Spur of the moment trip to Dallas\Arlington

Will you be eating and drinking in Dallas? If so, you probably want to stay in Dallas. Belmont Hotel is a stones throw from a lot of eating/drinking places. Its across the river from Downtown in Oak Cliff in an old motor hotel that's been restored to a more boutique style hotel. Smoke restaurant is next door and The Foundry/ Chicken Scratch (big outdoor bar with food) is down the street. Trinity Groves (new development with several decent restaurants is 2 minutes away) (nothing amazing) and a good bar (Luck). You can also access Uptown easily and Bishop Arts area.
There are hotels in Arlington but Arlington is a sh*thole. Fort Worth is also a good place to stay and visitors generally like Ft. Worth more than Dallas.

FYI: There is major reconstruction of I-30 and I-35 downtown Dallas right now. I-35 southbound is going to be completely shut down sometime this weekend which is going to be a mess. It's a mess regardless with all the construction.

Just the wife and 6yr old will be accompanying me. Any advice on casual dining is appreciated as well. None of us have ever been to the Dallas area.

In Dallas:
Deep Ellum area
Pecan Lodge is the best barbecue in DFW.
Angry Dog is the best burger
Brain Dead Brewing has good food
Uncle Uber's is a sandwich place
Serious Pizza is pizza by the slice

Lowest Greenville area
This area has really come back from the depths. They have widened the sidewalks and landscaped with street trees (and are widening more of them down the street). 5 years ago, many places were empty but its booming now.
Blind Butcher
H&G Supply Co.
Wabi House (there is construction in front of it but its open)
Dodie's- cajun but you probably don't want that in Dallas.
Pints & Quarts- Burger place

Lower Greenville (about 1 mile up from lowest Greenville)
Snuffers- Dallas institution- basic (nothing amazing) Burger/ Chicken place

Upper Greenville near SMU
Torchy's Tacos-very good
Twisted Root Burgers (there is one in deep ellum too)
Desperados-old school tex-mex

Henderson Ave. near lowest Greenville:
Louie's Pizza- My favorite. It is a kind of dive place but its very popular for pizza.Always sit on the right side as you enter. They expanded to the left and the atmosphere is dead in there. Thin crust style.
Chuy's- Good basic Tex-Mex

Oak Cliff: I mentioned Belmont Hotel because it is on the Arlington side (south side) of Downtown so you wouldn't have to deal with the construction mess to get to Arlington. It's easy access to I-30 and a straight 15 minute shot to Arlington. Its also about 5 minutes from the Grassy Knoll.
Smoke next door to the Belmont is casual upscale barbecue.

Nova
Lockharts barbecue
bbBop Seoul House

Bishop Arts in Oak Cliff (really cool area but super crowded on weekends)
Tillman's
Eno's Pizza- Decent pizza
Oddfellow's- Diner style
Ten Bells Tavern- Pub with outdoor seating. Good food.
Pie Emporium- Incredible pies-usually a line out the door
Glorias- popular Salvadoran/ tex-mex

There's tons of chains in Arlington.