Unlike most women, I do not enjoy spending hours on end in the malls shopping, but I do enjoy being outside! Sometimes I will put off getting the things I really need because I am never in the mood to go to the mall. So, I think I’ve found the solution – outdoor mall shopping! OMG!

On one of my recent “it’s a beautiful day so get out of the house” excursions, I landed at the new Allen shopping centers, The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview. This – I can do!

The Villages are a new shopping development in Allen, Texas that boasts everything from an upscale movie theater and flower shops to Dillard’s, Macy’s and JCPenney department stores. I had a very enjoyable time dipping in and out the familiar and unfamiliar storefronts on a perfect 85 degrees afternoon!

Not only are there many awesome shops, there are also events, including a jazz concert series every second Saturday of the month, a wine walk, family movie night and live local bands every Thursday until July 29.

The Village at Allen and The Village at Fairview have a lot more to offer than just shopping. There is the Village Garden and a catch and release fishing area. The Village Beach is complete with sand volleyball courts, horseshoes AND…wait for it…tether ball – my personal childhood favorite!

This place is really cool, and it has a nice vibe. It’s way more than a shopping center, but more like a community!

A few businesses that are already there or will be coming soon are: Whole Foods, Bailey’s Prime Plus, Cyclone Anaya’s, La Duni, Gloria’s, I.O. Metro, and my personal favorite, Target!

Even for someone like me, this is a great place for shopping. And it offers adult or family fun. I recommend you check it out for whatever mood you’re in.

The Village at Allen & The Village at Fairview
www.thevillageshopping.com
US75 at Stacy Rd. (east of the Allen Outlets)

What' Good Dallas? Did you miss me?! I haven't stopped exploring, but have been working on some other exciting things to enhance the Dallas experience.

Now to the good stuff...I don't know about you, but I LOVE a good burger every now and then. This was an unsuspecting dive (as my friend Kevin describes it) on the south side of Dallas. If you know me, you know I'm kinda sadiddy and won't dine just anywhere! But I trust my friend Kevin! :)

So where did we land? Lee Harvey's. I'd never even heard of it, but it really is a little dark joint with red vinyl covered booth seats and wood panel walls. I could still smell the stench of stale Saturday night cigarette smoke.

We ordered our food and went to sit outside on what I called the gravel front yard! It was a fenced in front yard, on a corner lot with what looked like a hundred raggedy picnic tables! Definitely a set up for partying and drinking with no strings attached!

I ordered a cheeseburger and the onion ring/fries mixed! First bite-delicious! It was the best burger I've had in a very long time. Everything was fresh, and you could taste the chargrilled flavor! I ate the whole thing! And I ate all my fried and onion rings! Clean plate award for me--for real!

If you've never been, I'd advise you to check it out. This is NOT a fine dining experience, but rather a place to go for take out or for just hangin' with your peeps (in jeans and a tank top) for a burger and a beer.

Be sure to go on a sunny day, so you don't have to be stuck inside with the smell of old wood and stale smoke. Ambiance-0, Food-10! And did I mention they have 1/2 price burgers on Tuesday? Check it out!

Lee Harvey's
1807 Gould Street
Dallas, TX 75215-2032
(214) 428-1555