Editor: Anthony Mariani
Publisher: Lee Newquist
General Manager: Bob Neihoff
Art Director: Ryan Burger
Marketing Director: Jennifer Bovee
Regional Director: Michael Newquist
Sr. Account Executive: Stacey Hammons
Account Manager: Julie Strehl
Account Executives: Tony Diaz, Wendy Maier, Sarah Neihoff, Wyatt Newquist
Proofreader: Emmy Smith
Brand Ambassador: Clint “Ironman” Newquist
E.R. Bills, Jennifer Bovee, Jason Brimmer, Jess Delarosa, Buck D. Elliott, Danny Gallagher, Juan R. Govea, Mark Henricks, Patrick Higgins, Kristian Lin, Cody Neatherly, Rush Olson, Wyatt Newquist, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams
Laurie James, Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward
Thank you, dear readers, for picking up or surfing to our 27th annual Best Of issue. We hope you find it useful not just this week or next but throughout the year. We here at the Weekly put a lot of effort into researching and writing the blurbs, selling the ads, and counting the bal lots. Everyone on the team deserves props, but I’d like to give a little extra something to Marketing Director Jennifer Bovee for counting every vote, verifying all the winners, and doing 10 million other things and to Art Director Ryan Burger for designing the book and creating the kickass cover art.
The point of Best Of is not to be comprehensive. While our critics know a lot, they don’t know every thing, every place, or everyone — that’s why we also let our readers pick their faves. What we’re trying to do here is celebrate all the wonderful stuff that our little big town has to offer, and I think we’ve done a damn good job. As usual. Enjoy. — Anthony Mariani, Editor
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As Fort Worth’s #1 Visitor Destination, Sundance Square shines brightly for the best city in Texas.
Readers’ Choice: Montgomery Street
Antique Mall, 2601 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-735-9685
Readers’ Choice: Local Barber of Fort Worth, 115 W 2nd St, Ste 108, Fort Worth, 817-615-9040
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) At The Barber’s shop (3015 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, 817-336-7333), owner Rudy Avitia combines his experience — he’s been cutting hair since middle school — with a traditional barber-shop vibe to make you look your best. On Sylvania, just east of Oakhurst, you can walk into Mend Barbershop (1418 N Sylvania Av, Fort Worth, 817-834-6363) and get a great cut with hardly any wait time, as the barbers and stylists are as fast as they are affable, shooting the breeze with regulars and new customers as if everyone had gone to elementary school together. At South Barbershop (129 E Daggett Av, Fort Worth, 817-380-8117), barbers and shop-owners Laleh Rezaie and Jorge Gonzalez will get you looking good in their vibrant two-chair shop that also doubles as a mini-art gallery, showcasing a different artist every month.
Readers’ Choice: BMC & Company
Nail Lounge, 2005 8th Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-0460
Critic’s Choice: Sloan Beauty Bar, 6040 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 31, Fort Worth, 817-266-1993
Anyone who has known the therapeutic benefits of spilling your whole life story to the stylist at a routine hair appointment will appreciate the wonderful specialists and technicians of Sloan Beauty Bar. Whether you arrive put together and ready for a touch-up or a hot mess in need of a vent session along with your fullbody wax, mani/pedi, or lash enhancement, these warm, accepting, and attentive women will get you all fixed up and feeling better than when you came in — mentally and physically. And the studio is stylish and calming to boot.
Readers’ Choice: Colección Mexicana, 406 Houston St, Fort Worth, 214-893-4409
Critic’s Choice: The Market at Ridglea, 3400 Bernie Anderson Av, Fort Worth, 817-744-8630
Need a new gameday dress? Vintage tee? Gifts for Mom, Sis, or bridesmaids? How about a package of slow-cooker broccoli and cheddar soup mix? You can find it all at The Market at Ridglea, a cooperative space housing multiple mini boutiques by local vendors. Plan to spend some time browsing the large space and try not to come away with a gift for everyone you know.
Readers’ Choice: Slappy’s Car Wash, four area locations
Critic’s Choice: Red Carpet Car Wash, 5829 Curzon Av, Fort Worth, 817-732-8651
If you’re a victim of Murphy’s Law like us, then anytime you wash your vehicle, it’s guaranteed to rain a day later. At Red Carpet, they have you covered with a free exterior cleaning if it rains within 24 hours after your wash. One of the only touchless carwashes around, Red Carpet has decades of experience, proving they care about your ride.
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Readers’ Choice: Thrive Apothecary, 126 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-480-7098
Critic’s Choice: Emerald City Dispensary + Lounge, 937 Woodward St, Fort Worth, 817-238-3025
Like the fictitious metropolis for which it is named, Emerald City sounds like a fantasy: a Fort Worth hemp dispensary and consumption lounge — from which you can take your unused purchases home with you, along with a “doctor’s note” of sorts that identifies the products’ source and legality — that is also within sight of a police training facility. If that feels like a pretty unreal thing to experience in the Fort Worth of 2025, you can ponder that and other thoughts while puffing on Emerald City flower out of an in-house gravity-hookah-thing. The product selection is plentiful, and the budtenders are happy to guide you. They also have some nice alcohol-free THC-cocktails.
Readers’ Choice: Underground Cigars, 6409 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-507-3640
Readers’ Choice: Ampersand Coffee, three area locations
Critic’s Choice: Town Talk Foods, three area locations
Since 1954, Town Talk has focused on providing a place for the community to purchase groceries at extreme discount prices by buying and selling items from closeouts, insurance claims, and overruns. The deeply discounted prices not only appeal to people with limited budgets but also to anyone who enjoys the hunt for bargains or trying new gourmet items on the cheap. For coffee hounds, there are two unique options. On one aisle, you will find an array of brown paper bags with white labels that simply read “ground coffee” or “coffee beans.” Our theory is that either these repacked mystery bags are filled with brands so premium that the sources cannot be revealed or that Town Talk has a direct deal with an excellent coffee grower. Like all the other types of food items in the store, the actual coffee aisle has every brand imaginable. The best part? Pricing is typically $4.99 of less.
Readers’ Choice: The Multiverse Comics, Games, & Collectibles, 931 Melbourne Rd, Hurst, 817-616-3052
Critic’s Choice: Generation X Comics and Games, 3504 Hardwood Rd, Fort Worth, 817-540-5556
Today’s geek tastes are more varied than reading the latest Amazing Spider-Man or some hard-to-find rarity like Action Comics No. 1 (which, if you actually own it, you should think about retiring and buying an island or something). Generation X doesn’t just offer an amazing selection of the latest comics and graphic novels. The place is packed with everything your geeky heart could want, like board games and all the accessories you’ll need to vanquish your enemies, toys and collectibles, and pretty much anything you need to express your growing fandom.
Readers’ Choice: Renaissance Tattoo Collective (formerly Dark Age Tattoo), 2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734
Critic’s Choice: Rex’s Bar & Grill, 1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397
Is it a bar or a restaurant? Yes. Are you watching sports or live music? Yes. Whether it’s date night, a meeting, or a watch party, during brunch, lunch, or happy hour, Rex’s can accommodate you with or without an Open Table reservation. If you’re looking for a closeddoor meeting, please schedule it in advance. However, Rex’s is also happy to accommodate you in the H817 private room if it’s available. They’ve got you! And are glad to do so.
Readers’ Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610
Critic’s Choice: Ash Spa, Bowie House, 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 855-683-4092
Along with the Deep West Treatment, which combines deep tissue work, cupping, pressure point release, and stretching to provide a
distinct therapeutic experience, Ash Spa offers a variety of massage options and skincare sessions. Guests can create custom products for an even more personalized experience at the Made-to-Measure Apothecary. Sounds like the best spa day ever!
Readers’ Choice: The Clearfork Farmers Market, 4801 Edwards Ranch
Rd, Fort Worth, 817-985-3773
Critic’s Choice: Cowtown Farmers Market, 8901 Clifford St, White Settlement, CowtownMarket.com
Visit this market when you want a farmers market. That is, a market that focuses on vendors of food products that they have grown, raised, or produced within a 150-mile radius. Cowtown is the city’s oldest farmers market and next year will notch 40 years of connecting Fort Worthians to home-grown foods. Clearly, with
that kind of tenure, they’re doing something right. That something is giving city dwellers an opportunity to buy farm products straight from the farmers themselves.
Readers’ Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium, 505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351
Critic’s Choice: Roadrunner Stop, 1455 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 361-816-7622
Roadrunner Stop began as an online resale business and introduced itself to the community at pop-up markets around town. Now, it’s a thriving shop IRL with an adorable storefront on the Near Southside. The boutique features custom jewelry and trendy clothing with a vintage flair, plus a variety of eclectic items perfect for gift-giving.
Readers’ Choice: H.E.B Alliance, 3451 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Fort Worth, 682-708-1623
Critic’s Choice: Fiesta Mart, six area locations
Fiesta Mart is committed to providing the freshest products and the best value for the communities it serves. Along with great prices, customers experience an ongoing celebration of food, life, and Texas pride. You can pick up prepared Mexican food to go at their continued on page 15
continued from page 13
in-store Pepe’s Kitchen, including $99 tacos on Tuesdays. As for delivery, groceries from Fiesta are available at the same low price as in-store through DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats.
Readers’ Choice: Roy Pope Grocery, 2300 Merrick St, Fort Worth, 817-732-2863
Critic’s Choice: Roy Pope Grocery
Along with your staples — wine, high-end meats, fresh produce, and more wine — Roy Pope offers all sorts of extra goodies. There’s a full bakery and kitchen with low-key some of the best burgers and sandwiches inside the 820 loop, delectable take-home meals that are up there with those from that other, large grocer across I-30, and a surprisingly vast collection of THC seltzers. There are also daily events, including wine tastings, live music, and food specials. Once you’ve experienced Roy Pope, you may not want to return to a grocery chain again.
Readers’ Choice: Rock N Roll Hair, 4340 Western Center Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-581-7625
Critic’s Choice: Acute Salon, 2914 Stanley Av, Ste 108, Fort Worth, @AcuteSalonFTW
Acute is special due to its strong commitment to inclusivity, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, and its focus on a personalized, comforting guest experience. Along with being known as the first gender-neutral salon in the area, it also has an excellent reputation for its talented stylists and diverse service offerings.
Readers’ Choice: Kubes Jewelers, 2700 W Berry St, Fort Worth, 817-926-2626
Critic’s Choice: Sovereign Jewelry Company, 207 S Jennings, 817-885-7848
One of Fort Worth’s local, a’hem, gems. If you’re in the market for a new piece and don’t know what you’re looking for, you can browse Sovereign’s collection of estate and vintage jewelry in the adorably cozy shop on the Near Southside (complete with sleepy guard dog). Otherwise, craftsman Branden Smith will use his 20 years of experience to make something unique for you or your affianced. Want a fullsize replica of Taylor Swift’s old-mine brilliant cut engagement ring? He can probably make it happen. The shop also offers all the usual services, like ring sizing and watch repair, at reasonable prices — and jewelry cleaning is always free. continued on page 17
For the best pet services, including dog training, Wild at Heart is the go-to.
continued from page 15
Readers’ Choice: Tricks of the Trade, 219 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9266
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods (2750 S Hulen St, Fort Worth, 817-923-2700) has all the fine brands you can imagine, all that plus lots of tasty bites. Total Wine & More (3101 Texas Sage Tr, Fort Worth, 817-741-9415) doesn’t have the food but does have a splendid selection of crafts and NA products. In SoMa, Tricks of the Trade is a high-end bottle shop without the high-end prices. The outpost of veteran beverage maven Megan McClinton specializes in hard-to-find labels, with an expansive selection of amari and liqueurs for cocktails at home. And there’s not a lot of junk filling up the aisles, only the good stuff, including a massive array of mezcal/agave and lots of Texas craft brands.
Readers’ Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium, 505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351
Critic’s Choice: Maven’s Moon Apothecary, 8341 White Settlement Rd, White Settlement, 817-367-9235
If your chakras are out of line or your crystal collection needs an upgrade, find friendly experts at Maven’s Moon, a soothing supplier of herbs, teas, and oils as well as spa services for those who prefer a more natural way of living. More than just a store, Maven’s Moon hosts events on their property to heal and help bring the community together, especially during the
full moon, with drum circles, sound therapy, and meditation.
Readers’ Choice: Tone Shop Guitars, 4608 Bryant Irvin Rd, Ste 448, 817-386-7717
Critic’s Choice: Music Go Round, 6006 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-763-8188
Even though we live in an age where technology can alter the pitch of our singing voices in a recording and create awkwardly themed country songs with a line of text, humans still rely on fellow humans to make music the old-fashioned way. Music Go Round doesn’t just offer a wide and varied selection of the best brands in musicmaking. They even buy your old instruments, so you can upgrade your project’s sound, whether you’ve got a kid in the marching band or are trying to score a spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Readers’ Choice: That Eye Place, 4829 Green Oaks Dr, River Oaks, 682-266-4444
Critic’s Choice: Adair Eyewear, 3550 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-377-3500
For Alyce Adair, wearing glasses is about more than seeing well. It’s about looking good. And her selection of high-quality, high-fashion frames from labels like Cartier, Versace, and Dior ensures customers can do just that. Adair Eyewear has been fitting Fort Worthians with luxury glasses for more than 40 years. If you want the best in optical products and services, and you want it from a local, Black-owned, female-owned business, it’s Adair Eyewear all day. continued on page 19
See Downtown, the Stockyards, DFW Airport and all your favorite Tarrant County hotspots without ever getting behind the wheel! Ride Trinity Metro TEXRail, Bus, On-Demand or Bikes for a fun and freeing way around town! Plan your trip now at RIDE TRINITYMETRO .org.
Bikes | On-Demand | Bus | TEXRail
Flipstone, this year’s Readers’ Choice for Best Thrift Store, is Indigenous-owned, veteran-owned, and women-owned.
continued from page 17
Readers’ Choice: Wild at Heart Canine Academy, 11401 Ridgeview Cir, Fort Worth, 817-765-5280
Critic’s Choice: Purrfect Paws Mobile Pet Spaw, 214-444-4249
All we’ve got to say is that Purrfect Paws makes our high-anxiety mini-Aussie feel so comfortable and taken care of she doesn’t even bark between the handoff from her family to the friendly tech. Nails? Done. Teeth? Sparkling. Fur? Fluff-nugget-tastic. Give ’em a ring today.
Readers’ Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage, 2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455
Critic’s Choice: Born Late Records, 2920 Race St, Fort Worth, 817-984-1255
Shopping at Born Late Records is an adventure, the sort where the journey is always at least as interesting as the destination, where you might end up ditching your original quest for some rare, underground find you didn’t know you needed. Even if you’re just a hands-in-pockets guy, drifting around the shelves on a Saturday afternoon like some indecisive ghost, merely wandering through the store feels like you’re
exploring some archetypical, stoner uncle’s record dungeon, as each successive room reveals a new vault of vinyl and vintage treasures, from the heaviest of metal to the bands that reigned on Solid Gold.
Readers’ Choice: Smoke & Vape DZ Bloom, 1411 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 682-707-9229
Critic’s Choice: World of Smoke & Vape, 2401 W 7th St, Ste 114, 817-386-2720
Good vibes, plenty of flower, a ton of pipes and other glassware, and all the vape flavors from your favorite elves and geeks.
Readers’ Choice: Renaissance Tattoo Collective (formerly Dark Age Tattoo), 2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) If you’re looking for a traditional tattoo, check out the artists at Heart in Hand in Arlington (1730 W Bardin Rd Ste 200, Arl, HeartinHandArlington.com), who all specialize in bold customs wrought in old-school style. The shop’s vibrant atmosphere makes the experience pretty fun, even during Hour 3 of your sleeve. If you’re spending an afternoon strolling around Magnolia, mosey into Monarch Tattoo (1510 W Magnolia Av, continued on page 21
Independent booksellers Monkey & Dog won our readers’ hearts and a spot on the Wildcard list for Best Book Store this year.
continued from page 19
Fort Worth, @MonarchFWTX) and get a permanent souvenir of your visit, courtesy one of the studio’s resident tattooers. The shop’s vibe — good tunes, fun artists, and a lot of art on the walls to focus on while you’re getting zapped — make it a great walk-in spot, especially if you’re after your first tattoo. Its resident artists are all great at custom pieces as well. Get a piercing while you’re there, too! In Haltom City, pop into TNT Tattoo Co. (5230 Denton Hwy, Ste 20, Haltom City, @ TNTTattooCo) for a consult on a custom piece, some fun flash, or to schedule some photorealistic black-and-white portraiture or stunning, surreal colorwork from one of the shop’s owners, husband and wife Danny and Kristal Tarron.
Readers’ Choice: Flipstone Vintage & Thrift, 2702 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 682-431-1456
Critic’s Choice: Indy Clover, City View Towne Crossing, 5900 Overton Ridge Blvd, Ste 110, Fort Worth, 972-802-6898
A thrift store with lots of personality, Indy Clover supports others with their Saturday sales. That’s when sellers can sign up to bring their items and sell in their own booths, so the variety of people, characters, and styles is infinite. Pricing varies Saturdays as it is set by the sellers, but vintage, unique, and even new items can be found here, a little something for everyone.
Readers’ Choice: The Holly, 305 W Daggett Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-420-6446
Critic’s Choice: Neighborhood Wine, 1257 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-993-2696
If you don’t know the difference between a cabernet sauvignon or sauvignon blanc, or struggle to pronounce those words, Neighborhood Wine has educated sommeliers and wine pourers who will gladly, and patiently, walk you through varietals and differences of regions. With a daily happy hour, a calendar of events, live music, and a wine club you can join, there’s plenty to do. Neighborhood Wine also offers beer and seltzers and a small food menu to ensure a leisurely stay.
Readers’ Choice: Brittni’s Automotive Repair, 5894 TX-114, Haslet, 817-350-7408
Readers’ Choice: Monkey & Dog Books, 3608 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-489-5747
Readers’ Choice: Wild at Heart Canine Academy, 11401 Ridgeview Cir, Fort Worth, 817-765-5280
Readers’ Choice: Gallery One Frames, 217 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-737-9566
The Cozy Catfe provides a home-like environment for adoptable cats. You can work your way through a maze of rooms, get to know the kitties while they do their thing, and go home with a new best friend.
Readers’ Choice: Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-4768
Critic’s Choice: The Cozy Catfe, 740 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Ste 200, Arl, 682-323-4837
No one is having their best moment when they land in jail. Case in point: Did you ever see Nick Nolte’s mug shot? Pets are no different. Life in the shelter is noisy, confusing, and scary. Animals need a chance to debrief before they can show you their true personalities. That is what makes The Cozy Catfe such a brilliant concept. Owner Brandie Retana works directly with Arlington Animal Services and serves as a foster for adoptable cats. You can buy drinks and snacks in the lobby, then work your way through a maze of rooms, each set up in a homestyle environment, get to know the kitties while they do their thing, and maybe go home with a new best friend.
Readers’ Choice: Saving Hope Rescue, 420 Throckmorton St, Ste 550, Fort Worth, @SavingHopeTX
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Whether you’re looking to foster or adopt a new pet, Apollo Support & Rescue in Justin (ApolloSupportandRescue.org), Fort Worth Abandoned Animal Alliance (FWAbandoned. org), and Saving Hope Animal Rescue in Fort Worth (SavingHopeRescue.org) will help you find the right one. The volunteers of these organizations are dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehoming of abandoned or relinquished animals of all breeds, ages, and conditions, so start your search for a fourlegged friend with them.
Readers’ Choice: The George at Clearfork, 4900 Gage Av, Fort Worth, 888-415-8131
Critic’s Choice: Dane Park Grapevine, 2701 Grapevine Mills Blvd N, Grapevine, 866-479-0264
Dane Park is not just the most dog-friendly apartment complex in Tarrant County. This Grapevine community has been named one of the most dog-centric in the entire United States. It’s no mystery why, with a list of canine-focused features that includes doggy doors in every unit, private fenced yards on all ground-floor units, the country’s biggest covered dog park, on-site doggy daycare, adoption events, and much, much more. And
if you think they have breed or size restrictions, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Readers’ Choice: Josh Hoover, TCU quarterback
Critics’ Choice: Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno, TCU Beach Volleyball
While playing a smaller sport, the now immortal Spanish doubles pair of Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno hold the special distinction of being both Horned Frog national champions in their sport, as well as Olympians. Alvarez arrived on campus in 2020 — a season cut short for pandemic reasons — and Moreno joined her fellow Spaniard in 2021. Their presence is
directly correlated with a meteoric rise in the TCU beach volleyball program to its ultimate success of champion this past year. The pair has too many individual and pairs accolades within the volleyball realm to mention, but both have received All-American, All-Conferences as well as academic honors in bunches. The pair flipped their position after a rare first-set loss in the national-title matchup and won the next two to clinch the match and the championship for the first collegiate beach volleyball championship for TCU — or anyone outside of Southern California. The pair took a gap year in 2024 to compete with Team Spain at the Olympic Games in Paris, where they began the games with a provisional ranking of 14th continued on page 24
and finished fifth. The partners competed at the No. 1 spot almost their entire collegiate careers, and Alvarez finished last year’s season as the AVCA Collegiate Beach Player of the Year.
Readers’ Choice: Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Critic’s Choice: CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
It’s been a rough 12 months in local sports. Whether due to questionable front-office decisions or by long-term injuries, North Texas has been practically bleeding superstar talent. Local fans have had to endure long stretches of watching their favorite teams without the likes of Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and pass rusher Micah Parsons, Mavs guards Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, or Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and shortstop Corey Seager. Thank ye gods old and new for one Cedarian “CeeDee” Lamb. The Cowboys wide receiver has been a rare bright spot in the otherwise dwindling elite talent in the area. Even in a season forced to catch balls from a mediocre backup QB for more than half the games, the former Sooner standout still managed more than 100 catches and nearly 1,200 yards on his way to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and third straight All Pro honors, all the while dripping with his signature diamond-studded grill and multicolored dreadlock swagger.
Readers’ Choice: Benbrook Stables, 10001 Benbrook Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-249-1001
Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Vaqueros Soccer Camps, Vaqueros Field, Sycamore Park, 2400 E Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 214-642-3447
The Fort’s own pro soccer team teaches the game to boys and girls at three sessions of morning camps for boys and girls aged 7-13. With the FIFA World Cup descending upon us in 2026, interest in youth soccer will only continue to grow. Are the Vaqueros ready? You know they are!
Readers’ Choice: Elizabeth Beck
Critic’s Choice: Chris Nettles
A lifelong resident of District 8, Nettles is not afraid to stand up to the current council administration, in thrall as it is to the orange stain in the White House. Whether it’s the fight against redistricting or bending the knee on DEI, Nettles is having none of it, and he’s not afraid to lead where other councilmembers cower.
Readers’ Choice: Jefferson Dental Stockyards, 301 NW 28th St, Fort Worth, 682-356-6078
Readers’ Choice: Beelieve Pediatric Therapy, 10640 N Riverside Dr, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-431-9000
Readers’ Choice: Glamour Paws, 3000 S Hulen St, Ste 108, Fort Worth, 817-923-9828
Critic’s Choice: Petbar Waterside, 5925 Convair Dr, Ste 553, Fort Worth, 817-615-9398
While the name of this award isn’t Best Pet Spa, it might as well be. Petbar Waterside is the go-to for dog grooming because it offers a blend of self-service washing stations and expert full-service grooming, creating a personalized, stress-free experience for our little loved ones. The facility provides a clean environment, top-quality grooming products, and professional staff passionate about dogs, alongside add-on services like teeth brushing and blueberry facials to cater to individual needs. Yes, you read that correctly. Blueberry. Facials.
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Weird Moms Club, @FortWorthWeirdMoms
Critic’s Choice: Girl Gang FW, @FWGirlGang
No one has your back like the members of Girl Gang FW. It may take a minute to be accepted, but that’s because entry into this far-reaching group is artfully managed by several dedicated admins keen on keeping the group safe and secure. Once you’re in, you’ll find comment threads teeming with supportive comments, hot tips on cool (and safe) bars and restaurants, meetup invitations, and the occasional shade at other Facebook groups. Need to get psyched up for a job interview or a quick vibe check while on a date? The Gang’s got you.
Critic’s Choice: The Trailhead at Clearfork, 4801 Edwards Ranch Rd, Fort Worth
Could one of the greatest innovations in yoga’s 5,000-year history be this free class that takes place every Saturday at 9am next to Press Café? Probably not. Downward dog is pretty much downward dog. But
there’s something special about breathing in the fresh air while hitting your poses on a riverside lawn of green grass. Bring a mat and water bottle and leave extra time for parking or, better yet, carpool. Check The Trailhead Clearfork’s social media pages for info on instructors and weather cancellations.
Readers’ Choice: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center, 1400 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-926-2544
Critic’s Choice: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center
By the numbers, this is our town’s top hospital. The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings show it’s a high performer in five adult medical specialties and 10 procedures and conditions. With 26% of its patients on Medicaid, it treats a significantly higher percentage of low-income patients than most other hospitals, and according to one of the most eye-catching stats, 90% of patients surveyed would recommend the hospital to others.
Readers’ Choice: Julya Billhymer, 420 Defense Attorney, 1660 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-927-0199
Critic’s Choice: Abraham Alexander While Alexander has been getting a lot of buzz this past year, especially with his Oscar nomination for the song “Like a Bird” from the film Sing Sing, those who have been paying attention know he’s been making great music in Fort Worth, with or without his buddy Leon Bridges, for a while now. As he works on his second album, we’ve been revisiting his debut LP, SEA/SONS, a heartfelt blend of soul, R&B, folk, and blues that will have you humming along to his soulful vocals the rest of the week. Plus, he’s a genuinely nice dude you’re as likely to run into at the local gym as at a Spring Gallery Night afterparty.
Readers’ Choice: Time Rift Arcade, 2113 Harwood Rd, Ste 351, Bedford, 817-646-0771
Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Stockyards
When a newbie moves to Fort Worth or touristas come to explore, there are many spots where to meet and watch people, but our choice to really soak it all in is none other than the Stockyards. You get a little Western authenticity mixed with cowboy chic — the best of both worlds. If you saddle up at any saloon or hit the floors to dance, you’re sure to have a rollicking good time where strangers become friends.
Readers’ Choice: Crystal Baker, ICU nurse, (Texas Health)/tattoo artist (Renaissance Tattoo Collective) continued on page 25
Critic’s Choice: Tom Strandwitz III, TCU alumnus
We’ve all seen the late-night commercials for Mercy Ships, the floating hospitals that provide free surgical care and education in African nations. Like us, you probably wondered about its legitimacy. As it turns out, it’s the real deal. TCU Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences alumnus Tom Strandwitz III participated in Mercy Ships’ inaugural Student Nursing Program in Madagascar over the summer. He was one of only five students nationwide selected. The group provided patient care and shadowed surgical teams aboard the African Mercy Ship, assisted with pre- and post-operative care, and gained experience in global health and community outreach. Strandwitz hopes to pursue a career in public health and potentially return to the Mercy Ship for more international health-care experiences. Go, Frogs!
Readers’ Choice: Dynamite Dames
Photography Studio, 3915 Benbrook Blvd, Ste C, Fort Worth, 817-319-1588
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Walt Burns is basically a public figure. Over the past decade, he has captured many prominent artists and shot the Charles Schwab Invitational, and his street photography is stunning, with brightly colored pics of North Side architecture along with black-and-white photos of downtown. Brooks Burris has been photographing local and national artists for most of his career. Touring with rising stars like Charley Crockett and currently shooting concerts at Dickies Arena, Dos Equis Pavilion, and other large, local venues, Burris is always on the go. Jose Serrato does everything from real estate to concerts, and he’s captured some of the biggest artists on the planet, including Taylor Swift, Tool, Pink, The Weeknd, Deftones, Post Malone, Korn, and Slipknot.
Readers’ Choice: Jessica Waffles, Homegrown Music Show, 91.7-FM/ KKXT
Critic’s Choice: Jessica Waffles
Jessica Waffles is an artist, photographer, writer, and musician who, for the past year, has hosted the Homegrown Music Show on KXT every Thursday at 7pm. While that station has always been pretty good about inserting DFW bands onto playlists along with mainstream artists, Waffles’ show is dedicated to North Texas bands both old and new, offering airplay to artists that might not otherwise get it. Her enthusiastic curation comes from years of scene documentation and participation, and it’s just fun to hear her get stoked about the new local bands on her show.
Readers’ Choice: David E. Rodriguez, Bray Real Estate Group, 3100 Capital
Way, Ste 100, Fort Worth, @DavidtheTXRealtor
Readers’ Choice: Angela Buffington, Trinity River Blues Society, @ TrinityRiverBlues
Critic’s Choice: Ken Shimamoto, Stashdauber.blogspot.com
Not only is legendary Fort Worth citizen Ken Shimamoto on the bridge at Hulen and I-30 every Tuesday protesting the current White House, but he’s slinging his acoustic axe at local venues and on social media to rile up the troops for the long fight ahead. His covers of continued on page 26
protest songs and just flat-out beautiful, mostly bittersweet tunes manifest the idea that, indeed, this machine kills fascists.
Readers’ Choice: Rember Orellana, Renaissance Tattoo Collective (formerly Dark Age Tattoo), 2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682499-5734
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Heart in Hand owner Joe Haasch (@JoeHaasch) will cover your body in eye-popping traditional American tattoos in both black and gray and vibrant color. If you’re looking for bold, stylistic fine-line work, get booked with Martin Rangel (@MartinRangel_TX) at Panther City Tattoo, and the psychedelic colorwork by TNT Tattoo co-owner Kristal Tarron (@KristalTattoos) is well-suited for custom designs.
Readers’ Choice: Hilary Velasquez, Diamond Hill Jarvis High School, 1411 Maydell St, Fort Worth, 817-815-0000
Critic’s Choice: Robert Jerkins, math teacher and coach, Benbrook Middle/
High School, 817-815-7199
How many times in your life have you said that you hate math? Robert Jerkins at Benbrook Middle-High School will change your mind. Well, at least he’ll change your kids’ minds. Mr. Jerkins, who teaches algebra II, college prep math, and geometry honors, is beloved by his students for the passion he puts in to teaching. When he’s not completing that utterly thankless task, Jerkins can be found drawing up defensive plays for the school’s football team or coaching the softball team. In a country where teachers aren’t being adequately respected — or paid — it’d be understandable for them to phone it in. Jerkins shows that are plenty who still care enough to give their all.
Readers’ Choice: Paige Ellenberger, FOX 4 News
Critic’s Choice: Rick Mitchell, NBC 5 NBC 5 is rated the most trustworthy source for accurate weather information in all of DFW, and Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell is a big reason why. With decades of experience, the family man joined the station in 2012 and has led North Texans through just about every weather event in that timespan. Catch him weekdays at 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm.
Readers’ Choice: Opal’s Farm, 2500 Lasalle St, Fort Worth, 817-333-8367
Critic’s Choice: Mind Your Garden,
3815 S Timberline Dr, Fort Worth, MindYourGardenFW.com
Farmers Steven Nuñez and Ursula Duron Nuñez make Mind Your Garden more than a place to get sustainably grown fresh produce in what would otherwise be something of a food desert. In addition to their scrumptious farm stand, the duo stages plant-based cooking demonstrations and provides landscape and
permaculture designs to would-be urban farmers. Both these first-generation college students sport UTA master’s degrees in related fields and are heavily involved in their community, including supporting veterans — Steve served in the Marines. All in all, it’s potent ground for an outstanding urban farm experience.
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Readers’ Choice: North Texas Veterinary Clinic, 110 Wall Price Keller Rd, Keller, 817-741-8050
Readers’ Choice: Renaissance Tattoo Collective (formerly Dark Age Tattoo), 2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734
Critic’s Choice: GM Financial, 801 Cherry St, Ste 3501, Fort Worth, 1-800-284-2271
One of the largest employers in Fort Worth, GM Financial, the wholly owned financial services arm of General Motors, consistently appears on annual lists for employee satisfaction. Employees love the hybrid work environment, company discounts on GM vehicles, and the genuine feeling that employees matter. Notably, GM Financial didn’t back off this year on any DE&I initiatives, which are led by a dedicated Chief DE&I officer, when a lot of companies kowtowed to the current administration. The company walks the walk, with an emphasis on inclusive hiring, cultural celebrations recognizing Juneteenth as well as Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous heritage, and ample mental health resources as part of the company health plan.
Readers’ Choice: Anytime Fitness, 1714 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-207-0900
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Chain gym doesn’t do justice to Absolute Recomp (4931 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth, 682-434-8706). With five locations across the Metroplex, the colorful and insanely appointed gym can only be likened to a boy’s bedroom poster of a swimsuit-model posing on a Lamborghini: bright, expensive, and unapologetically over the top. Absolute Recomp has some of the most sought-after and expensive equipment on the market. Even their dumbbells are a cost and quality you won’t find at normal — even highend — commercial gyms. Open 365 days per year and offering additional amenities such as saunas and a dedicated posing room with customizable lighting, this gym south of Hulen Mall would please even the most discerning meathead while appealing to the old-school iron addicts and new-age Tren Twin disciples simultaneously. Both a past and future winner, CrossFit Westwood (608 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 682-331-9466) on the Near Southside is currently constructing a new mega-gym near Ridgmar Mall at the site of the old Movie Tavern (R.I.P.). The clean and well-appointed gym that’s a hybrid of traditional bodybuilding machines and openair squat racks and bumper plates is leveling up to include contrast therapy of saunas and cold plunges. Space and parking are increasing
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exponentially, and their current selection of carefully curated machines and functional fitness offerings are growing as well. What was already one of the best fitness destinations in town is aiming to be a regional destination for lifting and cardio enthusiasts within the next few months. A longstanding local favorite, as competitors are becoming bigger and more diversified, EnduraLAB (2816 Shamrock Av, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-904-8638) focuses on what they do best: coaching and community. Not specifically a CrossFit or Hyrox gym, for illustration purposes, their endurance and functional-strength workouts have that spice to them. Members swear by the individual attention and coaching expertise they receive. EduraLAB is a wise choice for triathletes and long-distance runners who are way down the rabbit hole. Offering physiology tests for resting metabolic rate and VO2 max, EduraLAB’s analytic approach to improvement thrills data nerds. The casual exerciser who wants group accountability, and maybe some nutrition coaching on the top to look and feel their best, will also feel just as at home, thanks to friendly instructors and a family atmosphere.
Readers’ Choice: James “Killer Bug” Morris
Readers’ Choice: Katie Burum, Renaissance Tattoo Collective (formerly Dark Age Tattoo), 2836 Bledsoe St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 682499-5734
Readers’ Choice: iFlex Stretch Studios, 3529 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Ste 111, Fort Worth, 682-250-3355
Readers’ Choice: Abbey Schwindt, You Deserve It! Vacations, 2833 Crockett St, Ste 513, Fort Worth, 469875-3224
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20+filmblocks:featurefilms,shortfilms, special“Showcase”screenings •Talkswithfilmmakers&industrypros •Eveningsocialevents•Freedrinksatselectparties&happyhours It’sallindie,allweek.Bigdreams. Bigscreens.Brightlights.
Readers’ Choice: William Campbell Gallery, 217 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-737-9566
Critic’s Choice: Artspace111, 111 Hampton St, Fort Worth, 817-692-3228
Offering a slew of marquee artists at the height of their powers, downtown’s Artspace111 had a little something for every progressive taste, from Jim Malone’s supernatural mixed-media drawings to Ariel Davis’ personal photorealist paintings and Stella Alesi’s moody, sublime U-shaped panels. Artspace isn’t just one of the oldest galleries of its kind around. It’s one of the best of all time.
Readers’ Choice: Ethereal Goats
Earthly Pecans, Victoria Gonzales, William Campbell Gallery
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Jim Malone’s Animal Crackers cast an eerie, supernatural spell over Artspace111 (111 Hampton St, Fort Worth, 817-692-3228). Featuring mixedmedia works of mostly nocturnal desert terrain visited by majestic creatures — birds, cattle, Pegasuses (!) — the veteran Fort Worth artist’s handiwork on display was sublime. At J. Peeler Howell Fine Art (3521 Locke Av, Fort Worth, 817-386-0638), the group show Meadowsweet represented an exploration in “materiality, process, and formal abstraction” and delighted the way only truly progressive, intriguing art can. In Arlington Heights, William Campbell Gallery closed the book on its long-time Byers Avenue location with a Spring Gallery Night show full of heavy hitters, including J.T. Grant, Julie Lazarus, James Blake, Marhsall Harris, Billy Hassel, and Richard Thompson.
Artist
Readers’ Choice: Bethany Joseph, @BJoFineArt
Critic’s Choice: Sedrick Huckaby
A Fort Worth native, Huckaby enriches his hometown by working and showcasing his art locally. Focused on family, faith, and community, his paintings, with many poignant poses from loved ones and undertones derived from quilts and familiar objects, create a warmth that envelops you as you admire them. He teaches painting at UTA to continue to contribute to the community. His work invokes deep reflection, beauty, and thoughtfulness, all essential to powerful art like his.
Readers’ Choice: ArtsGoggle, @ArtsGoggle
Critic’s Choice: ArtsGoggle
At 21 years old, ArtsGoggle has reached a level of maturity that calls out for reassessment. So, is this October event still the city’s premier gathering of artists and artisans? Factors to consider include whether all the creators stretched on a mile of Magnolia Avenue are mostly local, whether it embraces just about any conceivable media, whether it includes musicians and other performers representing a wide range of genres, and whether it’s family friendly. All answers are affirmative, and the verdict is in: If you’re going to only one arts and crafts event, make it ArtsGoggle. You’ll love it, you’ll learn a lot, and you’ll support the continued redevelopment of the Near Southside.
Readers’ Choice: Nightshade Burlesque at The Cicada, 1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @NightShadeBurlesque
Critic’s Choice: Nightshade Burlesque Nightshade Burlesque’s vivacious, voluptuous vixens offer fans a titillating performance of cabaret camp and devilishly delightful drag. Their monthly residency at The Cicada (to which they return on Fri, Oct 3) is one of the venue’s most popular attractions, and the troupe’s outrageous performances are not to be missed.
Readers’ Choice: The Old 97’s, Fighting Oligarchy Tour with Bernie Sanders, Dickies Arena
Critic’s Choice: MJ Lenderman at Tulips FTW
It’s always a treat to see a great act at an intimate venue like Tulips. While MJ Lenderman and his backing band The Wind just played a packed house at the larger Tannahill’s, they first rocked Tulips back in February to close out the inaugural Jambaloo Festival, a weeklong series of free concerts in Fort Worth and Dallas which is set to return later this year. When the folksy Asheville-based indie-rockers took the stage, Lenderman, sounding a bit croakier than usual, announced that he and the band were actually sick from eating bad oysters in New Orleans the night before. This meant they were down a member and everyone else was on a different instrument. Somehow, this made their performance even more impressive as the captive audience urged them along, creating one of the most uniquely unifying concert atmospheres we’ve witnessed. Weaving country slide guitars with crunchy hard-rock riffs, Lenderman is changing the landscape of genre-bending acts. Maybe Dickies Arena is next?
Readers’ Choice: Beer for Lovers, Lovers of Beer Valentine’s Dinner, Southside Cellar, 125 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-703-2184
Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 216, 817-768-9294 Each spring, the Fort Worth Food + Wine
Festival kicks off with four days of culinary delight. From a tacos and tequila night to live fire cooking, there’s something for every foodie. Tickets sell quick and benefit several charitable organizations and nonprofits. Pro tip: Sign up as a volunteer and enjoy the same perks from behind the scenes.
Readers’ Choice: Main Street Arts Festival, @MainStreetArtsFest
Critic’s Choice: Cars & Culture Show
What better way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month than with live music, ballet folklórico, great food, and rows of classic cars and custom lowriders. Now in its third year, the Cars & Culture Show fills Sundance
Square with great energy, good times, and the exquisite, sparkling beauty specific to a ’63 Fairlane on 13-inch wheels. This annual September showcase of Chicano culture makes for a really fun family outing, the kind you look forward to year after year.
Readers’ Choice: Dallas Wings Flight Crew
Critic’s Choice: Ballet Concerto, 3803 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-7915
We already know that you love Ballet Concerto. As a nonprofit performing arts organization, their very existence means that you have been supporting them since their founding in 1969.
We love them, too! Along with everything else they do, every year they engage choreographers of national and international renown and professional dancers from ballet companies throughout the United States to join their seasonal troupe for the annual Summer Dance Concert, which has been presented annually since 1983, with 2020 being the only exception. What pandemic? You can’t stop these moves!
Readers’ Choice: Glen Rose
Critic’s Choice: Mineral Wells
Only about an hour’s drive west of Fort Worth, Mineral Wells is a day trip that may not even require a hotel room. The state park is idyllic and fit for hiking and even regionally famous for rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow. Peruse the boutiques downtown for a leisurely afternoon, and make sure to sneak a peek at the haunting Baker Hotel (under renovation). Do not leave Mineral Wells without trying what it is famous for — crazy water! On a scale of “wow” to “mineral madness,” this refreshing local delight distinguishes Mineral Wells from the rest.
Readers’ Choice: Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot, 105 N Mesquite St, Arlington, @DoggieDepotTX
Critic’s Choice: Z Bonz Dog Park, 6950 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth
This city-owned park on the grounds of a former golf course has plenty of shade and separate sections for large and small puppers, covering seven acres and three acres, respectively. You and your good boys and girls will also find two covered shelters, various agility items, pet fountains, and two aerated ponds to keep everyone cool during Fort Worth’s endless summers. Z Bonz is open 5am-10pm daily, except Wednesdays when it closes for “maintenance.” We’re picturing a giant pooper scooper.
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Upcoming Movie Nights: October 24 at 7:30 PM: Hotel Transylvania November 14 at 7:00 PM: Lilo and Stitch (2025) December 12 at 6:30 PM: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Readers’ Choice: Vivienne Vermuth, X.com/VforVermuth
Critic’s Choice: Thee Euphoria
Once associated with LGBTIA+ bars only, drag shows have gone mainstream, which has created many opportunities to watch performers sashay and flaunt to Cher or Lady Gaga on any given weeknight if you know where to look. Thee Euphoria has hosted or performed drag at Club Reflection for years, and although she splits time between Fort Worth and Houston now, you can still catch her acts. Just follow Club Reflection’s social media for their show calendar.
Readers’ Choice: 1851 Club, 931 W Division St, Arl, 817-642-5554
Readers’ Choice: Time Rift Arcade, 2113 Harwood Rd, Ste 351, Bedford, 817-646-0771
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) The beautiful thing about a place like Sundance Square Plaza is that you don’t need a ton of money to enjoy it. If you’ve got a couple of bucks for a coffee at Starbucks or a beer at the Flying Saucer and it’s a nice day, you can enjoy the weather, go for a leisurely stroll, or listen to an
outdoor concert and still have change in your pocket or bank account. If you feel like taking a longer walk and consuming some fine art while you fill the activity rings on your Apple Watch, the best place to do it is the Cultural District, home of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, and the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame. Then there’s the Foundry District, which is like a walk through the kind of neighborhood your grandparents lived in that also mated with a modern art community. It’s packed with spas and beauty shops, local restaurants and breweries, and art on just about every building and exterior wall. Oh,
yeah. It’s also got one of the coolest record and vintage stores around, Doc’s.
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, 6777 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 216, 817-768-9294
Critic’s Choice: Trinity Pride
This year’s Trinity Pride Fest had a change of venue from Magnolia on the Green to a sprawling block party along South Main. That change was just what the fest needed. All the extra space meant room for a long parade route, more vendors, and lots of activities, including free music and drag shows. The vibes were light and fun
with everyone simply enjoying the beautiful day for a beautiful cause. It was fun to see the SoMa businesses getting in on the fun as well. The support for the community couldn’t have been stronger, and this year’s event shows that Trinity Pride will continue to grow.
Readers’ Choice: Hangman’s House of Horrors, 4400 Blue Mound Rd, Fort Worth, @HangmansHouseofHorrors
Critic’s Choice: Moxley Manor, 510 Harwood Rd, Bedford, 682-231-1313 Halloween will be here sooner than you think, much like that snarling monster in
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your dreams every night. If you enjoy a good scare or just need a reason to scream without drawing attention to yourself, Moxley Manor has more than one great way to get your nerves rattling. This Bedford staple puts its guests on the edge with intricately designed rooms and experiences and innovative ways for the screaming cast to pop out when you’re not looking. It’s also three haunted attractions in one with the main Moxley Manor, plus Regan’s Revenge and (gulp, clowns!) Big Top Terror.
Readers’ Choice: Time Rift Arcade, 2113 Harwood Rd, Ste 351, Bedford, 817-646-0771
Critic’s Choice: Metroplex Wrestling, 510 Harwood Rd, Ste D, Bedford, @MPXWrestling
It’s hot, sweaty, and downright awesome. Taking place in a Mid-Cities strip mall,
Metroplex Wrestling pits some truly acrobatic, truly skilled, and truly dramatic guys and gals against one another in matches that are as jaw-dropping as they are LOL funny. The little ones eat it up. And the rest of the crowd? They are almost as big a part of the show as the faces and heels in the ring.
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, 1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, 817-255-9300
Critic’s Choice: Epic Waters, 2970 Epic Pl, Grand Prairie, 972-337-3131
While we are certainly Tarrant County-centric, especially during Best Of season, Grand Prairie has real estate in both Dallas County and TC. We love the vibe out there and have several newspaper stands in the area. One staffer affectionately refers to GP as “Far East Fort Worth.” If Grapevine is the Christmas Capital of Texas and Denton is the (newly minted) Halloween Capital, let’s just give Grand Prairie the designation of The Playground. Horse racing, skateboarding, and museum oddities all have their distinct locales in the area, but our favorite thing just might be swimming indoors all year round at Epic Waters. The expansive, glass-enclosed park with pools and slides, plus an arcade, eatery, and giftshop, is the largest indoor waterpark in North Texas. Cowabunga, dude.
Readers’ Choice: Coyote Drive-In, 223 NE 4th St, Fort Worth, 817-717-7767
Critic’s Choice: Rooftop Cinema Club, 235 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth
The best movie theater in town isn’t a crowded multiplex with more screens than NASA’s mission control room. It’s higher. Rooftop Cinema Club offers one of the most breathtaking views of the city and the most eclectic collection of movies you can see on a big screen, from recent blockbusters to classics of cinema. There’s even a dog-friendly movie night in case your mutt wants to get out but you also really want to see a flick.
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Readers’ Choice: The Whale, Alex De Corte, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) At the Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451), Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910-1945 gathered more than 70 paintings and sculptures from the Neue Nationalgalerie, the modern art museum of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. At least those old Nazis lost. Can’t say the same about today’s, because these four decades of antique German art and politics related to our current shitshow in many ways, especially the swing from high times to fascism seemingly overnight. At the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, 817-738-9215), Surrealism and Us was “the first intergenerational show dedicated to Caribbean and African diasporic art presented at the Modern.” Comprising more than 80 pieces from the 1940s to the present in almost every medium, the exhibit followed many of the Caribbean and Black artists who gravitated toward the movement. Many of them made political statements. Some just practiced some Voodoo. With The Whale, Alex Da Corte festooned the Modern with loads of popculture candy — everything from Bugs Bunny to Bruce Springsteen — and situated them among pieces in the museum’s permanent collection that moved him when he first visited Fort Worth 20 years earlier.
Readers’ Choice: Level Up Music Academy, 800 Jim Wright Fwy B, White Settlement, 682-271-9748
Critic’s Choice: Music Junkie Studios, 1701 Enderly Pl, 682-499-5731
Offering lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums, violin, ukulele, songwriting, and home recording, Music Junkie Studios puts a premium on the discovery and joy in learning an instrument, no matter your age or experience.
Readers’ Choice: “Fort Worth Sports,” Brad Smith and Kay Ray Art, Rex’s Bar & Grill, 1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397
Critic’s Choice: “Marty’s,” Jay Wilkinson, Tres Amigos, 909 W Magnolia Av, Ste 10, Fort Worth, 682-224-2554
A companion piece to his Back to the Future mural at McFly’s Pub in River Oaks, Wilkinson’s latest shows one of those “Great Scot!” moments from the ’80s time-travel franchise, with Marty McFly and Doc freaking out at their watches in an electrifying scene from Back to the Future II, rendered in Wilkinson’s photorealistic style on the building’s west-facing exterior wall. The mural heralds Tres Amigos’ rebrand from a tacos-and-tequila bar into its new concept, a pub-and-grub spot that, like McFly’s, takes its decor inspiration from the film.
Readers’ Choice: LGBTQ S.A.V.E.S, 1959 Sandy Ln, Fort Worth, @LGBTQSaves
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) On the Near Southside, LGBTQ S.A.V.E.S has become a place for our LGBTQIA+ friends who need somewhere to turn to for fellowship, therapy, unhoused assistance, and a sense of community when it’s needed most. The neighborhood’s Megan Henderson is a champion for local businesses and other charitable organizations, and when The Cooper apartment residents were displaced by a historic fire, she was among the first to organize a relief effort with United Way. Elsewhere on the Near Southside, One Safe Place is there to assist victims of domestic violence and survivors of any type of abusive situation. The nonprofit often sets up booths at local events, which is a great chance to become familiar with opportunities to get or offer help.
Readers’ Choice: Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-392-5700
Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth, 817-392-7410
Nearly a third of Fort Worth’s 13,000 acres of city-owned parkland is contained in this century-old conservancy. That makes the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge not just the biggest city-owned park in town but also one of the biggest in the country. This park focuses on nature and getting away from it all. Compared to the other 300 city parks, it’s not the most centrally located, nor does it have pickleball courts, a pool, or even a splash pad. That’s OK. We’ll take the 20 miles of scenic hiking trails, an actual herd of bison, a prairie dog town, and the occasional Lake Worth alligator sighting.
Critic’s Choice: The Fixi Shop, 1800 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-301-0544
With concert tickets being more expensive than ever, if you’re on a lean budget, why fork out the equivalent of a third concert ticket to pay
for parking and put more money in corporate hands when there are some clever alternatives? For AAC shows in Dallas, ride DART. In Arlington, you can take a shuttle from J. Gilligan’s or leave your car in the capable hands of the folks at the Koala Ice convenience store by the stadium. Meanwhile, back at The Fort, the guys at that little iPhone repair shop with the vintage plane on the roof turn their parking spaces into a cash crop several nights a week. Giving them your 30-ish dollars is an excellent way to #SupportLocal. Oh, and if your phone is busted, they’ve got you on that, too.
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Roots, FortWorthRoots.com, @FortWorthRoots
Critic’s Choice: 817 Podcast, @817pod
Hosted by entrepreneur EJ Carrion, former city councilmember Ann Zadeh, and media producer/activist Wesley Kirk, 817 Podcast delivers regular updates and analyses of city, county, and statewide politics and is a must-listen for anyone who thinks that Republican overreach has extended far beyond the hold-my-beer-watch-this phase into truly terrifying territory.
Readers’ Choice: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé, Stage West
Critic’s Choice: The Heart Sellers, Amphibian Stage
Over some wine and a frozen turkey, a pair of homesick immigrant women in their early 20s — Luna (Olivia de Guzman) from the Philippines and Jane (Tara Park) from Korea — spend Thanksgiving 1973 in an unnamed American city, bonding over the absurdities, uncertainties, loneliness, and excitement inherent to the immigrant experience. Their laughter, hopes, and fears, and aspirations highlight what it means to move to this country and observe how one’s identity evolves across a new life in a faraway place. Park and de Guzman limned their characters’ chance meeting and instant rapport with the promise and possibilities enshrined in American citizenship, reminding audiences that America’s greatness grew out of the hard work of people from all over the world, all of them striving for a better life in this land of opportunity.
Readers’ Choice: Hip Pocket Theatre, 1950 Silver Creek Rd, Fort Worth, 817-246-9775
Critic’s Choice: Stage West, 821 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-784-9378
With its lively mix of shows and events, the Fort Worth theater community has been extremely generous to the city this past year. There are also several theaters that serve up more than just an endless series of Neil Simon and musicals that won’t offend sensitive ears. Stage West stood above the rest by packing its schedule with a variety of styles and subjects for performers and audiences alike. Stage West’s most recent production, Fat Ham — a Black, Southern, queer retelling of Hamlet — was a must-see for any fans of good storytelling.
Readers’ Choice: Eduardo’s Pastry Kitchen, 5950 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, 214-531-4830
Critic’s Choice: Panaderias Don Goyo, 8751 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-244-0600
Fresh Mexican concha bread, preprepared tres leches cakes, and festive desserts sit in rows with cookies and pumpkin empanadas along with other tasty baked bites at this lovable Mexican bakery (with another location on Seminary Drive). Once you enter, you’re welcomed and handed a tray and tongs to pick out the items you want. Once you’re done, a cashier will bag your delights at the register with a smile.
Readers’ Choice: Panther City BBQ, 201 E Hattie St, Fort Worth, 682-250-4464
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Tarrant County led Texas Monthly’s esteemed Top 50 barbecue rankings in 2021, but some winners have since closed or relocated. Cowtown, however, remains a prime address for all that juicy goodness. Although Goldee’s Barbecue (4645 Dick Price Rd, Fort Worth, GoldeesBBQ. com) slipped from the Monthly’s No. 1 recently, it’s as superb now as it was then, and lines still form early in the morning at this no-frills joint. Sabar BBQ (105 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-521-9441), a weekend-only business in a cobalt-blue trailer off South Main, is a Pakistani-Texas combination that swaps smoked pork ribs with Sichuan lamb ribs, plus excellent, seasoned, smoked tandoori turkey, though the brisket stands among the best in the state. Terry Black’s Barbecue (2926 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-615-9408) expanded from Austin and Lockhart to West 7th in 2024, and it’s been a hit ever since, probably because the huge, succulent pork ribs rock.
Readers’ Choice: Yogi’s, 2710 S Hulen St, Fort Worth, 817-921-4500
Critic’s Choice: Tesoro, 2919 Race St, Fort Worth, 682-250-3256
This desayuno spot serves breakfast and brunch from 8:30am to 3pm, and the specialty is chilaquiles. Go with the Chilaquiles Divorciados (which comes served with both red and green sauces), or, if you prefer an even heftier bite, the Chilaquiles OG Tricolor, which adds your choice of beef or chicken fajita meat to your eggs and salsa-and-crema-slathered chips. There’s also the Birriaquiles Tricolor, which adds a cup of birria broth. The breakfast burger (topped with a fried egg and bacon) is perfect,
as is the De La Casa Burrito, which wraps chilaquiles with fajita beef in a big tortilla with house potatoes.
Readers’ Choice: Press Café, 4801 Edwards Ranch Rd, Ste 105, Fort Worth, 817-570-6002
Critic’s Choice: Chamas do Brazil, 4606 S Cooper St, Arl, 817-375-0250
Offering a true churrascaria experience, this Brazilian steakhouse serves up beef, chicken, lamb, and pork, plus the salad, sides, and dessert bar is *chef’s kiss*. Even better: It’s all included with your meal (typically $42.99 per person). Reservations can be made at
ChamasdoBrazil.com, but if your party is 12 or larger, you will need to call.
Readers’ Choice: Kincaid’s, five area locations
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) In a town where meat and potatoes reign supreme, the almighty hamburger doesn’t fall far behind. A Near Southside hole in the wall, Burgers N Beyond (1704 Galveston Av, Fort Worth, 682-703-2111) serves inventive monsters on stamped buns until 1:30am Mon-Fri for those late-night munchies. Gustos Burger Bar (1229 7th Av, Fort Worth, @__Gustos) grew from continued on page 43
humble beginnings in a food truck to a historic cottage off Magnolia and crushes with their crisped-edge smash burger. Monkeyshines (817-347-0736) delivers possibly the best smash burger around from the griddle of a yellow food truck. Follow @MonkeyshinesTX for a weekly schedule for where to have your mouth wrecked by the Shines’ brisket burger.
Readers’ Choice: Salsa Limón, five area locations
Critic’s Choice: Dos Juanitos, 1950 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, 682-703-2424
Do you know the difference between a California- and a Nevada-style burrito? Dos Juanitos does, and both of those are just two out of 20-plus available at this Near Southside Mexican restaurant. There’s chile verde and carne asada, lengua and veggie, fish, shrimp, and tripas, plus another dozen or so more. They’re all big, they’re all different, and other than the $10.55 Super Burrito (your choice of meat), Dos Juanitos burritos are $10 or less.
Readers’ Choice: Terrebonne’s Restaurant & Bar, 7914 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 682-978-8361
Critic’s Choice: Dirty Cajun Seafood Kitchen & Daiquiris To-Go, two area locations
Dirty Cajun is a New Orleans-inspired restaurant offering almost any kind of seafood and freshwater delicacy you’re craving, and it’s all good. One shining star is the shrimp and crawfish dirty mac ’n’ cheese on the Cajun Specialties menu. Elbow noodles are tossed with cheese sauce and some of that yummy meat typically reserved for dirty rice. Then, it’s topped with Monterey Jack cheese and served with toasted butter bread. It’s $21.95, but the healthy portion provides lunch for tomorrow or a midnight snack later tonight.
Readers’ Choice: Flying Fish, two area locations
Critic’s Choice: Krispy Catfish & Chicken, 6208 McCart Av, Fort Worth, 817-423-1200
Krispy Catfish is one of those places where “perfectly battered and fried” actually means something, and its fans have been coming back for more for over 20 years. What are they doing that makes it so good? What is this secret seasoning and technique? Try to figure it out with the eight-strip basket.
Readers’ Choice: Cody Hickman, 360 Catering & Events, 7455 S Hulen St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-714-8996
Critic’s Choice: Kevin Martinez, Tokyo Café, 5121 Pershing Av, Fort
Worth, 817-737-8568
Not only is Kevin Martinez’s Asian fusion cuisine still a community favorite, but his philanthropic work sets him apart. The executive chef and part-owner of Tokyo Café fed hospitality-industry workers for free during COVID while continuing to cook for other noble charitable causes. Martinez proves it’s one thing to be efficient in the kitchen, but it’s more important to be a kind human.
Readers’ Choice: Fred’s Texas Cafe, 7101 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-332-0083
Critic’s Choice: Charleston’s, 3020 S
Hulen St, Fort Worth, 817-735-8900
What makes the chicken-fried steak at Charleston’s so special is not just the hand-breaded tender cuts of beef, the savory gravy, or the sides of mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. The food alone would put this restaurant’s offering among the top handful in the city. But when you add the fact that this dish is no longer on the printed menu, so you have to ask for it — well, that turns an otherwise simply delicious traditional comfort meal into an exclusive treat reserved only for privileged insiders like you.
Readers’ Choice: Teddy Wong’s
Dumplings & Wine, 812 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-349-8965
Critic’s Choice: Dragon House, 2640 Southlake Blvd, Southlake, 817-912-1788
Fresh ingredients, hand-pulled noodles, dim sum (lobster and shrimp shumai is a must), and a huge Peking Duck plate join your old favorites (yes, you can get General Tso chicken) in a menu busy with fresh interpretations of classic Chinese dishes, and plates like cumin lamb chop, spicy pork mapo tofu, or spicy Szechuan boiled fish invite you to try something new.
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Readers’ Choice: Avoca Coffee, three area locations
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Imagine sitting
in Buon Giorno (500 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-378-4505) on a rainy afternoon, watching the traffic pass Burnett Plaza while sipping on a French press in between bites of a spinach and goat cheese quiche. The place really sets the bar for a top-notch coffee experience. Once you step into Balqees Coffee (2041 U.S. 287 Frontage Rd, Ste 103, Mansfield), you’ll forget you’re in the vicinity of an Olive
Garden, as the scents and sounds will whisk you away to a memorable Yemeni coffeehouse experience. Here, the flavors favor cardamom, ginger, and saffron, and signature drinks like the Spanish latte (double-shot espresso, condensed milk) and mufawar (medium roast, cardamom, cream) will linger in your memory for a long time. The folks behind Grounds and Gold (4130 S Bowen St, Arl, 682-252-4633)
endeavored to build a community around their coffeeshop, and it shows: People really dig hanging out there, whether they’re grabbing a quick cup of drip coffee and a breakfast taco at a cafe table or relaxing in a comfy chair with a book and a dulce de leche latte. For a quintessential coffeeshop vibe, go for Grounds and Gold.
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Readers’ Choice: Carshon’s Deli, 3133 Cleburne Rd, Fort Worth, 817-923-1907
Critic’s Choice: Central Market, 4651 W Fwy, Fort Worth, 817-989-4700
Nothing better than making your own sammy. With every type of deli meat imaginable and a large assortment of breads and spreads, CM is a sandwich lover’s dream.
Readers’ Choice: Jalapeño Popper Empanadas, Our Taphouse, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-0431
Readers’ Choice: Sweet Sugar High, @Sweet_Sugar_High
Critic’s Choice: Oh Balls! Food Truck, 120 S Sylvania Av, Fort Worth, 817-937-5435
First of all, the name of this mouthwatering meatball truck is just perfect. It takes a real set of you know what to call your place anything with the word “balls” in it. However, it’s more than just a memorable name. Chef and
owner Kent Scroggins shows how his, a’hem, meatballs can be more than just a topping for spaghetti. They are an entrée all their own. You can order the traditional Italian kind known as the “Bianca,” or you can try some of his original recipes like a Buffalo sauce- and jack and parmesan cheese-covered “Clucker” or the locally inspired fave “TX,” topped with a whiskey glaze.
Readers’ Choice: Gus’s WorldFamous Fried Chicken, 1067 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-927-4693
Readers’ Choice: Hot Dogs El Buda, 1150 E Seminary Dr, Fort Worth, @HotDogsElBuda
Critic’s Choice: Chuckwagon Dog, Curly’s Frozen Custard, 4017 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-763-8700
Topped with crispy onion rings and cheese and slathered in Curly’s tonkatsu-style “Bull Pup Sauce,” the Chuckwagon Dog is a must-try at this long-running Cultural District grub hub.
Readers’ Choice: Margie’s Italian Gardens, 9805 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-244-4301
Critic’s Choice: Margie’s Italian Gardens
Newly renovated, Margie’s is well worth the westward trip, though you’d better arrive early, because the parking lot and adjacent spillover space fill up quickly and stay filled — Margie’s is that beloved, not only for its Old World vibe but splendid, no-frills, authentic Italian fare.
Readers’ Choice: Japanese Palace, 8445 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-244-0144
Critic’s Choice: Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar, 907 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-720-5330
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What makes this place unique is the abundance of hand-rolled sushi, or temaki. Selections of fish from Japan are in high demand like chu toro and salmon belly. Combos and affordable mashups of assorted freshly made items have brought the crowds to this intimate spot, so showing up early is a must during peak hours. The hand-rolled yum here is in high demand.
Readers’ Choice: SamWon Garden, 5201 McCart Av, Fort Worth, 817-926-1515
Critic’s Choice: Fire Pot, 5760 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth, 682-385-9299
While Arlington has a couple of options, it took way too long for Fort Worth to get a Korean hot pot restaurant, and now that it’s here, it’s clear the wait was worth it. Located off Loop 820 in the old Keg space, Fire Pot serves all-you-can eat hot pot with seven different broth choices, from familiar miso and tom yum to traditional spicy kimchi. Protein selections range from newbie (beef, chicken, pork belly) to die-hard Korean (beef tripe, head-on shrimp). They also offer Korean BBQ, where you grill your own meats — like bulgogi or short rib — right at your table. While you’re technically cooking your own food, which, yes, you could do at
home, the interactive-ness is all part of the fun. The adorable little train that brings your soup and grilling items is just a bonus.
Readers’ Choice: Chadra Mezza, 1700 S Fwy, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-926-3992
Critic’s Choice: Istanbul Grill, 401 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 682-250-2111
No shade on Terra and the return of its famous Mediterranean lunch buffet, but if you want to be served by knowledgeable and friendly staff in an elegant downtown environment, head to Istanbul Grill. They have their own great lunch deal — a $17.95 two-course treat with classic appetizer choices like falafel and Greek salad alongside a plethora of entrees, including moussaka, gyro, and kebab. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options abound, and the servers will happily point them out to you, along with exceptional and unique Mediterranean wine pairings. Opa!
Readers’ Choice: Benito’s Mexican Restaurant, 1450 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-8633
Critic’s Choice: La Playa Maya, four locations
A somber nod goes to La Playa Maya, with 37 years of operation across four locations that continued on page 51
Belenty’s Love specializes in Mexican food and baked treats, like these amazing portobello asada tacos — mushroom tacos with avocado, cilantro, onions, and tofu cream — but also offers American fare like burgers, cauliflower wings, potato salad, and spaghetti.
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serve great Mex-Mex. Unfortunately, owner and creator Lupe Ayala recently passed away after a battle with cancer, but his generous legacy and footprint will continue to live on through his menu for future generations of hungry Fort Worthians.
Readers’ Choice: Mama’s Pizza, 1813 W Berry St, Fort Worth, 817-923-3541
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) In Arlington Heights, Lucille’s Stateside Bistro (4700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-4761) has a lot to recommend it. The seafood. The martinis. The classic bistro vibe. But don’t forget about their pizzas. Ooey, gooey, and oh-so toothsome, they come in a variety of specialty pies, and you can build your own — we go for the smoked gouda with caramelized onions. Two words: Dee. Lish. In Grapevine, Napolis Italian Kitchen & Market (309 S Main St, Grapevine, 817-310-0385) also does ooey and gooey well. There’s enough cheese on the Quattro Formaggi to build a life-size model airplane with. In West 7th, you can’t beat Serious Pizza (2728 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 682348-2482). One slice is enough to feed three,
and its lovely cheesiness paired with toppings of your choice and superiorly tasty dough goes down smooth anytime, not just after all the nearby watering holes close.
Readers’ Choice: Ate Layer Burrito, Spiral Diner, 1314 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-8834
Critic’s Choice: Portobello Asada Tacos, Belenty’s Love Mexican Restaurant, 3516 Bluebonnet Cir, Fort Worth, 817-862-9008
Chef Belen is a skilled chef, a lover of animals, and a vegan. She cares deeply about her customers and wants them to live happy and healthy lives. That’s a good plan in theory, and she executes it well in practice, too. This vegan restaurant specializes in Mexican food and baked treats, like the amazing portobello asada tacos — mushroom tacos with avocado, cilantro, onions, and tofu cream — but also offers American fare like burgers, cauliflower wings, potato salad, and spaghetti.
Readers’ Choice: Enchiladas Ole, 6473 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-386-4555
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Everyone loves continued on page 53
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queso. Period. Unless being lactose intolerant renders you helpless. Then we are sorry. Buena Vida (314 S Main St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-386-5334) has a multi-cheese queso that pairs well with the accompanying chips. Ask for ground taco meat to be added for fun. If straightforward, traditional queso is what thrills ya, look no further than Esperanza’s Restaurant & Bakery. With a location on the Southside and one in the Stockyards, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your gooey Mexican cheese on. Just north of BV, Tinies (113 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-255-5425) has a queso fundido on their happy-hour menu, served in a sizzling skillet with a bed of refried beans under all that yummy, stretchy cheese.
Readers’ Choice: Wabi House, 1229 8th Av, Ste 227, Fort Worth, 817-662-0744
Critic’s Choice: Hanabi Ramen & Izakaya, 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-420-6703
Hanabi is nestled in the middle of the city. Once inside, you forget the noise when the smell of hot, delicious ramen fills the air. Wooden tables make for a friendly group setting with wooden seats to match. The shoyu ramen and the miso ramen are favorites, with traditional flavor in mind. Throw in a Japanese beer, and the combination is a robustly happy one. Other top choices on the menu are the fried tofu and karaage chicken to share with friends.
Readers’ Choice: Michael’s Cuisine Restaurant & Bar, 3413 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-877-3413
Critic’s Choice: Walloon’s, 701 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-3230
This swanky, coastal French delight at the corner of West Magnolia and Hemphill might be —slightly — more affordable than some of the other highly-rated restos in town (too many of them with the name “House” at the end of their name, by the way — what’s up with that?). But it’s no less of an exceptional dining experience, be it a date night, birthday dinner, or business lunch. Fitting with the coastal theme, the seafood dishes, including beautifully dressed oysters, brown butter trout, and a salmon dish with the most divine creamed leaks, all shine. No less delectable are the short ribs and zhuzhed-up cheeseburger. All of this is paired with stellar cocktails, exceptional service, and the warm, inviting surroundings of a lovingly renovated historic bank building in the heart of the Near Southside.
Readers’ Choice: Rex’s Bar & Grill, 1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397
Critic’s Choice: Duchess at The Nobleman hotel, 503 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-432-3000
A true labor of love. From the renovation of a historic Southside firehouse to incorporating that structure into a luxury boutique hotel around it, Chef Casey Thompson tapped local phenom Chef Marcus Kopplin to helm
The Nobleman hotel’s restaurant Duchess. A moody upscale setting leaves an impression but not like the contemporary American cuisine that Kopplin has be dishing out with stunning results. Fancy and fabulous, this is Texasforward fare at its finest.
Readers’ Choice: Our Taphouse, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-0431
Critic’s Choice: Salsa Limón, five area locations
Maybe it’s a “hot sports opinion,” but after all these years, it’s time to start calling Salsa continued on page 55
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Coast cuisine, such as broiled oysters, shrimp and crab bisque, and parmesan-crusted haddock in a clean and sleek environment without the kitschy Gulf Coast fish-camp vibes. Happy hour includes $2 off starters and specialty cocktails along with daily specials.
Limón’s four sauces — mild tomatillo, hot jalapeño, hotter piquín, and blazing habanero — iconic parts of Fort Worth cuisine, to the point that if we found them bottled at a store, we’d pay for the cold-shipping to send them to friends who live out of state, with a note that says, “Even better fresh! Come visit!” Those four sauces, each with its own distinctive mouthfeel and character, are as Fort Worth as grabbing a beer at the Bull & Bush after a concert at Dickies or telling a visitor what to expect from a Joe T.’s margarita.
Readers’ Choice: Water’s Restaurant, 301 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-984-1110
Critic’s Choice: Tricky Fish, 5917 Convair Dr, Ste 301, Fort Worth, 817-731-5882
Tricky Fish has been an anchor in the Waterside retail area since 2018, serving affordable Third
Readers’ Choice: Drew’s Place, 5701 Curzon Av, Fort Worth, 817-476-1857
Critic’s Choice: Chef’s Corner (formerly Turkey Den), 1201 Oakland Blvd, Ste 1111, Fort Worth, 682-301-1031
North Texas has its share of festivals. Springtime was Scarborough, and now the State Fair of Texas has arrived. Both events include the opportunity to try a turkey leg. Once you’ve gotten a taste for the handheld variety, it’s time to move on to the real deal. Soul food spots have great turkey legs, especially Chef’s Corner. Don’t be fooled by the new name. Many items have changed on the menu since its days as the Turkey Den, but this isn’t one of them. With a fork and knife handy, try the turkey leg dish that comes with sausage and shrimp on a bed of pasta. Trust us! continued on page 57
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Readers’ Choice: Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, 2458 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-624-3945
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) There’s a reason Grace (777 Main St, Fort Worth, 817877-3388) has been around for so long. Never straying too far from the classic steakhouse vibe is one reason they’ve been steady favorites since 2008, but don’t let it be said they don’t like to shake it up a bit. Grace’s menu is structured to let you have your own fun with four classic cuts. Try adding espresso horseradish to your filet. Want an egg on your dry-aged ribeye in the middle of a fine-dining dinner service? No one’s stopping you. We all know you can pay a pretty penny for a well-made steak, but for the best deal in town, head to Neighbor’s House (500 W 7th St, Ste 175, Fort Worth, 817-334-0526) on Fridays for a $40 10-ounce filet or 16-ounce ribeye cooked to perfection, plus duck-fat potatoes and a salad bar. You’ll
be thinking about steak every Friday once you’ve been. You know that with “Butcher” in the name, you’re going to get a great steak at Wicked Butcher (512 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-601-4621). The modern steakhouse’s dry-aged cuts or A5-certified Wagyu need no accompaniment, but we encourage you to get a true taste of Wicked’s modern twists by dipping your morsels in a little Worcester vanilla butter or Wicked Steak Sauce.
Readers’ Choice: Chef Taco, 3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 469-961-2101
Critic’s Choice: Cancun Mexican Restaurant, 7419 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-696-8810
Fairly new to the Westside, Cancun has been staying busy, serving Mexican cuisine on the brightly lit patio or inside the cantina. Their street tacos are served traditionally, with corn tortillas stuffed with onions, cilantro, and lime, plus your choice of carne asada, al pastor, or pollo. An order includes five of those bad boys plus rice and beans. There’s also tacos with shrimp, brisket, and fish.
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Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill, 3131 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-332-2583
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Once an upstart and now an elder statesman, Blue Sushi may be best known for its incredible happy hour and ultra-sleek décor, but don’t forget about the quality of sushi here, too. It’s among the best in all North Texas. Near I-35 and Western Center, MK’s Sushi (2901 Fair Dr, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-3060003) also has a killer happy hour, with specials under $20 and a large, varied menu of martinis. In Montgomery Plaza, Sushi Axiom (2600 W 7th St, Ste 171, Fort Worth, 817-877-3331) has a huge menu but not at the expense of quality.
Readers’ Choice: Mama Lu’s Kitchen, @MamaLuSalsa, 817-255-0910
Critic’s Choice: Tommy Tamale Market & Café, 750 Bonds Ranch Rd, Ste 700, Fort Worth, 817-318-7040 Tamale addicts in Cowtown and beyond consistently name this 16-year-old tamale maker one of the top places to get their fix of masa, filling, and corn husk. We concur. Tommy Tamale does it by combining flexibility — nine fillings from pork to black bean — with reliability — four locations with most open 10am-8pm daily except Sunday. All this plus availability — you can also order frozen tamales online. A Tommy Tamale is more TexMex than traditional Mexican. Being lard-free makes them healthier as well.
Readers’ Choice: Mexican Inn, seven area locations
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Fort Worth overflows with taquerias and Tex-Mex, but we’ve had a slew of authentic Mexican restaurants surface recently. Near TCU, Maria’s Mexican Kitchen (1712 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817916-0550) is Chef Felipe Armenta’s homage to his mother and leans heavily on regional cuisines with consistent quality. The seafood enchiladas will never steer your ship wrong. In The Tower downtown, Polanco (570 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 817-720-3300) might not have the tenure others do, but it has the swagger that complements an extensive menu. In SoMa, Tinies (113 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-255-5425) has carved a niche as not only rooted in Mexican heritage but wallet-friendliness with happy hours in a trendy environment. Don’t forget the upstairs rooftop bar.
Readers’ Choice: Spice, 411 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-984-1800
Critic’s Choice: Sikhay Thai Lao Cuisine, 3301 NE 28th St, Fort Worth, 817-309-6042
Tucked into a well-worn strip center on a street lined with used car lots, Sikhay Thai Lao Cuisine is the kind of foodie find that we love. Get past the slightly sketchy exterior, and you’ll find yourself in a comfortable oasis with
fast and friendly staff and dining that makes it worth the trip. Entrée portions are massive, but still start with the jerky appetizers — you may decide you want more than one order — and sip top-shelf Thai tea while you await the main course. If it’s your first time, calibrate the meter with a plate of Pad Thai or fried rice or go a little bigger with the red curry — this place won’t overheat the food if you ask for Level 3 spice. Portion sizes mean you can enjoy this for lunch tomorrow, which is all to the good.
Readers’ Choice: Pho District, 2401 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-862-9988
Critic’s Choice: Thuy Nguyen Café, 100 W Pioneer Pkwy, Ste 100B, Arl, 682-252-4101
Lucky for us, there’s no shortage of places to get great pho in town, but if you want to expand your Vietnamese food repertoire, check out Thuy Nguyen Café in Arlington. Pho is on the menu, of course, but so are lesser-known delights like banh beo, which are little gelatinous steamed rice cakes served with marinated ground pork and shrimp, and banh xeo, a crispy, saffron-infused crepe-like street food filled with whole shrimp and pork. Don’t let the term “pancake” fool you — it’s a huge meal.
Readers’ Choice: Charleston’s, 3020 S Hulen St, Fort Worth, 817-735-8900
Critic’s Choice: Polanco in The Tower, 570 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 817-720-3300
There are restaurant servers, and there is waitstaff, the distinction being an extra mile of customer service that goes into providing the guest with a memorable experience outside of simply dining. Polanco has embraced this level of service with attention to detail and goes beyond to ensure each guest feels important and comfortable while enjoying their delicious meal.
Readers’ Choice: Pluckers Wing Bar, nine area locations
Critic’s Choice: Buffalo Bros, two area locations
With the word “Buffalo” in the name, the assumption is that their wings would be great. And that would be correct. A long-standing local favorite with one location near TCU and another downtown, the bros are known for authentic Buffalo-style wings with crispy skin, flavorful sauces, and a friendly atmosphere.
Readers’ Choice: 360 Catering & Events, 7455 S Hulen St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-714-8996
Readers’ Choice: Hao’s Grocery & Cafe, 120 St. Louis Av, Ste 103-B, Fort Worth, 682-250-4751
SoMeThInG FoR EvErY DaY Of ThE WeEk!
MIMOSA MONDAY
$4 MIMOSAS DURING LUNCH
TITO'S TUESDAY
$5 TITO'S HANDMADE VODKA ALL DAY
WEDNESDAY
$10 CHEESEBURGERS FROM 4P - 10P
THIRSTY THURSDAYS
$3 DRAFTS | $6 MARGS ALL DAY
FILET FRIDAY
3-COURSE FILET DINNER | ONLY $39
SATURDAY & SUNDAY BRUNCH IS SERVED FROM 10A - 4P
Happy Hour m - f | 3 - 6 pm
$6 martinis | $5 frozens 1/2 price appetizers
Readers’ Choice: A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) It was Near Southside before it was Near Southside, and it will be there long after the televised revolution. With affable bartenders, a chill patio, and the coolest clientele in town, The Chat Room Pub (1263 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth) is as “Fort Worth” as a bar-bar can be. Looking for a new craveable shot? Ask for an El Niño (jalapeno-flavored tequila infused with fresh jalapenos and served chilled). Is hipsterism dead? Depends on how you define it. If it means being your proud, progressive self, and all that that entails, then it’s still alive and well, and nowhere is it livelier than at The Down ’n Out (150 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth). Coolly decked out and always hoppin’ with an indie soundtrack, this Near Southside hole in the wall can go from chill to rowdy within the span of a couple hours. Nearby Nickel City (212 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth) is quite the casual hang, with excellent bartenders who do everything from frosty pours of Genesee Cream Ale to the most outrageous specialty concoctions, including the Corn N’ Oil (Brown butter-washed Flor de Cana 12-year rum, Nixta corn liqueur, sweet vermouth, Lustau Amontillado sherry, roasted corn oleo Saccharum, root beer bitters, lemon, saline). The soundtrack here’s also on point, and the bologna sandwich is good enough to marry.
Readers’ Choice: Alissa Bedran, A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521
Critic’s Choice: Jackie Roy
Currently serving at Gustos Burger Bar but a familiar face behind the bars around the Near Southside, Jackie Roy has had a hand with opening some of the neighborhood’s most beloved drinking holes. From The Down n’ Out to Jackie O’s Cocktail Club, he can pour a mean pint or throw a spin on a signature craft cocktail. With his tattoos and hard-rock attire, don’t let his appearance fool you. The grumpy perception quickly disappears upon first order, and it’s nothing but heart from there. A true bartender’s bartender.
Readers’ Choice: Our Taphouse, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-0431
Critic’s Choice: Southside Cellar, 125 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-703-2184
With its cozy living room-style seating and 30plus beers on tap, plus select wines and THC seltzers, Southside Cellar is the ideal place to have your favorite brew or discover your next obsession. On top of that, they boast weekly events such as Supplier Spotlights from local breweries to discuss their craft and taste their wares as well pizza nights with complimentary slices to go with your suds. While the Cellar Dwellers have expanded their seating into the side of the space that holds the retail store to keep up with their growing popularity, it’s still a solid spot to grab a case for home after downing a pint or two in-house.
Readers’ Choice: Martin House Brewing Co., 220 S Sylvania Av, Ste 209, 817-222-0177
Critic’s Choice: Maple Branch Craft Brewery, 2628 Whitmore St, Fort Worth, 817-862-7007
Be it to enjoy their 20-plus house-made beers, have a wood-fired pizza, hang out with your dog, or attend their annual Oktoberfest, there is no wrong time to check out this 5-year-old Foundry District brewery. With numerous award-winning brews, such as the Raspberry Blond Ale and Munich Dunkel, Maple Branch has solidified their presence in the Fort Worth beer scene.
As the temps start cooling down, enjoy their huge patio with friends, bring a board game, pet some dogs, and have some beer. Sounds like happiness.
Readers’ Choice: Hyena’s Comedy Nightclub, 425 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-877-5233
Critic’s Choice: Big Laugh Comedy Club, 604 Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-849-7998
With its two rooms (named “Funky” and “Panther”), podcast studio, weekly open-mics, and a calendar filled with popular, touring, journeyman comedians like Luis Lopez and
Eddie Pepitone, Big Laugh has made a name for itself as a hub for the local comedy scene.
Readers’ Choice: The Usual, 1408 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-810-0114
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Why is it so hard to find a pisco sour in this town? Thankfully, the worldly folks at Atlas (314 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 682-348-5386) specialize in globally inspired cocktails, and their version is one of the best things on the menu. Blending Caravedo Pisco Quebranta, lemon and lime juices, simple syrup, and a customary egg white, this lighter take on a whiskey sour hits the continued on page 63
Customers love A Great Notion, and so do our readers. They proved it by securing the win for the pub for Best Bar-Bar, Dive Bar, and Karaoke Night this year. Kudos!
continued from page 61
spot if you’re just starting your globetrotting drinking adventure or finishing up with a nightcap. Magnolia Ave elder statesman Proper (409 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-9841133) has prided itself on its unique craft cocktail experiences for over a decade now, and each fall, more and more people look forward to the annual Halloween pop-up bar. Last year’s New Orleans-inspired Krew of Boo didn’t disappoint, with one highlight being the 43 Killer Bees, a creative concoction of Acre Distilling Co.’s Two Minnies Gin, spiced pear, and hot honey. We hope to see it again when the pop-up returns in a few weeks (hint, hint). The bespoke martini cart at Stewart’s Croquet & Cocktail Club (4424 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-214-4500) is a gimmick, yes, but who doesn’t love a cocktail and a show. With samplings of five different bitters and all the usual garnishes, along with premium vodka or gin, you can create the perfectly shaken ice-cold martini of your dreams.
Readers’ Choice: Old School Texas, two area locations
Critic’s Choice: The Down ’n Out Bar, 150 Rosedale Av, Fort Worth
DnO’s low-key, neon-lined, ’70s dive bar vibe shifts into an ad-hoc dance club on Saturdays, when local DJs turn the room into a joyous, sweaty affair full of people moving their bodies to up-tempo, cross-genre bangers.
Readers’ Choice: Blackland Distillery, 2616 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 682-268-5333
Critic’s Choice: Acre Distilling Co., 1309 Calhoun St, Fort Worth, 817-632-7722
A staple of the Stockyards, Acre Distilling wins us over with their modern touch flavored by local history. Tours are available Tuesday thru Sunday, but bottles can be purchased Monday thru Friday in accordance with state laws. Acre has the Go Texan label and is happy to support Texas with Texas-made products. Limited edition Texas Smoked single malt whisky, Texas Jack Peach Flavored Whisky Cinnamon Girl, Longhair Whisky, and even a vodka, Black Halo, bring in the tasters and the connoisseurs alike. Afterward, take a sip and a breather on the back patio, where there’s a mural of legendary Fort Worthian Townes Van Zandt looking toward the tracks.
Readers’ Choice: A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Some of the darkest, dingiest, and perhaps dangerous dive bars exist in Tarrant County — and, honestly, would we want them any other way? On a stretch of West Division, Pearl’s Cherokee Lounge (2607 W Division St, Arl, 817-2758211) basks in all her neon and marqueelight glory. Not as campy as most dives, it’s spacious enough to accommodate live music continued on page 65
and billiards for all-night debauchery. Slightly east of Pearl’s rests Sunshine Bar (902 W Division St, Arl, 817-277-6252) in the Oasis Hotel parking lot. The bar itself is sunken, reflecting its age, making the barkeeps eye to eye with guests. Enjoy people-watching during one of their frequent goth nights. Off Camp Bowie and sharing space with a gas station, Sarah’s Place (5223 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-7337) has been serving strongass two-ingredient drinks and karaoke for 25 years. Sarah still works the room, and there’s a potluck on Sundays during Cowboys games.
Readers’ Choice: The Dawg Porch, Fat Daddy’s, 781 W Debbie Ln, Mansfield, 817-453-0188
Critic’s Choice: Mutts Canine Cantina, 5317 Clearfork Main St, Fort Worth, 817-377-0151
Looking over the Trinity River with man’s best friend, enjoying a drink and a bite, makes Mutts a winner. Large and small breeds are welcome with a water dish and choice of treats like a Pupsicle made with frozen peanut butter and beef broth. The fenced area allows for our pals to play and run unleashed with sitting booths outside near the bar patio.
Readers’ Choice: El Chingon, 2800 Bledsoe St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-870-9997
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) The economy still sucks with zero indication of a reprieve. So, we are looking out for you, gracious reader, when it comes to saving a few bucks on booze at bars because more savings equals more support for local business. Blue Sushi Sake Grill (3131 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817332-2583) recently busted happy hour wide open with a discounted menu 11am-6:30pm Mon-Sat that includes food and drinks, and don’t forget their all-day Sunday happy hour. Finn MacCool’s (1700 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-923-2121) in the Hospital District feels like a historic Chicago pub, and although their happy hour recently decreased from 8pm to 7 pm, their pocketbook-friendly prices remain. The coastal Plank Provisions (5289 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 817-989-2373) in Clearfork offers a daily happy hour from 3pm to 6pm with $7 glasses of wine and $8 cocktails, along with affordable shareables and dollar oysters.
Readers’ Choice: Bowie House, 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 855-683-4092
Critic’s Choice: Toro Toro, The Worthington, 200 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-975-9895
Toro Toro’s cocktail menu emphasizes its pan-Latin aesthetic by showcasing spirits like cachaça, mezcal, pisco, and tequila in their signature cocktails — be sure to try the Hacienda
Our Taphouse won several awards in this issue, including Best Beer Selection. Cheers!
Bird and Maria Pickford Sour — and its warm, sophisticated atmosphere makes it a choice spot for a date, happy hour, or night cap.
Readers’ Choice: A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521
Critic’s Choice: Sarah’s Place, 5223 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-7337
A casual divey hangout for friends and those who like sports, karaoke, and even comedy, Sarah’s Place has all the fun minus the frills. With affordable drinks and friendly service, Sarah’s is the place to take the edge off and sing your heart out without judgment, just applause and a good time.
Readers’ Choice: Ol’ South Pancake House, 1509 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-336-0311
Critic’s Choice: Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, Fort Worth, 817-290-3091 Open ’til 4am, Ashim’s offers late-night diners top-quality nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls, as well as poke bowls and hibachi plates. If you’re getting grub after the bars have closed, Ashim’s is way more fun than waiting in the Whataburger line, and you’ll probably feel better the next morning.
Readers’ Choice: Jackie O’s Cocktail Club, 609 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, @JackieOs.FTW
Critic’s Choice: Club Reflection, 604 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, @ClubReflection
Known for its vibrant atmosphere, lively drag shows, and karaoke nights, Club Reflection is an inclusive spot with friendly bartenders and well-crafted cocktails. The club features energetic dance floors and cozy lounge areas, providing a versatile environment continued on page 67
for socializing. It’s also recognized for its community engagement and support for local events, making it a popular gathering spot for both locals and tourists. The folks at Visit Fort Worth recommend Reflection as “a friendly LGBTQIA+ country-and-western establishment, replete with rustic decor and aw-shucks bartenders who smile sweetly under their Stetsons.” Perfect even when the gay rodeo isn’t in town. Wait. The gay rodeo is always in town. Looking at you, Texas Gay Rodeo Association of Fort Worth. We’ll see you at the Mr. & Miss Cowtown Pageant at Reflection on Sat, Nov 1, won’t we? Save us a dance!
Readers’ Choice: Maria Cuca’s, two area locations
Critic’s Choices: (Top 3) Always looking to insert a Jimmy Buffett plug (that’s it), we at the Weekly take margs very seriously. Chef Tim Love’s frozen ’ritas at Paloma Suerte (122 E Exchange Av, Ste 280, Fort Worth, 682-267-0414) deliver a serious punch. The watermelon and prickly pear is incredibly smooth, but get adventurous and try a “Suicide Schooner” with all flavors. Bonus: Each glass comes with a koozie. The frozen or rocks margaritas at SoMa’s Buena Vida (314 S Main St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-386-
5334) regularly pop up in conversations about quality, and now that they are $5 daily and $3 on Taco Tuesday, what’s not to love? Don’t pass on their dressed mangonadas, either. In a colorful building on the historic North Side, you can grab margs to-go at Casa Rita (1445 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-881-2625) served by a bubbly staff. With flavors like Froggy Rita (hypnotic with a TCU twist) and Rancho Rita (think: ranch water with a spin), you’ll be wasting away in no time.
Readers’ Choice: Lucile’s Stateside Bistro, 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-4761
Critic’s Choice: Walloon’s, 701 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-3230
While some claim to have the world’s coldest martinis, others claim to have Fort Worth’s coldest. Only Walloon’s does that, and though the level of chill is subjective, their icy martinis
deliver a balanced flavor as they come dirty but can be altered to preference, or you can swap vodka for gin. Opt for blue cheese-stuffed olives and order a dozen bivalves, because there’s nothing better than enjoying these while inside a restored historic bank.
Readers’ Choice: Eric Riemenschneider, Blackland Distillery, 2616 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 682-268-5333
Critic’s Choice: Edwin Gomez, Dirty Laundry, 1005 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-420-6181
As the craft cocktail bar’s popularity has slowly declined, one of the few left is located within the West 7th entertainment district. Dirty Laundry, a craft cocktail speakeasy, is where General Manager Edwin Gomez has been creating provocative menus of 20-plus drinks that rotate seasonally, keeping things fresh all year round.
Readers’ Choice: Maggie’s R&R, 1264 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-255-5442
Critic’s Choice: Rogers Roundhouse, 1616 Rogers Rd, Fort Worth, 817-367-9348
Tucked behind University Park Village and just up the street from TCU, Colonial Country
continued on page 68
Club, and the Fort Worth Zoo, Rogers’ sprawling, secluded patio provides a welcome respite from the busy area around it. The menu of elevated bar bites, beer, and cocktails combined with a wall of patio-facing TVs draws in a varied clientele of college students and young families (dogs are welcome, too, of course), with enough room that the two disparate demographics never need intermingle. Ample shade and top-notch service elevate this patio to nearly unmatched heights in a city that has quite a lot of patios. Order some loaded tots and a Frozen Special (just try it) and you have the makings of the perfect football-watching Sunday.
Readers’ Choice: Our Taphouse, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-0431
Critic’s Choice: Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, 3100 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-336-8000
Simply put, the bar at Eddie V’s is an elegant scene, built on a happy hour menu of upscale bites like mini filet sandwiches and South African lobster, the best martinis in town, live jazz, and a clientele that’s a mix of movers and shakers and plainfolk steppin’ out for a nice evening of cocktails and conversation.
Readers’ Choice: Rex’s Bar & Grill, 1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397
Critic’s Choice: Rogers Roundhouse, 1616 Rogers Rd, Fort Worth, 817-367-9348
There are sports bars with bigger TVs. There are sports bars with more TVs. But, after all, every set shows the same games in the same way. The other parts of the sports bar experience are what make Rogers Roundhouse special. A patio that’s welcoming to both dogs and kids perfectly dials in the casual family-friendly vibe. Foodwise, in addition
to the usual wings and nachos, you’ll see folks consuming the utterly unexpected and charming Frog Fries, dressed with Wagyu beef, queso, green onions, and more. This close to TCU, it’s all Horned Frogs all the time, so wear your purple.
Readers’ Choice: The Holly, 305 W Daggett Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-420-6446
Critic’s Choice: Saddlerock Wine + Beer Co., 731 Samuels Av, Fort Worth, 817-772-8281
That’s right, it’s a repeat. There just isn’t a more idyllic setting in the county to enjoy a glass of vino than this sprawling, immaculately restored property on historic Samuels Avenue near downtown. The circa-1860s home’s interior is comfortable enough, but to get the full experience, snag a comfy sofa seat on the shaded front lawn or score a pair of Adirondack chairs and watch the sunset on the west-facing terrace perched above the Trinity River. With a regular slate of live music out back, lawn games out front, and a food truck serving brunch, lunch, and dinner on-site, you’ll never want the wine to stop flowing.
Readers’ Choice: Time Rift Arcade, 2113 Harwood Rd, Ste 351, Bedford, 817-646-0771
Readers’ Choice: A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521
Readers’ Choice: FW Thunderbird, 306 Houston St, Fort Worth, @FWThunderbird
From automobiles to zoo happenings, our Classifieds section includes listings for everything imaginable. Well, almost everything. For the Best Of 2025 edition, we present to you the Best in Class. Below is a selection of this year’s winners from the front of the book. Enjoy these resources!
Readers’ Choice: Montgomery Street Antique Mall, 2601 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-735-9685. Critic’s Choice: Flipstone Vintage & Thrift, 2702 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 682-431-1456.
While Flipstone is the newest addition to the local thrifting and vintage landscape, this small store is already making a significant impact in the marketplace. Its “two-room” concept offers two distinct sections for shoppers to choose from: thrift items usually priced at $10 or less, and a curated vintage section featuring higher-end and more unique pieces, including furniture, accessories, and home decor. The store is also Native American-owned and operated, promoting Indigenous culture through its business.
Readers’ Choice: The George at Clearfork, 4900 Gage Av, Fort Worth, 888-415-8131. Critic’s Choice: Dane Park Grapevine, 2701 Grapevine Mills Blvd N, Grapevine, 866-479-0264. Dane Park is not just the most dog-friendly apartment complex in Tarrant County. This Grapevine community has been named one of the most dog-centric in the entire United States. It’s no mystery why, with a list of canine-focused features that includes doggy doors in every unit, private fenced yards on all ground-floor units, the country’s biggest covered dog park, on-site doggy daycare, adoption events, and much, much more. And if you think they have breed or size restrictions, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Readers’ Choice: Thrive Apothecary, 126 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-480-7098. Critic’s Choice: Emerald City Dispensary + Lounge, 937 Woodward St, Fort Worth, 817-238-3025. Like the fictitious metropolis for which it is named, Emerald City sounds like a fantasy: a Fort Worth hemp dispensary and consumption lounge — from which you can take your unused purchases home with you, along with a “doctor’s note” of sorts that identifies the products’ source and legality — that is also within sight of a police training facility. If that feels like a pretty unreal thing to experience in the Fort Worth of 2025, you can ponder that and other thoughts while puffing on Emerald City flower out of an in-house gravity-hookah-thing. The product selection is plentiful, and the budtenders are happy to guide you. They also have some nice alcohol-free THC-cocktails.
Readers’ Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610.
Critic’s Choice: Ash Spa, Bowie House, 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 855-683-4092. Along with the Deep West Treatment, which combines deep tissue work, cupping, pressure point release, and stretching to provide a distinct therapeutic experience, Ash Spa offers a variety of massage options and skincare sessions. Guests can create custom products for an even more personalized experience at the Made-to-Measure Apothecary. Sounds like the best spa day ever!
Readers’ Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium, 505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351.
Critic’s Choice: Roadrunner Stop, 1455 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 361-816-7622.
Roadrunner Stop began as an online resale business and introduced itself to the community at pop-up markets around town. Now, it’s a thriving shop IRL with an adorable storefront on the Near Southside. The boutique features custom jewelry and trendy clothing with a vintage flair, plus a variety of eclectic items perfect for gift-giving.
Readers’ Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium, 505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351.
Critic’s Choice: Maven’s Moon Apothecary, 8341 White Settlement Rd, White Settlement, 817-367-9235.
If your chakras are out of line or your crystal collection needs an upgrade, find friendly
experts at Maven’s Moon, a soothing supplier of herbs, teas, and oils as well as spa services for those who prefer a more natural way of living. More than just a store, Maven’s Moon hosts events on their property to heal and help bring the community together, especially during the full moon, with drum circles, sound therapy, and meditation.
Readers’ Choice: Smoke & Vape DZ Bloom, 1411 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 682707-9229. Critic’s Choice: World of Smoke & Vape, 2401 W 7th St, Ste 114, 817-386-2720. Good vibes, plenty of flower, a ton of pipes and other glassware, and all the vape flavors from your favorite elves and geeks.
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BEST PLACE TO GET AWARD FRAMES? US!
If you have won a Best Of 2025 Award last week, please know that we will be bringing you a FREE framed award at no cost to you. An actual FWW employee will be in touch with you. We do NOT contract third-party companies to sell award plaques or framed articles on our behalf. Should you have extra money to spend, use it to promote your business with an ad. If you are contacted by an outside company about frames, please send the details to us at Marketing@FWWeekly.com. Congratulations!
CELEBRATION
Located at 908 Pennsylvania Av (817-335-3222), Celebration Community Church has services on Sundays at 10am. Want to check out a nonjudgmental, inclusive church at home before attending in person? All services can also be viewed on YouTube! (@CelebrationCommunityChurch130)
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Seraph Motorcars Inc is seeking Business Operations Manager to oversee pricing, fleet, operations, and financial reporting to maximize ROI and drive fleet growth etc. Position requires a bachelor’s degree in Management or related; 6-month experience as manager or related, have experience with business operations management and etc. Any interested applicants can mail their resume with code SM25 to: Seraph Motorcars Inc., 7362 E Kennedale Pkwy, Kennedale, TX 76060.
Dorrance Publishing, trusted by authors since 1920, is accepting submissions. Book manuscripts are currently being reviewed. Comprehensive services include consultation, production, promotion and distribution. Call 1-866-256-0940 or go to DorranceInfo.com/ftworth for your free author`s guide and become a published author. (MB)
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HISTORIC
THE RIDGLEA is three great venues within one historic Fort Worth landmark. RIDGLEA THEATER has been restored to its authentic allure, recovering unique Spanish-Mediterranean elements. It is ideal for large audiences and special events. RIDGLEA ROOM and RIDGLEA LOUNGE have been making some of their own history, as connected adjuncts to RIDGLEA THEATER, or hosting their own smaller shows and gatherings. More at theRidglea.com
LIFE INSURANCE
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POTTER’S HOUSE
Join the Potter’s House of Fort Worth (1270 Woodhaven Blvd, 817-446-1999) for Sunday Service at 8am and Wednesday Bible Study at 7pm. For more info, visit us online at www.TPHFW.org.
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WINDOW NATION
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Our patches are full of some great contenders, and our shelves are full of even more flavors to fall for. From freshly baked pumpkin bread and pumpkin ricotta cookies, to hearty winter squash, simmering soups, and spiced apple desserts, we’re here for sweater weather!
