Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo by Kristen Ralph

Dakota's Bar and Grill

1304 Atlanta Highway, Auburn

770-676-0957

www.dakotasbarandgrill.com

• Open since: Late 2007/early 2008
• Location: The restaurant is tucked between an Exxon gas station and a car wash near Auburn City Hall.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays
• Owners: Lawrenceville residents Gus Lolakis and Skip Martin
• Atmosphere: The sports bar atmosphere is consistent throughout Dakota's which is divided into three dining areas: one with booth seating to the right of the entrance, a bar area behind that and a section with booth and table seating to the left of the bar. Flatscreen TVs are scattered throughout. Customers can also dine on the five-table patio that spans a portion of the front of the building.
• Menu: Typical sports bar fare -- wings and burgers -- is complemented by more elaborate preparings for steaks and seafood. But the wings and burgers still top the list of most popular menu items.

The wings come in eight flavors -- mild, medium and hot, along with barbecue, teriyaki, sriracha (a Thai hot sauce), lemon pepper and TeriHot (spicy teriyaki).

Customers can select from six varieties of burgers, ranging from the classic cheeseburger to a mexi burger made with a half pound of Angus beef topped with queso, guacamole, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion.

Dakota's also serves ribeye, T-bone and sirloin steaks, along with ribs slathered with a signature rib sauce and a couple pasta dishes.

Three new salads were recently added to the menu, including the Santa Fe salad, a chef salad and Caribbean salad.

A lunch menu offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes a burger and fries, a turkey sandwich and soup, a chicken salad wrap, meatloaf and more all priced less than $6.

Dakota's serves beer, wine and liquor, including specialty drinks such as the Georgia Bulldog made with brandy, Khalua, milk and a splash of Coca-Cola.

• Things you might not know: The retail space adjacent to Dakota's will eventually become an entertainment and arcade space where kids' karaoke, comedy nights and other events are planned. Dakota's owners hope to have the space ready to open by Sept. 1.