Appetizer
Reader Pick: Brisket Bites, Riscky's Barbecue
2314 Azle Ave., risckys.com
Editors' Pick: Carpet Bagger, B&B Butchers and Restaurant
A piece of filet mignon is topped with thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon, Cajun fried oysters, crumbled blue cheese and housemade dressing and served on the half shell for an appetizer that looks and tastes like your dreams on a platter. Trust us, you should eat it all in one big bite.
5212 Marathon Ave., bbbutchers.com
Asian
Reader Pick: Shinjuku Station
711 W. Magnolia Ave., shinjuku-station.com
Editors' Pick: Boun Bistro
5111 N. Beach St., Ste.180, bounbistro.com
Atmosphere
Reader Pick: Brewed
Dubbed “The Locals' Living Room,” Brewed makes waves for its rustic-hipster vibe with exposed brick, warm colors and eclectic furniture. Several living room-esque spaces make for popular spots to gather with friends and sit back with a coffee or cocktail. Or, head outside and lounge by the firepits.
801 W. Magnolia Ave., brewedfw.com
Editors' Pick: Cafe Modern
3200 Darnell St., themodern.org/cafe
Bakery
Reader Pick: Loft22 Cakes
106 E. Daggett Ave., loft22cakes.com
Editors' Pick: SusieCakes
All reservations we had about SusieCakes being a chain (there are more than 20 locations of this West Coast bakery) went out the window when we took one bite of a chocolate cupcake. These things are simple, normal-sized cupcakes that look mini compared to the creations that come out of places like Sprinkles and Crave. They are baked from scratch, cooked daily, filled with frosting and topped with chocolate buttercream frosting.
1621 River Run, Ste. 151, susiecakes.com
BBQ
Reader Pick: Riscky's Barbecue
Our readers piled in on Riscky's this year, sending up Riscky's as Fort Worth's best barbecue. The restaurant operates from eight locations, but Azle Avenue is arguably the best. Order anything from the sliced brisket to the chopped sandwiches, rotisserie chicken and sausage, and you get the same consistent Riscky's flavor.
2314 Azle Ave., risckys.com
Editors' Pick: Angelo's BBQ
This Fort Worth institution just celebrated its 60th year in business on St. Patrick's Day, offering up cold, green Bud in frosted schooners to long lines of patrons. The restaurant continues to serve up chopped beef sandwiches, sliced brisket and sausage plates in its modest White Settlement Road quarters. It's no longer cash-only; Angelo's accepts credit cards these days. The character of the neighborhood is getting ready to change, with Panther Island pushing west toward the restaurant. What won't change: the quintessential Cowtown experience.
2533 White Settlement Road, angelosbbq.com
Beer Selection
Reader Pick: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
The brainchild of Shannon Wynne has grown to 15 locations in five states. Of course, our readers are partial to the one in downtown Fort Worth with its sprawling, leafy, covered patio amid Sundance Square. Become a member of the U.F.O. Club and keep track of the beers you consume, so you can one day be “immortalized” in the Saucer's Ring of Honor.
111 E. 3rd St., beerknurd.com
Editors' Pick: Pouring Glory
Fort Worth's South Main Village continues to grow up around Pouring Glory, the creation of longtime restaurateur Kevin Von Ehrenfried. The restaurant and bar, in a historic building refurbished by Fort Worth developer Dak Hatfield, sells more than 50 craft beers. It also offers a robust menu of appetizers, tacos, burgers and sandwiches. We love the brisket nachos, a pile of fresh-cut fries, melted cheese, chopped brisket, green onions, jalapeños, smoked bacon, and Porter barbecue and sour cream sauce. That'll absorb the beer.
1001 Bryan Ave., pouringglory.com
Bloody Mary
Reader Pick: Bread Winners Cafe & Bakery
1612 S. University Drive, breadwinnerscafe.com
Editors' Pick: Fixture - Kitchen and Social Lounge
401 W. Magnolia Ave., fixturefw.com
Breakfast
Reader Pick: Ol' South Pancake House
It used to be that Ol' South was about the only thing going on in Fort Worth's South University Drive between Interstate 30 and the Trinity. The street has grown up around it and so have dining options at TCU and the nearby West Magnolia Avenue. But Ol' South persists, serving up its treats 24 hours a day in a town where most restaurants roll up the carpet early and late kitchens are frustratingly hard to find. You'll find everybody from old Fort Worth, to your neighbors, TCU kids and people who don't look like you hanging out here. The German Pancakes and the supposedly smaller Dutch Babies version are still the signature fave.
1509 S. University Drive, olsouthpancakehouse.com
Editors' Pick: Yolk
Open downtown for breakfast and lunch, Yolk likes to say it “pushes the envelope” on traditional breakfast fare. Sure, you can get a plate of eggs and bacon here. But you might also be inclined to try one of the chain restuarant's signature dishes, like pot roast Benedict, red velvet French toast, and Yolk's pancakes, crepes, French toast, waffles, omelets and frittatas. Yolk serves them up with specialty juices and a proprietary coffee.
305 Main St., eatyolk.com
Brewery/Distillery
Reader Pick: Trinity River Distillery
Dropping in on a recent Saturday, it felt as if half of Fort Worth was visiting the distillery and its sister Wild Acre Brewing Co. next door. The two are off the beaten path, to be sure, just off of East Lancaster Avenue, east of downtown. The distillery is in the refurbished, circa 1913 Ranch Style Beans plant. The whiskey, vodka and a liqueur infused with Texas Hill Country honey are made from Texas rainwater. There's lots to do here: Sip a glass of whiskey from the bar, play a game of pool, take a factory tour. And if you've got time, go next door to Wild Acre, where the customer is decidedly younger than the whiskey-drinking crowd. You can take home bottles of the beverage, too: The 80-proof Texas Silver Star Whiskey is $34.99; the 80-proof Texas Silver Star Vodka, $16.99; and the 70-proof Texas Silver Star Honey, $32.99. 1734 E. El Paso St., Ste. 130, trinityriverdistillery.com
Editors' Pick: TX Whiskey – Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co.
This was easy. Whiskey Ranch is the site of our 2018 “Party with the Best” extravaganza. Our most recent venues have been a little tight-fitting for the throngs of fans who show up. Whiskey Ranch has plenty of room. It seems eons ago when Leonard Firestone and Troy Robertson, founders of the successful F&R Distillery on West Vickery Boulevard in Fort Worth, unintentionally found themselves in the middle of a smackdown over whether their robust plan to convert the struggling Glen Garden Country Club – the golf course where Ben Hogan, Sandra Palmer and Byron Nelson learned the game – into a distillery and event center would be good for the slowly emerging Southeast Fort Worth. Here we are. Today, the 112-acre Whiskey Ranch serves as a second distillery for F&R, producer of the popular TX Whiskey and TX Bourbon, and a bucolic event center for private and charity parties.
901 W. Vickery Blvd., frdistilling.com
Brunch
Reader Pick: Hot Box Biscuit Club
502 Grand Ave. A, Find Hot Box Biscuit Club on Facebook
Editors' Pick: Pacific Table
1600 S. University Drive, Ste. 601, pacifictableftworth.com
Burger
Reader Pick: Rodeo Goat
Come with an appetite is all we can say. In this heavily hamburgered town, our readers love Rodeo Goat and its rustic inside-outside home off of West Seventh Street in Fort Worth. The burgers stick out. Way, way out. If there's a classic burger on the menu, we haven't uncovered it. Rodeo Goat's burgers come seemingly stacked with a whole ‘nuther meal on top of the beef patty. The Sugar Burger, anyone? Its accoutrements: candied bacon, grilled peaches, caramelized onions, arugula and jalapeño jam. Of course, if what you really want is something less filling to soak up Rodeo Goat's cold beer, you and your friends can go “light” with Rodeo Goat's menu. Try the “Steaming Pile” appetizer: jalapeño cheddar tater tots, goat and cheddar cheese, bacon, truffle oil, and fried egg on top.
2836 Bledsoe St., rodeogoat.com
Editors' Pick: Kincaid's Hamburgers
4901 Camp Bowie Blvd., kincaidshamburgers.com
Catering
Reader Pick: Savor Culinary Service
Savor offers gourmet meals with a healthy slant, believing that “food is medicine” with powers to heal the body. The company offers both boutique catering and prepared meals and pays special attention to dietary restrictions and food allergies.
800 W. 5th St., savorculinaryservices.com
Editors' Pick: Bistro Louise Catering
Perhaps the one thing better than Bistro Louise's delicious menu is its owner, Louise Lamensdorf, who's just as friendly as she is talented. Her specialty is American cuisine influenced by French, Italian and Spanish flavors. Practically everything she makes is good, but the Citrus Salmon — all we can say is “wow.”
5125 Turtle Creek Court, bistrolouise.com
Coffee
Reader Pick: Sons of Liberty Coffee
With its tall ceilings, airy interior, minimalist furnishings and cool coffee concoctions, Sons of Liberty Coffee would look at home in San Francisco. Instead, this newcomer to Fort Worth's brewing coffee scene is in downtown Fort Worth's Pinnacle Bank Plaza, in the heart of the Lancaster Avenue revitalization. The vast, open space is outfitted with large tables, a coffee bar, and fast Wi-Fi. Drop in for a visit, and you could be rubbing elbows with students, freelancers, entrepreneurs, or a meeting of community members. The people-watching is free. So is the parking in the plaza's garage.
250 W. Lancaster Ave,. Ste. 120, solcoffee.com
Editors' Pick: Craftwork Coffee Co.
4731 Camp Bowie Blvd., craftworkcoffeeco.com
Comfort Food
Readers Pick: Old Neighborhood Grill
Founder Peter Schroder handed over the reins of his 20-year-old Near Southside restaurant at the new year to new owners Brenda and Wallis Lester. The restaurant remains open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You need comfort food? Its menu favorites include classic burgers, crispy chicken strips, seasoned curly fries and onion rings, grilled pork chops, chicken-fried steaks and fried catfish. Wash everything down with a cold beer or glass of wine. Best time to go: dinner. There's less traffic then, which makes for a quiet evening.
1633 Park Place Ave., oldneighborhoodgrill.business.site
Editors' Pick: Drew's Place
5701 Curzon Ave., drewssoulfoodfw.com
Craft Cocktail
Reader Pick: Proper
409 W. Magnolia Ave., Find Proper on Facebook
Editors' Pick: Off The Record
721 W. Magnolia Ave., Find Off The Record on Facebook
Dessert
Reader Pick: Lili's Bistro, Doughnuts and Coffee
1310 W. Magnolia Ave., lilisbistro.com
Editors' Pick: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, Del's Delight
812 Main St., delfriscos.com
Enchiladas
Reader Pick: Mariposa's Latin Kitchen
5724 Locke Ave., mariposaslatinkitchen.com
Editors' Pick: Enchiladas Ole
901 N. Sylvania Ave., enchiladasole.com
Fajitas
Reader Pick: Joe T. Garcia's
2201 N. Commerce St., joetgarcias.com
Editors' Pick: Uncle Julio's
5301 Camp Bowie Blvd., unclejulios.com
Food Truck
Reader Pick: Funky Town Food Truck
Find Funky Town Food Truck on Facebook
Editors' Pick: Get Lao'd
Laotian food is having a bit of a moment, thanks to food trucks like this one serving items inspired by the small country north of Thailand. Get Lao'd regularly pops up at breweries and events around town, serving delicious Asian street eats like chicken wings with sticky rice, papaya salad and fried ribs.
Find Get Lao'd on Facebook
Fries
Reader Pick: Lili's Bistro, Gorgonzola Fries
The crack fries – we're serious; ask for the crack fries at Lili's, and they'll know what you're talking about – are a meal in themselves. They're to die for, to kill for. They're all sorts of other clichés we can conjure up. But on to Chef Vance Martin's creation: seasoned waffle fries, topped with cracked black pepper, green onions, and “melting, crumbled Gorgonzola.” That's, what, four food groups? Genius. Order them as an appetizer for the table or an accompaniment to something lighter, like the Lili's wedge.
1310 W. Magnolia Ave., lilisbistro.com
Editors' Pick: Fred's Texas Cafe
Just to keep you thinking when you walk in the doors after a tough day, Fred's offers up five versions of the fry. They start with regular fries, fresh hand-cut Russets. If that's too pedestrian, move up to the Cheese Fries, with melted cheese and Ranch dressing. Hungrier? The Loaded Cheese Fries, with melted cheese, jalapeños, and crispy bacon. Famished? There's the Texican Cheese Fries, with ground beef taco meat and melted cheese. And finally, for huge fans of hot melted cheese, Fred's offers the Queso Cheese Fries, with queso, guacamole and pico de gallo.
915 Currie St., fredstexascafe.com
Grab-n-Go
Reader Pick: Cuisine for Healing
1450 8th Ave., cuisineforhealing.com
Editors' Pick: Eatzi's Market & Bakery
1540 S. University Drive, Ste. 100, eatzis.com
Grocery Store
Reader Pick: Central Market
4651 West Fwy, centralmarket.com
Editors' Pick: Roy Pope Grocery
2300 Merrick St., roypopegrocery.com
Happy Hour
Reader Pick: Fixture - Kitchen and Social Lounge
401 W. Magnolia Ave., fixturefw.com
Editors' Pick: Rio Mambo
6125 SW Loop 820, riomambo.com
Healthy Bite
Reader Pick: Righteous Foods
3405 W. 7th St., eatrighteously.com
Editors' Pick: Spiral Diner & Bakery
1314 W. Magnolia Ave., spiraldiner.com
Hole-in-the-Wall
Reader Pick: Campfire Grill Texas Kitchen
6751 Rufe Snow Drive, Ste. 350, campfiregrilltx.com
Editors' Pick: Taqueria Melis
4304 W. Vickery Blvd. Find Taqueria Melis on Facebook
Ice Cream/Gelato
Reader Pick: Lumi Snow Company
Owners Cody and Lia Carta fell in love with the Taiwanese concept of shaved snow while visiting family in California. Determined to bring Fort Worth the best snow cream, Cody studied under an ice-cream genius in New York before bringing his learnings back and perfecting a recipe with Lia in their home kitchen and opening a successful North Beach Street shop. Now the Cartas have perfected a recipe for edible cookie dough — sold by the pint in their new North Richland Hills store. Lia is photographed holding “The Campfire Classic.”
7355 N. Beach St., Ste. 141; 8245 Precinct Line Road, Ste. 110, North Richland Hills, lumisnow.com
Editors' Pick: Gypsy Scoops
Gypsy Scoops is a local ice-cream shop that's ventured into everything from ice-cream doughnut sandwiches to monstrous “Freak Shakes” overflowing with candy. Its original location can be found on Race Street — a funky house complete with a front porch. But keep an eye on the MAIN+BROAD project on South Main Street, where Gypsy Scoops' second location is expected to open.
2905 Race St., gypsyscoops.com
Italian
Reader Pick: Piattello Italian Kitchen
5924 Convair Drive, Ste. 412, piattelloitaliankitchen.com
Editors' Pick: Nonna Tata
Donatella Trotti's little restaurant continues to enjoy a strong following, impressive given the explosion of competition along its West Magnolia Avenue home. The restaurant serves up Northern Italian faves. Sit outside on the covered patio and enjoy the people-watching. Nonna Tata continues to stick to its guns on the cash-only thing. It's also BYOB – great for your party.
1400 W. Magnolia Ave., Find Nonna Tata on Facebook
Kolache
Reader Pick: Pearl Snap Kolaches
When craving kolaches, Pearl Snap is more often than not the first Fort Worth entity that comes to mind. Don't sleep on the rest of its menu though — its savory options like sandwiches and kolache burgers are also quite a hit with regulars.
4006 White Settlement Road, pskolaches.com
Editors' Pick: Duffey's Kolache Bakery
This quaint North Beach Street bakery is a hidden gem, located farther north in Fort Worth. Though “kolache” is in the name, Duffey's is also known for its savory Czech pastries called Klobasneks. Find varieties with fillings like jalapeños and Pepper Jack cheese, bacon and eggs, or pulled pork.
8653 N. Beach St., Ste. 215, duffeyskolachebakery.com
Liquor Store
Reader Pick: Total Wine & More
5200 S. Hulen St., totalwine.com
Editors' Pick: Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods
4720 Bryant Irvin Road, specsonline.com
Margarita
Reader Pick: Taco Heads
Taco Heads serves the best margarita in Texas. We know this because the menu says it: “Best in Texas.” Our readers must agree, because they sent Taco Heads' margarita up as the city's best. They didn't specify which one – Taco Heads has six on the menu, including a seasonal choice – so you'll have to experiment. The Best in Texas margarita is made of El Jimador silver tequila, Cointreau, agave, and pressed lime juice.
1812 Montgomery St., tacoheads.com
Editors' Pick: Americado - Cucumber Margarita
2000 W. Berry St., americadofw.com
Mediterranean
Reader Pick: Terra Mediterranean Grill
2973 Crockett St., terramediterranean.com
Editors' Pick: Greek House
Though a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, Greek House is a hidden gem in the TCU area, popular among students for its casual, New York-esque Mediterranean fare. It's known for its gyro and sandwiches, but don't skip on sides like fried mushrooms and spinach puffs.
2426 Forest Park Blvd., Find Greek House on Facebook
Mexican
Reader Pick: Mariposa's Latin Kitchen
5724 Locke Ave., mariposaslatinkitchen.com
Editors' Pick: La Familia Mexican Restaurant
Foch Street Tex-Mex restaurant La Familia changed owners in 2015, but the flaming margaritas and flaming fajitas have remained. Now fajitas can be ordered “Gilberts Way” with a special marinade and topped with pico de gallo. Plus, any restaurant that serves free soup as a starter is off to a good start. La Familia gives patrons an option of bean or chicken.
841 Foch St., lafamiliafw.com
New Restaurant
Reader Pick: Twigs Bistro
5289 Marathon Ave., twigsbistro.com
Editors' Pick: Fixe Southern House
5282 Marathon Ave., fixesouthernhouse.com
Patio Dining
Reader Pick: Joe T. Garcia's
We didn't really have to check the votes for this one. Late winter, spring, early summer, fall, early winter and so on. Hell, in the middle of summer, with a pitcher of Joe T.'s margaritas. There's not much of a window when it's unpleasant to sit outside on the leafy, shaded garden patios of Joe T.'s, the Fort Worth institution. Order up the chicken or beef fajitas, or the full or half-enchilada dinner off the menu. Oops, there is no menu. Soak up the people-watching and wave at your friends sitting a garden or two over. Undoubtedly, Fort Worth's best outdoor dining experience.
2201 N. Commerce St., joetgarcias.com
Editors' Pick: Woodshed Smokehouse
Fort Worth turned its back on the Trinity River for years, and Chef Tim Love's Woodshed Smokehouse was the first to challenge the city's reluctance to embrace the waterfront. Hang outside on the patio's picnic tables, cooled by shade trees and well-placed fans, or belly up to the open-air bar. Bike in, walk in with your dog, or drive if you must. (On a recent visit, we sat at the bar next to a cyclist who'd just ridden in from Mansfield and was enjoying a beer and iced tea chaser. Mansfield!) The place is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Meat of the day becomes sausage of the day at breakfast. Pass around some small plates, order up the cold beverages and chill.
3201 Riverfront Drive, woodshedsmokehouse.com
Pizza
Reader Pick: Mama's Pizza
5800 Camp Bowie Blvd., mamaspizzas.net
Editors' Pick: MiDiCi
629 Stayton St., mymidici.com
Queso
Reader Pick: Torchy's Tacos
928 Northton St., torchystacos.com
Editors' Pick: Fred's TCU
As the name suggests, the queso comes loaded with Fred's ground beef taco meat, guacamole, crema and cilantro. Ridiculous.
3509 Blue Bonnet Circle., fredstexascafe.com
Salsa
Reader Pick: Crack Salsa
“Crack Salsa was a total accident,” says owner Amber Tinsley. The self-taught salsa creator sold salsa to fans and friends in April of 2017 to raise money for a foot surgery, and in less than a week, she had $700 worth of orders. “The customers nicknamed it ‘Crack Salsa,'” Tinsley says. “I went with it since it was more of a side hustle.” Six months later, she was selling so much that she made it official. Her secret? “My 11-spice habanero blend that I created has a lot to do with it.” Addicts can buy the product at Sunflower Shoppe and Panther Island Brewing.
Editors' Pick: Mi Tierra
6722 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Sandwich
Reader Pick: The Great Outdoors Sub Shop
3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., greatoutdoorsubs.com
Editors' Pick: Carshon's Deli
3133 Cleburne Road, carshonsdeli.com
Seafood
Reader Pick: Eddie V's
Serving a classy menu that includes chilled shellfish and caviar, this fine dining chain is an especially popular go-to for special occasions — particularly for its live jazz music at The V Lounge.
3100 W. 7th St., eddiev.com
Editors' Pick: The Dive Oyster Bar
This casual eatery offers a notably Cajun slant with po'boys, étouffée and fried everything. But its specialty is the oysters, served five ways from simple and grilled with bourbon chipotle butter to fiery hot with spicy ponzu and Thai chili.
3520 Alta Mere Drive, Find The Dive Oyster Bar on Facebook
Service
Reader Pick: Ellerbe Fine Food
Ellerbe's has aged well since Bon Appétit picked it as one of the 10 best new U.S. restaurants in 2010. Chef Molly McCook regularly refreshes the “farm-to-table” menu with seasonal local fare, this spring including braised rabbit, striped bass, seared scallops, red snapper, roasted cauliflower, marinated quail, grilled pork chop and a chef's choice steak. Enter the servers, their deep knowledge of the menu, and amenability to helping each other out, even if not their table. One question to ask: “What must I have here before I die?” Then ask for a recommendation on the wine pairing. Just for fun, try ordering the one steak on the menu. It's one of the city's best. But be committed to it, if beef is what you want. Otherwise, there's no telling what seasonal treat your server may talk you into trying.
1501 W. Magnolia Ave., ellerbefinefoods.com
Editors' Pick: GRACE
777 Main St., gracefortworth.com
Soup
Reader Pick: Hanabi Ramen & Izakaya - Tokyo Tonkotsu Ramen
Fort Worth isn't exactly crawling with ramen spots the way it is barbecue and tacos. If you want the real-deal, Hanabi is one of your best options. Readers vouch for the basic tonkotsu, made with pork belly, egg, bamboo shoot, green onion and takana swimming in a creamy broth.
3204 Camp Bowie Blvd., ramenhanabi.com
Editors' Pick: Rise No. 3 - Marshmallow Soup
Sure, Rise No. 3 is known for its soufflés, but woe betide the diner who passes over the Marshmallow Soup from the appetizer menu — you're missing out. No, there aren't any actual marshmallows in this dish, but goat cheese soufflés shaped to look like marshmallows sit atop a creamy carrot and tomato bisque, drizzled with pesto.
5135 Monahans Ave., risesouffle.com
Steakhouse
Reader Pick: B&B Butchers & Restaurant
What makes the steak at B&B Butchers, the new steakhouse in The Shops at Clearfork, so good? “This freezer right here,” says executive chef John Piccolino as he shows us the windowed room that's the size of a walk-in closet. “It's all dry-aged, and there's an entire Himalayan salt block.” Then he shows off a 28-pound rib-eye that he promises will be delicious, thanks to the marbling and fat. All the pride and joy can be viewed in the B&B Butcher shop, cloaked in subway tile and gingham, around the corner from the main entrance.
5212 Marathon Ave., bbbutchers.com
Editors' Pick: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
812 Main St., delfriscos.com
Sushi
Reader Pick: Little Lilly Sushi
6100 Camp Bowie Blvd., littlelillysushi.com
Editors' Pick: Tokyo Cafe
5121 Pershing Ave., tokyocafefw.net
Tacos
Reader Pick: Taco Master
Who knew there was such a thing as an unlikely place for a good taco in Fort Worth? Readers and voters were passionate that this little shop in the Ridgmar Mall food court belonged on this list. Story checks out. The no-fuss street tacos were flavorful and cheap, and the salsa was spicy and delicious.
1900 Green Oaks Road, Find Taco Master on Facebook
Editors' Pick: Salsa Limón
If you haven't had Salsa Limón, you haven't had what has (arguably) become the face of tacos in Fort Worth. Most folks know the story — Salsa started as a food truck, which begat a brick-and-mortar, which begat six locations standing today, including one in (shudders) Dallas. But hey, everyone deserves a chance to taste the signature El Capitán, noted for its buttery toasted tortilla and melted Oaxaca-Jack cheese.
4200 South Fwy., Ste.1099, salsalimon.com
Tapas
Reader Pick: La Zona - Hotel Madrid
If you haven't yet been, here's the rundown: La Zona is one of Magnolia Avenue's newest eateries, made up of two components – Saint Sofia, a quick-stop spot for coffee and authentic churros, and Hotel Madrid, a Spanish-inspired pizza and tapas restaurant. Find a seat in between both establishments, where picnic tables sit under romantic string lights and an old-school movie projects on the wall.
1264 W. Magnolia Ave., lazonafw.com
Editors' Pick: Grand Cru Wine Bar
1257 W. Magnolia Ave., grandcrumagnolia.com
Vegetarian Dish
Reader Pick: Spiral Diner & Bakery – Sweet Luv'Us Hummus Wrap
Any time this magazine creates a list and Spiral Diner isn't on it, we get an earful from the restaurant's faithful. Let's set the record straight: We love that Fort Worth has a vegan restaurant that's so well-regarded. And, readers love the Sweet Luv'Us Hummus Wrap — baked sweet potato, heaps of hummus, greens and avocado wrapped in a flour tortilla. Or should we say “loved.” Owners Amy McNutt, James Johnston, and Lindsey Ake (here with the Cashew-Quinoa Spinach Wrap) have since taken your favorite wrap off of the menu. But, let's hope it makes its way back soon.
1314 W. Magnolia Ave., spiraldiner.com
Editors' Pick: Malai Kitchen - Sweet and Sour Vegetable Soup
5289 Monahans Ave., malaikitchen.com
Vietnamese
Reader Pick: My Lan Restaurant
4015 E. Belknap St., mylan-restaurant.com
Editors' Pick: Banh Mi Viet
7639 N. Beach St., Ste. 110, banhmiviet.co
Waterside Dining
Reader Pick: Flight on Eagle Mountain Lake
9307 Boat Club Road, flightonthelake.com
Editors' Pick: HG Sply Co.
1621 River Run, Ste. 176, hgsplyco.com
Wine List
Reader pick: Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar (Arlington)
Oh hey, Arlington. The mid-city got its first locally owned coffee and wine bar with the opening of Urban Alchemy. Owners Tony Rutigliano and wife Nicole opened the chill spot in a former automotive repair shop in downtown Arlington, where they serve salads, sandwiches, charcuterie and sweets, along with extensive coffee and wine menus.
403 E. Main St., urbanalchemy.bar
Editors' Pick: Kent & Co. Wines
1101 W. Magnolia Ave., kcowines.com
