Fort Worth Weekly Best Of 2020 by Fort Worth Weekly

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Vo lum e 16

Number 27

S ep tember 23-29, 2020

INSIDE

STAFF Anthony Mariani, Editor

Getting & Spending ...................... 10 People & Places ............................ 22 Good Grub ....................................... 28 Culture ............................................ 44 On The Town ................................... 53 DISTRIBUTION

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2020

FOR

Welcome to the Best Of Fort Worth 2020 While some other local publication may have copyrighted “Best Of Fort Worth,” we all know the original Best Of issue is right between your grubby mitts (or on your screen). Since 1994, your friendly neighborhood Weeklyfolk have been scouring our fair burgh for the best of the best in hundreds of categories to keep you in the know and point you in the right direction (especially when it comes time to dig in or cast a ballot). So come inside and stay a while. From best chicken-fried steak and burger(s) to best city councilmember and college athlete, the original issue bringing you the best of Fort Worth has you covered. In acknowledgment of the topsy-turvy world we now inhabit, we have devoted an entire section to our frontline workers, the men and women battling the pandemic day in and day out and often without any thanks. To these brave first responders, nurses, doctors, and more, we say, “You’re the best.” Because it’s true. Thanks to everyone who made the issue possible, especially our sales team, business office, writers, and our one-man-band putting it all together, Art Director Ryan Burger. Until next time … — Anthony Mariani

best of 2020

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Frontline Workers 2020

Essential Worker

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Readers’ Choice: Danny Williams, UPS Customer Center, 1300 E Northside Dr, 800-742-5877 Critic’s Choice: Support Our Fort BJ and Amber Caldwell found a sustainable and innovative way to support local businesses and essential workers through their venture, Support Our Fort. The concept is as simple as it is effective. Purchase T-shits, whiskey tumblers, and other fun items, and 100% of the profits go toward purchasing gift cards from local businesses. Those cards are then given directly to local essential workers, including folks in the medical profession who are dealing with dangerous and burdensome working conditions. By giving back to our essential businesses and workers, BJ and Amber have shown how essential kindness can be during unprecedented times. Donations and purchases can be made at SupportOurFort. com

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Readers’ Choice: Southside C.A.R.E.S. Critic’s Choice: Southside C.A.R.E.S. Megan Henderson, director of events and communications for Near Southside Inc., has seen bad times come for her little piece of Fort Worth. (Anyone remember the Near Southside Save a few years ago when a winter storm came early?) So when the Southside business community was crippled by COVID closures, Henderson obtained seed money from Marty and Marilyn Englander, the new owners of Kent & Co. Wines –– a business that also couldn’t do business for several months. The Southside Culinary Arts Retail Entertainment and Service Fund has offered mini-grants of $250 to real service industry workers and entertainment folks whose relief money got tied up in federal politics (or who may not have been eligible for any federal funds). Other local supporters who jumped onboard early in the effort include Amanda and Eric Behn of Vandervoorts Dairy, First Financial Bank, and the DuBose Family Foundation. You may have enjoyed the free streaming concert on April 30 featuring local hero Leon Bridges and local fave Abraham Alexander, which raised $60,000 (with a

lot of $25-and-under donations) for the cause. More than 550 individuals have been helped with the C.A.R.E.S funds so far, and Henderson has another matching grant for $15K currently awaiting your donations.

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COVID-19 Relief Initiative

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First Responder

Readers’ Choice: Michael Newkirk, Fort Worth Fire Department, 505 W Felix St, 817-392-6800

E N J O Y O N E S E L F.

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Frontline Doctor

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Readers’ Choice: Bryan Youree, MD, Texas Centers for Infectious Disease, 1025 College Av, 817-810-9810 Critic’s Choice: Dr. Kerim Razack, Texas Pulmonary and Critical Care Consultants Caring for patients who are stricken with COVID-19 is deadly work. Among the estimated 1,000 deaths of U.S. health care workers caused by the novel coronavirus, 55% of those fatalities are physicians, according to a recent study by the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. As a respiratory illness, COVID-19 attacks the lungs and leaves victims at risk of suffocating. Pulmonologist Kerim Razack has been on the front lines at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital since early March. Like many doctors, Dr. Razack began treating patients with little information on how infectious COVID-19 was. The staff at his hospital allocated resources to handle the type of surge that overwhelmed hospitals in New York City last April. Saving lives is all in a day’s work for doctors, but the realities of treating a highly infectious disease mean doctors like Dr. Razack make the decision to risk their lives and health every day as frontline doctors.

Frontline Health Care Worker

Readers’ Choice: Beth Mueller, RN, Baylor Scott & White, 1800 Park Pl Av, 682703-5600 Critic’s Choice: Vicki Cannon, UNT Health Science Center Health care workers have become

synonymous with heroes and for good reason. Every day across Tarrant County, doctors, nurses, lab techs, and other health care professionals rely on training, experience, and courage to face down a rampaging coronavirus that has taken nearly 200,000 American lives. Vicki Cannon was instrumental in coordinating COVID-19 testing for first responders early on in the pandemic. The UNT Health Science Center executive director of clinical studies used that experience to create an internal UNTHSC testing site for UNTHSC patients and students. More recently, Cannon, a clinical research nurse by training, helped launch a pediatric drive-up vaccine clinic for children whose pediatric offices had ceased in-person appointments due to COVID-19. Cannon is a resource for her colleagues and keeps her staff up to date on guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Medical Board.

Frontline Nurse

Readers’ Choice: Chelsea McBride, RN, John Peter Smith Hospital, ER, 1575 S Main St, 817-702-8828 Critic’s Choice: Paul Palermo, Texas Health Harris Southwest Paul Palermo has worked in ERs since he was 19 years old. After graduating with degrees in biology and economics, he went back to school for nursing at UTA, graduating in 1999. Once the pandemic sparked, Palermo found himself surrounded by more sick patients at one time than he had ever seen. Though mask requirements and social distancing have helped, he said, now is not the time to become complacent. Due to the necessary safety measures, while the volume in the ER is actually lower, in-patient beds are still full. Palermo said the community has really come through for him and his fellow frontline health care workers, and for that, he is supremely grateful.

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best of 2020

G E T T S I P NE GN

A N D

D I N G

Adult Toys, Place to Buy

Critic’s Choice: Velvet Box, multiple locations Obviously, adult stores have progressed way beyond dildos and vibrators. Leading the way has always been Velvet Box. With three storefronts in Tarrant County, the esteemed and perennial Best Of winner offers classes for everything from landing that first date to keeping the fire burning in a marriage. Hint: Velvet Box’s assortment of lingerie and lubes are huge helps.

Antiques/Vintage Finds, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: Montgomery Street Antique Mall, 2601 Montgomery St, 817-735-9685 Critic’s Choice: Benbrook Antique Mall, 9250 Benbrook Blvd, 817-249-0844 A trove of furniture, coins, collectibles, and other items that have lasted long enough to be appreciated awaits. Whether you are looking for a one-ofa-kind gift or something to liven up your home, Benbrook Antique Mall is the perfect one-stop-shop for your collectible and memorabilia needs. The sprawling 38,000-square-foot space hosts around 150 dealers and is large enough to carry a wide selection of unique options but not large enough to get lost in.

Barbershop

Readers’ Choice: The Cutting Room Barber Shop & Salon, 1306 May St, Ste 100, 682-250-4451 Critic’s Choice: South Barbershop, 129 E Daggett Av, 817-380-8117 It’s a small shop but with big flava. As a one-woman show with a single chair in South Main Village, Laleh Rezaie can do just about anything for dudes at around the same prices as the chains. From a basic cut ($30) and long hair ($45) to the buzz and kids’ cut ($22) and beard trim ($15), Rezaie’s got you covered. The local suds while you wait and in-house art gallery are perfect touches.

Bike Shop

Readers’ Choice: Bicycles Inc, 5125 Granbury Rd, 817-292-2911 There’s a reason Bicycles Inc is consistently either a critic’s or the readers’ choice as the go-to Funkytown bike shop. The staffers are completely knowledgeable regardless what kind of riding you want

to do. If you love spandex-clad Saturday morning rides or ride a fixed-gear sporting a messenger bag with flannel, it doesn’t matter. They’ll find the right bike for you. This shop basically purged its racks during quarantine as residents yearned for fresh air and new wheels. Their service department isn’t always the fastest, because they’re extremely in demand for the quality of work that is produced. Plan ahead if you need a major service and know that you’ll pay a fair price for meticulous work.

Car Wash

Readers’ Choice: Red Carpet Car Wash, 5829 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-732-8651 Critic’s Choice: Tony’s Express Wash & Lube, 4530 Western Center Blvd, Haltom City, 817-605-9274 If ever on the North Side and in need of a quick scrub or even a thorough washdown, Tony’s is the place. Fast, friendly, and clean, this one-stop-shop will wash your ride for free after you purchase an oil change. Bring some folding money to tip the guys working the line who wipe down your chariot after running it through the scrub-a-dub-dub.

CBD, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: Thrive Apothecary, 212 Carroll St, 817-480-7098 Critic’s choice: Thrive Apothecary Every day, CBD and other legal cannabinoids help millions of Americans cope with or treat chronic pain, stress, and other problems without having to use potentially addictive and dangerous pharmaceuticals. Setting Thrive Apothecary apart is its board-certified and surgically trained physician and founder, Dr. Lisa Gardner-Phillips. While scientific research is finally documenting the health benefits of CBD, you can rely on the sound medical experience of Dr. Gardner-Phillips and her staff to help you find safe relief from whatever is ailing you.

Cigars, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: The Boardroom Whisky and Cigar Lounge, 1708 8th Av, 817-945-2975 With a shotgun-style bar and walk-in humidor, the Boardroom Whisky and Cigar Lounge is the perfect spot to order an Old Fashioned and forget 2020 ever happened. The staffers at this Black-owned business are known for keeping cigars well-lit and drinks full. Far from an exclusive club for cigar aficionados, this swanky lounge is a safe place to ask questions like, “What spirit would pair best with this cigar?” or “What’s a good cigar for a first-timer?”

Coffee, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: Avoca Coffee Roasters, 1311 W Magnolia Av, 817-924-1514 835 Foch St, 817-878-4249

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Customer Service

Readers’ Choice: Novak Hair Studios & Salon, 250 W Lancaster Av, Ste 110, 817-592-4247 Critic’s Choice: Francesca’s, 1600 S University Dr, 817-882-8077 As any TCU sorority chick will probably tell you, the Francesca’s on University has some of the nicest staffers out there, and they’ll go out of their way to help you find what you need. Unlike at most other stores, the sales reps are never pushy and won’t pester you every five minutes. They’ll even help you put together full outfits and find accessories to go with your style. On top of that, this location has discounts for

doesn’t have to mean the end of your favorite garment. Kite’s Custom Cleaners has been family-owned since 1958, and their cleaners have a reputation for quality work and personalized service. Kite’s uses biodegradable, nontoxic solvents and other forms of environmentally friendly cleaning technology. Keeping dangerous chemicals off your fabrics is healthier for you and the environment. Beyond traditional drycleaning services, Kite’s Custom Cleaners offers custom tailoring, run cleanings, and wedding gown restoration.

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Critic’s Choice: Avoca Coffee Roasters Avoca is not only, clearly, the best place to buy coffee, it’s also one of the most primo spots for working in peace. Before the pandemic, we did a lot of WFA (Working from Avoca), and not only is the sitting area well-kept, but pretty much everyone is respectful of everyone else trying to get some work done. Throw in one of Avoca’s superior espressos or chai teas, and you’ll wonder why going back to the office is even an option. On your reluctant way out, grab a bag of Wendigo blend (with plum and dark chocolate notes and a buttery mouthfeel) for $19.50-46.80 or maybe even some fruity Nkanda for $21.50-$51.60. For the affordable prices and quality of flavor, Avoca just can’t be beat.

Farmers’ Market Far from an exclusive club for cigar aficionados, The Boardroom Whisky and Cigar Lounge is a safe place to ask questions like, “What spirit would pair best with this cigar?” or “What’s a good cigar for a first-timer?”

teachers, military, and TCU students.

Day Spa

Readers’ Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, 817-870-3610 Critic’s Choice: Massage Express, 841 N Tarrant Pkwy, Keller, 817-428-8087 If you’re looking for a massage that’ll be undone when you look the wrong way in your car mirror while leaving the parking lot, feel free, but that’s not what you’ll get at Massage Express. The therapists there are always helpful and care about fixing whatever hurts. They’ll give you advice on avoiding future problems, such

as recommended stretches and ways to decrease inflammation, and they’ll pay close attention to all the problem spots. The more reserved might also appreciate their courtesy when it comes to chatting — if you want to talk, they’re happy to. If you prefer to lay in silence, it won’t be awkward. Also, the services are reasonably priced.

Dry Cleaners

Readers’ Choice: Kite’s Custom Cleaners, multiple locations, 817-732-1419 Critic’s Choice: Kite’s Custom Cleaners That dropped slice of cake or coffee spill

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ORGANIC

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Readers’ Choice: Clearfork Farmers Market, 4801 Edwards Ranch Rd, 817-999-9791 Critic’s Choice: Cowtown Farmers Market, 3821 Southwest Blvd, 817-821-3124 Buying local isn’t solely good for the economy and the environment. It can be good for your health. Farmers’ markets that meet standards set by the North Central Texas Farmers Market Association must sell food that is grown or produced within 150 miles of the market, and resellers are not allowed. As an outdoor market, Cowtown Farmers Market was able to remain open throughout the pandemic, providing healthy and affordable food and produce to locals and steady income to local farms like J&L Family Farm, Turley’s Fruity and Veggie

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Farm, and Maggie’s Farm, among others. While you’re shopping for fruits and veggies, you can peruse the artisan market for flowers, hand-crafted doggie treats, and other locally made goodies.

Furniture, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: There’s No Place Like Home, 855 Foch St, 817-244-3371 Critic’s Choice: Woodbine Furniture, 8705 Davis Blvd, Keller, 817-514-0372 Handcrafted, long-lasting, Amish-made furniture can be hard to find these days, especially when you’re looking for a specific style. Woodbine Furniture lets you design your own pieces — you pick the wood, stain, style, and dimensions based on a catalogue of options (or even custom designs). There’s no particle board, no assembly, no weird synthetic smell, no tiny bags of screws to lose under your couch. Orders take a bit longer to arrive than your usual Rooms to Go pieces, but that’s to be expected when your table is being handmade by an Amish guy in Ohio.

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Gifts, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: Gifted, 212 Carroll St, Ste 110, 682-250-5963 Critic’s Choice: Shop Small Fort Worth — The Collective, 3608 Pershing Av, 682-224-3533 Shop Small Fort Worth is a community and retail space where everything is locally made or locally inspired. Whether you are shopping for cutesy tumblers or a trendy dress, this retail store is the perfect place to fine products made by local artists and artisans.

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Grocery Store

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Readers’ Choice: Central Market, 4651 W Fwy, 817-989-4700 Critic’s Choice: Trader Joe’s, 2701 S Hulen St, 817-922-9107 If one can manage to survive the Mad Max: Fury Road, every-man/woman-forthemselves gauntlet of a parking lot out front, a fine little friendly market awaits. Once safely inside, you’re greeted with a wall of sweet-smelling, reasonably priced, fresh-cut flowers. This is the sunny, welcoming vibe that permeates the rest of the small but well-stocked store. With brightly colored organic fruit and veg, lean and inviting meats, wholesome prepackaged fare, and a respectable wine selection (which includes the worldfamous, budget-friendly “Two-Buck Chuck” house wines), TJ’s has all one needs for a delicious and healthy meal at home. Though not near as comprehensively stocked as its Austin-based competitor down the road, a dollar definitely goes a lot further and the friendly, helpful, Hawaiian-shirt-sporting staff make up for the little grocer’s lack of A5 Miyazaki Wagyu beef and artisanal, hand-clipped, Italian-imported Arugula Coltivata.

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Jewelry

Readers’ Choice: Defender Outdoors, 2900 Shotts St, 817-935-8377 Critic’s Choice: Trinity Ordnance, 4224 Karen Ln, Lake Worth, 817-237-3239 Hunters, recreational shooters, and 2A enthusiasts should all take the opportunity to head west and peruse the impressive inventory at Trinity Ordnance. Ditch the impersonal experience of buying your weapons at a Super Target-sized store. Trinity’s staffers are known for their approachability and personable nature, especially for first-time buyers. If you’re a regular in shooting sports or three-gun competitions, they can help craft your style with customized accessories and builds. Their gunsmithing is meticulous and reasonably priced and features fun options for custom finishes on hand- and long guns. The inventory is impressive for the size of their store, and if you’d like to sell, they have consignment options also.

Readers’ Choice: Sovereign Jewelry Company, 207 S Jennings Av, 817-885-7848 Critic’s Choice: Andrew Mendoza, Hurst Gold and Silver, 803 W Pipeline Rd, Hurst, 817-282-0223 Family-owned and -operated by owner and master jeweler Andrew Mendoza, Hurst Gold and Silver has been creating custom jewelry for more than 40 years. Mendoza has been known to donate jewelry pieces to local churches’ charities and L.D. Bell High School. Mendoza started working as a jewelry polisher at downtown Fort Worth’s Wolf and Klar, which is now gone and lost in Fort Worth’s memory,

but Mendoza said after learning more about the jewelry business and working with his brother as a jeweler, he grew into his expertise working in Houston and Arlington as a jeweler. TKIC Gold, Silver, and Diamonds sold the store to Mendoza, and after relocating his store a few blocks down from the original location, he named his shop Hurst Gold and Silver.

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Guns, Place to Buy

Liquor Store

Family-owned and -operated by owner and master jeweler Andrew Mendoza, Hurst Gold and Silver has been creating custom jewelry for more than 40 years.

Readers’ Choice: King’s Liquor, 2810 W Berry St, 817-923-3737 Critic’s Choice: Crow’s Liquor, 9510 White Settlement Rd, 817-246-8345 You won’t become lost in the aisles. Crow’s Liquor is large enough to stock your

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Readers’ Choice: Novak Hair Studios, 250 W Lancaster Av, Ste 110, 817-592-4247 Critic’s Choice: The Bee’s Knees Hair Studio, 3851 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-377-0142 Residing in an immaculately modernized Victorian-style house located smack-dab in the Cultural District, The Bee’s Knees Hair Studio is the cat’s meow in the glowup game. The salon’s classy and inviting boho aesthetic gives clients waiting for their turn in the chair a stylish and comfy spot to hang bathed in warm natural light from the shop’s near full-wall windows. Led by stylists Priscilla Gish and Krystal Neely, Bee’s is a progressive salon schooled in modern techniques honed through classic ideals. Offering a full range of services from cut, color, and styling to mini-facials, neck and shoulder massages, and ever in-demand nail technician Jenny Rex, The Bee’s Knees is a one-stop for top-notch self-care.

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Readers’ Choice: The Table Market & Culinary Studio, 120 St Louis Av, Ste 103-B, 682-703-1092 Critic’s Choice: The Table Market & Culinary Studio The Table is the brainchild of four local culinary enthusiasts. The Near Southside business blends cooking classes with an artisan retail market for a unique customer experience. The local food offerings include produce, cheeses, breads (including a legendary sourdough), meats, and more. Shopping at this gem of a local grocer supports local business owners, chefs, and food producers.

Mask, Place to Buy

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Critic’s choice: Morgan Mercantile, 121 S Main St, Ste 1, 817-720-6160 Owned and operated by the husband-andwife duo of Kayla and Chance Morgan,

Specializing in durable, unique merchandise and everyday essentials for men, women, and children, Morgan Mercantile also worked overtime to bring reusable, machinewashable, exceptionally breathable masks to market at the start of the pandemic.

this Near Southside retailer that specializes in durable, unique merchandise and everyday essentials for men, women, and children also worked overtime to bring reusable, machine-washable, exceptionally breathable masks to market at the start of the pandemic. Morgan Mercantile’s Helping Hand face masks are emblazed with the word “hope” and come in every size. In April, the company delivered nearly 300 masks to the local restaurant community.

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Critic’s Choice: Mr. Mark’s Auto Repair, 7355 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 3A, Benbrook, 817-732-4801 Relationships are an oft-overlooked component in auto repair. Shiny dealerships and chain shops overwhelm customers with options without them ever knowing who will be wrenching on their vehicle. Mr. Mark’s doesn’t need a fancy waiting room with leather-bound chairs and a coffee bar, because they fully supersede their competitors via experience and competency. Mark and Chris possess more than 70 combined years of repair experience and are wellknown to gearheads around town from their time at Gordon Permann’s Auto Repair before it was bought and closed to accommodate the parking needs of Dickies Arena. If you want to be on a first-name basis with your mechanic and trust their recommendations, Mr. Mark’s is your place.

Nursery/Garden Center

Critic’s Choice: Grow, 1250 W Magnolia Av, 817-367-9212 Plant lovers, beware: Grow will have you spending all your money before you know it. If you’re on a budget or your significant other told you, “No more plants in the house,” either turn back now or get your

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favorite beer, wine, or liquor and small enough to have you in and out quickly (if you’re in a rush). The family-owned business has served the West Side since 1969. If they don’t have it, they’ll order it. Locals have come to expect polite service and clean shelves from Crow’s. The pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of small businesses like Crow’s, so stop by and drink up. Responsibly, of course.

Grow has the usual options (monsteras, pothoses, yuccas, succulents, cacti) as well as rarer finds (like black velvet alocasias and calathea veitchianas). It’s hard to believe they can fit so many plants inside the tiny trailer.

excuses lined up. Grow has the usual options (monsteras, pothoses, yuccas, succulents, cacti) as well as rarer finds (like black velvet alocasias and calathea veitchianas). It’s hard to believe they can fit so many plants inside the tiny trailer. Like the Tardis from Dr. Who, Grow seems bigger on the inside. They also have online sales, so you can swing by and pick up your order if you want to keep socially distant.

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Record Store

Readers’ Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage, 2628 Weisenberger St, 817-732-5455 Critic’s Choice: Panther City Vinyl, 1455 W Magnolia Av, Ste 113, 682-252-8441 While perennial winner Doc’s is certainly hard to beat in terms of depth and breadth of selection, Panther City Vinyl makes up for that by offering supremely knowledgeable, super-friendly staffers and competitive prices. Though closed now due to the pandemic, Panther City is offering e-gift cards to be used once the store reopens, and customers can still shop online at Discogs.com/seller/panther_ city_vinyl/profile.

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Smoke Shop

Readers’ Choice: Fusion Hookah Lounge & Smoke Shop, 2205 W Berry St, 817-921-5500 Critic’s Choice: Smokies House of Pipes, 5725 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-377-0149 Flavored tobacco rolls, high-tech vaporizers, water pipes, hookahs, and other “tobacco” smoking devices await your smoking pleasure at this popular head shop destination. The space is bright and clean, and the staffers are always friendly and informative. Whether you just need to drop in for an e-cig or are ready to drop several hundred on a custom water pipe, you likely won’t leave Smokies House of Pipes without a quality and affordable smoking device, merchandise, herbal supplement, or tobacco product.

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Critic’s Choice: Magnolia Skate Shop, 1455 W Magnolia Av, Ste 105, 469-732-8927 Owned by Bobby Wilson and Coyt Caffey for more than two years, Magnolia Skate Shop encompasses everything you need for skating. After transitioning to an online platform during lockdown, they are now open to the public. The walls are decorated with creative art pieces and have a rotating wall of art where local artists can display their work. The shop promotes the creative community and believes that skateboarding is an artform, which it is.

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Skate Shop

Social Media Personality

Williams, a “responsible” (her word) rockstar in the truest sense.

Critic’s Choice: @Krisluv With 14.3k followers, this half of the incredibly popular and lovable folk duo Danni & Kris and the synth-pop outfit PRIZM deserves to be able to post fashion pics, band photos, and bikini shots — she has the talent to back it up. No famousfor-being-famous or famous-just-forbeing-beautiful influencer here. And as far as we know, she never pushes any merch other than her bands’, which is especially heartening considering mega-brands are probably pestering her to showcase their stuff on her channel. Kudos, Kristen

Tattoo Shop

Readers’ Choice: (tie) Ink 817, 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd, 682-204-0696 • Fade to Black, 209 S Jennings Av, 817-878-4349 Critic’s choice: Lucky Horseshoe Tattoo, 1426 N Main St, 817-378-8933 Located near the historic Stockyards, Lucky Horseshoe Tattoo’s facade, with its stylish, can’t-miss vintage-style vertical sign, is a cheery pop of bright color among the otherwise bistre-hued North Main Street corridor. Within is an immaculate workspace layered with rustic 19th-

century charm, complete with authentic, full-body cowhide wall decorations. The shop is home to an enviable roster of topnotch needle-pokers with extra focus and attention on operating a female-friendly establishment. From owner and one-time Spike TV tattoo reality show personality Thomas “Tommy Tattoo” Barrington to Shane Standifer, local master of the popular, bold neotraditional style, there are plenty of artists to slap something on the ’ol bod guaranteed to pop off the skin equally as much as Lucky Horseshoe does along its otherwise urban cowboy-auraed block.

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Thrift Store

Readers’ Choice: McCart Thrift Store, 5203 McCart Av, 817-921-9971 Critic’s Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage, 2628 Weisenberger St, 817-732-5455 If there’s ever a reason for the invention of wallet locks, it’s Doc’s. How anyone can walk out of here without dropping at least a cool 20 bucks is beyond us. Not only is the selection of vinyl and other music media unparalleled in yon Fort, but the duds on the racks are myriad. There was a time in Fort Worth not too long ago when togging disco shirts was done unironically. They fell out of fashion over the past few years, but if you have the right vibe and the right kind of glowing confidence, Doc’s is here for you. And disco shirts are only the beginning of the sartorial goodness on the hangers here. Just try to keep track of how much dough you’re dropping.

Vape Shop

Readers’ Choice: 3 Chicks Vapors, 4209 Broadway Av, Ste 105, Haltom City, 817-759-1338 Critic’s Choice: Artisan Vapor & CBD Hulen, 3250 Hulen St, Ste 150, 817-720-3400 Vaping, regardless of what legislators’ or anyone else’s opinions are of it, seems here to stay. If e-cigs interest you or you’ve been clouding it up from the beginning, then Artisan has something for your needs, including a full selection of self-contained units and mods as well as brand-name and house-blended juices. Shops are still popping up like wildflowers, but Artisan’s customer service is excellent for first-time vapers and veterans alike. The Hulen store is spotless and spacious, and it allows plenty of natural light. The staff and space provide an upscale feel to an industry that is still somewhat controversial in mainstream life.

Wine, Place to Buy

Readers’ Choice: Put a Cork in It, 2972 Park Hill Dr, 817-924-2675 Critic’s Choice: Grand Cru Wine Bar & Boutique, 1257 W Magnolia Av, 817-923-1717 Featuring more than 200 choices by the bottle, this homey little Near Southside spot is bound to have what you’re looking for. While enjoying one of Grand Cru’s excellent sandwiches pre-pandemic, we were introduced to viognier, a deliriously delicious and fruit-forward white wine from France that we’ve been hooked on ever since. Grand Cru also offers discounts of up to 25% or more and also has over a dozen craft beers to enjoy in the small dining area or to take home. Open for curbside now.

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Apartment Community

Readers’ Choice: Mag & May, 315 W Magnolia Av, 817-8574888 Critic’s choice: Mag & May The owners of Mag & May understand what it means to be part of a community. The Near Southside luxury apartments are adorned with dozens of commissioned murals that were painted by local talent. A manicured courtyard, outdoor snookball area, and weekly food truck events set this apartment community above the rest.

Athlete (Almost) Worth His/Her Salary

Readers’ Choice: Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks Critic’s Choice: Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Solak, Texas Rangers Looking at the Rangers is pretty depressing right now. Among the worst teams in baseball, the team is full of washed-up veterans earning like they’re still producing for a World Series contender. Yet there are two bright spots to draw your eye. Kiner-Falefa, the third baseman from Honolulu, is one of the American League’s Top 10 hitters. Meanwhile, Solak, the second baseman from Woodridge, Illinois, has emerged as a reliable standby at the plate and on the field. Both traditional and advanced stats say they and Joey Gallo are the Rangers’ best players, and the two 25-year-olds are barely clearing $1 million a year combined. Granted, their performances could be a flash in the pan caused by the short baseball season, but Ranger fans will take any reason for hope right now.

City Councilmember

Readers’ Choice: Ann Zadeh, District 9 Critic’s Choice: Ann Zadeh Few elected officials would say that they are pro-pollution or pro-slave wages. But probusiness? That has a nice ring (read: ka-ching) to it. Fort Worth has adopted that dog whistle as a means of attracting corporate investments that Mayor Betsy Price can boast about at her annual State of the City address and elsewhere. Don’t get us wrong, we love us some Shake Shack burgers, and if we aren’t pushing 80-plus by the time Panther Island is finished, we’ll be out sailing and sipping margs on that “flood control” project. Given Fort Worth City Council’s love of toeing the pro-business line, this city is lucky to have Ann Zadeh to remind locals what good governance actually looks like. Late last

year, city staffers quietly drafted language to gut its ethics review commission (the independent group tasked with enforcing the city’s ethics guidelines) and replaced the commission with a decidedly business-friendly model that pulls ERC members from the zoning and planning commissions and the board of adjustments. Zadeh was the only councilmember to vote against the severing of independent oversight of the city’s ethics policy. Last August, Zadeh was again the only no vote, this time when city council approved a new police contract with the city that included across-the-board raises for officers irrespective of their conduct on the job. Zadeh urged a delay in the vote to allow for greater input from outside groups like the police review panel. The ERC and police contract votes are examples of short-sighted leadership, but, hey, this is a pro-business city after all.

College Athlete

Readers’ Choice: Trevon Moerig, TCU football Critic’s Choice: Darius Anderson, TCU football Spring sports from last year are out of luck for obvious reasons, but football finished theirs, and running back Darius Anderson capped a full and beautiful Frog tenure. The senior from Houston played almost every game of his eligibility and became a steadfast, substantial factor against every defense the Frogs faced. Anderson flourished despite operating in an offensive system that seemed to be in constant decline and constructed to highlight receiving talent. Anderson’s 45-game career amassed more than 2,400 yards to complement 18 touchdowns. Number 6’s strength and top speed proved a home-run threat at all times as many breaths were held when he found empty grass. Anderson wasn’t drafted but held up through several cuts for the Dallas Cowboys. Ultimately, he didn’t make the 53man roster. The Jet might have landed permanently, but it was fun watching him fly during his heyday.

Facebook Group

Critic’s Choice: FW4Change This year brought a devastating pandemic that shuttered buildings and shattered lives. The epidemic also highlighted the socioeconomic realities of a U.S. economy that is built upon inequality. The ability to #StayatHome depends largely on class and the color of your skin. The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor led to the genesis of several Facebook groups that now plan, organize, and execute mass protests against racism and the power structures that continue to support tanks over schools and disparity over equality. One Facebook group, FW4CHANGE, posts topics for discussion and organizes Hard Conversations, a regular public event that invites open and honest discussions about race and the role racism played and continues to play in shaping our culture.

Journalist

Readers’ Choice: Edward Brown, Fort Worth Weekly Critic’s Choice: Kaley Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram This spot news and crime reporter takes first place for her coverage of COVID-19’s effects on inmates at a women’s prison in Fort Worth. Through correspondence with inmates at FMC Carswell, Johnson magnified the voices of a stigmatized population hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and drew much-needed attention to prisoners’ allegations of mistreatment by prison staff, unsanitary living conditions, and many inmate coronavirus deaths. Johnson’s empathetic approach to reporting came through in her storytelling, and empathy is a journalistic skill that is too often undervalued by the public — something you can’t teach.

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like the center of a meat market. The social club introduces singles in a relaxed group setting. There are even online singles events like cooking classes for those wanting to take it safe and slow. Browse dozens of monthly casual and active events. Once you find that special connection, you and your new partner can shelter in place together.

Local Celebrity

Local Political Development

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Critic’s Choice: Black Lives Matter demonstrations Remember last April, when people were marching in the streets because they couldn’t get their hair cut? That was cute. Then we all spent nine minutes watching Derek Chauvin choke the life out of George Floyd, which provided some of us with an object lesson in what was really worth marching for. Our local BLM protesters have been met with tear gas, naked racism from white folks, and a misinformation

Photographer

Edward Brown

Readers’ Choice: Tony Green, Hello, I’m Tony Green Critic’s Choice: Tony Green With the ongoing postponements of inperson shows, local personality Tony Green has gone virtual, and he’s virtually everywhere these days. Whether searching for the perfect taco or guiding North Texans through Fort Worth’s newest murals, Green and his sidekick Kolin Jardine have become fixtures on NBC’s Texas Today and other shows. We’re still looking forward to the day when we can once again be up close and personal with Green during live airings of Hello, I’m Tony Green.

Weeks of Fort Worth protests following the death of George Floyd, a Black man, by a white police officer as three officers watched have made economic and criminal justice reform top priorities for reform-minded locals.

campaign by whiter-than-white Tucker Carlson. Still, they’ve managed to have the county’s most prominent Confederate memorial slated for removal and continue to draw attention to cops killing Black people. There’s still a long way to go to make policing fair in Tarrant County, but they’ve made a good start on the work.

Meet Singles, Place to

Readers’ Choice: Events & Adventures, 15400 Knoll Trail Dr, Ste 111, Dallas, 800386-0866 Critic’s Choice: Events & Adventures In this age of social distancing, personal relationships matter more than ever. Events & Adventures takes a casual approach to socializing, so you never feel

Readers’ Choice: Southern Flair Photography, 2550 Legacy Point Dr, Arlington, 817-277-0477 Critic’s Choice: Zach Burns Raised in Weatherford, the 28-year-old Burns moved to Fort Worth in 2012 during his last year as a photography student at The Art Institute. The film and digital photographer/videographer has spent his most recent days capturing the activism on the streets of Fort Worth. Burns (no relation to famous local photographer Walt Burns) brings a no-nonsense aesthetic to his candids and portraits, including his recent series of locals during lockdown on their porches.

Podcast

Critic’s Choice: The Jerry Jonestown Massacre Along with myriad guests and co-hosts, Dustin Schneider and Matt Stubbs have kept the topics — music, sports, and

Readers’ Choice: Justin Frizzel, KFWR/95.9-FM The Ranch Critic’s Choice: Paul Slavens, KKXT/91.7FM KXT He’s sweet, he’s funny, and he has a great ear for “eclectic” musical flavors. Local legend Paul Slavens has been hosting his catchall show (8pm Sundays) for what seems like decades, but you’d never know it by the ka-razy stuff he plays. From Zappa deep cuts to art song and even the occasional pop gem, The Paul Slavens Show and its namesake host deliver a vital service to North Texas: variety.

Reason to Still Watch Local Sports

Critic’s Choice: Your Dallas Stars For nearly a decade, our hometown pro sports teams have given us little to truly get excited about. This year, admittedly, has been a little different. Each of the major four has been able to offer something of greater-than-usual substance for die-hards and bandwagoners alike to arch their eyebrows at. The Cowboys began a new era with the hiring of head coach Mike McCarthy. The Little Mavericks have the meteoric rise of Luka Dončić. Even the Rangers have a shiny new stadium (that no one can go to yet). On top of the pile, however, has been the Stars’ improbable playoff run. In a year defined for all of us by pull-it-from-the-depth-of-your-soul guts-drawn endurance, the Stars have been a King Hellfire example, turning their year around from the impossible

Rehydrate, Place to

Readers’ Choice: IV Bars & Cryo, 2771 E Broad St, Mansfield, 817-225-4192 Critic’s Choice: IV Bars & Cryo Work, family, and life’s obligations can take a toll on the body and mind. Whether you have lingering chronic pain or simply want to jump-start a healthier lifestyle, IV Bars & Cryo offers a wide range of intravenous cocktails that blend minerals, nutrients, and vitamins to address health and stressrelated problems. Many customers at this Mansfield medical spa report boosted energy, elevated baseline moods, and even weight loss as a result of their treatments.

Sportscaster/ Sportswriter

Readers’ Choice: Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Critic’s Choice: Bob Sturm, The Hardline, 1310-AM/96.7-FM The Ticket In January, in what might have been an omen of the wildly unpredictable year ahead, Texas Radio Hall of Famer Mike Rhyner announced his sudden retirement after 26 years at his post as the on-air head of The Hardline on local perennial sportstalk ratings dominator The Ticket. Trying to fill those shoes was a daunting task, but Bob Sturm, easily the biggest sports brain on the station, managed to slide seamlessly

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into the inevitable. Sequestered away from family and friends in Edmonton, Alberta, and led by a head coach who (still?!) has the word “interim” in his title, the boys in Victory Green have overcome a spinerattling sine wave of a season to now come within just four wins of bringing a sports championship home to North Texas for the first time in nine years. You’re simply wasting your eyes if you’re not using them to see the Stars in the Stanley Cup Finals now.

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into the Old Grey Wolf ’s chair. One of the more X’s ’n’ O’s-centric personalities the Little Ticket has to offer, Sturm found himself during the shutdown, while sports were dark, unwittingly using his new platform in afternoon drive to speak about issues relevant to the country that don’t take place on a field of play. Though he was not alone on the station’s roster in airing his thoughts, Sturm’s sober, open-minded, and self-reflective ruminations on the pandemic, and the current social justice movement in particular, lent a new gravity to programming that normally relies as much on fun and yucks as it does game analysis. If you are one of those alienated listeners who found themselves butthurt by his recent cultural opinions, as Norm Hitzges once said, “You’re welcome to go somewhere else for your sports talk in our estimation.”

complement of Finns, and they’re carrying the team through the NHL playoffs, with Miro Heiskanen (from Espoo) leading the Stars in scoring, Roope Hintz (from Tampere) firing them in from the left circle, Esa Lindell (from Vantaa) annoying people on defense, and even Joel Kiviranta (also from Vantaa) scoring a famous hat trick to eliminate Colorado. Their play has Stars fans dreaming of a second title, and maybe of free agent-to-be Patrik Laine coming here and giving the team an allFinnish unit. Hyvä Suomi!

Tattoo Artist

Doctor

Readers’ choice only:

Dentist

Spencer Hoyt, DDS, Fort Worth Dental Arts, 2421 W 7th St, Ste 103, 817-5291600

Readers’ Choice: Aaron Stevens, Ink 817, 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd, 682-204-0696 Critic’s Choice: Aaron Stevens When it comes to skill and creativity, it’s really hard to beat Aaron Stevens. Name it, and he can knock it out in a decent amount of time and not charge you your right arm for the pleasure. Specializing in black and gray tattoos with super-cool themes like horror films (Frankenstein, vampires, and zombies are particular faves) and oddities, Stevens is as talented as any of the heroes hanging on the walls of our local art galleries.

Gregory Gardner, DO, Texas Medical Institute, 3304 SE Loop 820, Ste B, 817-615-8633

Underrated Pro Athlete

Trista Thinnes, DVM, The PARC, 4801 W Fwy, 817-731-3733

Critic’s Choice: the Finnish guys, Dallas Stars Hockey fans know that Finland produces great players despite a far smaller population than countries like Sweden or Russia. Dallas Stars fans know the team wouldn’t have won that 1999 Stanley Cup without Jere Lehtinen. This year, though, the team is carrying an unusually large

Lawyer

Mimi Coffey, 4700 Airport Fwy, Ste B, 817-831-3100

Realtor

Susan Burt, 6115 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 240, 817-882-6688

Veterinarian

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best of 2020

Critic’s Choice: Wishbone & Flynt, 334 Bryan Av, 817-945-2433 There’s a lot of surf and turf happening on the menu at Wishbone & Flint, Stefon Rishel’s new restaurant on the Near Southside. The PB&J wings seem like the most popular item, and Rishel hits all the cylinders with the slightly peanut-y coating and a rich, fruity currant dipping sauce. The beautiful chargrilled octopus, a barely hickory-smoked grilled shrimp ceviche, smoked redfish eggrolls, and (because it’s Cowtown) chargrilled beef skewers with a delightfully herby chimichurri sauce are some of your other options. Also, on the dinner menu, the lobster mac ’n’ cheese appetizer doubles as an entree, if you’re not afraid of shellfish, a ton of luscious dairy, and an impending carbohydrate coma.

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Appetizers

Atmosphere

Critic’s Choice: Wishbone & Flynt, 334 Bryan Av, 817-945-2433 Cozy and elegant without feeling stuffy, the interior of Stefon Rishel’s newest restaurant is a symphony of leather banquettes, industrial wood tables, and concrete flooring. Outside, there’s a cute Hill Country-esque patio lit with twinkly lights if you want to try to take advantage of the cooler weather and occasional local or

regional music act. The restaurant itself is fairly small, but that may be an advantage. You can see the open kitchen from almost every seat in the house, and Rishel makes the rounds fairly often. But the star of the show (besides his appetizers) is the Amber Room, approached by an unassuming curtain through the dining room or an unmarked door on the street. The retro lounge furniture and beautiful decorations beg you to sit a spell with a speakeasy-style late night drink.

Barbecue

Readers’ Top 5: Angelo’s BBQ, 2533 White Settlement Rd, 817-332-0357 • Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, 2735 W 5th St, 682-472-0181 • Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue, 1116 8th Av, 817-238-3840 • Heim BBQ, 1109 W Magnolia Av, 817882-6970 • Panther City BBQ, 201 E Hattie St, 682-499-5618 Critic’s Choice: Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue The husband-and-wife team of Brittany and Derek Allan have added creativity and subtle sophistication to Fort Worth’s already rich barbecue scene. Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue offers traditional Texas ’cue and bold new creations. Brisket Biscuit Chimichurri and Chicken Boudin sausage are now a part of Cowtown’s barbecue vernacular, thanks to this sharp duo. Did we mention that the beef Wagyu

brisket practically melts in your mouth? Part of Derek’s secret, his Bark Builder rub, is sold for home use. The pepper rub goes on pretty much anything. Trust us, we’ve tried it.

Breakfast

Readers’ Choice: Vickery Cafe, 4120 W Vickery Blvd, 817-731-9933 Critic’s Choice: FiVi’s Kitchen, 5724 Locke Av, 817-420-6118 Forget First Watch and Snooze A.M. and Sunny Street Cafe and all the other chains that have colonized our need for morning fuel. We’re sticking with this locally owned place named after the owner’s aunt. One of the better chicken-fried steaks in town would be enough to recommend this spot in itself, but we can’t get enough of the funnel cake French toast that comes with bits of fried dough on top of the luxurious brioche. If we could have this crunchy confection every morning, we’d never miss breakfast again.

Brunch

Readers’ Choice: The Bearded Lady, 300 S Main St, 817-349-9832 Critic’s Choice: Winslow’s Wine Cafe, 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-546-6843 Maybe brunch used to be about seeing and being seen, but lately all we’re looking for is a place to sip our mimosas and eat

our eggs in relative peace. The walled-in courtyard patio at Winslow’s Wine Cafe is just the private, tucked-away locale this weird moment in our lives calls for. Fort Worth is a city that loves brunch like no other, and Winslow’s knows this, so the menu is a greatest hits collection of classic dishes: Eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, avocado toast, and, this being Texas, a couple of Tex-Mex favorites — plus pizzas and salads galore. Winslow’s is close enough to the museums and Crockett Row to feel like a destination, but it’s as cozy and secluded (read: safe) as your own backyard, only someone else is doing all the cooking and you don’t have to fight over who’s doing the dishes.

Burger

Readers’ Top 5: The Bearded Lady, 300 S Main St, 817-349-9832 • Dutch’s, 3009 S University Dr, 817-927-5522 • Fred’s Texas Cafe, 915 Currie St, 817-3320083 • Kincaid’s, 4901 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-732-2881 • Rodeo Goat, 2836 Bledsoe Street, 817-877-4628 Critic’s Choice: L.U.S.T., The Bearded Lady Just months after Shannon Osbakken opened The Bearded Lady’s new home on South Main Street, she found herself transitioning from party porch proprietor to essential worker. With a skeleton crew, Osbakken began serving familystyle meals while keeping the insanely

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popular L.U.S.T. burger as an option for quarantined burgerphiles. The L.U.S.T. is the perfect comfort food for waiting out a pandemic. The juicy patty blends choice ground beef with feta cheese and slivers of poblano peppers. Slices of avocado add a creamy mouthfeel to the dish that is topped with cheese that’s oh so gouda. The burger isn’t a belt-buster. Unlike the news most days (thanks, 2020), L.U.S.T. won’t weigh you down.

817-832-0823 Critic’s Choice: Tributary Cafe While Boo-Ray’s certainly does Cajun right, the nod this year goes to Tributary for its creativity. And, no, putting spins on traditional fare isn’t a sin. Case in point: the Trib’s chicory coffee-rub burger with blue cheese, arugula, crispy onions, and a Dr Pepper glaze. And it’s as big as your head. It’s so orgasmic, it might as well come with a cigarette.

made news in the spring when the coronavirus outbreak prompted them to launch their Crisis Meal Project. By preparing and distributing meals to foodinsecure families, mother and son coowners Janet and Carlos Capua have given a new meaning to the term “food service.” Also, the food is superb, and there is a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Good food, good public service, and a love of community make Z’s Cafe our top pick.

Cajun Food

Caterer

Chef

Readers’ Choice: (tie) Boo-Ray’s of New Orleans, 5728 Boat Club Rd, 817-2366149 • Tributary Cafe, 2813 Race St,

Critic’s Choice: Z’s Cafe and Catering, 1316 Pennsylvania Av, 817-348-9000 This restaurant and catering company

Readers’ Choice: Jon Bonnell, Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd, 817-738-5489

Critic’s Choice: Molly McCook, Ellerbe Fine Foods, 1501 W Magnolia Av, 817-9263663 Named as the only 2020 James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist from Fort Worth, McCook, who’s dazzled everyone from our Chow, Baby to Food Network brand magnate Rachael Ray with her upscale downhome cuisine, surely deserved the nod. Unfortunately for McCook and fellow Rising Star Nominee Bria Downey (formerly of Clay Pigeon), the foundation did not make a formal award this year, citing the death spiral to most large city restaurants caused by COVID-19. No matter, McCook will still be cooking, pandemics and awards be damned.

Chicken-Fried Steak

Readers’ Choice: Horseshoe Hill Cafe, 204 W Exchange Av, 817-882-6405 Critic’s Choice: Cat City Grill, 1208 W Magnolia Av, 817-916-5333 Now in its 10th year, Martin Thompson’s restaurant on Magnolia predates almost everything on that street (with the exception of Shaw’s, Benito’s, and King Tut –– the stalwarts that have fed Hospital District employees and Near Southside denizens since the dawn of time). The CFS at Cat City is not overburdened with breading, and the meat is tender and not the consistency of shoe leather. The steak’s covered with luscious cream gravy that manages to be perfectly peppery and not too salty. The giant dinner portion comes with the traditional mashed potatoes, while the slightly less-than-plate-sized lunch serving is accompanied by the lesstraditional but still tasty waffle fries.

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Chinese

Readers’ Choice: Cannon Chinese Kitchen, 304 W Cannon St, 817-238-3726 Critic’s Choice: Cannon Chinese Kitchen Shunning the brushed nickel and exposed Edison bulbs so pervasive in contemporary restaurants, Cannon Chinese Kitchen has all the warmth and inviting atmosphere of your cool aunt’s bohemian-decked bungalow. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and scratch-made, traditional Chinese-inspired fare made with the freshest ingredients in the cozy confines of a dressy-wallpapered, ’20s-era, two-story craftsman nestled on the poppin’ Near Southside. With food served family style, you’ll fight with the rest of the table over succulent sweet and sour barbecue spareribs and savory duck fried rice sure to pleasurably stretch your waistband. With a smallish but supremely enticing menu, you’ll have trouble picking just a few. Upon a recent visit, after taking our order, our friendly server remarked, “Wow! You guys are really going for it!” and nodded approvingly. Assuming our best, steely Walter White-graveled voice, we could only reply, “You’re goddamn right.”

Chinese (Traditional)

Critic’s Choice: Golden Chinese BBQ, 1818 E Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington, 817795-3772 Located in the middle of a giant Vietnamese shopping mall, this place is the real deal, with huge tables equipped with lazy Susans for large parties that want a celebration feast. They’ll also give you Peking duck if you call a few hours ahead. Here in Texas, nobody thinks of Peking duck as barbecue, but it fits the bill as well as anything. Even if you’re not in a splurging mood, humble dishes like Golden’s Singapore-style noodles (with curry powder) come in portions fit for an emperor. Racism has hit Chinese restaurants particularly hard during this pandemic, so be sure to support places like this that don’t pander to the Western palate but give you a dining experience as close to the mainland as you’ll find here.

Coffeehouse

Curbside Pickup

Readers’ Choice: Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, 4259 Bryant Irvin Rd, 817-7385489 Critic’s Choice: Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Cafe, 781 W Debbie Ln, Mansfield, 817-453-0188 Fat Daddy’s –– a large music venue specializing in tribute bands –– has an extensive food following actually. From

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Critic’s Choice: Hot Damn, Tamales!, 713 W Magnolia Av, 817-523-1836 When COVID-19 hit, the folks at Hot Damn, Tamales! kept on keeping on. While they did shut their doors to local customers –– no dine-in or pickup –– they found a way to keep things moving. With internet orders from Anchorage to Australia, Hot Damn has transformed into a thriving international business.

Coffee

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Critic’s Choice: Black Coffee, 1417 Vaughn Blvd, 817-782-9867 It’s the only coffeehouse in the Polytechnic part of East Fort Worth –– really, it’s the only coffee shop west of the Fort Worth/ Arlington line and north of 287 before you hit downtown. Although you won’t find a unicorn-striped mocha-beriberi-foam latte, you will find coffee that actually tastes good without anything added. The menu offers the usual coffee shop drinks –– latte, cappuccino, caramel latte, mocha –– along with a variety of teas, some CBDinfused juices, and a matcha latte that isn’t strangled with sugar or chemicals. The lavender honey latte, with raw honey and lavender syrup, is soothing perfection. Fall offerings include a sweet potato latte. Best of all, the little place across from Texas Wesleyan University inspires a sense of community.

Taco Tuesdays to an assortment of happyhour appetizers, the cafe offers a plethora of options for soaking up the booze while you watch a show, but huge crowds also show up for lunch and dinner. When bars were shut down, Fat Daddy’s canceled its live shows but offered to-go cocktails and even bottles of liquor. When restaurants shut down, the cafe provided affordable to-go dinners for individuals or families and began offering grocery packages, including that ever-elusive toilet paper we all sought over the spring. Now that Fat Daddy’s is open for regular business, we give them kudos for not only surviving but thriving.

Deli

Readers’ Choice: Carshon’s Deli, 3133 Cleburne Rd, 817-923-1907 Critic’s Choice: Carshon’s Deli Pretty much the only bona fide deli in town, Carshon’s deserves every ounce of praise it receives. There’s no other place nearby where you’re able to order a Rutherford (smoked turkey on a grilled Wolferman’s muffin with melted Swiss or cheddar, served open-faced) or a Rebecca (pastrami, cream cheese, smoked turkey with Russian dressing layered on three pieces of egg bread, grilled), and Carshon’s creativity even after all these years is something to behold. And nom-nom-nom on.

Donuts

Critic’s Choice: Hurts Donut, 901 Foch St, 817-367-9177 When was the last time you had a German chocolate donut? What about a donut covered in peanut butter, or streusel, or Fruity Pebbles cereal? If the answer to any of these was “never,” you clearly haven’t been to Hurts Donut. This place is fantastic for anyone who has a sweet tooth (or an entire row of them — we’re not judging). There are eclectic options, like Oreo and Andes Mint chocolate, along with a few traditional options, like glazed or chocolate frosted. There’s lots of flavors, so give yourself some time to make your

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picks. And if donuts aren’t your thing, there are always the ridiculously huge cinnamon rolls and fritters to keep you occupied.

Fast Food

Critic’s Choice: Freshii, multiple locations Most of us spend too much time in our cars, grabbing fast food that may not be the healthiest for our hearts or waistlines. If you’re eating more in your car than you are at home, Freshii is a healthier solution for a moveable meal. You can score easy-to-eat breakfast burritos and smoothies, healthy wraps on whole-grain tortillas, and coldpressed juices that are perfect for undoing the damage of a night out. If you have a little more time, breakfast bowls, parfaits, salads, and soups await. All the burritos, wraps, and bowls come with your choice of plant-based protein, chicken, or eggs. The healthier food is affordable and portable. Much of the Freshii menu is vegetarian or vegan and compliant with a variety of diets.

Fish

Critic’s Choice: Zeke’s Fish & Chips, 5920 Curzon Av, Ste 5012, 817-731-3321 Flaky, juicy, and oh-so-buttery, the fried fish at this Fort Worth staple comes about as close to what you’d find in the U.K. in North Texas without boarding a plane for London Heathrow. Featuring your choice of catfish or Icelandic cod, Zeke’s likes to pair the filets with fries and “pups” or hushpuppies. Our favorite is the cod Deluxe: two filets with five shrimp, fries, and pups for $20.25. The homey, woody interior is almost as transportive to Merry Ol’ England as the fare.

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Fries

Critic’s Choice: Carpenter’s Cafe & Catering, 1116 Pennsylvania Av, 682499-8630 The Fry-day special at Carp’s is Babe’s loaded brisket fries: oblong potato scoops like you’d find in Irish nachos. On top of the generous appetizer that’s actually the size of a meal, you’ll find a huge pile of chopped house-smoked brisket with a sweet ’n’ vinegary barbecue sauce. The mountain of meat and spuds comes out covered in queso crafted with Rahr & Sons beer, plus shredded cheese, a little sriracha sour cream, and tangy green onions. If you’d rather skip the meat, order Frank’s Funkytown Fries (named for local clothier/sartorialist Franklin Moss) –– fries, queso, and sour cream, which can be made vegetarian if you skip the bacon.

Food Truck Park in the garage across the way, bring us your voucher and we’ll validate it for you. Four hour limit.

Readers’ Choice: Get Lao’d, Facebook. com/GetLaodDFW Critic’s Choice: Big Kat Burger, Facebook. com/BigKatBurger, 903-363-5723

Before the pandemic, Mike Sugg had one of the most sought-after food trucks in North Texas. He was parking his Big Kat Burger truck — and selling tasty burgers — all over town, from food-truck parks to popular local breweries and bars. Once COVID-19 hit, Sugg, like so many other foodies, had to hit the pause button, but then he got innovative. He parked the truck at the house and moved his operations to his home, where he started freezing his burgers and selling burger boxes directly to the people. This move kept Big Kat Burger alive, and for that, we are grateful. Why? We can all still get our hands on the Big Kat mushroom bacon Swiss melt.

Indian Food

Readers’ Choice: Maharaja Indian Restaurant, 6308 Hulen Bend Blvd, 817263-7156 Critic’s Choice: King’s Kitchen, 5054 Trail Lake Dr, 817-349-0043 Is there a category for “Best Take-out to Get You through a Pandemic?” Fort Worth has been waiting years for Indian food as good as this within the city limits. The place is nothing fancy on the outside, sharing a parking lot with the candidly named YOU SAVE FOOD, but much care has gone into making the interior inviting, and, besides, who cares about ambience at an Indian restaurant if the food is delicious. The Wedgwood-area restaurant has all but perfected lamb vindaloo and chicken biryani since it

opened in January 2019 and quickly pared down the menu to great effect. Now you could basically close your eyes, point to the list of offerings, and come out on top. Feeling adventurous? Try the momos as an appetizer instead of traditional samosas. They’re Nepalese dumplings stuffed with chicken or chutney, and you won’t find them anywhere else in town.

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Italian

Readers’ Choice: Piola Kitchen, 3700 Mattison Av, 817-989-0007 Critic’s Choice: Armend’s Restaurante, 2315 E Southlake Blvd, Southlake, 817251-0270 Whether you’re looking for a legit New York style thin-crust pizza or a hearty penne arrabbiata, you’ll find something you like at Armend’s. This small, cozy eatery is located just outside Southlake Town Square and isn’t too busy, making it a solid option for anyone looking for good food and to avoid a lunch rush of yuppies. Meals are reasonably priced and always pair well with a bottle of wine. (Is it real Italian otherwise? Fuggetaboutit!) Armend’s also does a killer tiramisu, so leave space for dessert.

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Latin/Caribbean

Critic’s Choice: Ático, 2315 N Main St, FW. 682-255-5112 Somehow, the initial craze for tapas missed our city about 20 years ago. This new rooftop haven at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott overlooks the Stockyards and makes up for lost time. The kitchen’s patatas bravas is almost filling enough to be an entree, with steaming hot hunks of potato housed in an exterior crunchy enough to put your French fries to shame. Delectable Tennessee ham comes on a charcuterie board with pickled vegetables whose sourness offsets the funk of the

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Critic’s Choice: Fixe Southern House, 5282 Marathon Av, 682-707-3965 The menu at Fixe is built on Chef James Roberts’ Cajun family recipes, which should table any argument about whether the grits are “authentic.” While the restaurant is unarguably upscale, the heirloom Anson Mills Antebellum grits are truly downhome goodness. The dish gets a little interesting texture and a slight crunch from the addition of freeze-dried corn. Enjoy the shrimp and grits as a side or an entree. The addition of bottarga –– a salty kick of cured fish roe –– marks the grits as good for pescatarians and omnivores.

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Although you won’t find a unicorn-striped mocha-beriberi-foam latte at Black Coffee, you will find java that actually tastes good without anything added.

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Critic’s Choice: The Cookshack, 500 University Dr, 817-367-9151 Good lord, you wanna talk about flavor? The kind of flavor that sets your taste buds to partying like Mötley Crüe on tour in 1986? The Cookshack serves up the tastiest fried bird — succulent, juicy, and, if you order the Texas Hot, spicy — in all of North Texas, not just the Fort. This newcomer to the local dining scene is where you get greasy and sweaty (stuff hanging off your lips, fingers slick, napkins all a-heaped by your elbows) while quickly turning your ravenous hunger into a mere memory.

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meat, and Catalan-style flatbread makes a nice vehicle for other meats and cheeses. Don’t forget to top it off with Pedro Ximénez sherry poured over vanilla ice cream, the way the Spaniards do it.

Readers’ Top 5: Benito’s Authentic Mexican Food, 1450 W Magnolia Av, 817-3328633 • Enchiladas Ole, 2418 Forest Park Blvd, 817-984-1360 • Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N Commerce St, 817626-4356 • La Play Maya, 6209 Sunset Dr, 817-738-3329 • Mariachi’s Dine-in, 301 S Sylvania Ave, 682-760-9606 Critic’s Choice: Paco’s Mexican Cuisine, 1508 W Magnolia Av, 817-759-9110 Chef Francisco Islas hails from Pachuca, Mexico, located between Mexico City and the coast, so the menu covers both the urban classics and coastal favorites. Recent specials included chuletas a los dos moles –– grilled pork chops smothered in a classic red mole sauce and a green mole studded with pumpkin seeds. A spectacular seafood and grilled corn combo comes to the table presented overflowing a molcajete. Birria tacos are all the rage right now –– and you can grab both the cheese and carne de res versions daily –– but have you ever tried a birria tamale? Albondigas (meatball soup), traditional guisado, hang out on the menu with tortas, street tacos, and other bits and pieces of classic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant just expanded to include a bar area, so you can sop up your drinks with birria tacos until 2am.

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New Restaurant

Readers’ Choice: Wishbone & Flynt, 334 Bryan Av, 817-945-2433 Critic’s Choice: Tinie’s, 113 S Main St, 682-255-5425 A lot of things go into making a restaurant great: the food, to be sure, but the ambience is almost as important. A view helps, and well-trained staff and a respectable offering of beverages are paramount. Tinie’s (pronounced Tee-nee’s), the South Main Village brainchild of Taco Heads’ Sarah Castillo and two other co-founders, began serving up authentic yet elevated Mexican food back in March, at the onset of an extremely tumultuous time in all of our lives. Yet it has still managed to be great. While the menu was almost immediately pared down to make it more manageable for a smaller, pandemic-friendly staff, this only serves to make the restaurant appear greater, because there are no duds. Homemade empanadas or fresh, tangy aguachile will tide you over as you wait, preferably on the cozy upstairs patio — with the view of downtown you’ve no doubt heard about by now — for your main dish: either the succulent whole rotisserie chicken or the tender, silky achioteroasted pork, both served with numerous accoutrement and rivaling any Mexican dish in town. A recently added brunch

Wyatt Newquist

Mexican

The menu at Paco’s Mexican Cuisine covers both the urban classics and coastal favorites. The restaurant just expanded to include a bar area, so you can sop up your drinks with birria tacos until 2am.

menu means you now have twice the number of reasons to visit. This particular Best Of category has gained a reputation for showcasing restaurants that close even before the next Best Of issue rolls around, but if Tinie’s can be this good in the midst of chaos, that shouldn’t be a problem this time around (knocks wood).

Nontraditional Burger

Critic’s Choice: That Peanut Butter Boi, Big Kat Burger, Facebook.com/BigKatBurger, 903-363-5723 Big Kat Burger offers ginormous burgers using hand-formed Angus patties that are prepared daily. Beyond favorites like the Big Kat (two 6-ounce patties, bacon, jalapeño, pepper jack cheese) and the Cheesy Kat (two beef patties, provolone, jalapeño bacon jam, and a smothering of American and pepper jack cheese), the diabolical minds behind this North Texas food truck have created That Peanut Butter Boi. There’s nothing traditional about this treat save for the fact that it puts meat between buns. The monster sandwich crams a 6-ounce patty, alcohol-infused jam, peanut butter, provolone cheese, bacon, and candied jalapenos between two toasted brioche buns.

Pandemic Hero

Critic’s Choice: Kevin Martinez By the end of March, Chef Kevin Martinez saw that the situation for service industry workers was becoming dire. Martinez, who owns Tokyo Cafe, did the one thing he could think of to help –– he asked local restaurateurs, businesses, and chefs to contribute food to be given away in a bundle on Sundays. The result: care packages that contain a loaf of bread, some restaurant takeout containers full of proteins, salad, maybe soup, dessert, and hand sanitizer, enough for 10 servings per bag. That’s a few days of meals for a single person or an interesting potluck

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with some leftovers for a family. Martinez and his volunteer crew have served 26,000 meals since March, and he says there’s no end in sight. He called these care packages “an investment into our own community,” rather than a handout. The community support for the project has been wide and diverse. Martinez recognizes Swiss Pastry Shop, Central Market, Paco’s Mexican Cuisine, Wishbone & Flynt, Panther City BBQ, Kona Ice, Magdalena’s, Sweet Lucy’s Pies, Hot Box Biscuit Club, Smokeys BBQ & Diner, Nonna Tata, MELT Ice Creams Magnolia, Avoca Coffee Roasters, Alma’s Paleteria, Great Harvest Bread Co., Luckybee Kitchen, Brix Barbecue, The Usual, The Chat Room Pub, The Bearded Lady, Rufus Bar and Grill, Club Reflection, Standard Meat Company, Acre Distilling, Anchor Marketing and Design, JayCee Hospitality, Firefly Grilling Co., and Mibo Fresh Foods, and Chefs Jon Bonnell, Bria Downey, and Hao Tran and Dixya Bhattarai. Not everyone contributes every week, but that makes for an interesting package.

Critic’s Choice: Jon Bonnell (Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, Buffalo Bros, Waters Restaurant) Jon Bonnell is a tireless champion of local dining –– the chef routinely posts pictures of food and specials from other local restaurants on his social media and developed an alphabetical listing of local joints that he episodically posts to remind his fans that we don’t always need to put on a shirt with a collar to dine. When COVID-19 shut down the dine-in capacity, Bonnell, who owns two white-tablecloth, special-occasion, splurge restaurants, pivoted to serving a meal for four for $40, no reservations, with pickup at both Waters and his Fine Texas Cuisine between 4 and 7pm. Bonnell switched from his upscale Texas cuisine and pricey-

Pizza

Readers’ Top 5: Black Cat Pizza, 401 Bryan Av, Ste 109, 817-489-5150 • Cane Rosso, 815 W Magnolia Av, 817922-9222 • iFratelli, 1907 8th Av, 817927-7779 • Mama’s Pizza, 5800 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-731-6262 • Zoli’s Pizza, 3501 Hulen St, 817-402-0050 Critic’s Choice: Zoli’s Pizza At newcomer Zoli’s, you can enjoy your pizza in traditional Neapolitan style or as a thick-crusted, box-shaped pie that’ll feed the entire family. The menu offers creative ingredients like jalapeño pesto, habanero honey, and soppressata marmalade. The folks here have mastered the art of blending spicy, sweet, and savory for an experience like no other. While pizzas are the centerpiece, Zoli’s offers a wide range of equally creative sides and desserts.

Presentation

Critic’s Choice: Wishbone & Flynt, 334 Bryan Av, 817-945-2433 Chef Stefon Rishel has an eye for greatlooking food. His Lemon Bar French Toast is adorned with colorful zigzags of purplish blackberry coulis that alternate with yellow curds for a vibrant, eye-

catching effect. For the blueberry pancakes he artfully places berries and powdered sugar on top to create an almost winterlike landscape on the golden slices. In an increasingly competitive dining scene, first impressions matter. The carefully crafted fare at Wishbone & Flynt will give you reason to pause before indulging in the culinary masterpieces.

Quesadilla

Critic’s Choice: Yucatan Taco Stand, 909 W Magnolia Av, Ste 10, 682-385-9395 That’s right. Yucatan Taco Stand is more than just nachos and margaritas. With succulent shrimp, mouthwatering sauce, and a blend of cheeses, Yucatan’s spicy tequila shrimp quesadilla is the kaysa-dillah of your dreams. And Yucatan has new owners who have really breathed new life into the place. An interior facelift, table service, and a fresh take on an old menu are just a few notable changes to this Magnolia staple.

Queso

Critic’s Choice: Rogers Roundhouse, 1616 Rogers Rd, 817-367-9348 We were going to give this to last year’s winner, Paco’s Mexican Cuisine, but then Rogers Roundhouse opened back up after closing this past spring due to the pandemic. The TCU hangout’s cheese dip may not be fundido, but it goes pretty well with the house-made chips. Bonus points for the large TV screens and abundance of outdoor seating for smokers and/or people worried about the virus.

Ramen

Critic’s Choice: Hanabi Ramen, 3204 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-420-6703 The Westside noodle shop was the first Fort Worth locale to serve Japanese ramen, and, though competition in the area has

FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY 38

grown, Hanabi Ramen & Izakaya still reigns supreme. The steaming bowls come in a variety of flavors. Whether fiery hot or savory and subtle, these soups are all authentically Japanese. One of our favorite options, the Baisen Miso Ramen, comes with a heaping pile of bamboo shoots, Napa cabbage, bok choy, bean sprouts, and other Asian goodies. Add in the vast menu, intimate atmosphere, and topnotch service and you can see why Hanabi isn’t just noodling around.

Restaurant

Readers’ Choice: The Bearded Lady, 300 S Main St, 817-349-9832 Critic’s Choice: Ellerbe Fine Foods, 1501 W Magnolia Av, 817-926-3663 Ellerbe’s co-owners, Executive Chef Molly McCook and GM Richard King, have been running their homage to Louisiana/ Southern cooking for 11 years, and the food’s as good now as it’s ever been. The restaurant was one of the first to use farmto-table seasonal items. Not necessarily down-the-street local — thankfully, the featured fish doesn’t come out of the Trinity River — but fresh. And the menu changes from day to day to accommodate what’s in season. Current offerings include a braised Colorado lamb shank, quail, wild Alaskan halibut, and a vegetarian blackened Demases Farm summer squash on cornbread with Texas caviar. Fortunately, Maw Maw’s bread pudding is still on the menu. The recipe, reportedly handed down from McCook’s grandmother, was a favorite of our reviewer back in 2009. The good news: The restaurant added a new wine bar right before COVID closed everything in March. McCook and company pivoted with a curbside Throwback Thursday pickup meal that feeds four for $44, and the cook-at-home product was as tasty as anything we’ve had in the restaurant, with complete reheating instructions right on the package.

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Pandemic Pivot

yet-immaculate sustainable fish dishes to comfort food. On offer: a rotating selection of fried, grilled, and smoked chicken, jambalaya, barbecued beef and pork, meatloaf, chicken piccata, beef Stroganoff, and fajitas, all with sides and a dessert. The pivot meant that Bonnell kept his kitchen staff and local suppliers busy during a time when service industry personnel were being laid off. Now that his dining rooms are partially re-opened, you might want to plan a trip a little before 4pm to the frontage road outside the original Bonnell’s on the West Side sooner rather than later –– who knows how long this will last?

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Salad

Critic’s Choice: Chopped Salad, Fixe Southern House, 5282 Marathon Av, 682-707-3965 Biscuits alone do not a meal make, so next time you’re at Fixe Southern House, order something to go with those pillows of heavenly goodness: the chopped salad, consisting of chopped crispy greens, ribbons of buttery Manchego cheese, crunchy Marcona almonds, slightly sour green apple, and pickled red onion for a touch of acidity, all tossed together in a balanced Champagne vinaigrette. If you’re looking for something more substantial,

splurge a little and top the salad with fresh lump blue crab and/or shrimp, which complement the ingredients rather than overpower them. It’s an ideal light meal, particularly if enjoyed in the bar area as top-tier cocktail slingers Julian and Kelli mix you up something as refreshing as the salad itself.

Salsa

Readers’ Choice: Happy Tomato Fresh Foods, Happy-Tomato.com, 817-8419266 Critic’s Choice: Taco Diner, 156 W 4th St, 817-566-0357 First of all, this Sundance Square staple serves up some mouthwatering,

scrumptious Tex-Mex and Mex-Mex, so take that into account when going to try the salsas. Both the red and green, served at every table with crunchy chips gratis, are made in-house and have their own style. The red sizzles with a chipotle zing as the green oozes with a creamy spiciness. The service is top-notch, and Manager Arturo Mazariegos will make you feel like family.

Sandwich

Critic’s Choice: The Smoky Chick, Carpenter’s Cafe & Catering, 1116 Pennsylvania Av, 682-499-8630 Carpenter’s Cafe advertises itself as more than a barbecue or soul food joint. And we say all hail the Smoky Chick, Carpenter’s

amazing take on classic Southern chicken salad. After a gentle turn on the smoker that leaves the bird moist with just a touch of barbecue flavor, the chopped chicken is mixed with mayo, finely chopped celery, and scallion bits –– just enough veg to ensure the flavor of both. The smoked chicken is served as a sandwich with your choice of bread, on a croissant, or in a wrap with bacon, red onion, and spinach.

Seafood

Readers’ Choice: Waters Restaurant, 301 Main St, 817-984-1110 Critic’s Choice: Lucile’s Stateside Bistro, 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-738-4761 With all due respect to Waters, an elegant retreat specializing in sustainable and local fare, we can’t stay away from the lobster rolls and cedar-plank salmon at this perennial Best Of winner. First, Lucile’s rolls. Smooth, buttery, and delightfully toothsome, they pull the amazing trick of satisfying your hunger without busting your belt. And the cedar-plank salmon. It’s so fresh and smoky, you’ll swear while eating it that you’ve been transported to a log cabin in Oregon in autumn. Maybe the best part about this Arlington Heights institution is that it’s perfect for either a date night or a bite with the kiddos. The accommodating atmosphere is a testament to the restaurant’s quality, top-notch service, and overall cheery vibe.

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Soul Food

LIVE MUSIC THURSDAYS 8PM- 12AM LIVE DJ FRIDAY 10PM-2AM

Readers’ Choice: Drew’s Place, 5701 Curzon Av, 817-735-4408 Critic’s Choice: Madea’s Down Home Cookin’, 1019 W Enon Av, Everman, 817551-9295 Like most smaller restaurants, the venerable Madea’s struggled through the spring. A pivot to curbside pickup was nearly derailed by alleged visits from police officers and health department staff (who had to wade through people spaced 6 feet apart in line to make sure the restaurant wasn’t actually open for dinein). But these are better days. Yes, you can still order the classics like chicken (baked, fried, tetrazzini), smothered or fried pork chops, and a variety of beef, both oxtails and chopped meat covered in rich smooth gravy. Your meal comes with three sides. The collards, yams, phenomenal broccolirice casserole, mac ’n’ cheese, and the more interesting, unusual okra and tomatoes are worth the price of admission. As far as being a member of the clean plate club here, it’s a challenge, but try to save room for the peach cobbler.

Steak @THENEWYUCATANTEQUILABAR

Readers’ Choice: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, 812 Main St, 817-8773999 Critic’s Choice: Provender Hall, 122 E Exchange Av, Ste 110, 817-782-9170

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Open @ 11.am. EVERYDAY - Dine In & Carry Out Available 3020 E. Rosedale St. (across from Texas Wesleyan) - 682.385.9262 - www.bens3b.com

Marcus Paslay’s mini-empire spreads from the Foundry District to the Waterside development and now to Mule Alley in the Stockyards. His newly opened Provender Hall –– named for the feed bags used by horses and mules because the building was once a mule barn –– features a pareddown menu that does the cowboy classics right. A New York strip generally doesn’t have the mouthfeel of a tenderloin or a ribeye. Enter: the kitchen’s smoker and grill (both wood-burning) and a sear that makes the prime cut of beef surprisingly luscious. With a kiss of grill spice that’s perfectly peppery-salty, really all that’s left is for you to take a bite and marvel at the goodness.

Sushi

Readers’ Top 5: Blue Sushi Grill, 3131 W 7th St, 817-332-2583 • Little Lily Sushi, 6100 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 12, 817-989-8886 • Shinjuku Station, 711 W Magnolia Av, 817-923-2695 • Sushi Axiom, 4625 Donnelly Av, Ste 101, 817735-9100 • Tokyo Cafe, 5121 Pershing Av, 817-737-8568 Critic’s Choice: Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, 817-477-6575 You can have your tragically hip deluxe sushi restaurants with techno music and scenesters drinking overpriced saketinis at the bar. This simple joint keeps sushi closer to its humble roots without sacrificing

quality or innovation. You won’t go wrong whether you’re ordering tempura, gyoza, poke, grilled meat, or one of the kitchen’s signature rolls like the salmon involtini (with blue crab and cream cheese) or the Antarctica roll (with tempura shrimp and smoked salmon). Its location at a busy corner of downtown makes it a place that a visitor from Osaka or Kyoto would recognize.

Taco

Readers’ Choice: Mariachi’s Dine-In, 301 S Sylvania Av, 682-760-9606 Critic’s Choice: Mariachi’s Dine-In Nestled in the back of a nondescript gas station, Mariachi’s Dine-In offers

authentic Mexican food and the occasional trending foodie fad. Just weeks before COVID-19 hit Fort Worth, Chef Angel Fuentes released a California transplant that has since been locally popularized due to the delicacy’s highly Instagrammable presentation. The crimson birria tacos, typically stuffed with barbacoa and mild white cheese, are typically dipped in a rich and oily consommé just before being eaten. The bump in sales from the birria tacos — along with a focus on to-go orders — kept the small taqueria afloat, Fuentes told us. Now that business has somewhat stabilized, Fuentes and owner Ashley Miller have decided to make birria tacos a permanent fixture of their menu. Fuentes said the simple but delicious dish has been so instrumental in helping his business that he plans to name his first child Birria Fuentes. He’s joking — we think.

Takeout Family Meals

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Critic’s Choice: Chadra Mezza & Grill, 1622 Park Pl Av, 817-926-3992 We’re talking mega-meals to feed a family of four easily, and they’re coming from one of the best restaurants in all of North Texas. The takeout specials at Chadra rotate almost daily and feature an array of Mediterranean/Lebanese goodies. On Wednesdays, $40 will nab you an 18-inch specialty pizza or up to five toppings of your choice, with penne a la vodka, a Greek salad, and garlic knots, and, for $50 on Thursdays, enjoy the Heavenly Chicken with penne a la vodka, roasted vegetables, a dinner salad, and garlic knots. On Saturdays, it’s chicken kabobs, hummus with pita bread, saffron rice, and veggies for $55, and for $45 on Saturdays, it’s our favorite: the gyro bar with all the fixins plus French fries and pita bread.

Tamales

Critic’s Choice: Esperanza’s Restaurant and Bakery, 2122 N Main St, 817-6265770 • 1601 Park Pl Av, 817-923-1961 Though Esperanza’s has two locations, all of the tamale-makin’ action happens at the Northside spot. With classic, incredibly tender pork tamales made fresh daily, the Joe T. Garcia’s spinoff has been satisfying tamale lovers year-round (not only during the holidays) for years.

Taqueria

Critic’s Choice: Los Taco H’s, 3025 Cleburne Rd or 2108 E Rosedale St, 817-564-4329 Los Taco H’s recently scored a prime new location on the corner of Cleburne Road and West Berry Street, just a stone’s throw from the TCU campus and right across the street from the new Berry Street Ice House, making this once-forgotten corner a pretty hot dining destination at the moment. Los Taco H’s has been serving up deliciously authentic street tacos on the corner of 287

Thai

Readers’ Choice: Spice, 411 W Magnolia Av, 817-984-1800 Critic’s Choice: Malai Kitchen, 5289 Monahans Av, 682-707-3959 Please forgive this pick of a Dallas transplant and a higher-end take on what we think of as traditional Thai takeout food. We love Spice/Thailicious/Thai Select as much as anyone, but the fact is the ingredients don’t get any fresher, livelier, and tastier than at Clearfork standout Malai Kitchen. The curry is just a little more balanced. The fish dishes, something we admittedly stay away from at most Thai restaurants, are unbelievably fresh-tasting and perfectly executed. Menu highlights include the whole fried Branzino (whose execution rivals that of the one we had in Asia), the iron pot green curry, and the deceptively simple lemongrass soup with shrimp. But pretty much everything, from the signature cocktails and the brunch to the appetizers and the banana pot-decrème, slaps. Plus, there’s a killer happy hour all day on Sunday. Singapore slings for breakfast anyone?

Vegetarian Selection

Readers’ Choice: Spiral Diner, 1314 W

Vietnamese

Readers’ Choice: Four Sisters –– A Taste of Vietnam, 1001 S Main St, Ste 151, 682244-4546 Critic’s Choice: Pho District, 2401 W 7th St, 817-862-9988 You kind of forgot about Pho District, didn’t you? The Vietnamese street-foodwith-an-upscale-twist concept came in hot a few years ago before other tony Asian eateries like Four Sisters, Wabi House, and Dallas-based Malai Kitchen showed up to compete. Rest assured that Pho District is as good as ever. Each course is a winner, from the crispy Hanoian spring rolls to the pandan crème brulee (think vanilla bean with a floral green tint). The signature dry pho, a playful twist on the ubiquitous noodle soup, is a dish you literally won’t see anywhere else, and it works better as a takeout option than traditional pho. Don’t sleep on the house craft cocktails, either, like the Cheeky Lychee — lychee vodka and juice topped with sparkling wine. Consider yourself reminded.

Wings

Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Bros, 3015 S University Dr, 817-386-9601 Critic’s Choice: Buffalo Bros Don’t overthink it. Buffalo Bros perfected the buffalo wing years ago, and the only thing that’s changed is that now you can eat them in TCUland or at the decidedly more spacious digs downtown. (For what it’s worth, we prefer the cozier original location during non-COVID times.) If you’re smart, Wing Wednesday, when the delicious drums and flats are half off, will become a regularly scheduled program on your dining deal repertoire. Whether you’re a traditionalist or parmesan garlic is your jam (you should just get both), beloved Chef Jon Bonnell’s casual sports bar is the place for wings in Funkytown.

From the creators of Righteous Foods comes Fort Worth’s original ghost kitchen delivering margaritas Y fajitas.

Eat Fajitas is proud to introduce the Fiesta in a Box. Order a family style serving of beef, or chicken fajitas; or try our vegan-friendly veggitas. All the Tex-Mex flavors are sealed up with a side of beans, rice, shredded cheese and tortillas. Wash it all down with a cool premixed top-shelf margarita. We make your Fiesta clean up easy, just reuse our ingenious delivery box. Pack it all back in, voilá, and the fiesta’s over!

F A J I TA S

M A R G A R I TA S

F I E S TA S

e at f a j i ta s . c o m

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Critic’s Choice: Enchiladas Ole, 2418 Forest Park Blvd, 817-984-1360 Owner Mary Perez whips up enchiladas like the kind her mama used to make with her when Perez was little. No preservatives (and, if you care about such things, no lard) means that everything is made fresh daily. Whether you want your enchiladas slathered in hatch chile sauce, mole, or verde sauce, you’ll find what makes you happy here. The simple perfection of cheese enchiladas in a lake of rich red ancho chile sauce with tiny chopped onion is not to be missed. While this place is for enchilada purists, you’ll also find queso, taco salad, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos, and a Keto avocado plate if you’re hating on the corn carbs these days.

SuccumB to the Altar of Flavor.

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

Tex-Mex

Magnolia Av, 817-332-8834 Critic’s Choice: Byblos Mediterranean Lebanese Restaurant, 1406 N Main St, 817-625-9667 Mediterranean food leans heavily on plantbased cuisine, with a little dairy thrown in for interest. Eight of the 10 appetizers on the Byblos menu are vegan or vegetarian with yogurt, sheep’s milk, and cow’s milk cheeses –– so you could create an essentially vegetarian mezze splurge for starters. All four soups and salads are vegetarian, and Byblos offers three vegetarian entrees. In addition to a moussaka with baked, not fried, eggplant and slightly nutty whole chickpeas, the fatt-ii bil-laban (whole chickpeas, olive oil, and goat’s milk yogurt piled on a whole-grain pita) and moojjadra (lentils and brown rice served with a cabbage salad) will keep vegetarians happy even as the carnivores enjoy their gyros and shish tawook.

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and Rosedale Street for several years, but if that’s a little out of the way for you, you have no such excuse now. Since prices range from $1.89 to $2.39 apiece, you can pretty much afford to try every taco on the menu, but if you’re a lightweight, go for the suadero (beef) and pastor (marinated pork). All tacos are served on double-ply soft corn tortillas, packed with plenty of meat, and loaded with the kind of flavor it takes all day to coax up. There are plenty of vegetarian options, too. The self-serve section of house-made salsas and necessary taco toppings is a must, particularly the tomatillo and creamy jalapeño salsas. Oh, and on Tuesdays, pastor, chicken, and carnitas tacos are just $1 all day. What are you waiting for, an invitation?

Arcade/Bowling Alley

Readers’ Choice: Cowtown Bowling Palace, 4333 River Oaks Blvd, 817-624-2151 Bowling offers a recreational sweet spot where kids and adults of all ages can gather for family fun and gutterball groans. Cowtown Bowling Palace offers casual bowling, cosmic bowling (think: black lights and laser lights), tournaments, and even bowling lessons. Looking for a place to host your birthday party? Cowtown offers custom party packages for kids, teens, and adults that include pizza and burgers from the snack bar. Tell Dad not to worry: There are bumperbowling lanes.

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Animal Rescue Group

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020 FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY 44

Culture best of 2020

Readers’ Choice: Saving Hope Rescue, 6708 S Hulen St, 817-984-1129 Critic’s Choice: Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue, PO Box 151731, Facebook. com/Allieshaven As you can see, Allie’s has no street address. The group’s mission of giving deserving dogs a second chance involves a network of fosters. All of their rescued dogs live in private homes until they meet you (hint, hint). To meet –– and hopefully adopt –– one of their dogs, Step 1 is filling out an application at AlliesHaven.org. Some of their animals are seniors or have special medical needs because Allie’s tries to leave no doggo behind when pulling them from kill shelters. Allie’s even has a hospice program for aging, sickly dogs who have been deemed unadoptable. Donations are always needed. If you can’t adopt, then donate.

Art Exhibit

817-469-9005 Tucked behind an apartment complex and a City Garage auto mechanic is a hidden golf addict’s oasis. Golf Center of Arlington is the Little Driving Range that Could. New owners Larissa and Mauricio Galante resurrected the once-dilapidated range and putt-putt course and have turned it into a brand-new, comfortable, and highstandard place to hone your swing. Tee off from one of more than a dozen open and breezy covered bays (warmly heated in the winter) or out in the open on artificial turf or grass. The range itself features a variety of pin locations and distances to aim for, a sand trap to try and escape, and a nifty putting green as well. The bay stalls offer the latest ball-tracking technology with virtual course-play games on mounted touchscreens, similar to Top Golf. Inside the main building is a bar with two beer fridges busting at the hinges with a wide selection of inexpensive craft brews and a modest selection of golf paraphernalia. (The new pro shop is still under construction.) As a bonus, the 18-hole putt-putt course has also been renovated, making a visit to GCoA a perfect family-friendly outdoor activity.

Readers’ Choice: Mark Bradford: End Papers, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St, 866-824-5566 Critic’s Choice: The Perilous Texas Adventures of Mark Dion, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-738-1933 Certainly not your normal exhibit, this multimedia extravaganza gathered the effluvia of Mark Dion’s trek through the state in the footsteps of several 19thcentury naturalists/explorers/adventurers. Lots of everyday objects, lots of sketches, and lots of vials of interesting, weird stuff — Perilous Texas Adventures showed that museums, especially ones devoted to American art, are capable of a lot more than just hanging pictures.

Art Gallery

Readers’ Choice: Fort Works Art, 2100 Montgomery St, 817-759-9475 Critic’s Choice: Artspace 111, 111 Hampton St, 817-692-3228 First off, happy 40th birthday to the gallery that started, essentially, as a studio. Secondly, the art doesn’t get any better than here. Seeking a crucifix in urine or a men’s urinal? Go someplace else. Looking for high-quality, mostly photorealist painting or brilliant abstract work? Artspace 111 is the place. And for the past 40 years, it has been. Representing co-founders and twin brothers Daniel and Dennis Blagg, plus Nancy Lamb, John Hartley, Devon Nowlin, Jim Malone, and nearly two dozen other heavy hitters, Artspace 111 deserves another 40 years. And then some.

Book by Texas Author Published in Last 12 Months

Critic’s Choice: Shots of Knowledge by Rob Arnold and Eric Simanek, TCU Press Looking for a great page-turner to accompany that tumbler of whiskey? Rob Arnold, head distiller at Firestone and Robertson Distilling Company, has distilled the finer points of the whiskey-making process in Shots of Knowledge, a guidebook for lovers of the spirit. With the help of co-author and TCU chemistry professor Eric Simanek, the book explores whiskey production through 60 illustrated essays. Arnold and Simanek break down the science behind America’s

favorite hooch, from photosynthesis to oak speciation and the distilling process.

Dance Troupe

Readers’ Choice: Texas Ballet Theater, 1540 Mall Cir, 817-763-0207 Critic’s Choice: Texas Ballet Theater The best in all of North Texas hasn’t lost a step, despite the pandemic. The 2021 season is set to launch in February with three ballets in one night. Along with the Balanchine classic Serenade, TBT will perform two world premieres: Star Crossed, a fiery pas de deux featuring Romeo and Juliet, by TBT Artistic Director Ben Stevenson; and an unnamed piece by Associate Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe set to the music of one of ballet’s best composers.

Dog Park

Readers’ Choice: MUTTS Canine Cantina, 5317 Clearfork Main St, 817-377-0151 • Z Bones Dog Park, 6950 Camp Bowie West, 817-392-5700 Critic’s Choice: MUTTS Canine Cantina It’s a pup’s dream. With lots of outdoor seating and treats for four-legged and bipedal creatures alike, MUTTS can’t help but bring a smile to your face. Sign up for membership that includes access to the offthe-leash area by visiting MUTTScantina. com.

Driving Range

Critic’s Choice: Golf Center of Arlington, 1301 NE Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington,

Entertainment Spot

Readers’ Choice: Electric Starship Arcade, 5620 Denton Hwy, Haltom City, 817-479-6366 Critic’s Choice: Free Play, 1311 Lipscomb St, 682-231-1444 Open weekends only until further notice, this Near Southside retreat is a gamer’s dream. With more than 90 old-school treats like Frogger, Galaga, and Burgertime plus pinball, Free Play is hard to beat for selection and nostalgia. And price. Entry is only $11 per person. Extra points for the above-average arcade food.

Example of New Architecture

Critic’s Choice: Connex Fort Worth, 1201 Evans Av, 817-366-6951 An office and micro-retail project on the Near Southside, this angular, blocky, colorful assemblage — imagine Optimus Prime doing Child’s Pose — is made out of repurposed shipping containers and is fully sustainable. Designed by Fort Worth’s Mel/Arch Studio, Connex is already home to several tenants, including Trinity Works, Sana, James Walker Realty, and more. For architecture buffs, Connex is quite the Grammable address.

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C OMING S O ON

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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SHOP. DINE. DRINK. DISCOVER.

Step into the new home for innovative food, beverage, artisans and merchants. Mule Alley now features King Ranch, Sidesaddle Saloon, Wrangler, The Biscuit Bar, MB Mercantile & Supply, Lucchese Bootmaker, Cowtown Winery, Provender Hall, Shake Shack, and PH Barn Door. Come celebrate and explore all that Mule Alley has to offer.

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Kids’ Activities

Readers’ Choice: Benbrook Stables, 10001 Benbrook Blvd, 817-249-1001 Critic’s Choice: Benbrook Stables Something about horse people: They always seem kinder and more patient than us average folks. And at Benbrook Stables, the horse people there have only the best interests of you and the animals at heart. Whether for a trail ride or lessons, or maybe even a birthday party, you will never regret your trip here. And in these trying times, maybe a little calming nature

theaters on the proper day of June and in the middle of America’s protests over extrajudicial police killings. Our civic powers so rarely want to put Black life forward as representative of Fort Worth, so it’s important to have an AfricanAmerican film specifically set in our city and taking place amid pillars of culture like the funeral homes and the barbecue joints. We won’t know the extent of its impact for a while, but we recognize its momentousness now.

P h oto C o u r te s y o f Ve r t i c a l E n te r t a i n m e n t .

Readers’ Choice: Ridglea Country Club, 3700 Bernie Anderson Av, 817-732-8111 Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Golf, multiple locations, 817-392-5721 The city of Fort Worth offers four quality and affordable golf courses that don’t require exorbitant membership fees. Whether you tee off at Meadowbrook, Pecan Valley, or Rockwood, you’ll find manicured greens and a variety of terrains to keep you challenged. Meadowbrook, an 18-hole regulation facility, is considered one of the Top 25 municipal golf courses in Texas. The courses regularly host tournaments and provide individual and group lessons. Social distancing lends itself to the sport of golf, just as we’re heading into perfect tee-off weather.

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Golf Course

Movie Theater

The difference between a traditional Hillary Dohoney painting and a photograph is that no visible sweat equity went into the photograph.

and animal love are in order.

Locally Made/Shot Film

Critic’s Choice: Miss Juneteenth Channing Godfrey Peoples’ drama about Texas’ own African-American holiday defied a pandemic to arrive in our

Readers’ Choice: Coyote Drive-In, 223 NE 4th St, 817-717-7767 Critic’s Choice: The Grand Berry Theater, 2712 Weisenberger St, 682-224-3684. Always helps to have movies that no one else in the all of North Texas has. This independent venue in the Foundry District valiantly kept going (with social distancing in place) as long as it could and then was the first to climb aboard the “streaming movies to help a physical movie theater” bandwagon as the lockdown set in. Through this, they showed high-quality stuff that they doubtless would have on the big screen if they could: Beanpole, Saint Frances, Spaceship Earth, and the locally filmed Miss Juneteenth. They’re scheduled to open back up this week, and we’ll be happy to have them.

Mural

Readers’ Choice: (tie) “Fort Worth for Vanessa” by Juan Velazquez, corner of Hemphill and W Ripy sts • Texas Medical Institute by Kathleen Cameron, 3304 SE Loop 820, Ste B, 817-615-8633 Critic’s Choice: “Fort Worth for Vanessa” Juan Velazquez is a relative newcomer to the local arts scene. Two years ago, at the age of 29, he picked up his brushes after a severalyear artistic hiatus and began painting. And painting. By the end of that year, he had around 100 oil paintings and newfound confidence in his abilities. Velazquez blended his experiences as a graffiti artist and oil painter to create several masterful murals this year. “Fort Worth for Vanessa” pays homage to Vanessa Guillen, the 20-yearold U.S. Army soldier who was murdered last April at Fort Hood. Velazquez, who serves in the Army Reserves, started the project with a Facebook post on July 3. That single ask for help and donations was answered by hundreds of locals who were equally shocked by Guillen’s tragic death. The final mural, located near Noah’s Art & Supplies off Hemphill Street, drew several hundred spectators as Velazquez, Sarah Ayala, and other artists rendered Gillian’s uniformed image against a backdrop of flowers. Velazquez’ socially conscious art is a timely reflection of a society that is increasingly rebelling against tolerance of sexual harassment, racism, and xenophobic politicians.

WE ARE

OPEN

MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH Spend a quiet, relaxing day in our spacious, air-conditioned galleries with plenty of room for social distancing. Explore work by nationally and internationally renowned artists, and visit the special exhibition Mark Bradford: End Papers, on view through January 10.

ONLINE PROGRAMS

10 PAGES – Projects for kids to enjoy at home Explore the Modern’s COLLECTION ONLINE.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 3200 Darnell Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107 817. 738.9215 Follow the Modern

www.themodern.org

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

• Drawing from the Collection • Drawing from the Collection for Children • Wonderful Wednesdays • Slow Art Tours • Curator Talks

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VIRTUAL PROGRAMS:

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Experience the Modern from home by visiting www.themodern.org/online-learning-programs.

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COLLECTION S IN CON VERSAT ION Experience the depth and diversity of the permanent collection as selected African, Ancient American, Asian, and European works appear in thoughtful dialogue throughout the iconic Louis I. Kahn Building. kimbellart.org | Admission to the permanent collection is always free.

Lee Newquist

CA B IN E T CA R DS A N D TH E M A KIN G OF MODERN P H OTO G R A P H Y

Velazquez’ socially conscious art is a timely reflection of a society that is increasingly rebelling against tolerance of sexual harassment, racism, and xenophobic politicians.

Readers’ Choice: Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank, P.O. Box 471277, 817-334-0727 Critic’s Choice: The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, 1723 Hemphill St, 817-927-4040 The Women’s Center provides rape crisis counseling, therapy, legal assistance, awareness education, and health-care advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Despite the center’s name, the Women’s Center serves women, men, and children. Working remotely, stayat-home orders, and quarantining leaves victims with less visibility to coworkers and other watchdogs, making the Women’s Center’s services particularly important during a pandemic. Currently, the center is working remotely, but their services are still available by appointment. The center’s 24-hour Rape Crisis and Victim Services Hotline (817-927-2737) and general helpline (817-927-4000) are also available.

Park

Readers’ Choice: Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, 817-392-5700

Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Fort Worth’s performing arts groups deserve gold medals all around for their laudable work during challenging times. Fort Worth Opera, the Van Cliburn Foundation, Amphibian Stage, and other vital arts groups were hit doubly hard by cuts in performances and individual giving. Fort Worthians stepped up where they could by donating purchased tickets in lieu of refunds. Rather than pulling back, groups like the Cliburn stepped up with prompt and quality programming, especially in the educational fields. Homebound children began viewing livestream shows that taught music history and other artsrelated topics. Even with so many deserving critic’s choices, one performing arts group stood out due to the recent departure its music director, Miguel Harth-Bedoya. The esteemed conductor will continue to guest conduct with the FWSO and call Fort Worth home for the foreseeable future. He is credited with building Fort Worth’s resident symphony orchestra to the worldclass stature that it enjoys today. As music director, he blended standard repertoire with works from living composers. We wish Harth-Bedoya the best on his plans to teach the next generation of conductors through

ON VIEW THROUGH NOVEMBER 1 fwweekly.com

Nonprofit Organization

Performing Arts Organization

cartermuseum.org/ActingOut #ActingOutCarter

Benjamin J. Falk, New York, NY, William C. Crane (detail), 1880–1900, albumen silver print, Museum of the City of New York, Collection on Broadway Productions, L2020.11.7

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

Readers’ Choice: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St, 817-738-9215 Critic’s Choice: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Though we love all of Fort Worth’s major museums, the Modern was especially wonderful this year for offering Mark Bradford: End Papers, an exhibit that, while not outwardly socially conscious, seemed to presage the fight for racial justice that’s currently sweeping the nation.

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Museum

Critic’s Choice: Trinity Park We bet a lot of muscleheads sighed in relief after the lockdown was in place knowing that Trinity Park was waiting to satisfy their workout needs. Running, biking, doing pullups on tree limbs — who needs a gym? (At least for the time being.) The best part about busting a sweat a Trinity is that when you’re done, you can relax on a bench and enjoy the balmy weather we’ve been having.

ALL CONCERTS HAVE LIMITED LAWN SEATING AND WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED ON THE LEVITT FACEBOOK PAGE

An office and micro-retail project on the Near Southside, the angular, blocky, colorful Connex — imagine Optimus Prime doing Child’s Pose — is made out of repurposed shipping containers and is fully sustainable. Designed by Fort Worth’s Mel/Arch Studio, this building is quite the Grammable address.

his work at the Conducting Institute, which he founded, and his new position as Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Nebraska.

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy, 817-759-7555 Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Zoo Not long before the pandemic, we took the little tyke to the zoo and, basically, didn’t want to leave. It wasn’t necessarily the snacks or the stuffed animals for sale, though we loved them, too. It was the animals. Seeing the wonder on the little fella’s face as he fed a massive giraffe was priceless. Don’t ever forget how lucky we are to have a world-class institution like the Fort Worth Zoo in our own backyard.

Tattoo Turned into a Mural

Critic’s Choice: Chelsea Pace, Fade to Black, 209 S Jennings Av, 817-878-4349 Art is life, and life is art. This phrase is true for Chelsea Pace’s Chel Tattoos. You see, Fade to Black has a sister business called The Bearded Lady. Ever heard of it? Pace painted a tattoo-inspired mural on the building there in South Main Village. The bar manager loved it so much that she got it as a tattoo.

Theater Troupe

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Critic’s Choice: DFW Live Professional Theaters The pandemic could have made this a difficult category to call, but then numerous troupes from all over North Texas banded together to create this alliance to keep actors and crew members afloat during these days of dark auditoriums. Amphibian Stage, Casa Mañana Theatre,

Circle Theatre, Jubilee Theatre, and Stage West all joined in to keep live theater alive in our area and also safe when audiences return. Desperate times call for unusual measures, and we look forward to this ad hoc group helping us take our seats again in the future.

Theatrical Production

Readers’ Choice: Texas Star Dinner Theater, 816 S Main St, Grapevine, 817310-5588 Critic’s Choice: What We Were, Circle Theatre. The pandemic meant that the pickings for this category have been slim this year. Nevertheless, Circle Theatre’s world premiere of Blake Hackler’s drama from last October was good enough to have won it even in a full year of theater. Despite its issues, Hackler’s examination of childhood rape on the adult lives of three sisters offered some powerful dramatics, and Jenny Ledel’s performance as an extreme case of arrested development was the most compelling piece of acting that our local theater troupes saw in the last 12 months.

Visual Artist

Critic’s Choice: Hillary Dohoney Hillary Dohoney is a maximal naturalist. While some of her works feature the shadowplay of tree limbs, the young oil painter focuses primarily on sumptuous seascapes, most of them calm or merely stirring, rarely raging. In an occasional touch of the surreal, the odd everyday object (cowboy hat, twig, fountain pen) materializes above the horizon, but for the most part, Dohoney thirsts for water. The difference between a traditional Dohoney and a photograph is that no visible sweat equity went into the photograph. The Fort Worth native and Hunting Art Prize finalist is represented by Fort Works Art.

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Bar Bar

Readers’ Choice: Grandma’s, 715 W Magnolia Av, Facebook. com/GrandmasNSFW Critic’s Choice: The Boiled Owl Tavern, 909 W Magnolia Av, 817-920-9616 There’s an ever-increasing number of spots to grab slick, $15, hand-muddled, live flower-garnished, cherrywood smokeinfused, takes-20-minutes-to-make craft cocktails out there. But sometimes you just need a classic PBR and a shot of whiskey, good convo, and a killer juke, and The Boiled Owl is that sort

Critic’s Choice: Amber Room, 334 Bryan Av, Wishbone & Flynt, 817-945-2433 “Live tonight like there’s no tomorrow” at this totally swank retreat inside Wishbone & Flynt. At the Amber Room, the aesthetic is Old World charm: earthy tones, elaborate chandeliers, mismatched furniture, faux candles in wall sconces, and lots of rich fabrics and textures. The chill jazz overhead adds just the right speakeasy vibe to a beautiful spot for a craft cocktail or heartwarming brew. Step through the wooden door with “Carpe Noctem” painted on the side and enter into another, cooler world.

Bartender

Readers’ Choice: Blake Parish, Lola’s Trailer Park, 2735 W 5th St, 817-759-9100 Critic’s Choice: Wayne Floyd, Tarantula Tiki Lounge, 125 S Main St, 817 920-9616 Born and raised in Fort Worth, 33-year-old Wayne Floyd can knock out a thirsty line at a crowded bar like the best of them and has been doing just that for more than 12 years. He’s the host of the monthly Facebook Live show Weird and Wild Waynesday, which originally began at MASS, where he also tends bar. While mixing drinks at Shipping & Receiving Bar or Tarantula Tiki Lounge, Floyd is an all-around wild and crazy guy and said his favorite beverage to whip up is the Tarantula Tiki Lounge’s Painkiller. continued on page 54

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Bar Decor

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

Critic’s Choice: Chris Polone, Rail Club Live We knew our governor wasn’t a fan of police defunding and decriminalizing marijuana, but we had no idea how much he hated bars until COVID-19 hit. We can only imagine the creepy Grinchlike smirk that curled his thin lips when he realized that — finally! — those satanic dens of debauchery and gluttony where free talk leads to leftist ideas can be closed. Bwahaha! As churches, gyms, and other large gathering spaces were given the reopening green light this summer, bars continued to be the guv’s whipping boy. The second shuttering of bars (and many music venues that largely subsist on alcohol sales) last June has devastated small businesses along an arbitrary 51% line and led bootstrapped owners weighing the benefits of paying for new certifications and kitchen equipment. In a state where bars are the devil, food — apparently — is lawd. Rail Club Live co-owner Chris Polone called out Abbott for hypocritically allowing churchgoers to gather and restaurants to lay on the booze while singling out 51-percenters, as Polone calls them, for long-term closures. Polone has organized several protests involving opening bar doors and letting folks gather while respecting safety protocol. Polone’s chutzpah is a reminder that bar owners are a tough and freedom-loving breed, and they have no problem calling b.s. when they see it.

of place. It isn’t polished, but neither is it a dump. The Poached Nightbird is definitely not a dive in that manufactured, shabbychic, full-of-country-road-street-signs-with-bullet-holes-andrepurposed-wood sense seemingly so trendy these days. It’s snug and worn in just the right places like your favorite denim jacket, but it’s earned its familiar, broken-in feel. It’s ’60s-era Dylan while other places are apparently trying to be pearl-snapped and bright-smiled Blake Shelton. Despite the bar’s rough edges, it’s still friendly and welcoming. There’s always someone you know, or someone you’d like to, and the ever-present laid-back vibes and comfortable, homey atmosphere will get you feeling like Norm on his famous corner stool with TV theme songs of fraternal drinking establishments running through your head. With personable barkeeps, occasional live music featuring Cowtown’s coolest bands, a respectable suds selection, and a smoker’s haven of a patio that butts against Magnolia Ave’s fun-seeking sidewalk traffic, The Boiled Owl is an easy place to burn a weekend or even a weekday night.

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best of 2020

Bar Advocate

Bloody Mary

Coffee to help boost sales. When the Black Lives Matter movement became national news last June, Funky Picnic used its social media platforms to educate its followers on issues like systemic racism and racist policing policies. Mid-summer, brewer Michael Harper released a lovely and rich stout, Black Is Beautiful, that raised money for two local Black-led charities. Funky Picnic showed leadership during adversity, and they did it while making damn tasty beers.

Readers’ Choice: The Bearded Lady, 300 S Main St, 817-349-9832 Critic’s Choice: MASH’d, 2948 Crockett St, 817-882-6723 With happy hour seven days a week, the Bloody Marys at MASH’d are a great way to gain or nurse a hangover. The Hillbilly Cousin is a diabolically delicious cocktail made with Jalapeño Tomato Moonshine, spicy tomato mix, and ice. The ice-cold, salt-rimmed mixed drink comes topped with a slice of lime, olives, and a one jumbo shrimp.

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Readers’ Top 5: Cowtown Brewing Co., 1301 E Belknap St, 817-489-5800 • Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe, 1700 8th Av, 817-923-2121 • HopFusion Ale Works, 200 E Broadway Av, 682-8411721 • Rahr & Sons, 701 Galveston Av, 817-810-9266 • Wild Acre Brewing, 1734 E El Paso, Ste 190, 817-882-9453 Critic’s Choice: Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe Fort Worth’s breweries took a pummeling this year. True, Americans kept their time-honored tradition of guzzling beers at home, but the shelter-in-place order cut off an important revenue stream for craft breweries — taproom sales. Many local breweries that made it through the first shutdown were caught up in Gov. Greg Abbott’s June reshuttering of bars.

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Brewery

Boozy Sensory Overload

When the Black Lives Matter movement became national news last June, Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe used its social media platforms to educate its followers on issues like systemic racism and racist policing policies. Mid-summer, brewer Michael Harper released a lovely and rich stout, Black Is Beautiful, that raised money for two local Black-led charities. Funky Picnic showed leadership during adversity, and they did it while making damn tasty beers.

Throughout the pandemic, Fort Worth’s breweries showed grit. HopFusion Ale Works kept employees on payroll well into the pandemic, and Wild Acre Brewing Company forged ahead with the late spring opening of Wild Acre Camp Bowie under business conditions that couldn’t have been more difficult. Funky Picnic

Brewery & Café was well under a year old when the pandemic hit. Co-founder and general manager Samantha Glenn quickly converted her restaurant into an efficient curbside operation that offered grocery options in addition to the cafe’s popular sandwiches and other dishes. Glenn even served up hot java from nearby Arcadia

Critic’s Choice: Southside Cellar, 125 S Main St, 682-703-2184 The Southside Cellar just never seems to end. For folks who love craft beer and assorted wines and ciders, but especially craft beer, this place is a heaven among the ruins. Browse the fully stocked shelves with more cool-looking labels and fantastic-sounding beverages than every local bar ever combined or pull up some sofa for a proper pour. The only problem may be knowing when to stop buying stuff.

Cocktails to Go

Readers’ Choice: Muy Frio Margaritas, 3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 109, 817-238-3386 Critic’s Choice: Blackland Distillery, 2616

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Readers’ Choice: Thompson’s, 900 Houston St, 817-882-8003 Critic’s Choice: Thompson’s Thompson’s has won critic’s choice in this category before, so maybe it’s no surprise that this fine but anti-bougie downtown watering hole snatched first place this year. They consistently have great service and offer both classic and signature cocktails from some of the best mixologists in Fort Worth. For the time being, they’re doing cocktails only to go (through online preorders), but in this new COVID world, we’ll take what we can get. Of course, it’s not the same drinking a Fitzgerald in one’s living room instead of the elegant upstairs lounge or the downstairs speakthoeasy, but “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” as they say. Meanwhile, thanks for committing to flattening the curve, guys!

Underlying the flash and on-point DJs are an attentive and friendly staff who bring a down-home experience to every visit.

Day Drink, Place to

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Weisenberger St, 682-268-5333 The distillery famed for its dimly lit, swanky bar became a purveyor of superlative cocktail mixes during the pandemic. The same attention to quality that has made the distillery regionally famous went into making the hand-crafted mixes that were sold with or without bottles of Blackland spirits. Locals were treated to the Grapefruit Punch, Gimlet, Old Fashioned, and others.

A multiple Best Of winner this year, Thompson’s consistently has great service and offers both classic and signature cocktails from some of the best mixologists in Fort Worth.

Dance Club

Critic’s Choice: Guitars and Cadillacs, 4750 Bryant Irvin Rd, 817-294-5487 Start with a Texas-sized dance floor, add in an upscale country atmosphere and affordably priced shots, and you’re on your way to understanding what keeps locals slipping on their best pair of cowboy boots for a night of late-night dancing and frosty beers. Surrounding the 2,500-square-foot dance floor are four unique bars, custom tables, lounge couches, and ever-ready shot girls who have the perfect libation to fuel your next hour of carefree dancing.

Critic’s Choice: Buffalo Bros, 415 Throckmorton St, 817-887-9533 Buffalo Bros downtown (there’s another location by TCU) is a little hard to categorize. Is it a sports bar? Yes, but most folks go for the food, live televised sports game or not. Is it a bar bar? Sure, but you’re just as likely to see a family dining in as you are to see rowdy college students. Buffalo Bros can be many things to many people because the sports bar is awesome at pretty much everything. Crafty brews and elevated bar fare make this restaurant the perfect place to park over a beer before that “socially acceptable” drinking time. You know, happy hour. Plus, being downtown, you’re always liable to bump into someone just visiting to converse with.

Distillery

Readers’ Choice: Blackland Distillery, 2616 Weisenberger St, 682-268-5333 Critic’s choice: Blackland Distillery Following the outbreak of COVID-19, many local and Texas distilleries shifted production from spirits to hand sanitizer. Blackland Distillery was one of the first to make the transition. On March 23, the Foundry District-based distillery

and taproom began selling ethanol-based hand sanitizers. Proceeds from those sales went to providing free hand sanitizers for health care workers and shelters that were in great need of those supplies. The quick pivot to providing an essential service showed resolve and leadership on the part of Backland owner Markus Kypreos.

Drink Alone, Place to

Critic’s Choice: Lola’s Trailer Park, 2735 W 5 St, 817-759-9100 Though less than a mile away from the thriving, always packed West 7th area, Lola’s Trailer Park and next-door Saloon couldn’t be more removed from glitz and glam. Specializing in beverages of the cold and frosty variety and live music of all stripes, the Trailer Park is where nice people gather to discuss sports, pop culture, and politics without fisticuffs. As long as you’re friendly, the Trailer Park’s retinue of rough-and-tumble regulars will welcome you like one of their own. They’ll also leave you alone if you’d rather nurse a Bud in peace.

Gentlemen’s Club

Readers’ Choice: Rick’s Cabaret Fort Worth, 7101 Calmont Av, 817-732-0000 Critic’s Choice: Rick’s Cabaret Fort Worth Rick’s brings Las Vegas-style dancers and fine dining in an immaculate setting. Here, the live entertainment and food are

Hydrate

Readers’ Choice: Fuel 2.0, 2616 E Belknap St, 817-318-7395 Critic’s Choice: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 111 E 3rd St, 817-336-7470 Whatever you need to thirst your quench, the Flying Saucer probably has it on draught. Ciders, light ales, and sours are popular choices when Texas temperatures hit the century mark. The newly organized menu places beers into easy-to-remember categories, and the staff is always ready to lend a knowledgeable hand.

Hotel Bar

Critic’s Choice: The Sinclair, 512 Main St, 682-231-8214 Before it closed down in the spring due to the pandemic, this new place sported all the charm of a boutique hotel with the perks of a location in the middle of the bustling downtown area. The Art Deco theme of the lobby bar contrasted sharply with the modern view that the rooftop bar afforded. You may not be able to order the classic cocktails and the eats from the Wicked Butcher that were available in the before times, but the prospect of this place opening back up is one more reason to wish for an end to our current plague.

Livestream Event

Critic’s Choice: Social Distancing Concert Series, MASS While most other venues hunkered down

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Readers’ Choice: Berry Street Ice House, 2000 W Berry St, 817-386-0724 Critic’s Choice: Food Hall at Crocket Row, 3000 Crocket St, 817-885-7331 Here in the States, it has been said, most of us drink to get drunk. In pretty much every other developed nation, dining is part of the drinking experience, which is why the Food Hall at Crocket Row is ideal for your happy houring needs. From 3 to 6pm Mon-Fri, the cavernous space bristles with young folks and couples of all ages sampling the fare (barbecue, burgers, poke, Mexican, sandwiches, and more) from over a dozen vendors while enjoying the craft cocktails, wines, and beers (import, domestic, and local on tap or by the bottle). Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and filling that belly along the way with some quality grub is key in keeping the course.

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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both, um, amply proportioned. As you sip on a cocktail or indulge in a steak, fit and friendly entertainers will keep you entranced across three stages. For those seeking a less public experience, Rick’s offers private and semi-private rooms. Locals know Rick’s is the place for polite service and a refined gentlemen’s club experience.

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Readers’ Choice: Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N Commerce St, 817-626-4356 Critic’s Choice: Velvet Taco, 2700 7th St, 817-887-9810 Let’s be real for a minute. If you’re looking for something cheap, strong, and tangy, you can’t go wrong with a margarita from Velvet Taco. During these trying times the staffers at VT are being real ones and offering margaritas to go, so you can have your tequila and drink it, all while staying responsible and socially distanced. (We recommend having your drinks with some takeout by the pool.)

Martini OCT 10

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

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Donny Edwards

Johnny Rodriguez

OCT 25

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Moses Snow

OCT 16

OCT 25

Critic’s Choice: Lucile’s Stateside Bistro, 4700 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-738-4761 Lucile’s cocktail game is always on point. The bartenders at this Fort Worth gem put every bit of attention into their hand-crafted cocktails as they do their carefully prepared meals. The men and women tending the cocktail bar will mix and pour you a gin or vodka martini — shaken, stirred, or dirty — that is perfectly blended and clean. Take it from us: Any libation you order will transcend your expectations, and the happy hour specials will make ordering that second martini feel guilt-free.

Mixologist Lorrie Morgan

OCT 29

Anna Nalick

Sammy Kershaw

NOV 21

2 24 N C E N T E R ST, A R L I N GTO N , T E X A S 817 - 2 2 6 - 4 4 0 0 W W W. A R L I N GTO N M U S I C H A L L . N E T

NOV 6

Critic’s Choice: Sean McDowell, Thompson’s, 900 Houston St, 817-882-8003 There are three things you can count on in this world: taxes, death, and that Sean McDowell will mix you a bomb-ass Old Fashioned. A fixture at the former bookstore, he is always there on weekends mixing aromatic, pleasing concoctions and chatting with bargoers. If you don’t already know, he’s the guy behind the bar in the snappy vest. If your drink isn’t to your taste, he’ll make it right or prepare a custom mix. He’s also a good Samaritan, which is invaluable for any lady who needs a bartender’s attention. (Blind date making you uncomfortable? Talk to Sean.)

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

once the pandemic hit, MASS (Main at South Side) cranked up the amps to 11 and livestreamed a steady dose of concerts, mainly to generate some ka-ching for the artists but also to show to Fort Worth (and the rest of the world) how important live music is to our souls. Brandin Lea, The Unlikely Candidates, and Quaker City Night Hawks’ Sam Anderson were three of the biggest stars to step through your screens from the MASS stage, and if based purely on the thousands of hearts and upraised thumbs that popped off during nearly every show, live original music remains one of Fort Worth’s most valuable commodities.

There’s an ever-increasing number of spots to grab slick, $15, hand-muddled, live flowergarnished, cherrywood smoke-infused, takes20-minutes-to-make craft cocktails out there. But sometimes you just need a classic PBR and a shot of whiskey, good convo, and a killer juke, and The Boiled Owl is that sort of place.

Music Venue

Readers’ Choice: MASS (Main at Southside), 1002 S Main St, 682-707-7774 Critic’s Choice: MASS Though live music hasn’t been a thing for a while now, when it was, MASS offered some of the most progressive sounds in the city on a bona fide stage. Located in the bustling South Main Village on the Near Southside, MASS continued the tunes through lockdown via a livestreamed concert series that saw the likes of Brandin Lea, The Unlikely Candidates, and Quaker City Night Hawks’ Sam Anderson take the stage.

Nurse a Hangover, Place to

Critic’s Choice: Ol’ South Pancake House, 1509 S University Dr, 817-336-0311 For some, the best hangover cure is more hangover-inducing libations. For others, it’s fueling up to get the blood pumping at the gym or on the trails, and for the kind of lovely carbs and proteins required to knock out the pullups and sit-ups or at least three miles on the pavement, Ol’ South is the place. With pancakes as fluffy as clouds and succulent meats, the 24-hour TCU-area hangout remains a Fort Worth treasure no matter what condition your head — or liver — is in.

Open-Mic Night

Readers’ Choice: Lola’s Trailer Park, 2735 W 5th St, 817-759-9100 Critic’s Choice: Lola’s Trailer Park Before the pandemic put the kibosh on live music, Lola’s weekly open-mic night was a treat of regular pros and newcomers that always went well with the easy, breezy weather. Hosted near the end by wellrespected Sur Duda frontman Cameron Smith, the event offered a sweet spot of live, original, often rock music in a corridor awash in disco beats.

Pub

Critic’s Choice: Finn MacCool’s Pub, 1700 8th Av, 817-923-2121 Besides having a fly name and lowkey vibe, Finn MacCool’s is an old-world tavern where a well-poured stout is a given and a casual conversation with the bartender or fellow barflies is always welcome. Since opening in 2005, MacCool’s has become popular with locals. The owner, Robert Holt, is a fixture at the bar and loves catching up with longtime regulars. Here, the floors are never sticky, and the pool tables are always level. The staff takes pride in keeping its humble environs in top form, and it shows.

Restaurant Bar

Readers’ Choice: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 111 E 3rd St, 817-336-7470 Critic’s Choice: Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, 3100 W 7th St, 817-336-8000 It’s not big, but the U-shaped bar at Eddie V’s sure is cozy and cool, and with the smooth jazz and jazzy rock coming from the duos and trios onstage, you’ll feel you’ve been transported to downtown Chi-town. While you’re enjoying the Smoked Old Fashioned — literally, the bartender holds your empty glass over an extinguished

flame on the cutting plank beforehand — order some Oysters Eddiefeller, the restaurant’s twist on Oysters Rockefeller. Casual and cool, Eddie V’s bar is right all the time — not only 25 or -6 to 4.

Socially Distanced Event

Critic’s Choice: Marc Rebillet, Coyote Drive-In, June 27, 2020 If asked to pick a COVID-shuttered industry most missed, live music would be an odds-on favorite to end up on the medal stand. Due to both a sense of shared responsibility among fellow citizens and, well, government intervention, stages remain dark across the state. Most artists have had to get by jockeying for eyeballs on the socials with so-called “virtual” concerts. A handful of the more creative problem solvers have occasionally managed to find ways to safely entertain an actual living, breathing, in-the-flesh human audience. One such event took place over the summer with viral internet sensation and self-described “Loop Daddy,” Marc Rebillet. At the builtin socially distanced Coyote Drive-In, Rebillet entertained eager fans in and out of their automobiles with his unique and hilarious improvisational loop building. The former North Texas native, donning his signature bikini briefs and opened silk kimono, gave plenty to appreciate with fun and psychedelic projections on the movie screens behind while he channeled a saucy mix of Daft Punk-esque electronics and Parliament-grooved funk to back his offthe-top-of-the-head lyrical ramblings. A surprise onstage appearance by Erykah Badu was the icing on top of the electrofunk confection.

Sports Bar

Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Bros, 3015 S University Dr, 817-386-9601 Critic’s Choice: Buffalo Bros It’s true. Most bars are sports bars as long as TVs are hanging on the walls, but what sets apart this Buffalo Bros (there’s another

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Readers’ Choice: The Post at River East, 2925 Race St, 817-945-8890 Critic’s Choice: Twilite Lounge, 212 Lipscomb St, 817-720-5483 Twilite is one of the more recent additions to the Near Southside’s expanding crop of fine, grown-up drinking establishments. Likely better known for the classy interior’s plush Bourbon Street speakeasy aesthetic — with its sensual crimson and gold leaf color palette — the pub’s unsung feature is its swank, uncluttered patio. With colorful flower-stuffed planter boxes, clean and stylish geometric paving, and warm cedar-plank fencing that still allows plenty of air flow from the street, Twilite’s back spot has all the sanguine alfresco air of a smart L.A. sidewalk cafe. Thankfully, the customers are likely to speak with a soothing Southern drawl rather than that grating, SoCal bottle-blonde, Valley girl lilt.

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

Patio

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Critic’s Choice: The Usual, 1408 W Magnolia Av, 817-810-0114 This perennial Best Of winner still sets the standard when it comes to enjoying perfectly made Prohibition Era libations along with cold, frosty suds in an elegant yet laid-back, friendly setting. Located in the heart of the Near Southside, The Uzhe, as it’s lovingly known, delivers on everything from the craftiest craft cocktails to the occasional good ol’ macrobrew.

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Overall Drinking Establishment

SAT 10/10

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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020 FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY

Critic’s Choice: KNON/89.9-FM KNON As a listener-supported, nonprofit community radio station, KNON is no stranger to seeking donations. All of the shows’ DJs promote pledge drives on-air. Naturally, this was also the case when a tornado destroyed KNON’s studio right before the pandemic. In response, the station toughened up, created a “Crisis Combo” package that included masks and “Toughest Radio Station” T-shirts, and just kept going. The DJs grabbed some equipment and a tent, then hiked it up the hill where their tower stands and kept on broadcasting 24/7 –– as they always do –– until their new space was ready. They never once went off the air. Talk about the “Eye of the Tiger.”

Critic’s Choice: The Wicked Butcher, 512 Main St, Sinclair Hotel, 817-601-4621 In the basement of the Sinclair Hotel downtown, The Wicked Butcher epitomizes “impressive.” The elegant atmosphere in keeping with the building’s Art Deco DNA still does not compare to the tantalizing food. With steaks dry-aged in-house and price points ranging from eminently affordable to ultra-spendy, The Wicked Butcher can satisfy any palate while also charm in the most extravagant way. (Closed until further notice.)

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Readers’ Choice: Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Axe Factory, 220 S Sylvania Av, Unit 110, 682-499-6639 It’s not as easy as it looks, and starting off by throwing duds will definitely lower y’all’s defenses. This is all assuming neither one of you has mastered the fine art of axe-throwing, and if you haven’t, the Fort Worth Axe Factory is a great spot to get out the jitters, BYOB, and break a minor sweat. The rates are reasonable, and everyone knows romance can bloom while two newly introduced folks work through a problem together. Married people? That’s a whole ’nother something.

Wine Bar

Readers’ Choice: Kent & Co. Wines, 1101 W Magnolia Av, 817-632-6070

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

Got the munchies?

location downtown) from your average watering hole or mega-chain burger joint is location, location, location. On Saturday in the fall, TCU fans flock (“hop”?) to Buffalo Bros to cheer on the Horny Toads, and if you’re a current student or an alum (who’s not, y’know, middle-aged), Buffalo Bros is the place to be.

With colorful flower-stuffed planter boxes, clean and stylish geometric paving, and warm cedar-plank fencing that still allows plenty of air flow from the street, Twilite’s back spot has all the sanguine alfresco air of a smart L.A. sidewalk cafe.

Critic’s Choice: Thirty Eight + Vine, 212 Carroll St, Ste 130, 682-703-1887 Wine can be intimidating, but making it accessible is the driving ethos behind this Foundry District establishment. With a large variety of labels on offer, Thirty Eight + Vine employs a self-pour concept to allow customers to choose the size of their glass and to try any bottle, no matter the price tag, helping dismantle the notion that wine is only for snobs. Plus, there are classes for you to build up your knowledge and broaden your palate. Open only for curbside/delivery now.

Work Out, Place to

Readers’ Choice: (tie) Inursha, 2927 Shamrock Av, 817-332-7554 • Zyn22, 3236 W 7th St, 817-778-4133 Critic’s Choice: The Dailey Method, 2000 W Berry St, Ste 200, 817-889-2551 Like many industries, boutique fitness studios are barely hanging on. Gyms were one of the final business types to reopen when the COVID-19 numbers began to decline, after all. Situated above the space that was The Moon Bar and is now Berry Street Ice House, The Dailey Method is still going strong. Having been raised by parents who worked hard at their health care jobs but neglected their own health, proprietor Sara Hall believes her fitness method promotes lifetime health. She wants to change the work from the core outward.

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Notice to Creditors Notice is given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Mary A. MacDonald were issued on September 11, 2020, in Cause Number No. 2020PR01649-1, pending in the Statutory Probate Court Number One of Tarrant County, Texas, to Mary Kim Eagle and Mary Lynn West. All persons having claims against the estate, which is presently being administered, are required to submit them, within the time and manner prescribed by law, and before the estate is closed, addressed as follows: Representative Estate of Mary A. MacDonald c/o Matthew Hancock, Attorney 1908 Sutter Street Fort Worth TX 76107

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From 7pm to 9pm every Wed, Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe (401 Wednesdays Bryan Av, 817-708-2739) hosts Virtual Trivia Night. Join them via Zoom, Facebook Live, or in-person to watch screens in the taproom. TBG Trivia and Contrarian Librarians alternate the hosting duties every week. If you eat at Funky Picnic or order takeout on Wed, you earn five bonus points. There is no cost to play, and the winner receives a $25 gift card.

Best Things To Do

Thu is College Night at Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza, 817-624Thursdays 7117). Admission is free with your college ID, plus there are free line dance lessons. Billy Bob’s is open 11am to 2am every Thu. Try the Honky Tonk Kitchen for lunch or dinner while you’re there.

Best Things To Do

Fri is date night at Coyote Drive-In Theater (23 NE 4th St, 214-352-5982). Fridays Tickets are $4-6 person. Each ticket transaction provides you with a one-car spot for the night. As Coyote screens double features, it is two movies for the price of one. Gates open at 7pm nightly. Bar & Canteen onsite offers locally sourced food and drinks thru closing time. What else do you need for a great date night?

Best Things To Do Saturdays

With locations in Fort Worth (121 N Beach, 817831-6136), Weatherford

(106 College Park Dr, Ste 200, 817-4388099), and a brand new one in Arlington (2320 S Collins St, 817-435-2300), Town Talk Foods is providing discount groceries throughout the area. They are open MonSat selling dry goods, household items, frozen foods, and a limited selection of produce, but Sat is when the produce really shines. Every weekend, Town Talk has the Saturday Mini-Market featuring a fresh batch of fruits and vegetables. You can preview the current week’s offering at around 10am via Facebook Live on each location’s Facebook page.

Best Things To Do

Sunday is a great day for brunch and/or church. Before or after you check Sundays out the Best Brunch winner from the Good Grub section, Gateway Church invites one and all to attend church services in person at any of their campuses in North Texas, including Gateway North Fort Worth (4209 Basswood Blvd, 817-552-7581). In-person weekend services are 4pm Sat and 11am and 1pm Sun, or watch online anytime at GatewayPeople.com/Sermons.

Best Things To Do

When Velvet Taco first arrived back in 2014, we summed it up in one word Mondays –– sumptuous –– and said, “Besides a few sides like the dish of elotestyle rotisserie corn, breakfast casseroleesque potatoes, and local eggs, the main fare here is indeed tacos –– 21 different types. While they mostly maintain the basic form, their fillings run an exotic

gamut of cuisines ranging from Cuban to Vietnamese, with a lot of Mediterranean and Indian in between.” While the main fare is indeed tacos, did you know Velvet Taco also sells whole rotisserie chickens? This $5 is the best you’ll ever spend on a Mon at 5pm.

Best Things To Do

Adrian Hulet –– former chef of Birdybop at The Moon Bar and frontman Tuesdays for indie rockers oso closo –– is starting a new music residency at The Post at River East (2925 Race St, 817-945-8890), a neighborhood restaurant and music venue. See Hulet live every Tue from 7pm to 10pm in the courtyard.

Best Things To Do

Beyond being one of the best locations of its kind 8 Days a Week in North Texas, Ensemble Coworking (1617 Park Place Av, 817-984-3633) motivates its tenants and hosts with various seminars for their betterment. At Ensemble’s Productivity Work Sprints, productivity is boosted with virtual coworking and accountability. Business Mixers Over Coffee events help you meet other likeminded professionals. The little extras like these make being your own boss a bit more manageable.

Culture on a Budget

Did the annual Gallery Week hoopla awaken a sudden interest in the arts for you? While your mind may want to hit every museum as soon as possible, your wallet may have a few questions. Museums in the Cultural District can help your budget in a big way. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (3200 Darnell St, 817-738-9215) does not charge admission on Fridays. Other museums are free all the time, like the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-738-1933) and the Sid Richardson Museum (309 Main St, 817-332-6554). The Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-332-8451) charges admission for the traveling shows, but its permanent exhibits are free to attend. If curiosities are at the top of your cultural list, Fort Worth is home to a few oddball options. Located on TCU’s campus, the Monnig Meteorite Museum (2950 W Bowie St, 817-257-6277) has an extensive collection of specimens you can see for free. You can take a free weekday tour and see actual dollars being printed at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing’s facility in Fort Worth (9000 Blue Mound Rd, 817-2314000). (Dollars you do not have, thus the search for free tours.) Also, let’s not forget our world-class zoo. Voted the No. 1 zoo in the country by USA Today readers, the Fort Worth Zoo (1989 Colonial Pkwy, 817-597-5555) offers half-price tickets ($8) every Wed. (Note: The hyenas, lions, tigers, and zebras are going on hiatus in November while their habitat is remodeled, so visit them soon.) Cour tesy For t Wor th Zoo

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Best Things To Do

SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2020

Best Things to Do Every Week

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