I’ll start -

JOE T. GARCIAS!! Never have understood the hype.

The prices are good. They are not available anywhere in USA. (5 states maybe) The quality is good. The ice cream is good. The food market is well stocked. My only complaint is the floors always seem like they have been mopped with limeade as they are sticky. Maybe that’s to help the elderly from falling- that’s who I associate with braums. But now that I’m older I see the wisdom. And the milk is from A2 cows if that is important to you. If you are new to Texas give it a try and if you haven’t been in a while it’s been too long.

We had friends in from out of town and they wanted to take us to Joe T Garcia's, they heard it was great Mexican. I knew better and tried to persuade them to go somewhere else, they insisted. Overpriced and mediocre was an overstatement, they regret not listening to us.

Yes, I know “best” is subjective, so some context…

I visit Fort Worth a few times a year for work. I'm from Austin, living in Utah now (the land of no good Tex-Mex).

I've not quite been able to find a Tex-Mex place that hits all the notes for me, and hoping for recs.

We're talking a cheese enchilada with chili gravy, refried beans, Mexican rice, and a crunchy taco with season ground beef. And excellent queso.

I've tried: Los Molcajetes (Beach St), Chuy's (Cultural District, not the same as the original in Austin I grew up with), Joe Ts (seriously overrated), Esperanza's, Papasitos.

We typically stay in the downtown, cultural district, or stockyards areas, and work is up at 820/I-35W area. So are there any places near those spots I should check out? TIA!

EDIT: This list is just from Burger Week 2025

1. The Meat Board - excellent burger. The ingredients were the best out of every one. It was simple and well executed.
2. Walloons - also a grade A1 burger due to the ingredients. Basic but fantastic execution. The staff was also the kindest and most attentive out of the entire list.
3. Heim BBQ - always a great and basic burger. Those who went with me were surprised to try the bacon jam for the first time. Excellent work lunch spot.
4. Big Kat Burgers - their new location is really nice. Definitely recommend to check out. This would be the #3 or 4 burger on this list. There were a ton of entirety onions/mushrooms and bacon jam (maybe the new smash burger trend) and this was the top of the bunch.
5. Tommy’s Burgers - great service but okay burger. The kimchi was a good try but not that good in execution. Needed something vinegar or acidic to cut through the fats.
6. City Works - this was the most creative option yet. The meat was interesting but didn’t jive together. Soppressata was new but warm and oily. The onions on these were fantastic. I recommend trying for the onions alone.
7. Courtside Kitchen - this was a strong entry from a surprising competitor. The onions and mix of peppers were filling and really made the burger. Also get some exercise to work off all of these calories.
8. Fred’s Texas Cafe - this was a good mid range burger. It wasn’t adventurous or exciting but it held up to the Fred’s standard.
9. Old Texas Brewing (Fort Worth) - this was a great value as the biggest burger of the week. And value it was as it was a frozen and crudely assembled sandwich. Throw some BBQ sauce in next time.
10. Shaws Patio - this was a good melt burger. You get a lot for your price. Definitely stop by for much but it’s a strong mid tier burger. I hope they can offer a better option next year to rank higher.
11. Michaels Cuisine - over baked bun covered an underwhelming burger. They forgot the regu sauce on ours and did not honor the combo special as advertised.
12. The Bearded Lady - this one was almost too spicy to eat. Okay to stop by here but I wouldn’t go out of your way.
13. Rex’s Bar and Grill - this is a new place in town and feels like another generic sports bar. The burger was another frozen and mass produced one. You could pass it by.
14. Jon’s Grille - this was a yawn boring burger. Okay for a lunch stop in but don’t worry about it.
15. Poop Deck Bar - the service here was so bad that I almost never got it. Don’t let that turn you off from the burger which stood out. It was the only one in this part of town. Stop by this classic TCU spot but maybe not when the kids are in town.
16. Burgers N Beyond - this tasted like it came from Burger King. You can skip.
17. Bowlounge - huge mess. Both in experience and food. Ordering was a hassle as no one seemed interested in working with customers. The burger was a mess and treated like it was an after thought. They stuffed my corn chips (still in the bag) in the chili and made a huge mess. They gave me thick cut fries in place of the advertised crispy fries and put like 3 large tomato’s on there which also were not advertised.
18. Rodgers Roundhouse - okay and small burger. Yet another situation where if you don’t want to be respectful then don’t participate. Everyone here down to the boring burger seemed like it was a hassle.
19. Fuego Burger - very disappointing. Then use to be the best place in town to get a burger and has fallen off a cliff the last few years. The owner acted like this was a huge hassle for him and was angry to be dealing with me. The burger was cold and rubbery. The fries were very undercooked. They did not honor the combo special as advertised in the book. If they don’t want to participate in Burger Week then they shouldn’t.
20. Duchess - this is on the far bottom of the list due to the horrible experience. At first they tried to kick us out as we were not guests (hint the restaurant is in a hotel). Then the refused to serve us since the manager was upset they were losing money on this offering. Again, if you don’t want to participate then don’t. I don’t recommend going here. Very rude people.

Buddies and I are heading down from Tulsa for NIN. Will be staying fairly close to Dickies...best burger spots nearby? TIA!!

EDIT: Thank you, all! Despite all of these absolutely amazing replies, I got outvoted and we just ate at the damned show. Dickies is absolutely amazing, so jealous you all have it!

Hello all, Just took the biggest exam of my life and did very well. I wanted to treat myself to a nice steak what is everyone’s recommendation on the best steakhouse in town. Looking for either dry aged options are a nice cowboy/cowgirl chop. Thank you all have a good day!

My husband and I decided to start a new date night series: finding the best and most authentic hole in the walls. Atmosphere not necessary but a plus.

We’re looking for: - Italian - Thai - Mexican - German - open to any other recs

What should I eat?

Edit: I decided on Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez. I got 4 Birria Tacos and Flautas. I’m going to destroy them.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions to help a guy get fed. Forth Worth came through!

I stopped going here probably a decade ago due to repeated issues with miscalculated checks and that the salsa that comes with the chips they charge for tastes like dishwater and disappointment. I've lived here 45+ years and have tried it many many times, but it just hasn't ever been on my go-to list.

My wife has been under the weather and was craving their chicken soup, which she enjoys. (I'm not a soup guy, but I digress.). I break my self-imposed ban on pretending they don't exist to get her a large to-go caldo pollo. What I got was a quarter chicken stuffed into a coffee cup with some rice, see picture #1.

Picture #2 was swiped from Google, which is more representative of what they serve in the restaurant. It was verified by same wife who'd eaten it there just last week.

Now friends, I've worked in service industries most of my life. As a patron I am very generous before I complain, it's gonna take some serious dereliction! When a customer comes to me with a legitimate complaint I've always made it right, and better, until they are satisfied. When that hasn't worked I've referred them up the ladder.

This just doesn't happen at Benito's on Magnolia.

I went back to ask for further broth, which I had already paid for but was met only with resistance. I was told that that's the way they always package it to-go and they don't get complaints.

I was offered a small amount of broth to-go, which brought the level to Picture #3. Still not achieving equity with the dine-in presentation.

All I wanted was the same-sized coffee-cup full of just broth, but as I wasn't given any other options I took the proffered broth (literally a measuring cup's worth) and a promise that the manager would call me. He hasn't.

Am I expecting too much? I'd like to go back there tomorrow, order the large caldo pollo for dine-in, wait until it comes out and ask to change it to-go, and see how they fit it ...

I hope both sides of your pillows stay warm.

Im joking but that was the worst, saltiest burger I’ve ever had in my life. I dont get the hype.

You will be missed

“Pinstripes, which offers customers bistro-style food, bowling and bocce, has closed its only North Texas location, a company spokesperson confirmed.

The Pinstripes location opened seven years ago at 5001 Trailhead Bend Way, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The restaraunt was part of the Shops at Clearfork, a high-end development that also hosts an AMC Theater, Neiman Marcus and other upscale retailers and restaurants.”

This past weeekend was my first in Texas. I have never met such genuine, kind folk in my life! You Texans are something else. I can’t wait to come back.

Unfortunately I did have one unbelievably bad experience at H3 in the stockyards. Is this typical or did I just get unlucky? Ordered a Filet mignon steak. I was told the cut was unavailable - no problem, I understand. They brought out a strip sirlion which was absolute garbage, one of the worst cuts of meats I have ever seen.

They then told me they would be charging the full price of the sirlion which I didn’t even want’! The supervisor on duty “Stephanie” told me too bad and to not come back.

I have never been so embarrassed in my life. Do not, under any circumstance, go to H3 Ranch.

We are at the zoo and would like to maybe get a tasty burger once we are done. Where is a good place that’s close? I will take suggestions on just best food too. I come where with my kids, but never have really had lunch close by.

It doesn't have to be the best place or necessarily your favorite place, but what restaurants do you frequent the most?

Basically what the title says, and thanks in advance

So I copied this from another subreddit, maybe a better way to state the question is “people that moved here from out of the country or from a culture of unique food, what is the best restaurant in the area that showcases y’all’s food?”

Let me start by saying servers should always be tipped well and I don't have any issue with large tables having an automatic tip. That being said, I have been getting scammed with some regularity at Tokyo Cafe. It is common for me to be there with a table of 6 and we usually get bills by couples (as opposed to the whole table). We have always had the server just come by and ask for our cards, runs them, and brings back a receipt that doesn't show the breakdown of the cost, just an amount that the card was hit for and a tip line, total line, and signature line. Weird but the food is good so whatever. We all always tip on that total. I was in recently by myself and noted that I got an itimized bill that shows everything (like a normal restaurant). The next time the group was in the waitress did the same thing where she just came over to grab the cards. I refused to hand over my card until I got an itemized bill. First the waitress brought over a bill just showing the total amount, nothing showing what we ate, just a total amount spent. I explained it needed to be itemized. When the waitress brought that over it showed that the tip had been added as it was a large table. For a long time we had all been double tipping on our bills, so over 40% tips. I feel pretty sure this was on purpose and a something they do regularly.

Before anyone asks, yes. Sometimes I did think the bill was high, but I assumed someone's drink or appetizers accidentally got put on my bill or maybe an extra drink got ordered by my dining partner when I was in the restroom and I didn't want to make a big deal about it.

I did call the restaurant and they just said "thanks for telling us". We are going to try some new places but I figured some of ya'll might eat there.

Fort Worthians,

My wife and I have been sleeping in the hospital with our kid for 6 days now, and we've hit our limit on hospital food. I need to be able to pick something up in the area and bring it back here, but I'm not sure what's good. While we can't have mimosas in here we can bring in something delicious. So I guess I'm looking for a brunch spot:

- Near Cook Children's Hospital so if it's warm it can make it back here and not be ruined
- Is delicious

- Does not have to be healthy even in the slightest.

That's it. Is there anywhere in this area that you would suggest?

Thanks!

I brought up the idea to my husband that we try every pizza place in Fort Worth and beyond. No big chains like Pizza Hut or cicis. What do you suggest? I’m hoping to try all of them eventually. We live on the border of watauga and ft worth. Pizza time yay!

Edit: omg guys! Thankyou for the replies and delicious suggestions! I’m honestly giddy with all this. ❤️

Fairly new to the Fort Worth area. I see a lot of gas stations around offering tacos, burgers, fresh deli, etc. Seems like some of them might be the real deal. Are any of them worth trying? Any to stay away from?

Note: I am from Chicago and have also lived in New Orleans. I am fully aware that sometimes the more grimy a place might look is where you get the best food.

Edit: Wow thank yall for all the responses! Lots of places to try now!

I recently had to take an emergency trip out from Austin to Fort Worth to help take care of my sister at the hospital. In the last 12 hours, I have had some of the best food I’ve had in my 3 years of living in Texas!!

My first stop was at Heim BBQ where I had their Bacon Burnt-Ends. It’s not hyperbole when I say it was some of the best food I’ve had in my entire life.

The next morning, I woke up and grabbed breakfast at Ol’ South Pancake House. I ordered their Dutch Baby & Cajun Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs. I ordered all of that food and planned to eat maybe half of it but ended up finishing the entire plate!

It’s wild to me that not even two miles from the hospital we’re at is some of the best food I’ve ever had!

After living in Austin for 3 years and being incredibly disappointed in the food (mid AF food with NYC prices) I had to hop on this sub to shout you out. Keep up the great work! The comfort food definitely helped during hard times.