Fort Worth Weekly // Best Of 2024 // September 25 - October 1, 2025
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Welcome to Best Of 2024
“Best Of”s and listicles are everywhere these days, but remember our Best Of dates back to 1996. You can reasonably say our institutional knowledge of everything that makes Fort Worth one of the best places to live in the world is unmatched, so prepare to be wowed by all the choices made by not only our esteemed, award-winning critics but by you, our loyal readers.
In a few instances, our crits and readers agree, but it’s way more common for you guys and us to differ, a beautiful thing — the more voices, the better.
As with all 28 Best Ofs we’ve put out over the years, our coverage remains the same, bringing you the best in the areas of food, arts and culture, retail, people and places, and the nightlife scene. What’s most encouraging about this year’s issue is all the new names. So many first-time winners. While we love all the perennial bests, the fact that new names dominate has got to make you feel good about our city’s future. I know we’re feeling the hope. How ’bout you?
Anthony Mariani
Job Fair Job Fair Job Fair Job Fair
Antique & Vintage Finds
Readers’ Choice: Montgomery Street
Antique Mall, 2601 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-735-9685
Critic’s Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage, 2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455
Doc’s rows and rows of records are the main draw here, until you look to your left and see the maze of vintage vendor booths extending into the distance of its cavernous environs. This place is crammed from the floor on up with old, kitschy stuff, and each booth offers its own collection of 20th-century treasures. It’s very easy (and enjoyable) to get lost here.
Barbershop
Readers’ Choices (Top 3): District Barbershop, 400 S Jennings St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-420-9552; Fort Worth Barbershop, 3529 Lovell Av, Fort Worth, 817-731-5252; South Barbershop, 129 E Daggett Av, Fort Worth, 817-380-8117
Critic’s Choice: Faded Art Barbershop, 5408 River Oaks Blvd, River Oaks, 682-255-5003
Those looking for a tight new cut should check out River Oaks’ newest barbers. Faded Art’s staff embodies the “art is in modern barbering” spirit, as the shop’s slogan proclaims. Faded Art opened earlier this year and is already getting rave reviews, and here’s one more.
Beauty Services
Readers’ Choices (Top 3): Acute Salon, 954 W Rosedale Av, Fort Worth, 817-405-4062; Frida Beauty Collective, 2707 Race St, Ste 105, Fort Worth, 682-683-7899; Melted Wax Studio, 463 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 817-798-4187
Critic’s Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610
Well-known for its traditional day spa services like massage therapy, body care, and skin therapies, plus high marks in the happy customer department, Perfect Touch also offers some other beautification options. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi, tanning, and waxing with these folks and feel instantly beautiful.
Boutique
Readers’ Choice: Wildflower Intimates, 607 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-900-9044
Critic’s Choice: Flea Style, 128 E Exchange Av, Ste 580, Fort Worth, 682-224-5887
The hat bar at Flea Style turns shopping for a lid into an unforgettable event. Customers pick one, then grab a tray and dig through the boutique’s accessory area for chains, feathers, leather strips, scarves, vintage brooches, hat pins, playing cards, and more. You’re encouraged to grab
anything you like because you’ll have artisan assistance to narrow it down next. Step up to the bar with your amazing choices, and a professional hat stylist puts it all together. Owner Brittany Cobb is a Dallas native, and six of her eight locations are right here in North Texas. Along with a Flea Style, we are lucky to also have her Wide Brim shop right here in the Stockyards.
Car Wash
Readers’ Choice: University Car Wash, 3124 Collinsworth St, Fort Worth, 817-714-5290
Place To Buy CBD and THCa
Readers’ Choice: Smoke & Vape DZ, 1411 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 682-707-9229
Critic’s Choice: Thrive Apothecary, 126 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-480-7098
From edibles and tinctures to pre-rolls, beverages, and more, Thrive’s hempderived cannabis products are vetted and tested to ensure they exist within the confines of Texas’ marijuana policy and are sold in a vibrant atmosphere by staffers who know what they’re talking
It’s classy, it’s comfy, and, maybe most importantly, it’s well-ventilated (though you can’t escape the smoke completely — let’s be reasonable). Located downtown, Silver Leaf has been offering hundreds continued on page 11
Getting & Spending
continued from page 9
of cigars at fair prices to go with highend quaffs like Scotch, whiskey, wine, and beer for years now. The service is also top-flight, meaning you won’t have to wait long to achieve major chill mode.
Place To Buy Coffee
Readers’ Choices (Top 3): Avoca Coffee Roasters, 1311 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-233-0957; Enduro Coffee Roasters, 400 Oakhurst Scenic Dr, Fort Worth, 817-773-8576; Cherry Coffee Shop, 1121 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-330-4301
Critic’s Choice: Black Coffee, 1417 Vaughn Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-782-9867
Black Coffee has a rotating menu of seasonal specialties, including a cinnamon-honey latte with local raw honey that’s amazing. In the summer, Black offers cold, non-coffee beverages, but it’s the bespoke Eastsider blend, a medium roast of Kenyan and Honduran beans, that’s the key to most of the deliciousness coming out of this small shop on the East Side. Black Coffee also has a dark roast, the Poly Blend, named unapologetically for the area owner Mia Moss calls home. If you want to drive through, get your java, and leave, that’s fine. If you want to sit awhile and work,
or meet someone to plan to change the world, take a seat.
Along with thousands of back issues in neat aisles and assorted collectibles everywhere, Pastime has dozens of key issues, or “keys,” behind the counter for sale. Most of them come from the entre collections that the Watauga retailer also buys, so next time you’re at Grandpa’s, be sure to secretly raid his attic for that run of Brave & the Bold that includes #28 or The Incredible Hulk with #181 in it. If you visit Pastime during the week, ask for Ed. He’s there most days and is easy to chat with.
Customer Service
Readers’ Choice: Brewed, 801 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-803-4753
They’re friendly, knowledgeable, and capable of getting your garage door back into functioning shape in a matter of minutes and without charging you a ton. Covering all of North Texas, O’Brien
This Brittini Robin cut designed by Julez Blendz is just an example of the Best Of-winning work available at Faded Art Barbershop in River Oaks.
Courtesy
Faded Art Barbershop
Getting & Spending
has been in business for nearly four decades, and it shows in the hard-tobeat rates and the service techs’ skill and professionalism.
Day Spa
Readers’ Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610
Critic’s Choice: Perfect Touch Day Spa
The therapists certainly live up to the name of the place. Their touch really is “perfect.” We’ve been here dozens of times over the years, and it’s only gotten better. The packages are also lovely. From the Face and Body Package (2hour facial, full-body Swedish massage, Paraffin foot treatment) for $165 to the Ultimate Indulgence Package (3.5hour four-hands massage, ultra-facial treatment, seaweed or herbal body wrap, body polish treatment) for $375, Perfect Touch has the perfect treatment for your utter rejuvenation.
Critic’s Choice: Community Link, 300 S Belmont St, Saginaw, 817-847-4554
Community Link’s three farmers markets in Saginaw, Azle, and Lake Worth all serve a dual purpose. By providing an outlet for local growers, makers, bakers, and other vendors, the markets up the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in northeast Tarrant County. What isn’t sold at the end of the market day is purchased from the growers and vendors through community donations and put into Community Link’s Saginaw food pantry. In addition to the farmers markets and food pantry, Community Link also provides emergency assistance and mental health counseling.
Place To Buy Gifts
Readers’ Choice: Embodii Crystals, 7410 Blvd 26, Ste D, Richland Hills, 817-455-6148
Critic’s Choice: Town Talk Foods, multiple locations
Among the shelves of overstock from other grocery retailers that end up on the shelves of Town Talk, you will find the makings of some amazing gift baskets and at a deep discount, as this is a “seconds and surplus”-type of place. On the super-cheap side are Himalayan salt grinders for 50 cents, random candy bars at $1-3 per shopping bag, jars of gourmet olives and cocktail onions for $3-ish, and continued on page 15
Pastime not only sells a lot of hard-to-find keys but buys entire collections.
Courtesy Pastime/Instagram
BEST SHOWS COMING TO FORT WORTH
OCTOBER 6
DISNEY JR. LIVE ON TOUR: LET’S PLAY WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
OCTOBER 27
KIRK FRANKLIN DICKIES ARENA
OCTOBER 31
PONY BRADSHAW
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
NOVEMBER 13 CREED
DICKIES ARENA
OCTOBER 11
EXPERIENCE HENDRIX FT.
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, ZAKK WYLDE & MORE WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
OCTOBER 27
BILLY BOB THORNTON & THE BOXMASTERS
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
NOVEMBER 2
JARROD MORRIS
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
NOVEMBER 22
LITTLE BIG TOWN & SUGARLAND
DICKIES ARENA
OCTOBER 12
RYAN BINGHAM’S THE GREAT WESTERN DICKIES ARENA
OCTOBER 29
BETHEL MUSIC WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
NOVEMBER 8 QUEENSRŸCHE
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
NOVEMBER 27
ALLIE X
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
OCTOBER 18
DIRTY HONEY
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
OCTOBER 30
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE IN CONCERT WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
NOVEMBER 10
MOONSHINE BANDITS
TANNAHILL’S TAVERN & MUSIC HALL
DECEMBER 28
CIRQUE MUSICA HOLIDAY WONDERLAND WILL ROGERS AUDITORIUM
(From l-r
Michelle
Getting & Spending
continued from page 13
much more. On the “high end,” there are bottles of wine, all less than $15, in colors and label themes that will make for a great anchor for your baskets. For this type of shopping, avoid Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Those are the produce market days, and there will be longer lines. Happy (gift) shopping!
Grocery Store
Readers’ Choice: Central Market, 4651 W Fwy, Fort Worth, 817-989-4700
The regionally owned Foodland Markets’ six locations in Tarrant County are lifelines in critically underserved areas where the chain stores fear to tread. The stores honor the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s Double Up Food Bucks, which allow families who need produce to buy some and get some free (up to $10 per day). And several of the locations participate in composting food waste to keep that out of our increasingly crowded landfills. When you realize that two of the largest grocery stores (the Kroger and Albertsons brands) are merging and that three companies control over 90% of the soda market and another three companies control about three-quarters of the cereal market,
and Brenda
you start to appreciate the smaller, less glitzy grocery stores. … H-E-B has a well-deserved stellar reputation for so many things, including feeding Texans during times of flood, famine, and other disasters, but for several years, we were told we couldn’t possibly have an H-E-B store in Tarrant County proper. For one thing, we couldn’t have one anywhere near the company’s flagship, fancy Central Market –– even though the Austin area has both stores essentially about 2 miles apart all across Travis County. Turns out that 2024 was a banner year for expansion, and H-E-B stores in Alliance and Mansfield join the Burleson, Cleburne, and Waxahachie locations. For bulk items like chicken thighs and staples like rice, price points are comparable to the big box stores. H-E-B is also supporting Texas state parks when customers purchase ecologically friendly, biodegradable, plant-based Field & Future H-E-B brands.
Hair Salon
Readers’ Choices (Top 3): Acute Salon, 954 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth, @AcuteSalonFTW; Candace Maude Salon, 212 S Main St, Ste 110, Fort Worth, 817-653-2626; Collective Salon, 618 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 817-420-9034
Critic’s Choice: Folklore Hair Studio, 1549 N Main St, Ste 107, Fort Worth, FolkloreHairStudio.com continued on page 17
clockwise)
Bailey, Cassadie Dobson,
Fragoso, we respect your hustle at Folklore — so much so that we’re handing you a Best Of.
Along with being the go-to spot for high-end acoustics, best music store Tone
Getting & Spending
continued from page 15
As a collective of freelance creatives ourselves, for the most part, we respect the hustle at Folklore. Stylists Brenda, Cassadie, and Michelle share a cozy space in the Stockyards and offer effortlessly cool hair, all while keeping separate pages on the main website listing their individual services, pricing, policies, and appointment books. For good hair and good vibes, this is your go-to.
Place To Buy Jewelry
Readers’ Choice: Sovereign Jewelry Company, 207 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 817-885-7848
Critic’s Choice: Trader’s Village, 2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie, 972-647-2331
There are several ways to hunt for jewelry on your next trip to Traders Village. As one of the state’s largest flea markets, you can obviously find some of everything, but unlike the Saturday morning flea markets at the drive-in theaters of old, this one is quite organized. Near the west entrance, as you’re entering from the parking lot, you will find individuals with garage-sale-style tables — great for hunting down used fashion pieces and vintage finds. Once inside, the traditional booths and garage spaces will
have artisan pieces and fashion jewelry. Then, to the north of the midway, under a big tent, is where you will find the fine(r) jewelry, including gold chains, sterling silver medallions, and higherend fashion brands. Every Sat-Sun, rain or shine, Traders Village makes for quite the treasure hunt.
Liquor Store
Readers’ Choice: Tricks of the Trade, 219 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9266
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Liquor Library, 7433 Oakmont Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-615-9500; Liquor King, 3000 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 682-999-7711; Tricks of the Trade
If you’re searching for that hard-tofind rum, allocated bourbon, low-stock vintage, or another exclusive or esoteric liquor to make your cocktails and/or bottle collection really pop, it really depends on what part of town you’re in. If you’re a Near Southside denizen, Tricks of the Trade is your stop, where the staff will steer you in the direction of the best small-batch booze for your buck. Closer to Cityview and Benbrook? Stop by the Liquor Library and check out the shelves for top-shelf hootch from your favorite labels as well as from distilleries you’ve never heard of. In the West 7th area, Liquor King is your go-to spot for rare barrel picks and bottles.
Shop does not slouch in the rocking-out category.
Courtesy Tone Shop/Instagram
Local Grocer
Readers’ Choice: Roy Pope Grocery, 2300 Merrick St, Fort Worth, 817-732-2863
Critic’s Choice: Roy Pope
Part grocery store, part neighborhood hangout, the 80-year-old food outlet revamped in 2021 offers a modest selection of fresh, local meat and produce along with everything else you need to rustle up dinner for your family. It also does freshly prepared take-home meals, including a delicious smoked prime-rib special on Fridays, and a surprisingly large selection of gluten-free packaged foods along with homemade goodies like cake pops and banana pudding. Plus, Roy Pope has one of the best wine sections in the city and — pro tip — frequently holds free tastings from their selection, so when you’re finished with your weekly shopping, take a seat on their covered patio and wine down.
Metaphysical Shop
Readers’ Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium, 505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351
Critic’s Choice: Higher Purpose Emporium
The best people always find a way to persevere. This is undoubtedly true of Ivy Aranaught at Higher Purpose. After three years on the North Side, her insurance carrier decided not to renew her contract after looking into the services she provides. Spells and Pagan rituals aside, this shop is a community gathering spot for the disenfranchised pagan LBGTQIA+ youth that attend her events, buy her wares, and utilize her Love Cart, full of free food, water, clothing, and toiletries. Ivy, we hope finding your new insurance carrier has given you a new lease on life. While no amount of sage will fix the fear and hate, just keep serving the community with love and keep being you.
Music Store
Readers’ Choice: Tone Shop Guitars, 4608 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth, 817-386-7717
Critic’s Choice: Tone Shop Guitars
The Tone Shop on Bryant Irvin is the Addison-based guitar retailer’s third store, and like its sister locations (also in Southlake), it’s a guitar geek’s dream of both new and vintage axes — if you’re in the market for a high-end acoustic guitar, this is the place for you — plus a great selection of amps and pedals and all the necessary little things like picks, strings, and cables that make that pre-CBS Stratocaster you’re eyeing sound like it’s supposed to.
Optical Shop
Readers’ Choice: Chroma Modern Eyewear Eyecare, 1700 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-737-6281
Critic’s Choice: That Eye Place, 4829 River Oaks Blvd, River Oaks, 682-266-4444
If you think there’s not much happening in the River Oaks area, you might want to get your eyes checked. But seriously, folks, for a straightforward approach to prescription eyewear, check out That Eye Place. Founder Anthony Perez will help you find something affordable. “Most glasses stores have confusing sales gimmicks to get you to overpay. At That Eye Place, we offer high-quality lenses without breaking the bank.” That Eye Place even offers same-day eyeglasses in about 30 minutes.
Pet Services
Readers’ Choice: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, 2401 Westport Pkwy, Ste 140, Fort Worth, 940-566-5551
Critic’s Choice: Canine Companions, 7710 Las Colinas Ridge, Irving, 214-259-4700
Happy National Service Dog Month to Canine Companions! Established in 2015 to provide service to North Texas, the Lone Star Chapter empowers people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs to adults, children, and veterans at no cost through a network of professionals and volunteers. To become a part of this great organization, visit Canine.org.
One of three Best Of winners, Dark Age Tattoos can handle pretty much anything your warped imagination can dream up.
Record Store
Readers’ Choice: Doc’s Records & Vintage, 2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455
Critic’s Choice: Chief Records, 140 E Exchange Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-624-8429
In a city blessed with a bevy of vinyl record stores, picking the top one is tough. We like Big Chief in part because of its layout and atmosphere — long rows and an amiable, low-key vibe make for an engrossing vinyl-browsing experience. The store gets a lot of the new releases you’re looking for, and its selection of used vinyl is overflowing with the classics from the pop, rock, and country canons, plus plenty of other music you didn’t know you liked until you brought it home and dropped the needle on it.
Smoke or Vape Shop
Readers’ Choice: Smoke & Vape DZ, 1411 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 682-707-9229
Critic’s Choice: World of Smoke & Vape, 2401 W 7th St, Ste 114, Fort Worth, 817-386-2720
If you recreationally inhale smoke and/ or vapor, the Fort Worth locations of this chain (which also operates in Oklahoma and Florida) is packed with a huge variety of hemp products and the apparati with which to enjoy them. From pipes and other glassware to Elf, Geek, and other brands of vaporizers, this place has it all.
Tattoo Studio
Readers’ Choice: Crashlee Ink, 6201 Sunset Dr, Unit 650, Ste 141, Fort Worth, @Crashlee.Ink
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Dark Age Tattoos, 2836 Bledsoe St, Fort Worth, 682-499-5734; Sleepy Hollow Tattoos, 3023 Bledsoe St, Fort Worth, 817-435-2960; Spider Lily Studio, 3418 W 7th St, Fort Worth, SpiderLilyStudioFW.com
The artists at Dark Age Tattoos work with both walk-in customers and by appointment, and you can get piercings and laser tattoo removal as well. Whether you’re looking for portraiture, blackand-gray realism, or photorealistic color pieces, Dark Age has an artist for you. … Sleepy Hollow offers a more traditional tattoo shop experience (and also does piercings), anchored by some of the city’s top tattooers and a shop philosophy that treats customers like family from their first visit. … Spider Lily is womanowned and by appointment only, and its resident artists do great work — if you want an anime tattoo, make an appointment with co-owner Chel Pace post-haste — in a semi-secluded setting, making it great for first timers or people intimidated by typical tattoo shop culture.
Thrift Store
Readers’ Choice: Berry Good Buys, 1701 W Berry St, Fort Worth, 817-921-2793
Critic’s Choice: Thrift for Good, 120 W Bedford-Euless Rd, Hurst, 682-292-8355
The concept of the proceeds from a thrift store going to charity is pretty common. In fact, some of the first ones started as church rummage sales. However, the folks at Thrift for Good are taking it a step further. This new kid in town helps multiple nonprofits and lets the consumer know exactly where their dollars are going. Each tag indicates which cause the sale of that exact item will benefit. A second location is also open in Denton, and a third will be built in Cleburne in February. Fort Worth proper can’t be far behind.
Place To Buy Wine
Readers’ Choice: The Holly, 305 W Daggett Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-420-6446
Critic’s Choice: Wines from A Broad, 317 Houston St, Fort Worth, 682-224-0056
Chef Dena Shaskan has spent the better part of two decades introducing us to interesting food and wines, and now she owns this lovely little wine shop in Sundance Square. Wines from A Broad offers wines from primarily womenowned or women-directed wineries. If you want 40 different choices for a cab or a chard, there are other locations in town. If you want interesting stories from wineries around the world –– including Cakebread, Lafite Rothschild, McBride Sisters, and La Crema –– sit right back, and they’ll sell you a bottle along with the story. On Sunday Fundays, you can enjoy $5 sips before you grab a bottle to get you through the week.
Wildcard Winner: The Flower Market on 7th, 2733 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-377-3660
Interior Design
Wildcard Winner: Haus of Blaylock, 3525 Lovell Av, Fort Worth, 817-773-5031
Waxing Services
Wildcard Winner: Melted Wax Studio, 463 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 817-798-4187
Place To Adopt Pets
Readers’ Choice: Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-4768
Critic’s Choice: Humane Society of North Texas
With locations all across North Texas (you can usually find them at Petco and PetSmart), HSNT strives to find homes for all the abandoned animals in their care. To qualify as a “no-kill,” shelters must have a 90% successful “live release” rate, and the Humane Society of North Texas’ 2023 score was 97%. Before you go to a breeder, see what furry pals are awaiting your hugs and pets at a Humane Society event. Rescuing abandoned fur babies will improve your life as much as theirs.
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Apollo Support & Rescue, 1170 Dove Hill Rd, Justin, 817-658-9738, ApolloSupportandRescue.org; Fort Worth Abandoned Animal Alliance, FWAbandoned.org; Saving Hope Rescuing unhoused pets is a labor of love, but doing right by these furry friends requires a high level of professional care and organization. Apollo, Animal Alliance, and Saving Hope truly put the pets first, providing care and rehabilitation for abandoned creatures, and their assiduous work in rehoming these pups, kitties, and other relinquished animals are made possible by dedicated volunteers and foster families.
Apartment Community
Readers’ Choices (tie): Luxia River East, 336 Oakhurst Scenic Dr, Fort Worth, 817-790-9153; Mercantile River District, 4921 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-859-7458
Critic’s Choice: Everly Plaza, 1801 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-924-0377 When contemplating uses for the nonresidential space on the ground floor of Everly Plaza, co-owners Saigebrook Development and O-SDA Industries decided to open a 2,400-square-foot community art space called The Pool, something much needed in that part of the Near Southside. Tenants can dive into art experiences without leaving home, and we think that’s a beautiful thing.
Athlete (College)
Readers’ Choice: Josh Hoover, TCU
Critics’ Choice: Hailey Van Lith, TCU
This women’s baller is debuting for TCU as a graduate student this season, but the former Louisville and LSU point guard possesses a career resume that rivals anyone else in the sport. Fresh back from the Paris Olympics with bronze around her neck for hoops, the transfer Frog was the only college baller — man or woman
— chosen to represent the United States at this summer’s games. Van Lith has been to the Elite 8 four times and has more than 1,900 career college points, 500 rebounds, and 350 assists. It’s also worth mentioning the five FIBA gold medals in her trophy case. Established popularity is also a valid consideration. Van Lith has 1.2 million followers on IG and will likely increase her team’s media presence and recognition more than any other single collegiate athlete in the region will for theirs.
Athlete (Professional)
Reader’s Choice: Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
Critic’s Choice: Luka Dončić
The 2023-24 season was a career year for the Slovenian Superstar. His 50 (!!) 30-point games (a career-high 73-point affair among them) helped snag him the NBA scoring title, the first in Mavericks franchise history. His 33.9/9.2/9.8 stat line had him damn near average a 30-point triple-double over the 70 games he played on the way to his fifth straight NBA All-Star team and fifth straight All-NBA First Team selection. As if more evidence was needed to conclude that Dončić is inarguably the best pro athlete in town, to follow up his career-best regular season, Lucky 77 led all of the 2024 NBA playoffs in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, minutes, attempts, field goals, 3-pointers,
defensive win share (wha-???), and VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) and secured Western Conference Finals MVP honors while leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 13 years. Despite just six NBA seasons, he’s already considered among the best European players of all time. Given his current trajectory, the “European” qualifier on that statement will eventually be dropped. Mavs training camp kicks off in just two weeks, so let’s hope his incredible 2024 springboards The Don into leading his team to finishing the job in 2025.
People & Places
Camp for Kids
Readers’ Choice: Benbrook Stables, 10001 Benbrook Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-249-1001
Critic’s Choice: Young Chefs Academy, 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 260, Fort Worth, 817-989-2433
One of the best parts of picking up our little one after a day of camp at Young Chefs Academy was the food! That little bugger would always save some for his mom and dad, and we were beyond
thankful he did — not because we were starved or anything but because, dang, what he, his classmates, and their teachers whipped up always amazed. Pasta, cookies, pizzas, sandwiches, cakes you’d be surprised what your little ones are capable of in the kitchen under the watchful guidance of YCA’s expert chefs. Just as meaningful as the food is the fun.
City Councilmember
Readers’ Choice: Elizabeth Beck, District 9
Critic’s Choice: Elizabeth Beck
When you picture elected officials who are veterans of the U.S. armed services,
you wouldn’t necessarily picture Beck. The lifelong Fort Worth resident joined the Army Reserve after graduation from Southwest High School. She served stateside in the 223 Maintenance Company in Grand Prairie and deployed as a sergeant to Iraq in 2005. She bucked the expectations of her family with her time in the Army Reserve. When an elder told her that “nice Jewish girls don’t join the Army,” Beck’s response was, “I’m not nice.” During her tenure, Beck has reached across the political aisle to work with fellow veteran Charlie Lauersdorf on behalf of the 40,000-plus veterans in Fort Worth by creating a city position to liaise with them. Beck is a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community,
and in June when the entire City Council declined to support a resolution for Pride Month, Beck worked with the city to draft certificates of recognition for LGBTQ+serving groups and agencies. She joined Mayor Mattie Parker and fellow councilmembers Gyna Bivens, Jeanette Martinez, Chris Nettles, Jared Williams, and Carlos Florez in proclaiming that, in Fort Worth, y’all means all.
Dentist
Readers’ Choice: Just for Grins Family Dentistry, 466 N Main St, Keller, 817-741-4455
Critic’s Choice: Jefferson Dental Stockyards, 301 NW 28th St, Ste 113, Fort Worth, 682-747-5000
As with all Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics offices, the Stockyards location offers affordable dentistry services and helps patients find flexible financing programs if insurance doesn’t cover their needs. But this particular office stands out for more than just stellar care for less. Their friendly, dedicated staff is 99% female. From the front office to the hygienists to the dentist herself, these ladies have it going on. The one dude who works there (as best we can tell) is pretty great, too. Is this femaledriven team assembled by design or by coincidence? Who knows, but we dig it.
Doctor
Readers’ Choice: Don White DC, River Oaks Chiropractic Clinic, 1141 Long Av, River Oaks, 817-625-1165
Critic’s Choice: Allison Barrett PT/ DPT, Beelieve [cq] Pediatric Therapy, 10640 N Riverside Dr, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-431-9000
While physical therapists aren’t technically doctors in the medical sense, many of the staff at Beelieve hold doctorate degrees, including Dr. Barrett PT/DPT, their physical therapy director. Along with the rest of The Hive, this UTA graduate helps children with developmental delays, genetic conditions, neurodevelopment diagnoses, and more and is well-loved by the community. Unlike many in their field, this practice encourages engagement through social media so they can be a 24/7 resource to North Texas. Follow Barrett and her happy crew @BeelievePediatric.
Dog Groomer
Readers’ Choice: Motown Mutts, 601 S Cherry Ln, White Settlement, 817-965-8929
Critic’s Choice: Glamour Paws, 3000 S Hulen St, Fort Worth, 817-923-9828
Got a fussy dog that can hardly stand getting a bath, let alone having a stranger trim the fur on his toes? See how he does at Glamour Paws, where the staffers are as dedicated to putting your pooch at ease as they are making him or her look their best. In addition to canine continued on page 25
People & Places
spa treatments, Glamour Paws will also brush your dog’s teeth and clean their ears, paint their nails, and even dye their hair. And when your furry friend is all fresh and clean, you can schedule a photo session to remind you how they look the next time you catch them rolling around in a patch of dirt.
Facebook Group
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Girl Gang, @FWGirlGang
With the fear and hate sometimes experienced by the pagan community, like what Higher Purpose Emporium went through recently with their insurance carrier, it’s nice to know that they have a large community out there supporting them. The DFW Witchy Shit group aims to connect like-minded individuals in North Texas and has some very simple rules: Do no harm, be careful with your words, contribute with an open heart and mind, only post stuff for sale on Mondays, and keep the content to, well, witchy shit only. Those who stay attuned to the cycles of the earth, sun, moon, and stars and want to learn and grow can find their tribe here.
Hospital
Readers’ Choice: Texas Health Harris Methodist, 1301 Pennsylvania Av, Fort Worth, 817-250-2000
Critic’s Choice: Children’s Health Specialty Center, 2020 W Hwy 114, Ste 100, Grapevine, 214-867-6600
Not to sound like foxes in a hen house, but advertising works. The marketing team at the North Texas-based
Children’s Health system launched TV commercials not too long ago featuring emotional renditions of popular songs like “Total Eclipse of The Heart,” and, yes, we’re gonna need you tonight. The campaign’s executive creative director, Dustin Black, said that the song’s lyrics worked well with the images of hospital staff caring for children. He also said that the tune’s emotional power was evident
when he listened to the lyrics closely. We agree. We like what Children’s does for children, and we like their bright-eyed style.
Lawyer
Readers’ Choice: Jennifer Lovelace PC, Lovelace Law, 1601 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-953-9656
Critic’s Choice: Fathers for Equal Rights, 1500 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-870-4880
Dads dealing with child support issues, visitation trouble, civil rights violations, and more have a local ally in Fathers for Equal Rights. At Fathers4Kids.com, you can find resources, including tips for representing yourself and a list of volunteer lawyers who can help in case the former is more than you can handle.
Local Celebrity
Readers’ Choice: Jack “Jackdaw” Russell
Critic’s Choice: “Big” Mike Richardson
Everybody knows Big Mike, probably because wherever live music is welcome, he’s there, either playing (often playing) or being a super-fan. Making a livin’ off giggin’, this human jukebox celebrates some of the greatest music ever written, classic rock, by performing it as close to perfectly as possible. And he’s always quick with a smile and a friendly word. He may never be Leon Bridges-big, but in the Fort Worth scene, he’s royalty supreme.
Local Olympian
Critic’s Choice: Jasmine Moore
While you were watching Texans Sha’Carri and Simone take over Paris, you might have missed one local, understated, classy powerhouse. Raised in Grand Prairie and having attended Mansfield schools, Jasmine Moore didn’t participate in track and field until seventh grade. During high school, she set nine state UIL records (some of which still stand). After a humbling year at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when she didn’t place, Moore scored big this year in the triple jump and the long jump, becoming the first American woman to place in both. Flying through the air continued on page 26
The new TCU transfer was the only college baller (male or female) at the Paris Olympics (winning bronze), and our best college athlete Hailey Van Lith’s 1.2 million IG followers sure won’t hurt the Frogs’ national profile.
People & Places
with the greatest of ease, Moore took the bronze in both events.
Place To Meet Locals
Readers’ Choice: The Rabbit Hole Pub, 3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-744-7160
Critic’s Choice: The Chat Room Pub, 1263 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth
This is a cozy longtime dive where you take your out-of-town friends for a real slice of Fort Worth livin’ and yokels (i.e., Chat Rats for Life). There’s not much to the Chat, just four walls, a patio, a bartop, some TVs, desktops, and games, and an internet juke, but everyone feels safe here and wanted, no doubt due to the artsy, equality-minded clientele and the friendly, crack, no-b.s. bartenders.
Nurse
Readers’ Choice: Crystal Baker, ICU (Texas Health)/Tattoo Artist (Dark Age Tattoo Studio)
Critic’s Choice: Lauren Mittenthal, Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth
A pediatric nurse at our region’s premier children’s hospital, Washington transplant Mittenthal was summa cum laude from her TCU nursing program
and spends what downtime she has with her puppy and planning an upcoming wedding. Mittenthal is also a Daisy Award nominee, a large honor based on her delicate and comforting bedside manner.
Photographer
Readers’ Choice: Dynamite Dames
Photography Studio, 3915 Benbrook Blvd, Ste C, Fort Worth, 817-319-1588
Whether it’s shooting luscious pictures of food, beverages, and chefs for the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival or capturing headshots of up-and-comers or multigenerational family photos, Farrar has a deft touch with people, color, and light. But she launched her photography business doing what she loves best taking pictures of food. And that’s still the Fort Worth native’s, uh, bread and butter.
Radio Personality
Readers’ Choice: Hal Jay, WBAP
Critic’s Choice: Paul Slavens, The Paul Slavens Show, 8pm Sun 91.7 KXT
An accomplished musician/performer and composer, Paul Slavens is also North Texas’ biggest champion of true eclecticism. By spinning wild sounds on public radio these past 20 years, the Dentonite broadcasts the notion
that every genre is beautiful and that mixing them together is even sweeter. Jazz, pop, Afrobeat, classical, krautrock, funk, noise, country, hip-hop, trip-trapblues (just made that up), the list goes on — what unites all these disparate elements is quality. As long as they’re good, you’ll hear them on The Paul Slavens Show every Sunday night.
continued on page 27
Ready to make Fridays even more fun? Ride TEXRail to the Grapevine Main LIVE! concert series at Peace Plaza every Friday night in September and October. Plan your traffic-free trip now at
After a humbling experience in Tokyo, Grand Prairie’s Jasmine Moore roared back in Paris, winning two bronze medals — and earning a much more coveted Best Of for Local Olympian.
Courtesy Instagram
People & Places
Realtor
Readers’ Choice: Lindsay Anderson, Century 21 Alliance Properties, 120 W McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, 817-232-9550
Critic’s Choice: Sara Huffman, Real Brokerage, LLC, 817-727-1637, Sara@HomewithHuffman.com
Not much in life is more stressful than selling and/or purchasing a home, so it’s paramount to find an experienced real estate agent who can help guide you through the process from start to finish. Realtor/Broker Sara Huffman has become an expert in the North Texas market over the last decade, using the latest technology at her disposal to find single folks, couples, and families the best deal, even if that means making phone calls late into the night, writing letters on behalf of her clients who may not have the highest offer, or setting up food trucks outside of open houses. Her refusal to give up on her clients no matter how many houses they ask to see is just one reason for her perfect 5.0 rating on Google.
Social Influencer
Readers’ Choice: Michelle Miles, Fort Worth Woman, @FortWorthWoman
Critic’s Choice: Go Yayo, @hoodfamegoyayo, YouTube.com/@ GoYayo
With 88.7K subscribers on YT and 279K followers on IG, as far as local influencers go, they don’t get much bigger than this
Fort Worth trap rapper who lives the thug life that he boasts and toasts about in his music. Like Mike Jones before him, Go Yayo also avails himself to all. His cell number (682-247-1138) is right there on his IG page. Maybe ask him if
that fancy house, those fancy cars, and all those stacks of money in his video for his new track “7 Days” are real. Or maybe just say hi. We’re sure he’d just love to chat.
Tattoo Artist
Readers’ Choice: Aaron Stevens, Just Inkd, 6201 Sunset Dr, Unit 650, Ste 138, Fort Worth, 214-621-0174
Hand of God Tattoo owner Trey English offers highly detailed color and portraiture, and his horror-themed tattoos will haunt your dreams with their intricate realism. … Melody Moon, one of Spider Lily’s resident artists, leans hard into bright colors that make her anime- and cartoon-inspired pieces pop like they’re on TV. … Scott Prather, who is now dabbling in comic book covers and full-body anesthesia tattoos, is a perennial favorite for his eye-catching color and portrait work.
Teacher
Readers’ Choice: Amanda Lynn Sullivan, FWISD
Critic’s Choice: Stephen Pierce, South Hills High School, 817-754-0170
Serving more than 20 years as a South
continued on page 29
With 88.7K subscribers on YT and 279K followers on IG, trap rapper Go Yayo — OK may not be the “best” social influencer in town (NSFW), but he sure is a fun follow.
Hills Scorpion, this TCU graduate stayed local after college and runs a successful tennis program at the majority-minority institution, introducing his athletes to the grit and work ethic needed to be successful both on the court and in life. In addition to head coaching and teaching professional communication and financial literacy, Pierce moonlights as an athletic trainer for major sporting events throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding area. Beloved by his athletes, Pierce is always excited to talk about anything Frog-sports-related or how to constructively improve the city with a nod toward public works.
Television Personality
Readers’ Choice: Lauren Przybyl, FOX 4 DFW
Critic’s Choice: Newy Scruggs, NBC 5 For almost a quarter-century, sports anchor Newy “NewDawg” Scruggs has walked and talked DFW sports fans through the highs and lows of fandom with a blend of wryness and the enthusiasm of a funny uncle. Even when the news is grim, Scruggs manages to find the silver lining beneath those Cowboys’ blues.
Urban Farm
Readers’ Choice: Opal’s Farm, 2500 Lasalle St, Fort Worth, 817-333-8367
Critic’s Choice: Mind Your Garden, 3815 S Timberline Dr, Fort Worth Owner-founders Steve and Ursula Nunez specialize in landscape and urban design, along with growing food for a farm stand in one of Fort Worth’s produce deserts. The husband-and-wife team walk their talk –– they have transcended the historic, comfort food-cooking habits of their Hispanic families and are unabashedly plant-forward and meat- and alcoholfree. They promote access to healthy food and education through their classes and cultivate a community of wellness. To that end, the couple host Healthy Hours in the garden, and you can find the recipes and cooking techniques on their social media.
Veterinarian
Readers’ Choice: Trista Thinnes DVM, The PARC, 4801 W Fwy, Fort Worth, 817-731-3733
Critic’s Choice: Dr. Kathryn Heinrichs, Westcliff Animal Hospital, 4413 Trail Lake Dr, Fort Worth, 817-922-8022
A second-generation veterinarian (her mother, Dr. Carol Cass, founded their TCU-area practice), Dr. Kathryn Heinrichs is everything a good veterinarian should be: knowledgeable, patient, and gentle, both with her fourlegged charges and the humans who
bring them. Keeping your pet healthy and happy is her top priority, and she is kind and conscientious when it comes to the often-weighty decisions you have to make regarding your pet’s well-being.
Place To Work
Readers’ Choice: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, 999 Lockheed Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-777-2000
Critic’s Choice: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, multiple locations With five of its eight centers located within our circulation area, TCAP is not only the go-to for low-cost pet (and feral cat) spays, neuters, and vaccinations, but it could also be your next employer. Pet Lovers across North Texas are invited to join the team in its mission to end animal overpopulation. Along with some professional positions, there are also opportunities for those with a highschool diploma or GED who are willing to train for a new career. Benefits include medical insurance, paid vacations, and a company-matched 401(k) program. For more on why TCAP is the best, visit TexasforThem.org/Careers.
Place To Work Out
Readers’ Choice: Anytime Fitness, 1714 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-207-0900
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Body Machine Fitness, 2300 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-657-2923; The Castle Metroflex Gym-Fort Worth, 5501 Thelin St, Ste 125, Fort Worth, 817-891-6261; CrossFit Westwood, 608 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 682-331-9466
Body Machine really matches the area. The West 7th gym feels nice, clean, and new. The concept isn’t especially groundbreaking but is executed well. Akin to F45 or Orange Theory, Body Machine provides group fitness classes, but they’re performed in studios that remind us of cycling classes with pulsating music and lighting that give them a dance-club vibe. … If you believe machines are cheating, iron weights are heavier than rubber ones, and chalk should be a required amenity, Castle Metroflex has you covered. It’s a lifter’s gym more in the style of strongman and old-school bodybuilding. There are lots of squat racks, lifting platforms, and implements you won’t find at the big boxes or CrossFit gyms. Castle Metroflex members are as nice and approachable as can be, but the space itself has that edgy feel that oozes, “Come be badass with us.” … Westwood: a CrossFit Gym without the typical grime. As far as functional fitness goes, this spot has the best and newest equipment in the business. The space is well thought out, has a premium feel, and is climatecontrolled — not a given among CrossFit boxes. This premium spot on the Near Southside also offers a turfed area outside and a bustling membership of super-fit folks of all ages.
3200 Darnell Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107
Art Gallery
Readers’ Choice: Artspace111, 111 Hampton St, Fort Worth, 817-692-3228
Critic’s Choice: Bale Creek Allen Gallery, 120 St. Louis Av, Ste 149, Fort Worth, 512-633-0545
Bale Creek Allen’s past few shows have bowled us over with their power and imaginativeness. The South Main Village-area gallery also has been doing right by women in a scene dominated by far too many one-man shows. (Props also to Fort Works Art and J. Peeler Howell Fine Art for not losing sight of equal representation.) With its past few exhibits, Bale Creek Allen has managed to expertly navigate that bloody crossroads where progressive contemporary art and decorativeness meet. Visit BaleCreekAllenGallery.com.
Art Gallery Exhibit
Readers’ Choice: Affirmations, Gallery 440, 440 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-335-0100
Critic’s Choice (Top 5): Dos Frenchies, Bale Creek Allen Gallery; Honkytonk Lagoon, Fort Works Art; Seriously?!, Fort Works Art; When I Was a Riot of Spring, Bale Creek Allen Gallery; Wild Thyme, J. Peeler Howell Fine Art
At Bale Creek Allen, Dos Frenchies presented the sublime, trippy, op-artesque work of painters Eddie Ruscha and Francesca Gabbiani. Muted palettes ruled. Ruscha’s circular, logo-like icons meshed effortlessly with Gabbiani’s waves of hues to combine for a dizzying effect that lingers. … Perhaps the biggest solo show of the year was also the most hotly anticipated. We’ve been big fans of Clay Stinnett since he was designing concert flyers and album covers all over North Texas. His trademarked nervous, colorful, cartoonish style finally got its due at Fort Works Art, and whether you’re a classicist or postmodernist, you could not complain with the sheer vibrancy and power of his muscular, often humorous canvases. … Fort Works Art was also the site of another fantastic show. The group effort Seriously?! set out to limn the funny or satirical in “serious” art and teased out a couple LOL moments from us. … One artist whose work would have gone over splendidly at Seriously?!, Georganne Deen’s When I Was a Riot of Spring at Bale Creek Allen gathered dozens of her whimsical, quiet paintings of fantastical creatures and — are they plants? ghosts? plates of pasta? to shatter the difference between academic and outsider once and for all. … Driven by the diversity of South Africa, the Philippines, Texas, and the Atlantic coast, five women artists explored their respective cultural backgrounds in Wild Thyme at J. Peeler Howell. Subtle depictions of the nature of the self, nature itself, travel, and childhood came together in one big, brilliant, eye-opening group show.
Artist
Readers’ Choice: Bethany Joseph, @BJoFineArt
Critic’s Choice: Carol Benson She finished last year with a wondrous contribution to an all-woman group show at her home base, Artspace111, and while she’s been at it for decades, she just keeps getting more interesting, experimenting with color and technique and pushing the boundaries of how we see the natural world through her mostly abstracted floral canvases.
Arts and Crafts Event
Readers’ Choice: Queer Craft Night at
The Welman Project, 3950 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-924-4000
Critic’s Choice: Arts Goggle
For 20 years now, the Near Southside event has showcased thousands of local artisans, crafters, and other creatives by turning West Magnolia into a multiblock vendor crawl every autumn. This family-friendly event has something for everyone, and even if you don’t find something new to liven up your living space, you’ll still enjoy a nice stroll full of friends, food, drink, and live music.
Burlesque
Readers’ Choice: Nightshade Burlesque at The Cicada, 1002 S Main
St, Fort Worth, @NightShadeBurlesque
Critic’s Choice: Nightshade Burlesque
Almost as awesome as Nightshade’s gothic-themed shows (every first Friday at The Cicada) is the troupe’s devotion to inclusion, acceptance, and safety.
Concert
Readers’ Choice: Quaker City Night Hawks at Tulips FTW
Critic’s Choice: AJR at Dickies Arena
The three New York brothers rocked Dickies with their upbeat catalog and bubbly vibe. It’s increasingly rare for uncensored music to be child-friendly, continued on page 32
2023 GRAMMY ® winners
Wednesday I October 16, 2024
“with their staggering technique and freewheeling genrecrossing, it’s hard not to be swept up in the force of their contagious energy.” — NPR
Cultural Event
Readers’ Choice: Main Street Arts Festival
Critic’s Choice: Arts Goggle
Tuesday I November 12, 2024
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW SINGLE TICKETS – $45 TABLES OF 4 –$150 CLIBURN.ORG/SESSIONS CAROLINE SHAW VIOLA/SINGER/COMPOSER + GABRIEL KAHANE PIANO/SINGER/COMPOSER
An all-new collaboration from artists who have written for Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, Sylvan Esso, Punch Brothers, Bon Iver, and The Weeknd...
but AJR had something for everyone. Fans of upbeat jams and production connoisseurs could both delight as the spectacle of a mini Super Bowl halftime show traveled to our increasingly popular local venue.
Culinary Event
Readers’ Choice: Dumpling Class at Pantry on Magnolia, 713 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-2381
Critic’s Choice: Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation Night Market, 395 Purcey St, FWFWF.com
Your ticket to the Night Market comes with a wonderful evening of food and drink provided by an eclectic collection of the city’s top restaurants and cocktail purveyors, each serving out of individually decorated pop-up booths. Filling up on these flavors is the name of the game so come hungry and get a ride home but hobnobbing with your fellow gourmands makes for a great social outing. The combination of culinary excellence and fun socializing makes the Night Market a don’t-miss-it Fort Worth event.
Every October, Near Southside Inc. puts on a very ambitious neighborhood-wide arts and music event that spans a 21-block area. Thanks to Trinity Metro for shuttling people around to see as many of the 50 bands and 1,000-plus artists and vendors as possible. And it’s free.
Dance Troupe
Readers’ Choice: Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth
Critic’s Choice: Texas Ballet Theater When it comes to classical ballet in North Texas, the biggest troupe is also the best. Now that the spellbinding Cinderella has just wrapped up, TBT moves on to its winter seasonal staple. From Fri, Dec 13, thru Sun, Dec 29, the troupe will perform Ben Stevenson’s lavish production of The Nutcracker at Bass Performance Hall. Tickets are $25-150.
Day Trip
Readers’ Choice: Hico, Texas (VisitHicoTexas.com)
Critic’s Choice: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, 2299 Country Road 2008, Glen Rose, 254-897-2960
on page 33
Was it academic? Was it outre? Whatever it was, Georganne Deen’s When I Was a Riot of Spring at Bale Creek Allen was nothing short of marvelous.
Arts & Culture
continued from page 32
About an hour’s drive south out of Fort Worth, Fossil Rim is great for nature nerds and newbies alike. And it’s not just all fun. The center is also dedicated to educating the public, conserving species in peril, conducting scientific research, training professionals, and maintaining stewardship of natural resources.
Dog Park
Readers’ Choice: ZBonz Dog Park, 6950 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, @ZBonzFW
Critic’s Choice: Fort Woof at Gateway Park, 751 Beach St, Fort Worth, 972-941-2275
Dog owners and their howling friends can let their inner beasts run wild at Fort Worth’s first off-leash dog park. Inside Gateway Park, Fort Woof has two large fenced areas, one for big dogs and the other for the little boys and girls. The park is open daily from 5am to 11:30pm, but there are also special events. Check out FortWoof.org for the (poop) scoop.
Drag Performer
Readers’ Choice: Salem Moon
Critic’s Choice: Vivienne Vermuth
Vivienne Vermuth has been a burlesque performer for 15 years but got into drag
about eight years ago, starting out as a drag king. As a nonbinary performer who’s AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth), Vermuth is the perfect combination of sultry, athletic, and theatrical — her incredible, stylized makeup is always on point. You can catch her performing with and co-hosting fellow Best Of winners Nightshade Burlesque at The Cicada every first Friday. “We are a fiercely queer group,” Vermuth said. “It’s important to us that people know we are safe, inclusive, and accepting.”
Drag Show
Readers’ Choice: Moondance Drag Brunch, various locations, SalemMoon.com, @SalemMoonDrag Critic’s Choice: Drag with Me: The Show by Patrick Mikyles Presents at Club Reflection, 604 S Jennings Av, Fort Worth, 432-212-5854, @DragWithMe.TheShow
The only constant in life is change. Case in point: Patrick Mikyles and all he presents. A perennial favorite with our readers and critics alike, Drag with Me made two location moves this year but has landed firmly at Club Reflection (sometimes called Reflections 2.0). Of course, Mikyles produces stellar show all over North Texas, but to catch his next home show at the place where he is currently the entertainment director, attend the second annual Drag Show continued on page 35
Sultry, athletic, and theatrical, best drag performer Vivienne Vermuth can be seen all around North Texas, including at The Cicada on first Fridays.
Stacey Smiel
Quaicoe, Photo by Hugard & Vanoverschelde
Fundraiser at Reflection 6pm Sun, Oct 19. Keep on keeping on, Patrick.
Entertainment Spot
Readers’ Choice (Top 3): Electric Starship Arcade, 5620 Denton Hwy, Haltom City, 817-479-6366; Free Play, 1311 Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, 817-242-8487; Game Theory Restaurant + Bar, 804 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-717-6443
Critic’s Choice: The Cicada, 1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW
Beyond the booze and the bands, the folks at The Cicada know how to keep you entertained. From plant get-togethers and markets in the parking lot to Jean-Claude Van Damme nights on Mondays, there’s always something fun to do. Sometime in October, there will even be a pumpkin-carving contest. Keep an eye on their socials.
Festival
Readers’ Choice: Main Street Arts Festival
Critic’s Choice: Lone Star Film Festival
side of the camera a chance to enjoy independent films from a wide range of genres, run times, and perspectives as well as the odd cult favorite and some forgotten classics — last year’s “Oh, yeah, I remember that movie” pick was the Willie Nelson-starring, Bill Witliffehelmed Red Headed Stranger from 1986 and given that Fort Worth’s role in TV and film production continues to expand, LSFF’s cultural cachet is sure to grow as well.
Haunted Attraction
Readers’ Choice: Cutting Edge Haunted House, 1701 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-348-8444
Critic’s Choice: Miss Molly’s Hotel, 109 W Exchange Blvd, 817-626-1522
The former brothel-turned-boutique-hotel is probably the best known of the Stockyards’ various haunted locales, in part because of the alleged regularity of resident spirits Jake the Cowboy, the Mysterious Madame, and the Tipping Ghost. Whether you experience anything supernatural or not, Miss Molly’s makes for a hair-raising, eerily enjoyable evening.
Kids’ Activity
Readers’ Choice: Benbrook Stables, 10001 Benbrook Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-249-1001
Critic’s Choice: Pioneer Youth
Out in Saginaw is one of the best-run kids’ organizations in all of North Texas. PYBSA teaches youngsters the basics and more about America’s Pastime in a fun, family-friendly, competitive-but-not-annoyingly-so environment. You’re not always going to have great coaches, but at PYBSA, they’re still there for the little ones, selflessly instructing them on everything from how to catch a fly ball to how to handle a strikeout without melting down (too much). The fields are pristine, and the overall vibe on game day is just as good as what you’d find at Globe Life Field or any other MLB stadium. Play ball!
Place To Take Kids
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, 817-759-7555
Critic’s Choice: Alley Cats
Entertainment and Putt-Putt Golf Center, 609 NE Loop 820, Hurst, 817-589-0523
With two additional locations (Burleson, Arlington), this Hurst Alley Cats is essentially a mini Six Flags. There are no skyscraping coasters, but there are fun, dippy track rides, plus bumper cars, laser tag, putt-putt, batting cages, and so much more. And this is not even counting all the arcade games, pizza and burgers, bowling, and brews inside. Just a wonderful way to spend a sweltering
Place To See Movies
Readers’ Choice: AMC Dine-In Clearfork, 5015 Trailhead Bend Wy, Fort Worth, 817-769-6762
Critic’s Choice: AMC Dine-In Clearfork Fort Worth is full of movie theaters. There’s a Cinemark on seemingly every corner. Without our own arthouse or properly located Alamo Drafthouse, the choices are tough for something that stands out as “Best.” Thankfully, AMC Dine-In Clearfork 8 does a fine job of filling this gap. The location is rife with great restaurants and places to grab a drink before or after showtime, and if you want to avoid the extra stop, AMC has you covered with the dine-in experience. It also happens to be one of the only options for Dolby screenings — look out, IMAX.
Museum Exhibit
Readers’ Choice: Surrealism and Us, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries, the Kimbell Art Museum; Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art; Surrealism and Us, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
For the first time ever in the United States, the Kimbell collected seven
continued on page 36
large-scale historical tapestries for Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries. The result was alternately powerful and stunning. Depicting Emperor Charles V’s decisive victory over French King Francis I that ended the 16th-century Italian Wars, the monumental pieces, all told in fine wool, silk, and metal-wrapped thread, were designed by court artist Bernard van Orley and woven in Brussels by Willem and Jan Dermoyen. … Capturing the lost art of Hollywood photography, Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood was a gorgeous multimedia retrospective of the groundbreaking titular photographer/cinematographer and his huge influence on the Golden Age of American cinema, with archival materials, films, and more than 100 photographs from the Amon Carter’s vast Struss Artist Archive. … The Modern’s Surrealism and Us explored the genre in mostly the Caribbean but also Africa via more than 80 paintings, sculptures, drawings, videos, and installations from the 1940s until today, interrogating the notions of the Afrosurreal and Afrofuturism in the United States by playing on totemic imagery and vibes from the diaspora, including slavery, religion, and voodoo.
Music Lessons
Readers’ Choice): Arlington School of Music, 3100 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, 817-459-1444;
Critic’s Choice: Music Junkie Studios
For aspiring musicians of all ages, you can’t beat Music Junkie Studios. Offering lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums, violin, ukulele, songwriting, and home recording, Music Junkie’s individualized approach to instruction emphasizes discovery and joy. Whether you want to get good enough to play in a band or just want a new hobby to explore, Music Junkie has an instructor and learning path for you.
New Mural
Readers’ Choice: “Ostara” by Sarah Ayala, 2707 Race St, Fort Worth
Critic’s Choice: “Mr. Wild Acre” by Chelsea Miller, Wild Acre Restaurant & Beer Garden, 1734 E El Paso St, Ste 190, Fort Worth, 817-271-1659
A psycho-hypnotic collage of images and text with a colorfully saturated skeleton figure toasting a mug of beer, this recently completed mural at Wild Acre by Houstonian Chelsea Miller is fun but unobtrusive, adding a much-needed pop to the environs.
Nonprofit Organization
Readers’ Choice (Top 3): BEE the Change, 10640 N Riverside Dr, Ste
continued on page 37
Slavery, religion, voodoo, and more made magic in 2- and 3D at the Modern’s Best Of-winning Surrealism and Us exhibit.
200, Fort Worth, 817-431-9000; Finn’s Place, 5860 I-20 Service Rd, Fort Worth, 469-826-9721; LGBTQ S.A.V.E.S, 1959 Sandy Ln, Fort Worth, @LGBTQSaves
Critic’s Choice: Don’t Forget To Feed Me, 5825 E Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-334-0727
When you fall on hard times, so do your pets. Thankfully, the team at DFTFM supplies pet food to local agencies to support pet owners while educating the public about pet-food insecurity. By helping those in need during challenging financial times and increasing awareness, DFTFM is an alternative to surrendering — or, worse, abandoning — a beloved family member. DFTFM is the only pet-food bank in North Texas, and we are lucky to have them here in Fort Woof.
Park
Readers’ Choice: Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-392-5700
Critic’s Choice: Gateway Park, 751 Beach St, Fort Worth, 972-941-2275
At 791.5 acres, Gateway has several amenities, including a baseball/softball field, dog park, parking lighting, and much more. Perhaps most notably, Gateway has two new 18-hole disc-golf courses.
Podcast
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Roots, FortWorthRoots.com, @FortWorthRoots
This is a meaty podcast, tackling the big issues facing the city in a head-on, mostly progressive way. Voter suppression, jail deaths, lowering taxes while funding services adequately, development, tourism, and the presidential election have all come under the microscope of diverse guests and the co-hosts, local tech entrepreneur EJ Carrion and Ann Zadeh, former beloved city councilmember and the Director of Community Design Fort Worth. “How we respond to political friction, wealth inequality, and social injustice in our communities can make or break our national reputation.” Idea for a segment? Email EJSpeaks@gmail.com.
Theater Production
Readers’ Choice: The Raft Project, Hip Pocket Theatre
Critic’s Choice: Marjorie Prime, Stage West
In a town with a strong theater scene, saying one show is “best” is highly subjective and difficult. On any given night, all the local troupes put on stellar performances. In this crowded space, though, one has stuck out. Directed by
Sasha Maya Ada, Stage West’s Marjorie Prime was moving and creative. As an in-depth portrayal of an elderly woman battling both memory loss and her family’s reactions to it, the play came with the added twist of AI — a hologram facilitated Marjorie’s care along with treating her emotionally. The staging was deftly executed, the acting top notch, and the imaginative finale was moving.
Theater Troupe
Readers’ Choice: Four Day Weekend
at Stage West, 821 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-784-9378
Critic’s Choice: Stage West
Stage West has had a stellar past 365 days. From starting the year with strong productions to welcoming the adrift Four Day Weekend, the venerable Near Southside troupe does everything well and progressive-mindedly — along with hosting First Tuesdays (ever-changing entertainment), adult and kid classes, and summer camps, Stage West is also the new home of the Fort Worth Film Club.
Best new mural “Mr. Wild Acre” brightens up the beer garden at Wild Acre.
Look Again
Happy Hour in the Kimbell Café
EVERY FRIDAY, 5–7 pm
Live music | Beer | Wine | Food
Admission to the permanent collection is always free.
View the full schedule of exhibitions, events, and programs at kimbellart.org.
Support for the Kimbell is provided in part by Arts Fort Worth and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Georges de La Tour, The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs (detail), c. 1630–34, oil on canvas. Kimbell Art Museum, AP 1981.06
Bakery
Readers’ Choice: Eduardo’s Pastry Kitchen, 5950 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, 214-531-4830
Critic’s Choice: Swiss Pastry Shop, 3936 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-732-5661
Businesses that survived the pandemic — many in Fort Worth, thankfully — have kept up with many of the changes from those tough days. From keeping limited hours to ironing out third-party delivery procedures, we’ve all taken back some personal time. For the team at Swiss Pastry Shop, that meant closing their dining room and focusing on baked goods. Yes, the home of Fort Worth’s famous Black Forest Cake is still alive and well and ready to raise your glucose levels every Tue-Sat in its new-ish role as a full-service bakery. Call them for the best cake for your next party.
Barbecue
Readers’ Choice: Panther City BBQ, 201 E Hattie St, Fort Worth, 682-250-4464
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Brix
Barbecue, 1012 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-386-4694; Heim Barbecue, multiple locations; Panther City BBQ Don’t look now, but the Near Southside may be the ’cue capital of Fort Worth. It’s where all three of our bests ply their magic. Though Heim has several locations, its original brick-and-mortar still packs ’em in on Magnolia, serving up delectable brisket, ribs, sausage, bacon burnt ends, and more in a bright, cozy, buzzy space. Our two other winners sit in the South Main area of the Near Southside. At Brix, the meat is always done perfectly (tender, never-dry) and doled out plentifully, and the award-winning Le Brix Burger (two hand-ground brisket smash patties, American cheese, pickles, onions, and jalapeño aioli) demands repeated visits. A little ways down South Main, Panther City’s jovial picnic-type setting and party atmosphere (love the Luther and Parish acoustic duo out back on sunny Saturdays) go delightfully with the copious, juicy servings of brisket, ribs, sausage, and more, including brisket elote and Panther City’s outrageously addicting pork-belly jalapeño poppers.
Barbecue Travel Squad
Critic’s Choice: The Smokin’ Ferrets With college tuition prices as high as ever and trades workers retiring, vocational classes at the high school and college levels are making a comeback, including the culinary arts. From this perfect storm comes the Smokin’ Ferrets, Arlington ISD’s competitive barbecue team. School districts all over Texas have teams, too, but Arlington’s has recently made state. Did they win the championship? Watch how it all played out in the season finale of the Ferrets’ reality-TV show BBQ High on the Magnolia Network, HBO Max, or Discovery. Go, Ferrets!
Breakfast
Readers’ Choice: Cafecito Cafe, 1229 8th Av, Fort Worth, 682-376-9749
Critic’s Choice: Ol’ South Pancake House, 1509 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-336-0311
Along with the stacks of traditional pancakes — it’s a pancake house, duh! — including buttermilk, buckwheat, homestyle, and corn-cake varieties, Ol’ South is known for its delicious, signature crepe-like German pancakes. All servers are trained in the art of the cake, so it will be brought to the table open-faced, finished with butter, powdered sugar, and fresh-squeezed lemon, and then folded right before your eyes. These options are
just Phase 1 on the menu. With the wide variety of breakfast tacos, French toasts, omelets, skillets, and waffles, you’d have to come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to try it all. And you can. They’re open 24/7.
Brunch
Readers’ Choice: Brewed, 801 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-803-4753
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Fixe Southern House, 5282 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 682-707-3965; Toro Toro, 200 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-975-9895; Winslow’s Wine Cafe, 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-546-6843
At Fixe, it’s all about the biscuits. Plain with butter and Texas honey, savory with pimento cheese or stuffed with your choice of eggs or breakfast meat, or in cinnamon-roll form with a vanilla glaze, the biscuit brunch here is the stuff dreams are made of. … In the Worthington Hotel, Toro Toro makes bottomless brunch look classy — for $54 a person, enjoy the shrimp agauchile, fruit, beef anticucho, omelets, waffles, and more. There’s also a Bloody Mary bar and a DJ spinning the Latin jams. … Winslow’s keeps the bottom on with charcuterie, salads like the Westside Wedge, a selection of wood-fired pizzas, continued on page 43
and traditional brunch noms like avocado toast and Eggs Benedict. While you can of course order wine and bubbly at Winslow’s, you can also grab a Salty Dog or a rosemary paloma.
Burger
Readers’ Choice: Gustos Burger Bar + More, 1229 7th Av, Fort Worth, 682-250-6926
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Big Kat Burgers at Cowtown Brewing, 1301 E Belknap St, Fort Worth, 817-2665274; The Bearded Lady, 300 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9832; Gustos Burger Bar + More
They’re big, they’re messy, they’re sublime — Big Kat burgers embody that perfect proportion of appropriately spiced (and plentiful) ground beef (made by hand daily) with fresh fixin’s and, if you like, traditional cheese options. Don’t pass on The Brute (two 3-oz all-beef smash patties, three bacon slices, fresh diced white onion and sliced jalapeños, jalapeño-cilantro buttermilk ranch, and bacon jam-infused cream cheese on a grilled brioche bun). … While The Bearded Lady’s L.U.S.T. Burger has earned statewide accolades, the South Main joint’s Burger of the Month almost always delights. For September, it’s Caesar’s Truffle Shuffle, a half-pound patty with melted white cheddar, truffle fries, arugula, blistered cherry tomatoes, and shaved parm, all tossed in a housemade truffle-Caesar dressing and served on a toasted brioche bun. … Simple burgers done well — that’s Gustos. In the intimate, kitschy bungalow with the Magnolia-facing patio, this relative newcomer has a lovely Old-World pub feel that’s particularly lively during lunch and on weekends. Order at the small bar, grab a seat, and prepare to be wowed by hearty, juicy, no-frills burgers and sides.
Burrito
Readers’ Choice: Cafecito Cafe, 1229 8th Av, Fort Worth, 682-376-9749
Critic’s Choice: Bad Azz Burrito, 1200 S Blue Mound Rd, Saginaw, 817-847-5511 The concept is Chipotle-esque: build your burrito at the counter, pay, take a seat in the homey space, and enjoy. The difference is that the proteins at Bad Azz are somehow juicier, fresher, bolder, and better seasoned and the veggies and other add-ons that much zestier.
Cajun Food
Readers’ Choice: Boo Rays of New Orleans, 5728 Boat Club Rd, Fort Worth, 817-236-6149
Critic’s Choice: J&J’s Oyster Bar, 612 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-367-9792
Beyond the oysters already implied in the name and the crawfish that aficionados clamor for when in season, the kitchen at “JJ’s” is skilled at quite a few other things, too. Our brand ambassador is crazy about the cheeseburgers, and don’t get us started on the fried onion petals. However, you can never go wrong with a bowl or cup of JJ’s zesty, hearty gumbo with some blackened shrimp. It’s the best, we gayr-on-tee
Catfish
Readers’ Choice: Flying Fish, 2913 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-989-2277
Critic’s Choice: Madea’s Down Home Cooking, 1019 W Enon Av, Ste D, Everman, 817-551-9295
Lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection, Madea’s catfish tastes fresh and has a little zip to it that separates it from what you’d find at your average fish fry. Prompt service and a clean, comfy
atmosphere also make this Everman institution a great stop for whatever soul food you’re craving. (The oxtails melt in your mouth.)
Chef
Readers’ Choice: Natasha Bruton, Pantry on Magnolia, 713 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-2381
Critic’s Choice: Juan Rodriguez, Magdalena’s Catering and Events, 502 Grand Av, Fort Worth, 817-7408085; La Coqueta (coming soon), 1216 N Main St, Fort Worth
One of the nicest Fort Worth chefs, Rodriguez opened Magdalena’s almost a decade ago after stints in some of town’s best restaurants and in Manhattan briefly. In 2019, Rodriguez was a finalist on the Food Network show Chopped — his dishes didn’t win, but his work ethic impressed judge Marcus Samuelsson. A catering enterprise with wife Paige Rodriguez, Magdalena’s is also a monthly supper club and casual food truck. Despite significant personal success, Rodriguez remains humble and generous. When it finally opens, La Coqueta will showcase some of the chef’s favorite things: tapas, paella, and Spanishinfluenced cocktails.
Critic’s Choice: Binions Ice House, 205 N West St, Arlington, 817-617-2088
Whenever in downtown Arlington, there’s a good chance you will get caught by a train. Some very busy tracks run east and west. If this happens to you, cut over to West Street and escape under the choo-choo via the West Street Bridge, and if there’s time to eat, hit Binions. Housed in an old mechanic’s garage, the icehouse has a blue-collar vibe with cool drinks, weekend music, and a stellar bar-food menu, including a fantastic chicken-fried steak. This lightly breaded, generously portioned delight comes with green beans, mashed potatoes, and some of the best gravy that’ll ever touch your lips. The fries are also great here, so consider subbing some as your tater choice.
Chinese Food
Readers’ Choice: Teddy Wong’s Dumplings & Wine, 812 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-349-8965
Critic’s Choice: First Chinese BBQ, 5310 E Belknap St, Ste H, Haltom City, 817-834-1888
The Cantonese menu and homey, friendly atmosphere of this Haltom City staple make it the place to go for traditional Chinese cuisine. The beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and vegetable dishes are all memorable, whether you’re sticking with tried-and-true standbys like chicken lo continued on page 45
Critic’s choice and a readers’ choice for best barbecue, Panther City is a party — in real life and in your mouth.
Gustos won over our readers and our critic in the Burger category. And you can clearly see why.
Gustos/Instagram
mein or getting adventurous with some duck noodle soup. Bring a friend because the portions are huge.
Coffeeshop
Readers’ Choice: Fort Worth Coffee Co., 4731 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, @FortWorthCoffeeCo
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Crude Coffee Bar, 804 Main St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 682-224-5541; Grounds and Gold, 4130 S Bowen Rd, Fort Worth, 682-252-4633; Hustle Blendz, 120 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-875-6663
All three of these locally owned shops will sell you something fancy and frothy. Crude can put a little shot of alcohol-infused syrup in anything you want. … At Grounds and Gold, grab a Micah Mocha, a chocolatey, coconut-kissed treat named for the owner’s late son. … And the semi-legendary beverage at Hustle Blendz is the Million Dollar White Mocha. All three shops offer places to chill — whether you want to do some work, have a meeting, bond with your computer, or enjoy a fresh-baked treat. More importantly, all three offer bespoke beans you can take with you, and all three are creating their own kinds of community.
Deli Sandwiches
Readers’ Choice: Carshon’s Deli, 3133 Cleburne Rd, Fort Worth, 817-923-1907
Simply put, this place is legendary. If you don’t know why, it’s high time for you to go to Arlington and find out (because Dino’s doesn’t deliver or use delivery services). Order the Big D (baked ham, peppered beef, salami, bologna, pepperoni, capocollo, and cheese) and a side of potato salad and thank us later. After that, go back and try the lasagna, chicken parm, or antipasto salad. Dino’s makes that I-30 traffic worth the trip.
Empanadas
Readers’ Choice: Del Campo Empanadas, 10724 N Beach St, Fort Worth, 817-562-5888
Critic’s Choice: Del Campo Empanadas
Working with dough that’s baked rather than fried, this North Fort Worth retreat serves up easily the warmest, most gooey sweet and savory empanadas in North Texas. In addition to traditional options (meat and cheese) and quirky ones like the Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, and basil), don’t pass on Del Campo’s authentic Argentinian empanada (ground Angus beef, hard-boiled egg, green olives, and raisins).
continued on page 47
He may have been Chopped a while back, but Magdalena’s Juan Rodriguez is still the best in town.
Food Truck
Readers’ Choice: It’s Food, 515 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, 940-249-5459
Critic’s Choice: Leo’s Churro Bar, 113 S Main St, Fort Worth
Found in the MicroPark next to Tinies, Leo’s Churros is perhaps the perfect sweet to snack on while wandering around the shops and eating/drinking establishments along SoMa. You can order a basic churro as well as ones covered in Cinnamon Toast Crunch, cookies and cream, Nutella, marzipan, and more. The hardest choice is whether to share a bite or not.
Fried Chicken
Readers’ Choice: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, 1067 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-927-4693
Critic’s Choice: The Cookshack, 500 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-367-9151
Sometimes there’s just nothing like sinking your teeth into some hot, juicy, finger-lickin’-good fried chicken, and The Cookshack does all other competitors one better by also serving some pretty tasty and sweet applewood-smoked pork ribs, plus chicken and waffles and hot chicken tacos, all made to your heat
specifications (including “AMF” or “Adios, My Friend”).
Hot Dog
Readers’ Choice: Big Dawgs Hot Dog Co., 2836 Stanley Av, Fort Worth, @ Big_Dawgs_Hot_Dogs
Critic’s Choice: K-Town Hot Dogs, 4940 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-386-5371
Why haven’t Korean-style hot dogs caught on? They’re meaty, delicious, full of crazy flavor combinations, and served on a stick. Just as well, because K-Town probably appreciates the novelty of their
humble shop. They not only specialize in Korean-style dawgs but execute them exceptionally well. We’re big fans of Spicy Cheetos option (crushed Cheetos with either sausage or premium beef plus whole mozzarella).
Italian Food
Readers’ Choice: Nonna Tata, 1400 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-0250
Critic’s Choice: 61 Osteria, First on 7th Building, 500 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-953-3271
Named a best new ’24 restaurant by some rag called Texas Monthly (jk!), 61 Osteria
should not be as singular as it is in the country’s 11th-largest city, but fine Italian is hard to come by in Funkytown, which makes us love this upscale downtown ristorante all the more. We’re really into the jumbo lump crab manicotti (plus artichoke hearts and baby spinach with bechamel sauce and mascarpone) and the Texas quail “Porchetta” (fennel sausage-stuffed quail with prosciutto-wrapped figs and white bean salad).
Japanese Food
Readers’ Choice: Japanese Palace, 8445 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-244-0144
Critic’s Choice: Japan House, 7536 Blvd 26, NRH, 817-537-2223
Don’t let the all-you-can-eat moniker put you off — Japan House ditches the buffet in favor of a tableside service that provides fresh, made-to-order sushi, nigiri, and sashimi dishes, as well as hibachi platters, noodle plates, and poke bowls. The flavors pop, and the staffers are top-notch and happy to bring you another item to try.
Mediterranean Food
Readers’ Choice: Nish!
Mediterranean Grill, 4913 Ohio Garden Rd, River Oaks, 817-615-9292
Critic’s Choice: Beirut Grill, 2410 Abrams St, Arlington, 682-238-3789 continued on page 49
Though fine Italian isn’t always the best, it is in this case. Congrats, 61 Osteria.
Join the Name the Sweepers Contest! Submit your creative ideas online by Sept. 30.
This free contest is open to all Fort Worth residents, offering a chance to create fun, unique names for our 12 new sweepers. We’re excited to welcome these sweepers, and we need your help naming them as they help keep our city clean.
• Imagine It: Think of fun, catchy names that you think would be perfect for the new sweepers.
• Submit It: Visit the City of Fort Worth litter webpage, and fill out the Name the Sweepers Contest entry form by Sept. 30.
• Display It: After the contest closes, submissions will be reviewed, and winners will be announced by November.
Good Grub
This sunny bistro in Arlington will fill your belly, heart, and soul with bright flavors and filling portions of your favorite Mediterranean and Near East dishes — if you’re new to this cuisine, Beirut Grill is the perfect place to get acquainted with things like baba ghanouj and shawarma, and the hummus here is better than anywhere else around.
Mexican Food
Readers’ Choice: Cafecito Cafe, 1229 8th Av, Fort Worth, 682-376-9749
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Don Artemio, 3268 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-4701439; Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, 1712 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-916-0550; Tinies, 113 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-255-5425
Classy, elegant, and novel, James Beard nominee Don Artemio gives a high-cuisine spin on the colorful flavors of Old Mexico, with Filete de Res Asado (broiled 8-oz filet mignon in chipotle sauce with ancho-pasilla herb black bean pureé, grilled calabacita, and baby carrot) or the mussels cooked in a creamy chipotle sauce with leeks and potato slices. … Near TCU, Maria’s specializes in contemporary technique applied to generations-old recipes from Chef Felipe
Armenta’s family, including for tacos, tamales, enchiladas, the sauces, and all the beef, pork, and chicken dishes. Simple yet effective. … Tinies is the place on
the Near Southside for elevated fajitas, salads, tacos (including duck confit), and entrees like half a rotisserie chicken with cabbage slaw and pickled vegetables;
braised short rib with Polenta Oaxaca, mole rojo, and fried garlic; and blackened Mahi-Mahi with Spanish rice, Salsa Veracruz, and oil-cured chiles.
Pizza
Readers’ Choice: Mama’s Pizza, 1813 W Berry St, Fort Worth, 817-923-3541
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Fort Brewery and Pizza, 2737 Tillar St, Fort Worth, 817-923-8000; Pizza Verde, 5716 Locke Av, Fort Worth, 817-349-9852; Hysen’s Nizza Pizza, 401 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-877-3900
You didn’t hear it here, but the lovely, roomy, stylish Fort Brewery serves up their killer personal cheese pizzas for only three bucks on Thursdays. Rich, cheesy, and zesty with a chewy crust, Fort Brewery’s pies of any size are just magnifico! … Pizza Verde manages some delectable ’za without using any animal products, and the all-vegan approach leads to some spellbinding flavor combinations like the Potato Leek (potato, leeks, mozzarella, rosemary, lemon aioli, oil and garlic base) and the Bacon & Brussels (bacon, Brussels sprouts, almonds, parmesan, mozzarella, balsamic reduction, oil and garlic base). … For huge, mouthwatering, no-nonsense, foldable thin slices on the go, Nizza Pizza still rules.
continued on page 51
Winner for best plant-based dish, Pizza Verde invites vegans and people who are gluten-, nut-, or soy-free to dine together without compromising their dietary needs or preferences.
Good Grub
continued from page 49
Plant-Based Dish
Readers’ Choice: Pizza Verde, 5716 Locke Av, Fort Worth, 817-349-9852
Critic’s Choice: Funghi Pizza, Pizza Verde
Pizza Verde is a 100% plant-based eatery that offers selections for a variety of diets. Vegans and people who are gluten-, nut-, or soy-free can all eat together without compromising their dietary needs or preferences. Like any pizzeria, the menu includes calzones, pasta, subs, and salads, but the pizza options are the star. And the Funghi (a non-tomato sauce base of onion and garlic, with vegan mozzarella, oyster and cremini mushrooms, crispy leeks, and capers) will hit your taste buds smack in the, uh, mouth: meaty, cheesy, salty, and crispy.
Queso
Readers’ Choice: Enchiladas Ole, 2418 Forest Park Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-984-1360
Critic’s Choice: Torchy’s Tacos, 928 Northton St, Fort Worth, 817-289-8226
The true unifier in life has to be queso. White, yellow, with meat, without
meat — there are so many ways to get full before that large plate of enchiladas comes out. In a city with a ton of quality Tex-Mex options, many of them momand-pop, we gotta go with Torchy’s green chile queso. It has a kick but isn’t too hot for most kids, and the consistency and flavor enhance anything you put on it. Next time you order that Torchy’s taco, do yourself a favor and slop on some of this queso.
Big flavors and fun presentation make for a lively meal at this popular Arlington Japanese spot. Besides ramen, there is udon and yaki soba, plus bento boxes and a hefty appetizer menu, on which you’ll find favorites like pork chashu bún and gyoza, as well as deep cuts like kaki furai (panko-fried oysters) and agedashi tofu, fried with bonito flakes and scallions.
Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Pantry on Magnolia, 713 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-2381
continued on page 53
A huge, varied menu with dim sum, sushi, and Wagyu beef, chicken, and veggie options in a gorgeous space are just some of the reasons the 817’s best new restaurant is Soy Cowboy.
Courtesy Soy Cowboy/Instagram
Critic’s Choice: Don Artemio, 3268 W 7th, Fort Worth, 817-470-1439
One of only a handful of James Beardnominated restaurants in town, Don Artemio is proof of the versatility of Mexican gastronomy. Heirloom Oaxacan and Tlaxcalan corn for the tortillas, ribeye chicharrons, and tacos stuffed with lengua, cabrito, or nopalitos are among the fancy-but-humble offerings on the menu. Add pulpo, Chilean sea bass with a mole negro, a Rosewood Ranch Wagyu that’s aged in-house, and a fancy deconstructed tres leches cake with ice cream in the shape of a nautilus shell, and you’ll agree that Mexican cuisine isn’t simply cheese with beef and beans. It can be anything the chef can dream up.
New Restaurant
Readers’ Choice: Teddy Wong’s Dumplings & Wine, 812 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-349-8965
Critic’s Choice: Soy Cowboy, 888 Nolan Ryan Exp, Ste A, Arlington, 817-766-6444
The pan-Asian restaurant opened in Arlington’s new Loews Hotel with loud, dazzling fanfare, dragon dancers, and enough free booze to pickle most of the local foodie bloggers’ respective livers. But even on a quiet weekend afternoon before neighboring Texas Live! fills up with sports fans, the beautiful and subtle décor provides a feast for the eyes. Gorgeous bespoke cocktails (the Spring Training is a light, fun option with a kick) and a huge, varied menu with dim sum, sushi, and Wagyu beef, chicken, and veggie options offer a buffet for the other senses as well. Weekends, the menu is augmented by brunch options that include a Korean-fried chicken-and-waffle dish with a tasty watermelon salad, plus edamame, bluefin toro tacos, and Korean barbecue ribs. Pro tip –– currently parking is validated if you valet at the hotel, but if you attempt to self-park in the hellscape that is the Arlington Convention Center garage, you’ll be on your own.
Salsa
Readers’ Choice: Chuy’s Tex-Mex, 2401 W 7th St Ste 110, Fort Worth, 817-332-2489
Critic’s Choice: El Paseo Mexican Restaurant, 5436 Jacksboro Hwy, Fort Worth, 817-625-9755
El Paseo has been consistently serving some of the best Tex-Mex around since 1986. Whether in Azle, Mineral Wells, or Fort Worth, you can always find the same great food, and one of the many elements that make a meal here so memorable has always been the salsa. El Paseo’s food lives up the promise of its salsa. It’s the perfect consistency: not too chunky, not
too thin. It usually has a fairly strong kick, but it’s not going to ruin your meal, and there is always a waiter around to refill the bowl after your fourth serving.
Seafood
Readers’ Choice: Walloon’s Restaurant, 701 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-3230
Critic’s Choice: Waters Restaurant, 301 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-984-1110
Beloved local chef Jon Bonnell’s best restaurant (we think), Waters has been serving the freshest, most artfully prepared seafood in town for a decade now. A near-perfect pared-down menu of all the favorites (lobster, scallops, halibut, and even fish and chips) is supplemented by mouthwatering nightly specials, like the recent cherry tomato-and-pesto-roasted Gulf redfish on polenta with chimichurri sauce. Yum. For those who want to enjoy seafood for more than just special occasions, Waters offers a generous happy hour seven days a week with discounted cocktails, $5 wine and beer, and half off some of the more popular shared plates, like crab-and-shrimp ceviche and the famed Dirty Dozen — a flight of flown-in-daily oysters best enjoyed on downtown’s best patio.
Soul Food
Readers’ Choice: Drew’s Place, 5701 Curzon Av, Fort Worth, 817-476-1857
Critic’s Choice: Turkey Leg House, 6200 McCart Av, Fort Worth, 817-420-9881
Along with traditional giant, smoked, fall-off-the-bone-tender namesake items, this McCart spot also serves turkey legs stuffed with rice and brisket and a (tres spicy) jerk one filled with crawfish mac ’n’ cheese. Da House also does a killer Creole pork chop that’s tender and zesty. continued on page 55
The popular Dirty Dozen oysters at Waters, our critic’s choice for Best Seafood, are half off during happy hour seven days a week. Emmy Smith
Steak
Readers’ Choice: Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, Fort Worth, 817-290-3091
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): B&B Butchers & Restaurant, 5212 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 817-737-5212; Grace, 777 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-877-3388; Silver Fox Steakhouse, 1651 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-332-9060
Japanese Wagyu, A5-certified Kobe beef, and dry-aged prime beef aren’t handled much better than they are at B&B. They’re juicy and tender, and served in a classy, Old World-looking red-brick space, they’re transportive. … Grace likes to have a little fun, and we are here for it. The downtown staple would love for you to cover your bites of perfectly seasoned and cooked filet, prime rib, or ribeye with béarnaise, chimichurri, espresso horseradish, or a sublime cognac peppercorn cream. … You’re gonna pay a premium at Silver Fox, but you’ll need two mouths to tackle the enormous portions of splendidly cooked, always tender, outrageously juicy beef appearing on your plate in this stately TCU-area institution.
Street Tacos
Readers’ Choice: Salsa Limón, 1465 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-250-4842
Critic’s Choice: Buena Vida Taqueria, 314 S Main St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-386-5334
Maybe this category is supposed to be reserved for hole-in-the-wall family joints located in gas stations. And maybe we didn’t even want to like Buena Vida Taqueria when it first opened earlier this year because we assumed its slick, Instagram-inspired aesthetic meant the food would be an afterthought. But the newest venture by [North Texas] Chef Alex Lines (who heads West 7th’s Pour Decisions among other establishments) has earned the win. Buena Vida serves up truly tasty trompo pastor, carne asada, and barbacoa tacos, to name a few, with all the usual fixin’s, in an area of town that desperately needed a cheap, quick lunch or late-night food option. We’ll even get off our high horse and admit we prefer the neon signs and faux-botanical ceiling to, say, a picnic table outside of a Chevron. Pro tip: Top everything with the housemade jalapeño-based hot sauce for even more auténtico flavor.
Supper Club
Critic’s Choice: Lil’ Boy Blue Cool Kids Supper Club About once a quarter, siblings Reggie continued on page 57
About once a quarter, brothers Cedric (left) and Reginald Robinson gather about 50 folks and throw down supper-style in the best way possible.
and Cedric Robinson pick a place, select a menu (heavy on the ’cue but also featuring other cuisines, including TexMex, Mediterranean, a down-home fish fry, and brunch), then open the doors to 50 or so guests. The Robinsons have help from a few friends with music and entertainment (you might learn how to salsa dance or get a lesson about the cultural relevance of the food). Often the brothers collaborate with other local chefs — recent collabs include Hao Tran and her semi-legendary dumplings and Jacqueline Anaya’s birria tacos. Whatever the Robinson brothers plate up, you’ll leave full, happy, and ready for another Lil’ Boy Blue experience.
Sushi
Tex-Mex Food
Readers’ Choice: Chuy’s Tex-Mex, 2401 W 7th St Ste 110, Fort Worth, 817-332-2489
Keen used to sing about. Eight of the nine lunch specials are under $10 and come with more food than one could reasonably eat without needing a nap. Howell kept all of what was best about the place and added a well-stocked bar.
dishes from both Thailand and Laos, this family-owned eatery should be world-famous. Come for the fried pork belly, stay for the larb, and try to save room for sticky rice, if, that is, you don’t fill up on spicy Lao sausage or a Lad Na noodle plate.
from page 55 continued on page 59
After 57 years, the Pulido family was about ready to shut down their staple Tex-Mex restaurants when restaurateur Gigi Howell and her Westland Group (partners Marc McBride and Bourke Harvey) stepped in. Not much on the menu has changed: You can still order Queso Pulidos (dirty queso topped with sour cream), chalupas, enchiladas, and the Mama and Papa dinners featuring guacamole salad, just like Robert Earl
Thai Food
Readers’ Choice: Spice, 411 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-984-1800
Critic’s Choice: Asiannights Lao Thai Cuisine & Bar, 2905 N Beach St, Haltom City, 817-841-1116
Big plates, friendly service, and savory, signature flavors make Asiannights stand out among the highlights of Mid-Cities’ stellar Asian-cuisine scene. Focused on
Vietnamese Food
Readers’ Choice: Pantry on Magnolia, 713 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-2381
Readers’ Choice: Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, Fort Worth, 817-290-3091
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar, 907 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-720-5330; Little Lilly Sushi, 6100 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 12, Fort Worth, 817-989-8886; Tokyo Cafe, 5121 Pershing Av, Fort Worth, 817-737-8568 Hatsuyuki offers possibly the most perfect, pristine sushi, sashimi, and handrolls that look like little nori-wrapped trumpets. This is not an inexpensive place to eat, and because everything looks so good, you’ll be tempted to pretty much order the left side of the menu. Slow your (hand-)roll and enjoy every glorious bite. … At age 12 (which is, like, 48 in restaurant years), Little Lilly is the OG, celebrating its tenure in Fort Worth and a second location in Keller. The selection of fresh fish options is dazzling here, and the Sayuri Roll with lump blue crab, garlicky albacore, pickled shishito peppers, and a yuzu sauce is transformational. … Tokyo Café is another OG sushi restaurant and has survived where many others have not. The beauty and purity of the salmon maki roll is not to be missed, and the Tejas Roll (yellowfin, fried jalapeño, spicy sauce) is just a good time.
Tamales
Readers’ Choice: Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe, 750 W Bonds Ranch Rd, Ste 700, Fort Worth, 817-318-7040
Critic’s Choice: Hot Damn Tamales!, 713 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-523-1836
There’s a great reason Hot Damn is still going strong after the Trojan War, the Crusades, WWII, and the pandemic the goodies at this institution since 1997 never disappoint. Not only that, but they’re the best. Soft, gooey, and meaty, they come in elevated traditional flavors, including our favorites the chicken and hatch green chiles and the queso blanco and jalapeño chiles.
Good Grub
ingredients, friendly service, and the flavorful broth that makes their namesake noodle bowl soothe your soul as much as it fills your belly. The pho and bún are excellent, as are the cóm tâm plates — one of these comes with ground shrimp in a fried tofu wrap, and it’s a pretty spectacular bite — and Pho Pasteur’s focus on spicy Huê cuisine like shrimp-andpork-stuffed steamed pastries and beef porridge make it a fun place to try dishes outside your regular staples.
Waitstaff
Readers’ Choice: Pouring Glory, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-707-5441
Critic’s Choice: Blue Mesa, 612 Carroll St, Fort Worth, 817-332-6372
The staff at this superb West 7th TexMex staple always puts us customers first and does a great job — the best, we could say — of anticipating our needs, which, when you really think about it, is the only kind of service that should be accepted but often isn’t. Anytime the manager or bartenders are hair-on-fire refilling waters, taking drink orders, or busing tables even when you’re not the only customer in the joint has to mean you’ve come to the right place. “Pampered” is a term that comes readily to mind.
Wings
Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Bros-TCU, 3015 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-386-9601
serving mouthwatering wings since the intersection of Western Center and 35-North was barren, and the cavernous retreat with two bars, dozens of TVs (and taxidermy mounts), and a room full of billiards tables is still going strong, despite all the competition blooming throughout North Fort Worth and Alliance. Flips’ service is on point, and the wings in all the traditional flavors are still as zesty, flavorful, and hefty as they’ve always been.
Wildcards
Caterer
Wildcard Winner: 360 Catering & Events, 7455 S Hulen St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-714-8996
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): A Great Notion, 2024 Ridgmar Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-8521; The Boiled Owl Tavern, 909 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616; The Chat Room Pub, 1263 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth These joints have been around, and they feel like it, which is a good thing in a chaotic, messy world. Out on Ridgmar, A Great Notion has been serving cold brews across a disco-lit bartop for decades and is only getting bigger, mainly to accommodate some dart leagues. … In the heart of the Near Southside, the two Magnolia joints have major vibe but different kinds. As the Owl on non-live music nights is cozy and quiet with a solitary pool table and, broadcasting classic B-movies, a lone TV, the Chat is one big room with lots of games plus a picnic-y patio, desktop computers, and many TVs often tuned to sports. It’s nothing to have a couple beverages at one and finish up at the other. You never know who you’ll meet. Leon Bridges and Tony Green are regulars.
Critic’s Choice: Maddie Wildman, The Bar at Bowie House, 3700 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 855-683-4092
Maddie Wildman brings an in-depth knowledge about wine and spirits to The Bar, as well as an engaging rapport with her guests and a knack for finding the right cocktail to suit a person’s tastes. Call it intuition or highly informed opinion — Wildman is great with customers and knows her stuff, and she’ll make you feel right at home.
Beer Selection
Readers’ Choice: Pouring Glory, 1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-707-5441
Critic’s Choice: Southside Cellar, 125 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-703-2184
Shawn Howell’s quaint shop/bar on South Main is a great place to learn about beer, including the dozens of local breweries in stock, so order a pour or fill up a growler, grab a comfy seat, and stay a while at this laid-back warehouse-y retreat.
Brewery
Readers’ Choice: Martin House Brewing Company, 220 S Sylvania Av, Ste 209, 817-222-0177
Critic’s Choice: Martin House Brewing Company
Sometimes we wonder if Willy Wonka subs in as brewmaster at Martin House, and this is not a dig. Martin House’s creativity is truly admirable. Though there’s probably something for even the
most exotic tastes, they still brew their old faithfuls that you can find on the shelves around town, and between their friendly staff, the great tasting room, and the amazing food, Martin House is indeed a staple of the beer scene in Fort Worth.
Critic’s Choice: Big Laugh Comedy Club, 604 Main St, Fort Worth, 512-817-9535
Big Laugh’s calendar is packed with a wide variety of comedy showcases, from its weekly open-mic night (every
Monday) and live podcast recording sessions (see: A Drunken Night Out) to its headliner shows that feature North Texas’ funniest up-and-comers as well as touring comics like Shayne Smith, Rachel Williams, and Dulce Sloan. The people running the shows are committed to providing “the best night out,” which translates to friendly staff and good service, which go with live comedy like brick walls and two-drink minimums.
Craft Cocktail
Readers’ Choice: The Usual, 1408 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-810-0114
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Atlas, 314 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth,
682-348-5386; Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, 3100 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-336-8000; Thompson’s Bookstore, 900 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817-882-8003
A swanky, otherworldly cocktail bar off South Main, Atlas is a fantastic place for a craft cocktail. The bartenders are talented, and the drink menu has range. Atlas’ Vieux Carre is worth the visit alone. The sweet-and-bitter cocktail made famous at the Carousel Bar in New Orleans is truly great in the hands of Atlas’ capable mixologists. … We have been to Eddie V’s on many occasions, but we have never made it farther than the bar. This is for continued on page 63
On the Town
continued from page 61
good reason. The cocktails are excellent, and the Smoked Old Fashioned is best in class. Seeing that smoking glass making its way to the table is a real treat. … You cannot talk about craft cocktails without mentioning Thompson’s Bookstore. The throwback joint has an outstanding menu and knowledgeable and skillful bartenders. The Coral Vixen is a standout among standouts. The mescal and ancho-chile liqueur mixed with lemon juice and blackberry-jalapeño syrup make this delicious signature cocktail one of the best in town.
Place To Dance
Readers’ Choice: Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-624-7117
Critic’s Choice: Billy Bob’s Texas Billy Bob’s has a college night every Thursday that’s free with a valid college ID, but the World’s Largest Honkytonk ® wouldn’t be what it is without country and Western dancing, and to that end, Billy Bob’s offers couples dance lessons on Sunday afternoons and line dancing lessons on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons. Any one of those will get you prepped to scoot your boots when the house band hits the Honky Tonk Stage 8pm Thu-Sat.
Distillery
Readers’ Choice: Blackland Distillery, 2616 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 682-268-5333
Take the tour, fill up on facts about how TX Whiskey is made, and then visit the on-site TX Tavern to apply all that knowledge while sipping on a flight. The campus is huge, stately, and brimming with cowboy elegance, making it a perfect place to spend a mellow afternoon. If you’re looking for a spot to take an out-of-town visitor, this place is great.
Dog-Friendly Patio
Readers’ Choice: Liberty Lounge, 515 S Jennings St, Fort Worth, @Liberty. Lounge.FW
Critic’s Choice: Truck Yard-Alliance, 3101 Prairie Vista Dr, Fort Worth, 877-221-3936
It’s way the heck out by Alliance, but little secret: Since 35 North is always a nightmare during rush hour, you’re better off taking Main Street through the Stockyards to 820, then to 35N. Anyway, the mostly outdoor Truck Yard is enormous with a cozy dog run, good enough for a few rounds of fetch and, if fellow pals are afoot, some good old-fashioned nervous butt-sniffin’. Assorted food trucks are always on-site, and the service is uniformly spot on. Nice, picnic-style joint but one with a functional Ferris wheel. (!)
Critic’s Choice: Hudson House, 4600 Dexter Av, Fort Worth, 682-207-4220
There are many excellent happy hour spots in Fort Worth, but one stands out as the best. Hudson House off Camp Bowie has a killer happy hour, but there’s a catch. You must be sitting at the bar. continued on page 65
There’s probably something for even the most exotic tastes at best brewery winner Martin House Brewing Company.
Courtesy Martin House/Instagram
Though anytime’s a good time to Zattack some ’za at best late-night food winner Zalat, the
On the Town
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From 3-6, there’s half-price martinis and wine by the glass, $3 East Coast oysters, and $10 cheeseburgers (both excellent!). Set your watch for 3pm and hustle over to belly up to a spot before they’re all taken.
Hotel Bar
Readers’ Choice: Bar Dryce, Hotel Dryce, 3621 Byers Av, Fort Worth, 817-330-6437
Critic’s Choice: Bar Dryce Vinyl nights (including BYO vinyl events). Soulful DJ evenings. Collabs with local restaurateurs and celebrities. And a tidy, well-curated list of mixed drinks, zero-proof cocktails, beer, and several Texas wines, including the Italian-grape Cup of Ambition. Throw in a little yoga, some Sunday brunch, and the Tuesday evening Silent Book Club (read what you want and don’t feel like you have to make a lot of conversation), and you’ve got one interesting milieu, all near Dickies Arena.
Host
Critic’s Choice: Kolin Jardine, Tarantula Tiki Lounge, 117 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616
Kolin Jardine is an energetic, patient, and generous host with a great sense of humor and a slightly goofy surfer-hippie guy vibe. If your party of eight comes in and has no idea what to do with Tarantula’s extensive menu, Kolin will walk all of y’all through the different flavor profiles to find what you want to drink. Take as long as you want. He doesn’t seem to mind. If you’re obviously on an intimate evening for two, he can also take a hint.
Karaoke Night
Readers’ Choices (tie): Grandma’s, 715 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, @GrandmasNSFW; Sarah’s Place, 5223 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-7337
Critic’s Choice: Sarah’s Place
Still going strong after all these years, Sarah’s is more than just a karaoke spot, though warbling along to jams from our glory days largely defines the Westside staple off Camp Bowie. Great service, affordable drinks delivered with a smile, and that oh-so-lovely dive-bar atmo make Sarah’s an ideal stop any weekday after work or weekend excursion.
Late-Night Food
Readers’ Choice: Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, Fort Worth, 817-290-3091
BURLESON OPEN 6am-10pm FREE WI-FI SEE US AFTER THE SHOW!
BOTH LOCATIONS OPEN DAILY! Fort Worth: 1509 S University 817-336-0311
Burleson: 225 E Renfro 817-989-9090
West 7th shop is open until 4am weekends.
Critic’s Choice: Zalat Pizza, 843 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-780-0420
We all have our obvious standbys (Whataburger, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell), but for those carbs you’re really craving (especially after a big night out), Zalat reigns supreme. Cheesy, gooey, foldable, zesty, and chewy, these slices hit the spot as powerfully as any afterhours NYC joint. Zalat is open until 4am Fri-Sat, 2am Thu, and midnight Sun, Mon-Wed, though anytime’s a good time to Zattack some ’za here.
LGBTQIA+ Bar
Critics’ Choice: Jackie O’s Cocktail Club, 609 S Jennings, Fort Worth
It’s your all-around good-timin’ bar, with friendly staff (props to Ty and Courtney, who handle regulars and dazed newcomers with grace and good cheer). Join Lez Be Friends or enjoy the occasional tear-in-your-beer music evening with the Sad Girl Country Club. It’s happy hour all day Sundays, and those regulars will make you feel at home around the bar as you try to navigate the beginning of the weekend or the end of a busy workday.
Margarita
Readers’ Choices (Top 3): Ashim’s Hibachi Grill, 424 Taylor St, Fort Worth, 817-290-3091; Joe T. Garcia’s, 2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-626-4356; Muy Frio Margaritas, 3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 109, Fort Worth, 817-238-3386
Most Mexican restaurants with in-house bars do delightful things with tequila and a traditional Mexican spirit. Fresco’s is no exception. If you’re headed north to Watauga or south to Burleson, stop by for chips, salsa, and a few drinks, starting with the cucumber-jalapeño margarita. Or, hell, just go there specifically for it. It will be worth the trip.
Critic’s Choice: Walloon’s Restaurant, 701 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-224-3230
With all due respect to Lucile’s, The Fitzgerald, Grace, and a few other spots around town who do martinis justice, it’s just hard to beat Walloon’s. The Near Southside seafood emporium specializes in tasty and cold — like, ice-cold — blends of gin, Cinzano dry vermouth, and continued on page 69
lemon twists that go great with anything and everything from the mouthwatering raw oysters and pan-roasted salmon to the Pub Burger and the 8-oz hangar steak.
Mixologist
Readers’ Choice: Drew Arroyo, The Amber Room, 334 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 817-945-2433
Critic’s Choice: Pam Moncrief No matter what the parameters are, Pam Moncrief can whip up an excellent cocktail program. At Don Artemeo, she built up a fantastic bar program showcasing carefully curated tequila’s, mezcals, and charandas in cocktails as balanced as a feather resting on the point of a pin. Treat yourself to a Don Victor, and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Find Pam. She’s around. She’s well worth it.
Patio
Readers’ Choice: Maggie’s R&R, 1264 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-255-5442
With the demise of Reata’s glorious three-level patio this year (the restaurant moved up the street), it’s hard to find a replacement. Press Cafe’s outside space remains firmly on the ground. Of course, the best spaces closest to the food and the views of the tree-lined riverbank are reservation-only, but if you were feeling optimistic and spontaneous, there’s an area facing the front where you can spend time with a beverage waiting for your table, enjoying the fire pit in the winter and the occasional jogger’s dog most of the rest of the year. Those spots are first come, first served, and plentiful.
Restaurant Bar
Readers’ Choice: Maggie’s R&R, 1264 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-255-5442
Critic’s Choice: Toro Toro, 200 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-975-9895
The lounge at pan-Latin restaurant Toro Toro serves up delectable cocktails based on tequila, mezcal, and cachaça, the last of which really sings in a fun concoction called a Hacienda Bird. Then there’s the “espumoso” menu (Spanish for “foamy” or “bubbly”), a great selection
the Town continued from page 67 continued on page 71
Best mixologist Pam Moncrief has built a program at Don Artemio showcasing carefully curated tequilas, mezcals, and charandas.
On the Town
of sparkling wine by the glass or bottle which nicely complements the expansive wine program. Whatever you end up sipping on, you’ll enjoy it in an elegant, comfortable space of soothing wood tones and dark marble.
Sports Bar
Readers’ Choice: Buffalo BrosSundance, 415 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 817-887-9533
Critic’s Choice: Rogers Roundhouse, 1616 Rogers Rd, Fort Worth, 817-367-9348
When it comes to Fort Worth, the homiest of home teams has to be the Horned Frogs, so when our TCU’ers are battling the rest of the NCAA on TV, this University Drive-area roadhouse (called a Roundhouse after the nearby train tracks) gets slam-packed with Purple Nation. It’s amazing how the service here is just as fast and friendly on Saturday afternoons during football season as during a weekday lunch. Great burgers, too. Go, Frogs!
Wine, Place To Drink
Readers’ Choice: The Holly, 305 W Daggett Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 817-420-6446
Whether lounging on an outdoor sofa on the shady front lawn, having a tasting inside the historic Samuels Avenue home it occupies, or taking in the view on the large back terrace, Saddlerock Wine + Beer Co. has emerged as the most enjoyable place to have a glass or share a bottle of wine in Funkytown. A menu well-stocked with California whites, reds, rosés, and bubbles may seem limiting to some, but there are plenty of grape varietals, such as pinot blanc, syrah, and zinfandel, that you might not associate with Cali. And with regular live music on the terrace and weekly trivia and movie nights, plus brunch featuring their onsite food truck on weekends, there are many excuses to head Uptown and get your drink on at Saddlerock.
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In Uptown, Saddlerock has emerged as the best place to have a glass or share a bottle of wine in Funkytown.
Courtesy Saddlerock/Instagram
Best in Class
From automobiles to zoo happenings, our Classifieds Section includes listings for everything imaginable — well, almost everything — each week. For the Best Of 2024 edition, we’re switching it up. Below is a roster of some of this year’s winners as a quick reference for your resource needs. Give them a call!
Animal Adoption
Readers’ & Critic’s Choice: Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-4768 With locations all across North Texas (you can usually find them at Petco and PetSmart), HSNT strives to find homes for all the abandoned animals in their care. To qualify as a “no-kill,” shelters must have a 90% successful “live release” rate, and the Humane Society of North Texas’ 2023 score was 97%. Before you go to a breeder, see what furry pals are awaiting your hugs and pets at a Humane Society event. Rescuing abandoned fur babies will improve your life as much as theirs.
Animal Rescue
Readers’ Choice: Saving Hope
Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Apollo Support & Rescue, 1170 Dove Hill Rd, Justin, 817-658-9738, ApolloSupportandRescue.org; Fort Worth Abandoned Animal Alliance, FWAbandoned.org; Saving Hope, 420 Throckmorton St, Ste 550, Fort Worth, @SavingHopeTX
Rescuing unhoused pets is a labor of love, but doing right by these furry friends requires a high level of professional care and organization. Apollo, Animal Alliance, and Saving Hope truly put the pets first, providing care and rehabilitation for abandoned creatures, and their assiduous work in rehoming these pups, kitties, and other relinquished animals are made possible by dedicated volunteers and foster families.
Apartments
Readers’ Choice (Tie): Luxia River East, 336 Oakhurst Scenic Dr, Fort Worth, 817-790-9153; Mercantile River District, 4921 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-859-7458
When contemplating uses for the nonresidential space on the ground floor of Everly Plaza, co-owners Saigebrook Development and O-SDA Industries decided to open a 2,400-square-foot community art space called The Pool, something much needed in that part of the Near Southside. Tenants can dive into art experiences without leaving home, and we think that’s a beautiful thing.
Readers’ Choice: Smoke & Vape DZ, 1411 W Magnolia Av, Ste 101, Fort Worth, 682-707-9229
Critic’s Choice: Critic’s Choice: Thrive Apothecary, 126 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, 817-480-7098
From edibles and tinctures to pre-rolls, beverages, and more, Thrive’s hemp-derived cannabis products are vetted and tested to ensure they exist within the
confines of Texas’ marijuana policy and are sold in a vibrant atmosphere by staffers who know what they’re talking about. Great for people new to cannabis culture!
Day Spa
Readers’ & Critic’s: Perfect Touch Day Spa, 2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-870-3610
The therapists certainly live up to the name of the place. Their touch really is “perfect.” We’ve been here dozens of times over the years, and it’s only gotten better. The packages are also lovely. From the Face and Body Package (2hour facial, full-body Swedish massage, Paraffin foot treatment) for $165 to the
Ultimate Indulgence Package (3.5-hour four-hands massage, ultra-facial treatment, seaweed or herbal body wrap, body polish treatment) for $375, Perfect Touch has the perfect treatment for your utter rejuvenation.
Dentist
Readers’ Choice: Just for Grins Family Dentistry, 466 N Main St, Keller, 817-741-4455
Critic’s Choice: Jefferson Dental Stockyards, 301 NW 28th St, Ste 113, Fort Worth, 682-747-5000
As with all Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics offices, the Stockyards continued on page 75
CLASSIFIEDS
HIRING IN CORSICANA, TEXAS MECHANIC
Position Summary: Our Mechanics are responsible for repairing and refurbishing fusion equipment in a distribution plant by performing the following duties:
Diagnose, maintain and repair fusion equipment including; small diesel/gas engines, generators, electrical circuits and hydraulic systems
Perform quality inspections of rental fusion equipment prior to returning to service
Maintain records of service, repairs and scheduled maintenance of rental fusion equipment
Inspect and diagnose customer owned equipment to prepare repair quotes
Communicate with maintenance coordinator and service advisors on status of down equipment and customer repairs
Repair and Service fabrication shop equipment as needed
Prepare equipment for shipping
Ability to utilize local vendors and/or vendor websites to locate required parts as needed
ENTRY LEVEL FABRICATOR
Position summary: Fabricators are responsible for fabricating and assembling polyethylene pipe to create a variety of customized structures such as: fittings, valves, T’s, Y’s, elbows, aqua shields, geothermal vaults, manholes, dual containment units, pumps, gas aeration lines and similar structures that meet customer specifications by performing the following duties:
Read and interpret blueprints, product drawings and pic ticket orders to determine materials, tools and equipment needed to complete work
Follows quality control procedures to ensure that the assembled, fabricated product meets customer specifications
Upholds accurate records of materials used on “ticket”; locates and pulls required materials from inventory
Operates ISCO’s fusion and fast fusion equipment, cranes and forklifts
Utilizes a variety of hand tools, saws and cutting equipment and performs other related duties as assigned
Must be able to lift up to 40lbs on a regular basis and stand for long periods of time
MACHINE OPERATOR
Position Summary: The Machine Operator will fabricate and assemble polyethylene pipe (HDPE) to create a variety of customized structures such as; fittings, valves, T’s, Y’s, elbows, aqua-shields, geothermal vaults, manholes, dual containment units, pumps, gas aeration lines and similar structures that meet customer specifications by performing the following duties:
Read and interpret blueprints, product drawings and pic ticket orders to determine the materials, tools and equipment needed to complete work
Follow quality control procedures when fabricating and assembling products per customer specifications
Maintain accurate records of materials used on “ticket”; locate and pull required materials from inventory
Sustain clean work area and equipment; follow safety procedures concerning use of equipment and materials for safe working conditions
Operate ISCO’s fusion and fast fusion equipment, cranes, and forklifts
Utilize a variety of hand tools, saws and cutting equipment
Perform other related duties as assigned
At ISCO, we put high value on appreciation and respect, and provide you with an opportunity to really make a difference. ISCO is a family owned and operated company born and raised in Louisville, KY that is focused on our team members’ growth. In addition to a standard benefits package of medical/ dental/vision, ISCO offers a 6% match on retirement! ISCO Industries is an end-to-end piping solutions provider that specializes in HDPE, working with leading edge technology that makes us a market leader.
Best in Class
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location offers affordable dentistry services and helps patients find flexible financing programs if insurance doesn’t cover their needs. But this particular office stands out for more than just stellar care for less. Their friendly, dedicated staff is 99% female. From the front office to the hygienists to the dentist herself, these ladies have it going on. The one dude who works there (as best we can tell) is pretty great, too. Is this female-driven team assembled by design or by coincidence? Who knows, but we dig it
Doctor
Readers’ Choice: Don White DC, River Oaks Chiropractic Clinic, 1141 Long Av, River Oaks, 817-625-1165
Critic’s Choice: Allison Barrett PT/ DPT, Beelieve Pediatric Therapy, 10640 N Riverside Dr, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-431-9000
While physical therapists aren’t technically doctors in the medical sense, many
of the staff at Beelieve hold doctorate degrees, including Dr. Barrett PT/DPT, their physical therapy director. Along with the rest of The Hive, this UTA graduate helps children with developmental delays, genetic conditions, neurodevelopment diagnoses, and more and is well-loved by the community. Unlike many in their field, this practice encourages engagement through social media so they can be a 24/7 resource to North Texas. Follow Barrett and her happy crew @BeelievePediatric.
Employer:
Readers’ Choice: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, 999 Lockheed Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-777-2000
Critic’s Choice: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection, multiple locations With five of its eight centers located within our circulation area, TCAP is not only the go-to for low-cost pet (and feral cat) spays, neuters, and vaccinations, but it could also be your next employer. Pet Lovers across North Texas are invited to join the team in its mission to end animal overpopulation. Along with some professional positions, there are also opportunities for those with a highschool diploma or GED who are willing to train for a new career. Benefits include medical insurance, paid vacations, and a company-matched 401(k) program. For more on why TCAP is the best, visit TexasforThem.org/Careers.
Lawyer
Readers’ Choice: Jennifer Lovelace PC, Lovelace Law, 1601 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-953-9656
Critic’s Choice: Fathers for Equal Rights, 1500 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-870-4880
Dads dealing with child support issues, visitation trouble, civil rights violations,
Brittni’s Automotive Repair is a Wildcard winner in this year’s Getting & Spending section.
Arlington School of Music tied with Music Junkies Studio for the readers’ choice of Music Lessons in Arts & Culture.
Best in Class
and more have a local ally in Fathers for Equal Rights. At Fathers4Kids.com, you can find resources, including tips for representing yourself and a list of volunteer lawyers who can help in case the former is more than you can handle.
Music Lessons
Readers’ Choice: Arlington School of Music, 3100 W Arkansas Ln, Arlington, 817-459-1444
Critic’s Choice: Music Junkie Studios, 1701 Enderly Pl, Fort Worth, 682-499-5732
For aspiring musicians of all ages, you can’t beat Music Junkie Studios. Offering lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums, violin, ukulele, songwriting, and home recording, Music Junkie’s individualized approach to instruction emphasizes discovery and joy. Whether you want to get good enough to play in a band or just want a new hobby to explore, Music Junkie has an instructor and learning path for you.
The Tone Shop on Bryant Irvin is the Addison-based guitar retailer’s third store, and like its sister locations (also in Southlake), it’s a guitar geek’s dream of both new and vintage axes — if you’re in the market for a high-end acoustic guitar, this is the place for you — plus a great selection of amps and pedals and all the necessary little things like picks, strings, and cables that make that pre-CBS Stratocaster you’re eyeing sound like it’s supposed to.
Realtor
Readers’ Choice: Lindsay Anderson, Century 21 Alliance Properties, 120 West McLeroy Blvd, Saginaw, 817-232-9550
Critic’s Choice: Sara Huffman, Real Brokerage, LLC, 817-727-1637
Not much in life is more stressful than selling and/or purchasing a home, so it’s paramount to find an experienced real estate agent who can help guide you through the process from start to finish. Realtor/Broker Sara Huffman has become an expert in the North Texas market over the last decade, using the latest technology at her disposal to find single folks, couples, and families the best deal, even if that means making phone calls late into the night, writing letters on behalf of her clients who may not have the highest offer, or setting up food trucks outside of open houses. Her refusal to give up on her clients no matter how many houses they ask to see is just one reason for her perfect 5.0 rating on Google.
Vote! Vote! Vote!
The BEST thing you can do between now and Mon, Oct 7 is to make sure you’re registered to vote. Do a quick check now at VoteTexas.gov. For more on this topic, check out the voter guide in the next issue of the Weekly.
Lindsay Anderson won the readers’ hearts in the Realtor category in People & Places this year.
Best of the Back
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EMPLOYMENT
Brident Dental seeks F/T Dentists for Fort Worth location. Must have DDS or DMD degree or foreign equiv., valid TX dental license. Sal. Range: $181k-$186k/yr. Email res: resumes@ westerndental.com
EVANGELICALS FOR HARRIS
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HISTORIC RIDGLEA
THEATER
THE RIDGLEA is three great venues within one historic Fort Worth landmark. RIDGLEA THEATER has been restored to its authentic allure, recovering unique Spanish-Mediterranean elements. It is ideal for large audiences and special events. RIDGLEA ROOM and RIDGLEA LOUNGE have been making some of their own history, as connected adjuncts to RIDGLEA THEATER, or hosting their own smaller shows and gatherings. More at theRidglea.com
I CAN FIX IT FOR YOU!
Handyman available for projects in Tarrant and Parker Counties. Household repairs, painting, yard work etc, I CAN HELP!
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PLAY BALL!
DirectTV Stream carries the MOST LOCAL MLB GAMES! CHOICE Package, $89.99/mo for 12 months. Stream on 20 devices in your home at once with the CHOICE Package at $89.99/mo for 12 months. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. (mb) Call IVS at 1-855-810-7635.
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WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
We work with guest contributors to publish SEO articls and press release purpuses. Email today! Marketing@fwweekly.com
THE WILD HARE HOLISTIC FAIR
Every 4th Saturday of the Month 1959 Sandy Lane Fort Worth Next Event This Saturday September 28th ADMISSION IS FREE!!
Our patches are full of some great contenders, and our shelves are full of even more flavors to fall for. From freshly baked pumpkin bread and pumpkin ricotta cookies, to hearty winter squash, simmering soups, and spiced apple desserts, we’re here for sweater weather!
