting, or the spaciouspatio to mingle with others.

Unlike most bars, the crowding is fairly minimal and you havespace to actually move without bumping in to someone or spilling adrink, causing a fight to break out. Bars are notorious for a fighthere and there, but fortunately Chaucer’s employs sevensecurity guards to keep things under control. They even offerescorts to cars as some of us discovered this past weekend when acertain customer acted inappropriately. (It’s nice to notethat while most college kids think of bouncers as jerks just out totake IDs, the security staff is quite friendly.)

Obviously one of the most important factors to any bar goer isaccess to drinks. Chaucer’s prides itself on having fivebartenders on hand and seven cocktail waitresses to serve up thelatest cocktail concoctions such as the Mustang, a drink createdexclusively by Chaucer’s, inspired by SMU. The drink consistsof vodka, peach schnapps, sweet and sour, grenadine.

“The girls seem to like it,” Rudman said.

While it can be tricky to get a good spot at the bar, the spaceis fairly long and is able to accommodate a lot of customers. Theclientele is mostly college students, the majority from SMU. Rudmanestimates that the regular crowd is made up of about sixty percentstudents from SMU and neighboring colleges and universities, whilethe other portion consists of residents of the lofts in MockingbirdStation, people from downtown and the West End, and travelers.

If the bar scene doesn’t really appeal to you, therestaurant is deserving of mention. It features casual fine diningat reasonable prices including steak, lobster, etc. In addition tothe restaurant there is also a sushi bar that is in serviceeveryday until 1 am. Chaucer’s offers a ten percent discountfor SMU students who present their IDs at lunch or dinner.

The one downside to be noted about Chaucer’s is the lackof live entertainment. However, according to Rudman, this problemwill soon be solved. In about a week and a half, a DJ from New Yorkwill be appearing at Chaucer’s to create more of a partyenvironment.

Where to Find It:

Chaucer’s Steakhouse

5321 E. Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, TX 75206

(214) 821-3001