Foodie friends, we are in unprecedented times right now and we are all dealing with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Every aspect of our lives is currently impacted as we have all been advised to stay home to flatten the curve of this devastating virus.
Every industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, especially the restaurant industry. Part of what makes Fort Worth so special are the small and unique restaurants that we love to frequent and discover. Now more than ever is the time to support local businesses, especially restaurants.
Restaurants and other food and beverage establishments have quickly shifted their business model to an entirely a curbside pick-up or delivery model. Even fine dining restaurants have pivoted to affordable family-style meals.
Chances are your favorite restaurant that you would normally visit has adopted this model. Also, chances are that you are doing more home-cooking than usual and you need a break. So, continue to support your favorite restaurants by ordering to-go meals from them. If you are looking for other restaurants to support, here’s a list.
Please note things change on a day-by-day basis for many of the restaurants, so show patience with them as they adapt. Picking up the food with contact-less curbside service ensures that restaurants don’t loose their slim margins paying a delivery service. (I’ve also included Venmo information for places that are collecting extra funds to support their furloughed staff).
Cowtown Brewing will continue to offer it’s full menu and tasty beers. In addition, you can also order a Survival Kit for 4. This includes 2 proteins, 2 sides, bread, BBQ sauce, & 1 dozen eggs, 1 gallon of milk & 2 rolls of TOILET PAPER. Try their latest release La Cabra Dorada, available in a 4-pack.
Grace – 777 Main Street Fort Worth, TX 76102
MENU | Tues – Sat 4PM-8PM | Website | 817.782.9004 | FB Updates | Alcohol menu available
Grace is one of the fine-dining restaurants that have adjusted their menu for curbside pick-up. Their “Have Grace at Home” menu changes weekly but you can still count on favorites like Chorizo Stuffed Dates to be on the menu. They also have wine to-go.
MENU | 7AM – 3PM Wed – Sun | Website | 817-862-9750 or email orders@funkytowndonuts.com | FB Updates | | Delivery: $25 minimum Complimentary within 10 miles of the shop.| Alcohol menu available
Bird Cafe – SERVICES SUSPENDED
MENU | 817.332.2473⠀ | Mon – Thurs 2PM – 8PM, Fri – Sun 11AM – 8PM | Free Delivery with DoorDash. Ubereats delivery available/ curbside pickup available | Website | FB Updates | Alcohol Menu available
Reata Restaurant – 310 Houston St. 76102
MENU | 11AM – 7PM | Website | 817-336-1009 or email curbside@reata.net | FB Updates | Alcohol menu available | Reata is also offering a build your own cocktail kit with Hornitos, limes, sour mix and topo chico.
Istanbul Grill and Bar – 401 Throckmorton St 76102
Neighbor’s House Grocery – 501 W 6th St. Suite 175 76102
FB Updates & Menu | (817) 334-0526 | Hours 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Groceries available through online order form for curbside pick up | Lunch items available for take-away | Take-away heat and eat meals for 2 that include salad & fresh dessert for $30, available curbside first-come, first served beginning at 4PM daily | Website
Meyer and Sage continues to do what they always do, which is to provide beautiful chef-driven dishes and meals using sustainably sourced food. Visit their Instagram stories for daily updates on what’s available. You can continue to get their grab-and-go options or pick up their ready to heat meals in single, couples or family sized portions. In addition, their freezer is stocked with pints of Melt Ice Creams. You can also pick up grain and gluten-free tortillas from Siete Foods as well as Niman Ranch PRIME beef tenderloin filets, juicy pork chops, and 2 lb. packs of ground beef from family-owned Lone Star Meats. Or boost your immunity with some local Elderberry Syrup from Cassie Green Health. Place your order online, then call them when you arrive for “contactless” pickup.
Craftwork Coffee- 2700 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
While Craftwork is temporarily closed you can purchase coffee from their online store. Or you can send someone a Coffee Care Package which would go great with a Zoom invitation for a virtual coffee date. You can also purchase a Gift Card – 100% of the proceeds until March 31 will go to support their baristas. Keep up with their latest news on their Facebook Page.
Blackland Distillery – 2616 Weisenberger Street
Blackland Distillery has stepped up in a big way. They have stopped producing alcohol and have shifted to provide much-needed hand sanitizer for the community. They have donated sanitizer to those in the medical community but they are selling a portion to the public. Sales to the public help defray the costs of providing to hospitals. Sanitizer can be bought in the tasting room from 11AM – 1PM Monday through Friday for $7 (8oz.), limit 2 per person per day. If you buy one of their spirits (and you should) you get a free bottle of hand sanitizer. Get the latest from their Facebook Page.
Dayne’s Craft BBQ – 2735 W 5th Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Dayne’s is still offering his acclaimed BBQ through pre-orders only (Thursday cut-off for orders). Curbside Pick-ups happen from 12-2PM on Saturday. Follow their Facebook page and website for updates and menu options.
For my full guide to the Foundry District, click here.
NORTHSIDE
La Playa Maya – 1540 N Main St Fort Worth, Texas 76106
MENU | Sun-Thur 11:00 – 8:00 pm, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 9:00 pm | Website | FB Updates | Alcohol menu available
La Playa has their full menu available along with family-style meal packages that serve 6. The Classsic Pack for $32 (includes 6 crispy tacos, 6 enchiladas. beans, rice, queso, chips and hot sauce) and their Fajita Pack for $45 (2 lbs. beef/chicken fajita, guacamole, sour cream, beans, rice, tortillas, queso, chips and hot sauce). They also have margaritas available in their pick-up menu.
Magdalena’s Catering – 502 Grand Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164
MENU | Tues – Fri 12PM – 7PM, Sat 10AM – 2PM | 817-740-8085 or 817-296-8215 or you can email paige@magdalenastx.com | Website | FB updates | Last pick up and delivery at 6:30 pm during the week|Orders must have 2-hour notice for deliveries and 1-hour notice for pick-up $35 Minimum For Delivery Outside of Fort Worth
Joe T. Garcia’s – 2201 N Commerce St Fort Worth, Texas 76164
Biscuits and brunch anyone? If you answered with a heck yeah, please read on! We all know brunch is quite possibly the most perfect meal combining the best of breakfast and lunch. We now have a stellar option with the opening of Hot Box Biscuit Club. The best part is it’s not just for weekend brunching but for weekday indulging as well.
Hot Box Biscuit Club on South Main
Hot Box Biscuit Club began as the hottest food pop-up in town and is now a brick-and-mortar space in a spot that couldn’t be more perfect on South Main. They are in good company with places like The Bearded Lady, Four Sisters and Game Theory who’ve also staked their claim on the block. Local pastry Chef Sarah Hooten joined culinary forces with Chef Matt Mobley to form Hot Box Biscuit Club as a series of pop-ups that happened in different locations in Fort Worth two and a half years ago.
Word of mouth about their pop-ups spread quickly. Hooten and Mobley focused on their favorite style of food which is Southern cooking. They bring their sense of fun to all the dishes which is clear in the execution and in small details like what the dishes are named. Hip hop and 90’s throwback references are a common occurrence on their menus and t-shirts. This all adds to the fun and charm of the Hot Box Biscuit Club experience.
Thanks to loyal and repeat diners who spread the word, their email list grew. That’s how the pair let the public know about their events which were selling out 300 seats in a matter of minutes.
Now, we no longer have to rely on our ability to quickly reply to their emails for a coveted seat at one of their pop-ups. This week they open for business on the ever growing stretch of South Main. Yes, you can get your biscuit fix just about any day of the week now!
The light filled space overlooking South Main couldn’t be better suited for their casual and fun cuisine. Exposed brick walls and red accents add warmth, charm and coziness to the space.
When you arrive, you place your order at the front and then you are given a Selena (#bidibidibombom) themed buzzer. You pick up your food at the kitchen counter after your buzzer alerts you. While you wait you can serve yourself your non-alcoholic drinks and grab your set-ups. Boozy brunchers can grab their drinks from the bar.
Their menu is a greatest hits of all the dishes that built their buzz in Fort Worth. It’s divided into different sections: Bigs, smalls, sides and extras. Bigs are their sizeable biscuit sandwiches that include the Paris Hilton which is a magical combo of sugar cane brined crispy fried chicken, Louisiana hot sauce and honey whipped butter on a buttermilk biscuit.
The Paris Hilton
The smalls are appetizer-sized portions and include their cheeky take on a Southern classic, Cornflake Fried Green Tomatoes. The tomatoes in this traditional dish are fried and pickle-brined for a slightly sour effect that almost makes it feel like you’re eating a large fried pickle chip. The over the top toppings are literally over the top. Scoops of Vernon’s pimento cheese, a sprinkling of corn flakes and drizzles of ranch dust and dip complete the tasty mix of flavors and textures.
Cornflake Fried Green Tomatoes
Other notable Smalls include the “Devil Went down to Georgia” which is a deviled egg with a sour cream based filling topped with notorious P.I.G (their house-cured bacon), pickled jalapeno and ranch dust. Also on the smalls menu are the Puff Daddies, which are their house fried chicharrones. These crunchy snacks are the perfect accompaniment to one of their delicious cocktails.
The Devil Went down to Georgia – Deviled EggsPuff Daddies – Chicharrones
Sides include mac and cheese, collard greens, grits, fried okra and several other items. The menu items will change so you will always have different options and a different experience. The stewed green beans I tried just completely floored me! The description says “Like grandmas…but maybe better”.
Stewed Green Beans
While my grandma was more of a homemade tortilla maker, my husbands family has Southern roots so I’ve tasted my fair share of green beans. The Hot Box version has the perfect melt in your mouth texture without being overly mushy and the seasonings really just take it up a notch. But sssshhh, I can’t let the Southern part of my family know.
And please, save room for dessert. Or make room, because… pie. With tempting options like Mary’s Chocolate Cream Pie and Sarah’s Buttermilk Pie you will not want to pass up the decadent pie selections.
Chef Sarah Hooten and Chef Matt Mobley
Casual, comforting Southern food gets the brunch treatment at Hot Box Biscuit Club. Not only that, but at the hands of two creative and talented chefs using high quality ingredients and making just about everything from scratch, diners are in for a delicious experience. When I spoke to the chefs they said they wanted to make affordable and approachable food so that you don’t just visit for special occasions but that you visit frequently. They’ve created crave-worthy food with soul that will not only draw me back often but many more folks as well.
Dining with dignity. What does that mean? For most of us in Fort Worth, it’s what we are accustomed to. We buy our weekly groceries and prepare them for ourselves or our family. Or we go out to eat at a restaurant or save up to eat out for a special occasion. At Taste Project diners pay what they can. It’s Fort Worth’s first non-profit restaurant and pay what you can restaurant.
At Taste Project in the Near Southside, they acknowledge that not everyone knows where their next meal will come from. According to their website, “…in Tarrant County, 36 percent of this food insecure population live above the poverty level and receive no government help”.
Taste Project Mission
Taste Project seeks to address hunger issues from a community perspective with their non-profit restaurant model. They do this by providing a meal for whoever walks in. Unlike any other restaurant in Fort Worth there are no prices on the menu. In this case at Taste Project you either pay what you can afford, pay what you would typically pay, or pay what what you would normally pay plus a little extra.
Chef Jeff Williams at Taste Project
A small staff runs the restaurant with a group of volunteers. In the kitchen, you’ll find Chef Jeff Williams who is also the founder and President of Taste Project. He prepares meals that are healthy, hearty and delicious.
Fall Lunch and Brunch Menu
I got a preview of their Fall Lunch and Brunch menu recently. Their lunch menu focuses on small plates and sandwiches. The turkey burger provided hints of fall flavors with the addition of mushrooms and seasoning to the patty. The soft bun and pomegranate aioli bring the burger together nicely. The Reuben sandwich features a delicious house-made corned beef and sauerkraut filling that complements the toasted rye bread beautifully.
Reuben Sandwich at Taste Project
Additionally, they have a nice selection of brunch dishes served on Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM – 2PM that include French toast, soups, salads and sandwiches. One of the dishes I sample, was the huevos verdes. These small tostadas have flavorful Southwestern influence toppings that include green salsa and queso fresco. The egg, bacon and sweet potato toppings contrast nicely with the crispy tostada shells.
Huevos Verdes at Taste Project
The well thought out menu options are appealing for a variety of consumers in a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. The pay what you can model may be new to some, but it’s not complicated. Pay what you can and if you can afford a little more go ahead and do that. It’s not often you can enjoy a meal and pay it forward. Taste Project, let’s you do just that.
Taste Project is also hosting a variety of celebrity servers in acknowledgement of Hunger Action Month. Check out their Facebook page to see when the Fort Worth Firefighters or our own mayor, Betsy Price, will be serving.
1200 S. Main Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104, 817-759-9045
Vibe: Casual
Good for: lunch, brunch, families, dates, couples, friends, co-workers
Food: Healthy and hearty comfort food items
Price Range: No menu prices. Pay what you can afford, pay what you would typically pay, or pay what what you would normally pay plus a little extra
Taste Project adds to the growing dining options in the South Main Village. Read my review on Four Sisters: Taste of Vietnam and Game Theory for more options in this area.
Is is hot enough outside for you Fort Worth? I’ve got your August survival guide right here. There’s plenty of food events and happenings going on in Fort Worth to get you out and about despite the grueling summer heat. It’s all about the food pop-ups for August. Don’t worry you don’t have to keep up with it all, just check here!
It’s the biggest food event of the year for food lovers in Fort Worth. DFW Restaurant Week provides diners the chance to try a three course meal at over 150 participating restaurants in the DFW area for $39 or $49.
Participating restaurants donate twenty percent of each meal to either the North Texas Food Bank or the Lena Pope Home. Over the years, some restaurants embraced the concept and extend their Restaurant Week menus to the whole month. Restaurant Week happens from August 5-11. Several restaurants will continue their special three course menus through August 18, 25 or even Labor Day. It’s best to check the official DFW Restaurant list website to confirm these dates. Some restaurants even offer a lunch option for $25.
To enjoy these special menus, reservations must be made in advance and you must indicate that you are reserving for the special Restaurant Week menu. The advantage to Restaurant Week is that you can eat at places like Grace, Rise (pictured above), Waters or Capital Grille for less than it would normally cost.
The Summer Nights Dinner and Fundraiser series from Taste Project gives diners the chance to enjoy a specially prepared meal by a rotating roster of local chefs. The chefs donate the proceeds to the Taste Project and Taste Community Restaurant. Chef Joshua Harmon provides the menu for the August dinner. Chef Harmon is best known for his “progressive American” cuisine and he currently owns and runs the Butler’s Cabinet inside the Food Hall at Crockett Row.
Taste Project is a unique concept designed to serve the Fort Worth community through food. This food event is a great way to help support their mission. The menu has no prices and you pay what you can afford or what you would typically pay for at similar restaurants.
Vegan tacos in Fort Worth? You know I love all tacos and I have been eager to try Diosana’s vegan versions. I got my chance recently at Shipping and Receiving. They are delicious! You won’t miss the meat, they are full of flavor. The Pastor version was my favorite.
August 16, 2019 | 5:30pM – 10:00PM | $16(tickets purchased in advance)
Live music, whiskey, barbecue, food trucks and ice cream. I can’t think of a better event in Fort Worth to celebrate summer. Here’s what to expect:
“Enjoy the night with an outdoor concert on the lawn of our distillery for the next installment of the Whiskey Ranch Concert Series, featuring Rob Baird! This concert is BYOC, so bring your own chair or blanket to listen to the concert in comfort. We will have all sorts of other activities and features for you to enjoy leading up to the show! Meat Church BBQ will be conducting a BBQ sampling, and our Whiskey Scientist will host Whiskey Tasting 101 sessions prior to the concert. The Whiskey Tasting 101 sessions have limited space and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Want an epic start to your Saturday? Check out the Dusty Biscuit for their pop-up at Craftwork Coffee and grab your fried gold goodness. They will be serving their French Quarter, Cherry Cobbler, Everything Beignet-gal, and Craftwork exclusive Cinnamon Roll Beignet.
The mad geniuses at Martin House Brewing Company have teamed up with Fort Worth favorites Best Maid Pickles to bring you the Best Maid Sour Pickle Beer!
“To celebrate this collaboration, they are throwing a party with all things pickle. Tickets are $12 for beer drinkers. That includes one Best Maid/MHBC pint glass and four 8oz pours of beer. DD’s/non-drinkers/kids do not have to pay, just bring your ID. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation. ” They will also offer five more varieties of pickle beer.
Even the food trucks are getting in on the pickle action: Alchemy Pops will feature a pickle popsicle. Rollin-Stone Food Truck will have some crispy fried pickles alongside their regular menu. DK’s Twisted Smokers BBQ & Grill always has Best Maid on their delicious burgers.
Locust Cider regularly hosts stellar food trucks every weekend. This one is no exception, try the traditional Lao flavors of the the Get Lao’d food truck. If you haven’t visit Locust Cider yet, it’s a great spot on the vibrant South Main area of the Near Southside. Try one of their creative ciders or sample them all with a flight. Grab one of their board games and stay awhile at this casual, family friendly spot
Brunchin’ & Boozin’ with Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat
August 18, 2019 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM $15 (tickets purchased in advance)
photo credit: Scotty Scott
Are you familiar with local instagram celebrity Scotty Scott of Cook Drank Eat?! If you haven’t discovered him at a pop up in Fort Worth or drooled over his entertaining food videos – give him a follow. You can try his food at Acre Distilling for his next pop-up. Scotty Scott takes comfort food to a fun and sometimes outrageous level. For this event you can choose from chicken and brown butter sweet potato waffles or shrimp and fried grits paired with your favorite Acre spirits.
August 19, 2019 | 6:30PM $125 (tickets purchased in advance)
Cicada Pop-up offers an exceptional food experience in Fort Worth. This August they host their seasonal 12-course tasting menu at Locavore. The dinner begins with a welcoming glass of champagne or a cocktail, and ends with a little gift to take home with you. I recently attended a dinner and it’s a unique experience. Don’t let the amount of courses scare you off, these are more like small tastings. Chef Cody Penton carefully crafts every single element of each thoughtfully created dish. Despite the fine dining level of food, the atmosphere at Locavore is cozy and comfortable with guests seated along a long table. BYOB.
Funky Picnic is the newest craft brewery in Fort Worth. If you haven’t been , their inaugural beer dinner offers you a great chance to check them out.
“Chef Josh Rangel and Head Brewer Michael Harper have created five courses to show off the marriage of food and beer with the taste of summer. Only 25 tickets are available, so that we can make this an intimate affair where you get to discuss the food and beer with our chef and brewer, as well as get to know your community. We will be releasing a beer created specially to be paired with our dessert course, and this will be the first chance to drink it and the ONLY chance to take this beer home with you in a 32 oz Crowler. Must be 21+ to attend.”
TX Whiskey and Meat Church present BBQ & Grilling Class
August 22, 2019 | 6:00PM – 9:00PM | $157.44 (tickets purchased in advance)
Do you want to learn the craft of barbecue? Or the finer points of grilling? You will want to check out this class taught by the masters.
“During this 3 hour class you will learn how to perfect brisket, brisket burnt ends & how to grill the perfect steak. Includes a beautiful tour of Whiskey Ranch’s Still House, a 10% discount at the Ranch Store, and three custom cocktails made by Whiskey Ranch’s resident mixologist. The BBQ and grilling menu consists of brisket, brisket burnt ends & steaks. We will cover everything from meat selection and trimming, seasoning, wood and pellet selection, cooking & of course we will all enjoy eating the final product! We will be cooking on Traeger Grills. All questions will be answered including how to apply this to other grills and smokers.”
August 22, 2019 | 6:30PM | $65 ($75 for non-members)
Craft beer contains just as many nuances as wine and it only makes sense that it cross over into the fine dining arena. Don’t miss this unique food and beer event! Chefs regularly host wine dinners to feature a particular winery and in this case a brewery serves as the inspiration for a late summer six course meal. Chef Denise Shavandy draws from a range of cuisines for this inspired menu that includes a seafood tostada, chorizo burger slider and a Greek spiced lamb chop.
Just announced that local, lovable personality, Tony Green, host of Fort Worth’s premiere live internet talk show will be part of the event. They will be filming their first culinary experience there. If you haven’t met Tony yet, get ready to smile.
You know what the cure for the Back to School Blues is? Ice Cream AND Pie!! Visit Melt on August 22 at 5PM to get your ice cream stacked with a slice of Dark Chocolate or gluten-free HOney Pie from Sweet Lucy’s Pies. One night only!
The craft barbecue scene of Fort Worth is on fire right now! Dayne’s Craft Barbecue has had a few pop-ups and a slight hiccup on a location. They’ve found a home at Lola’s Trailer Park and they kick off their regular gig there on Saturday August 24. Be there early! It will sell out.
Craft barbecue in Fort Worth can’t stop and it won’t stop. Lillian’s adds their ‘cue to the mix. Check them out at Hop Fusion. My advice for any barbecue pop-up, if you aren’t early you are late.
The dumpling queens of Fort Worth, Hao & Dixya, are at it again with a full schedule of pop-ups this month. Don’t miss this fun food and beer event! Make your Wednesday special by visiting their pop-up at Rahr Brewing Co.
Around the World with Ellerbe Fine Foods
Ellerbe Fine Foods
August 28, 2019 | 5:30 – 9:00 PM
Ellerbe is celebrating their 10th anniversary by highlighting a different country or region’s cuisine each month. For August, they host a traditional tapas tour! 9 tapas courses include a dessert.
Menu highlights include: Cheese & Housemade Sausage Stuffed Market Peppers, Assorted Local Mushroom Croquettes, Ham and Manchego Sandwich, Confit Chicken with Romesco, Anise Scented Fry Bread with Vanilla Bean Custard
August 31 2019 | 1:00PM – 5:00PM | $65 (must be purchased in advance)
You don’t have to be a tourist to take a food tour. Fort Worth’s vibrant food scene make it perfect for food tours. Close out August by visiting several taco spots throughout Fort Worth and learning what makes those places so special. The tour takes you by bus to four taco spots where you will try different taco varieties along with two margaritas. It’s a must-do activity for any taco fan. I created and curated this tour and am your guide!
In the episode I speak about how and why I started Eat This Fort Worth, my participation in the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival and the new Food Tours I’ve launched.
