Paramount+
Whenever Billy Bob Thornton shows up in Fort Worth, it’s not merely because the city serves as a convenient backdrop for “Landman,” the gritty Paramount+ series now deep into its second season production — in which he stars.
It’s because, as he puts it, “This place just sticks to you.” For an actor and musician who’s spent a lifetime chasing stories across the country, Fort Worth has become a rare kind of refuge — the kind of town where you can settle in, catch a game, and find a spot that feels like it’s been waiting just for you.
When Thornton talks about Fort Worth’s nearby charm, he points first to Weatherford, just outside the city. “I used to go to this place in Weatherford all the time,” Thornton told Energies Media in January. “It’s an old tin building with an outdoor patio where Tommy Norris can smoke — that’s so important. It’s this dive called FINS. We became regulars. They’d just come set down our drinks and food without even asking anymore what we wanted. We loved that.”
FINS Patio Bar & Grill sits at 810 South Main Street, a few miles west of Fort Worth proper. It’s an unpretentious spot where the faded paint and worn booths tell stories louder than any neon sign could. For Thornton, it’s a place that feels lived-in and true, the kind of watering hole where the owner knows your name.
Back in town, the Fort Worth Stockyards cast their long, sun-drenched shadow. This historic district, celebrating its 135th anniversary, is more than just a tourist draw — it’s a heartbeat in the city’s chest. Thornton has been playing here — via Billy Bob's Texas — for years with his band, The Boxmasters. “I always thank [the owners] for naming it after me,” he says with a grin. “Even though they didn’t.” It’s a wink to the legendary honky-tonk’s namesake and an inside nod to the camaraderie he shares with folks like Robert Gallagher and the local music crowd. “We usually go to Billy Bob’s to see people that we know that are playing there,” Thornton says.
And then there’s Tim Love’s restaurants scattered throughout Fort Worth, especially in the Stockyards — culinary spots Thornton frequents, savoring the bold flavors that echo the region’s rich heritage. It’s not just about the food but the whole atmosphere — the genuine Texan hospitality and the sense that here, the past and present shake hands over a sizzling plate.
Joe T. Garcia’s is another staple in Thornton’s Fort Worth rotation. Surprise, surprise. The sprawling Mexican eatery on North Commerce Street is a classic, one that has withstood the test of time and tastes. “It’s a big open-air place,” he says, “and a lot of tourists go there. But they’re so good to us. We love to hang out and see the folks we know who work there. It’s been there forever — a real classic.”
Of course, “Landman” fans might recognize JD’s Hamburgers, a local burger joint that saw a surge in business after its fictional counterpart appeared in the series. While Thornton’s personal visits there aren’t publicized, the place is emblematic of the humble, homegrown spirit he admires.
