Cafe 43

We had a nice light lunch after touring the Fantastic library next door. We had to wait about 15 minutes to get the table, but that was okay.
I ordered the chicken and dumplings, which was like a nice stew or soup. It was very good. My wife ordered the steak salad. It was too spicy for her, but that’s just a personal preference.

We had lunch here after a friend recommended. Both entrees were amazing, with large portions and delicious sides. There’s a reason they sell many of the cowboy cookies as well. Staff was very attentive and the overall experience was as great as we had heard.

This was a fabulous lunch and portions were Texan sized! Great special meal for vacationing.

The ambiance is quiet and quite elegant, casual attire, and very attentive waitors and waitresses. When our food was ready, two waitors put down our food at the table at the same time. The guy assinged to iur table checked on us about 3 times. The food was excellent: I had the grilled chicken ciabatta with a thick piece of bacon and avocado. They also offer dessert, but were all so full :) Our children liked it… It definitely captured the elegance of nostalgic presidential American icons: President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.

Based on a recommendation, my wife and I made reservations here before our visit to the Presidential Museum. The food was decent, but our server was really unprofessional. When we asked if any of the menu items were gluten free, his response was «…um, maybe this one,…possibly this one,…if we remove the bread from this one…» So we asked him if he could make sure with the chef that any of those options are GF and he said yes. We ordered the cioppino based on his recommendation with the caveat that he double check first, but he never got back to us. We followed up to ask him and he said «Yes, of course it is.» Neither of us were very reassured that he actually asked the chef.
After our meals were finished, he brought a dessert menu to the only person at our table who wasn’t GF. He proceeded to say that all of the dessert options were non-​GF. My wife asked him if their sorbet was GF. He said yes and then he didn’t offer it to us. So my wife asked if she could order it. Without any apology or anything, he brought her sorbet and barely said another word to us for the rest of our visit.
I am a firm believer that service makes or breaks the dining experience. Unfortunately, Café 43 under delivered because of the poor service that we received.

Great quick breakfast.

Quiet, lovely café in the Bush Library. Lunch was huevos rancheros, and my companion had barbecue short ribs with cream gravy. Hushed, friendly but unobtrusive service. Prices were quite reasonable.

Loved this lunch!
We drank the Prossecco and it was lovely!
Their version of tortilla soup is made with poblano chilies, northern white beans and avocado! The lump crab salad was yummy and fresh as was the seared shrimp salad my mother ordered!
For dessert we shared the Banana Pecan ice cream! Perfection!

The food was wonderful! We had the grilled chicken sandwich, the lump crab salad, and the peach cobbler. Everything was amazing! I wish I could have ordered all of their fare.
However, the service left something to be desired. Our waiter (and the wait staff in general) was very attentive and always made sure we were taken care of, but we found the hostess to be a little snooty and condescending. We know it’s 10:55, woman. We still want to eat at 11!

I had lunch here today with a friend from CA. The service is the best and the food is delicious. I had the Heirloom Tomato salad and it was perfect. It was too hot to eat outside as my wife and I did on our last visit.
As we bring friends and visitors to the Dallas area, the Bush Library and Café 43 will be on top of our list of things to do in Dallas.

Such a lovely restaurant attached to the Bush Library! We stopped in at 11am when they opened to enjoy a light lunch before touring the museum. The space is bright, open and welcoming with beautiful artwork.
Everything on the menu sounded delicious, but I had to choose something. I went with the smoked chicken salad with berries. It was the perfect choice — healthy, fresh and tasty. My husband and mother-​in-​law were very pleased with their meals as well.
We would definitely be back just for lunch!

This place has solid lunch offerings. I was able to enjoy a nice meal with my mother and a friend. The salads that they ordered looked good. I had the Short Rib French Dip. It was great. Savory meats with a nice jus.
I would recommend this to anyone who in near SMU and wanting a no frills classy lunch

I wasn’t sure what to expect at a restaurant inside a museum, but Café 43 didn’t disappoint. Is it a culinary hot spot? Probably not. It is pretty darn good food though.
I had the pulled pork sandwich on a jalapeño roll. The pork was juicy and tender, and the roll added some extra flavor. I wasn’t as hot on the slaw inside the sandwich, but overall enjoyed the dish. There is a small wine and beer list as well. I would recommend reservations — the museum and restaurant are quite busy.

I really liked this place. Parking can be a challenge and if you are lucky enough to get in the lot across the street know you have to pay $ 7, credit or debit cards ONLY accepted.
I had a spinach salad. I asked if they had vegan options and the server said he had never been asked that and the chef didn’t have any suggestions either but they made the spinach salad without cheese.
My friends had the omelet and one had the chicken salad which said that was good.
Prices were very reasonable and the ambiance is the perfect place to lunch and catch up with friends.

Very very professional. The staff are accommodating and happy to answer questions about the food and how its made. My family and I went twice in one week. each getting something different each time.
The breadsticks were amazing! My order of the Grilled chicken, pesto mayo, avocado, bacon, tomato, toasted milano. Was to die for, great flavor and simple at the same time. My other family member ordered the Mediterranean grilled chicken, quinoa, with market vegetables. Again, amazing. Then we had a Wood grilled bacon cheese burger. Great flavor and oh so good! My son did their chicken tenders which were nice and moist, crispy and just enough flavor. He loved them. After our lunch we decided to get desert. I ordered the raspberry ice cream with chocolate chips. I can not begin to explain how good that was! I would go back just for that ice cream!
The atmosphere is classy and quaint. Our server, Rafael was the best! We even asked for him our second time back. Sweetest man, very attentive and a warm personality.
I don’t know if I could find anything bad from our time there. We went during the government shut down the first time and we were not dressed at all for a classy dining experience and they still sat us and treated us no different. We originally went for pictures of the building and to run into the gift store. We decided to go back the day they opened from the shut down and were dressed for the occasion and still treated just as nice. I would bring anyone there to eat. It is one of my favorite restaurants now and I look forward to eating there again

Luckily I am reviewing the food of this Presidential Library Café. The patrons were very red, drank a lot of tea, and seemed to be «party“ing.
Food: Daaaaaaamn.
Beef short rib French dip was smokey, moist, with a delicious toasted bun and fresh mozzarella.
Fried fish sandwich with lemon aioli about made me order another one just to not forget that flavor.
French fries must have been «Freedom» Fries, you know, Free From Flavor.
Laura’s chocolate chip cookies and homemade ice cream were scrumptious. Warm cookies hardly ever lose. Ice cream was creamy, light in flavor, and super delicious. Should mass produce and send it to me.
Décor: beautiful and classy. The windows into the area are well designed.
Service: Above average. Pleasant. Knowledgable. Helpful.
Cost: 2 sandwiches, dessert for 32 dollars. Not perfect, but worth it.

The space is gorgeous, I really loved how open and bright it all looked.
I went with a larger group for lunch before hitting the tour.
Since it was lunch, we all decided to pass on appetizers. I wanted something tasty and the chicken sandwich with avocado (with fries!) fit right in. Chicken that was still moist, perfectly ripe avocado and nicely toasted bread. Fries were crisp and delicious. A salad that was ordered at the table looked fresh and bright. (And brought me shame compared to all the glorious carbs and starch I was having)
Our service was a bit off. It seemed as if they are going for a more upscale dining experience with inexperienced staff. Just a little rough around the edges. Our server was out of place loud, held my arm when it was my turn to order (um, weird) and oddly changed direction of orders she was taking in the middle.
My water was always topped off by roaming water refillers (bus?) but they always splashed water all about out of the bottles they used.
These were minor setbacks, everyone really enjoyed their lunch and it shaped for a good visit.

Very professional staff. Nice understated décor. Delicious food. Reasonable prices. You need reservations though!
I had the daily special on a Wednesday. It was an ahi tuna tower on top of pineapples and guacamole. Delicious, healthy, and refreshing!

The beautiful open space and food is stunning. We enjoyed two delicious salads of locally sourced greens and vegetables along with a basket of freshly baked yummy breads. The art is minimal as is the décor. I enjoyed the Impressionist painting featuring a lovely brunette with a blonde and a brunette daughter. Can you guess who they represent?
Our waiter unfortunately mixed up our salads and later he attempted to pick up an empty sugar packet from the table but his big fingers did not grasp it after about three tries. So… he licked the tip of his fat index finger and dabbed the packet to pick it up. Whoa. That’s a big no no in my dining out book.

Simple. Fresh. Delicious.
This restaurant uses locally sourced products and makes EVERYTHING in house — even down to the ricotta and ice cream (both of which are fabulous).
I was surprised how good the meal was here and it isn’t your standard boring museum food of dry sandwiches or romaine salads.
Creative dishes that clearly have been well thought out and a decent price point, Café 43 would be a great stop for brunch or lunch when you just want good, simple food.
Café 43 is NOT open for dinner but you also do not have to go into the Presidential LIbrary in order to dine here!