A is for Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Since opening in 2017, Arts Mission Oak Cliff has been an epicenter of creative expression in our community. The Arts Mission building dates back to 1929, and the restoration of the church has made it a space for events, performances and artistic programming.
Photo by Danny Fulgencio
B is for Bonnie and Clyde. Our neighborhood’s most notorious duo, gangsters Bonnie and Clyde’s footprints across Oak Cliff and West Dallas are a major tourist draw. But landmarks associated with their upbringing and crimes have slowly disappeared or been demolished, inspiring a wave of preservation activism.
Photo by Danny Fulgencio
C is for Coombs Creek. The Coombs Creek trail opened in 2009 and traces the Northern border of our neighborhood. The 1.5 mile trail is used by many of Oak Cliff’s hikers, bikers and joggers.
Peaberry Coffee Photo by KathyTran
D is for Downtown Elmwood. Home of Peaberry Coffee, Olmo Market and Elmwoof dog park, the stretch of Edgefield Avenue that runs through Elmwood is a walkable enclave. After years of advocating, neighbors have finally begun an expedited hearing process for a rezoning overlay that could increase walkability, parking permitting and other initiatives to bolster the Downtown development.
E is for Exxir. Exxir Capital is one of the driving forces behind the wave of development in Bishop Arts. From Paradiso to Bishop Flats to Bishop Bazaar, Exxir’s trademark tailored boho aesthetic is always on display. Love them or hate them, their thumbprint covers the Southern half of the District.
Oak Cliff Film Festival Photo by Danny Fulgencio
F is for Oak Cliff Film Festival. Established in 2011, one of the leading small film festivals in Texas, the Oak Cliff Film Festival premiered 60 works this past June in its “most successful” year yet, according to organizers.
South Dallas. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.
G is for Golden Bears. The South Oak Cliff football team clinched two state championships in the last two years, and this fall they’re contending for a three-peat.
H is for Historical District Our neighborhood is home to a handful of Historical Districts that preserve the architectural foundation of the area. In Lake Cliff, Winnetka Heights, Bishop Court and Tenth Street, neighbors have banded together to preserve what makes their homes unique.
I is for I-35 deck park. The Southern Gateway Park has completed construction of the first deck phase spanning from Ewing Avenue and S. Lancaster Avenue. The five-acre park is still seeking funding for a second phase, but construction on the first phase is expected to start soon.
Jefferson Boulevard. Photo by Danny Fulgencio
J is for Jefferson Boulevard. The abundance of sparkle and tulle attract shoppers to Jefferson Boulevard’s many quinceañera dress stores. But lowriders, restaurants and other cultural landmarks make the street a major artery of Oak Cliff.
The Becklyes at Kessler Theater. Photo by Kathy Tran.
K is for the Kessler. The Kessler theater, opened in 1942, sat abandoned for much of the twentieth century. Due to efforts by Edwin Cabaniss, the Davis Street monument reopened in late 2009, hosting intimate shows with neighborhood favorites and up-and-coming artists.
L is for La Calle Doce. Seafood, salsa and a wrap-around patio makes La Calle Doce a community gathering place since opening in 1981.
Mardi Gras Parade in Oak Cliff. Photo by Danny Fulgencio
M is for Mardi Gras. The annual Oak Cliff Mardi Gras parade is the biggest fat Tuesday celebration in North Texas. The 2023 parade boasted 50 entries with floats, dance crews and marching bands, and hundreds of thousands of beads thrown, turning the neighborhood into a purple, green and gold colored fest.
Norma’s Cafe. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.
N is for Norma’s Cafe. After 67 years, Norma Cafe’s chicken fried steak platter costs more than the original price of $1.85, but the dedicated fan base remains. The Davis Street location was the original spot founded by Norma herself.
O is for Oak Cliff. Duh.
P is for Paleteria. Palatas, elote, aguas frescas and mangonadas can be found in dozens of paleterias in our neighborhood.
Picole Pops. Photo by KathyTran.
Q is for Selena Quintanilla. Her songs play in our stores. Her mural overlooks Jefferson Boulevard. And we even have a festival dedicated in her honor. In 1987, the Queen of Tejano filmed a music video in Martin Weiss park, and in 1994, only six months before her death, she performed at the State Fair of Texas. Selena Quintanilla may not have been from Oak Cliff, but she is part of our neighborhood.
R is for Reveler’s Hall. A home for jazz lovers, Revelers offers craft cocktails, wine and small bites in the intimate venue. While shows are generally not ticketed, a small fee is added to each drink tab to help compensate the musicians.
Sunset High School Photo by Danny Fulgencio
S is for Sunset High School. The purple and white of Sunset High School dates back to 1925, and the school is recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark. The 1950 football team clinched one of the four state championship wins achieved by a DISD team, and the athletic teams and extracurriculars at Sunset continue to impress to this day.
Texas Theater. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.
T is for Texas Theater. The Texas Theater is approaching 100 years in Oak Cliff. The theater rose to national prominence after Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested by 15 police officers just hours after the assassination of JFK. Over the years the theater has survived fires and threats of demolition, and now it’s just a place for cinema lovers.
U is for United Methodist Church. For 100 years, the Oak Cliff United Methodist Church overlooked Jefferson Boulevard before shuttering its doors in 2015. Restoration efforts are now underway for the dilapidated church and will make it a meaningful neighborhood landmark for another 100 years.
Photo courtesy of Martha Vaughan.
V is for the Vaughan brothers. Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan grew up near Kiest Park and attended Kimball High School before becoming breakout stars in the blues and rock world. Jimmie Vaughan remains a neighborhood advocate and 33 years after his death, Stevie Ray’s legacy is still celebrated.
Wynnewood Village. Photography by Danny Fulgencio.
W is for Wynnewood Village
The Wynnewood Village shopping center is set for a facelift. Construction on a 110,000 square foot Target is planned to begin at the end of October, and Brixmor Property Group is set to invest an additional $30 million into Wynnewood Village’s second life. Photography by Danny Fulgencio.
X is for Xaman Cafe. Coffee, ceramics and cuisine sourced straight from Central Mexico, Xaman Cafe is a cozy and delicious love letter to the region.
Y is for Taco Y Vino. There is no lack of tacos in Oak Cliff, and Taco Y Vino’s are some of the best. Owner Jimmy Contreras has cemented himself as a Bishop Arts restaurateur. Perhaps Taco Y Vino’s most compelling offering is a 6-taco and a bottle of wine deal for just $40.
Dallas Zoo. Photo by Danny Fulgencio.
Z is for Dallas Zoo. Lions, tigers, bears, oh my the zoo has it all. The zoo is a destination for elementary school field trips and moms who need to get the kids out of the house, and the iconic giraffe statue lets I-35 travelers know they’ve hit Oak Cliff.
