I am always amazed when I hear how much Fort Worth has grown since I was a child.  It bewilders me people come to Cowtown for vacation, but if you are ever out in about in the wild west of Dallas, here’s some of my Fort Worth.  I grew up in Fort Worth, loved it so much that I stayed here for college and the next ten years.  Over that time I’ve found some hidden gems and wandered this metroplex end to end. This is my list of short reviews on amazing spots in DFW. It may be a family outing, date night spot, or just somewhere cool I’ve stumbled upon. Take it for what it’s worth, my two cents. I would consider the * spots iconic Fort Worth.

Just Us

Celebrating with a Dinner Date

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

Old school charm. All of the class, taste, and finesse that you would expect from a grown-up’s steakhouse. The friendliness and brilliant customer service epitomizes Texas hospitality.

Grown Up Outing

Firestone & Robertson Distillery

Mashd

 

Great Food for the Family or a Date

Food Truck Parks

Clear Fork Food Truck Park
Fort Worth Food Truck Park

Tim Love’s the Woodshed Smokehouse

– Over the last year, the atmosphere here has changed somewhat from when it first opened. They cater to the TCU student/young working professionals in the area, and if dogs bother you while you eat…go elsewhere.

Family Outings

Fort Worth Zoo

Dallas Children’s Aquarium

Nostalgic for College

Torchy’s Tacos

Go any time and they will be buzzing. The line is worth the wait. Unique tacos, good breakfast, and seriously delicious queso.

Velvet Taco

I seriously crave their food. So worth battling for barstools.

Yogi’s Café

You will catch the bike rider crowd on the weekends and college kids pretty much any time – good bagels, awesome French toast.

The Mellow Mushroom

Best crust ever.  Lots of beers on tap.  Don’t go in a rush.  Sit back and enjoy the hot cheesy goodness.

Café Brazil

Go get the crepes, you’ll be glad you did.

Blue Mesa Grill

Maybe not nostalgic for everyone’s colleges days, but I spent a lot of time here. Their happy hour bar & snacks are hard to beat and it was always a treat to meet a friend here for their brunch buffet.  Recently I stopped in for lunch with my little ones.  I was FLOORED by the extensive children’s menu – decent price, SO MANY side options and great variety of entrees.  SCORE!

Sandwiches, Burgers & Lunch Spots

The Lunchbox

I have eaten their chicken salad and fruit with poppy-seed dressing since I was a girl. What can I say, it’s engrained.

Galligaskin’s on Camp Bowie*

The oldest sub shop in Fort Worth, a hit with the high school lunch crowd, and always a welcomed stop by my kids.

Rodeo Goat

Sometimes packed, some times no parking…always so good. They have the BEST chili cheese fries. Period. Their unique take on burgers and caramel pretzel shake are good reason to keep coming back.

Treats

Bluebonnet Bakery*

Once upon a time on Old Camp Bowie in Fort Worth, a little girl fell in love with petit fours.

Sweet Sammie’s

This quaint TCU bred ice cream sandwich shop located in the West 7th complex. Seriously, what more do you need to know?

Curly’s Frozen Custard*

Just go. A fellow frog introduced me to this one, and I am grateful. My thighs, not so much.

Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery

Owned & operated by one of the sweetest girls I know, Sugar Bee is tucked in the Shoppes at Brownstone in Arlington, serving up whoopee pies, cupcakes, cake balls, pies, cookies…and very beautiful wedding cakes.

Worldly Cuisine

King Tut’s Egyptian

Greenwood’s German

Where else can you enjoy schnitzel made by a real life master chef?

Maybe you’re skimming and you will miss these Hidden Gems?

Magnolia Street in Downtown South. Eat your way down the street. Thank me later. You’re welcome.

These little restaurants are as eclectic as their owners. You usually have to show up before they open and wait. But, the food, coffee, and service are oh, so worth it.

Make a day of it, Revolver Brewing in Granbury, Texas…offering unique crafts and tours with live music most Saturdays, it’s no wonder this beer joint is expanding.

Don’t just take my word for it!

A Big Event or Out of Town Guests

To Eat:

Joe T. Garcia’s

Expect the wait that accompanies one of Cowtown’s biggest tourist’s spots. The margaritas will make the wait fly by…bring cash though – no cards here!

Cooper’s Pit BBQ

Texas de Brazil

To Stay:

Yep, all places I’ve actually stayed.  I am picky people! So, if they made the list, I was impressed.

Omni Fort Worth, downtown

Worthington Hotel by Marriott, downtown

Hyatt Place on Exchange, Stockyards

Hilton Hotel Fort Worth, downtown

Check ol’ FW out: http://www.zagat.com/b/dallas/10-places-worth-the-drive-to-fort-worth

Fort Worth has some iconic must see, do, and go to spots. It doesn’t matter if you are born & raised, on stay cation, or new in town…these places should be on your list.  What would make your list of Cowtown Classics?

The other night, we celebrated some old school diner food with twist.  Behold, the patty melt…

Gather:
1# hamburger meat, divided into four portions
1# sliced mushrooms
1 sweet onion, sliced
And one icy Sam Adams Summer Ale for grilling in the 100+ heat (or it you’re me, a nice glass of iced tea)

To make:
Season the meat with Penzey’s 4/S Special Seasoned Sea Salt & fresh ground pepper and form into patties.  Grill the patties through and top the hot patty with a nice melting cheese (we used pepper jack) . Then pile on the caramelized onions and mushrooms.  Half sandwich for easier chomping.

You could serve your ooey gooey melt with classic tater tots or try zucchini tots.  They were AMAZING!  Even the proclaimed squash haters gobbled them up.

I think I will finish this diner meal off with a nice shake…
The Chocolate Milk Shake (or frozen hot chocolate)

 

What’s your favorite diner dish?