Good Grub // Best Of 2026

Bakery

Readers’ Choice: Eduardo’s Pastry Kitchen (5950 River Oaks Blvd, Fort Worth, 214-531-4830)

Critic’s Choice: Hive Bakery (360 Parker Square Rd, Flower Mound, 972-316-7625)

This humble establishment rages against the machine, and we are here for it. Baking a lot of anti-MAGA goodies, Hive has gone national and viral numerous times for (thankfully) not just being content to shut up and bake. First Amendment in effect. Maybe you’ve heard of it.

 

Barbecue

Readers’ Choice: Panther City BBQ (201 E Hattie St, Fort Worth, 682-250-4464)

Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Goldee’s Barbecue (4645 Dick Price Rd, Fort Worth, GoldeesBBQ.com), Hurtado BBQ (1116 8th Av, Fort Worth, 682-499-5913), and Panther City BBQ

You’re gonna wait, but it will be worth it at Goldee’s. With only weekend hours and exceptionally long lines, maybe it’s a let’s-check-it-out experience for city dwellers. Still, Goldee’s meaty, perfectly cooked brisket, Flintstonian beef ribs, and melt-in-your-mouth sausage, paired with sides like cheesy grits and Carolina pork hash, explain the top billing among ’cue joints. … Slinging delicious “Texicue,” which Weekly Editor Anthony Mariani came up with (huzzah!), Hurtado offers a splendiferous array of Mexican-inspired ’cue delights, including enormous beef ribs, salty pulled pork, and Sat-Sun-only smoked quail, with sides like delectable Hatch-chile mac ’n’ cheese, Mexican street corn, and bacon-braised cabbage. And don’t forget the Big Mike Burger, a quarter-pound smash patty with American cheese, barbecue sauce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, red onion, and a garlic aioli on Brioche bun. … For Panther City BBQ, the SoMa location is ideal, but if the food weren’t world-class, they would have been out of business years ago. That’s one reason they’re the best. Another is the diner/picnic-style atmosphere (huge patio) and the crack service. It’s also among the only city-center barbecue joints with exceptional brisket and scrumptious ribs, plus the best side to go with them (don’t @ us), regular mac ’n’ cheese! Come on now.

 

Breakfast

Readers’ Choice: Salsa Limon (five area locations)

Critic’s Choice: Daybreak Cafe & Grill (2720 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth,817-335-0805)

From 5am to 4pm Mon-Sun, in a homey building off White Settlement, Daybreak might be the cheapest spot to start your day or cure a hangover, all while being watched by a muster of taxidermy. Their hodgepodge menu is one where both breakfast and lunch, along with Southern food and Tex-Mex, beautifully collide. Omelets come basic, but why live basic when you can select the beef fajita or Texas chili versions? All priced at $5.89, they certainly don’t skimp on the fillings. We added chorizo to ours and were surprised there wasn’t an upcharge. Even avocados are extra everywhere. There are also traditional breakfast plates with bacon, biscuits, eggs, and pancakes fluffy enough to rest your head on. But eff it. Order the shrimp cocktail, buffalo wings, or eggrolls as sides. Just because you can, and life is short.

Brunch

Readers’ Choice: Brewed (801 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-803-4753)

Critic’s Choice: Division Street Diner (1800 W Division St, Arlington, 817-274-1606)

Division Street Diner is open 10am-2pm on Sundays and serves only its brunch buffet (no ordering from the menu) for $13.99 per person, plus the price of your drink. You’ll find stations for carved meats, omelets, and waffles, plus a buffet line with fried catfish, chicken strips, chicken-fried steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sometimes (if you’re lucky) the best mac ’n’ cheese anywhere. For a casserole-style entree, Division Street rotates between shepherd’s pie and a Cajun pasta. It’s simply the best.

 

Burger

Readers’ Choice: Gustos Burger Bar + More (1229 7th Av, Fort Worth, @___Gustos)

Critic’s Choice (Top 3): The Bearded Lady (300 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9832), Flips Patio Grill (two area locations), and Rodeo Goat (ten area locations)

So many good burgers in town, including Gustos, and Kincaid’s, and Fred’s, and so little space. For the sake of our wallets and history, and with all due respect to the aforementioned pillars, we’re going to go with three old-school spots that don’t mind experimenting, starting with The Bearded Lady. Much has been written about their Texas Monthly-award-winning L.U.S.T. Burger (half-pound patty stuffed with feta cheese and roasted poblano peppers, topped with gouda cheese, caramelized onions, avocado, all on a toasted Brioche bun), but our go-to is the Spicy AF (half-pound beef patty topped with melted ghost-pepper jack cheese, fried Fresno peppers, grilled jalapenos, lettuce, onion, drizzled with habanero mayo, all on a toasted Brioche bun). … For a simple burger done right, it’s hard to beat Flips’ Big Cheesy. It’s always cooked to order and has a peppery juiciness that can’t be replicated by any chain. The price ($13) is also right. The real reason to head north beyond The Wall, though, may be Flips’ Blue Queso Burger (half-pound beef patty, blue cheese crumbles, house-made blue cheese queso, caramelized onions). Man, is it savory, sweet, juicy, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth. … For fun, experimental gourmet burgers, Rodeo Goat rules. We’re big fans of the Hot Bastard (house-ground beef patty, habanero cheddar, marinated Fresno peppers, Bibb lettuce, beefsteak tomato, onion, Freson aioli, Melinda’s XXXtra Hot sauce, all on a Brioche bun) and the Whiskey Burger (house-ground beef patty, Irish whisky cheddar, candied bacon, blackberry compote, shredded lettuce, whole-grain mustard, all on a Brioche bun), but our can’t-miss is Rodeo Goat’s Bad Hombre (house-ground beef patty, maple bacon, caramelized onions, mango pico, cream cheese spread, Trailboss habanero sauce, all on a Brioche bun). It’s sweet and savory all at the same wonderful time.

 

Cajun Food

Readers’ Choice & Critic’s Choice: Cocodrie’s Bayou Kitchen (5209 Rufe Snow Dr, North Richland Hills, 817-393-3155)

We might be limited with authentic Cajun and Creole, and by authentic, we mean anything but Razzoo’s. There are a dozen Cajun seafood boil places around, but when you want recipes straight from the bayou, proprietor and chef Jesse Gibson of Cocodrie’s is your man. He started with the Wild Cajun food truck before opening Terrebonne’s. Shortly after, he broke off, taking his recipes to North Richland Hills, and has been rockin’ it with various gumbos, shrimp and jalapeno boudin balls, a multitude of po-boys, and enough fried food to give your cardiologist a scare. Try the habanero-based Voodoo butter or ghost pepper Couillon Crazy butter with their seasonal seafood boils — if you dare.

 

Catering

Readers’ Choice Wildcard: 360 Catering & Events (7455 S Hulen St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-714-8996)

 

Chef

Readers’ Choice: Cody Hickman at 360 Catering & Events (7455 S Hulen St, Ste 120, Fort Worth, 817-714-8996)

Critic’s Choice: Hao Tran at Hao’s Grocery & Cafe (120 St. Louis Av, Ste 103B, Fort Worth, 682-250-4751)

The best Fort Worth chefs aren’t necessarily the ones hiding in the kitchen dutifully putting out well-crafted dishes. They’re the ones making an impact on our community in ways seen and unseen. Hao Tran has made a name for herself by serving elevated, heartfelt cuisine from her native Vietnam at pop-up dinners and cooking classes through her beloved Near Southside store. At her events, she often speaks about how her cooking is about more than food. It’s about honoring her ancestors and creating community through shared experiences. It doesn’t hurt that the food she puts out is exceptional. Most recently, Tran has partnered with Meals with Meaning, a chef-driven nonprofit that seeks to utilize surplus restaurant food to create restaurant-quality meals for people in need. And her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Duong Deville, is set to open in the coming months, which will bring Tran’s Vietnamese comfort food to its widest audience yet. We sense a Best Of winner in the making.

 

Chicken-Fried Steak

Readers’ Choice: Fred’s Texas Cafe (7101 Camp Bowie West Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-0083)

Critic’s Choice: Jesús Family Restaurant (810 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-332-0168)

Poppin’ for 50 years now, the tiny Jesús Restaurant, a.k.a. Jesús BBQ, keeps slinging timeless dinners to a mostly blue-collar neighborhood crowd. Inside this forest-green building along South Main, you’ll find not only noteworthy Tex-Mex cuisine but a not-so-secret secret: their chicken-fried steak. Not only is the batter a well-crafted balance of light and crispy, but the house-made gravy is legendary. A creamy, smooth-yellow, lovable lava makes the dish wholesome. Eating one is like breathing in fresh mountain air, tbh. Overall, the menu is bountiful, with one side dedicated to Tex-Mex, and the other formed of items found in a small-town diner. Now, polish off that crunchy plumpness with a handmade fried pie.

 

Chinese Food

Readers’ Choice: Szechuan Chinese Restaurant (5712 Locke Av, Fort Worth, 817-738-7300)

Critic’s Choice: First Chinese BBQ (5310 E Belknap, Ste H, Haltom City, 817-834-1888)

First Chinese BBQ’s authentic Cantonese cuisine is a fantastic array of tried-and-true mainstays like chicken lo mein or more adventurous dishes like duck noodle soup. Bring a friend, because the portions are huge.

 

Coffeeshop

Readers’ Choice: Cherry Coffee Shop (1121 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-632-3400)

Critic’s Choice: Buon Giorno (500 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-378-4505)

Buon Giorno’s expertly roasted beans, savory, decadent bites, and pleasant view of Burnett Plaza stir up a truly elegant coffee-drinking experience.

Deli Sandwiches

Readers’ Choice (Top 3): Bodega South Main (203 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-224-5148), Carshon’s Delicatessen (3133 Cleburne Rd, Fort Worth, 817-923-1907), and Dino’s Subs (2221 S Collins St, Arlington, 817-274-1140)

Critic’s Choice: Weinberger’s Deli (601 S Main St, Grapevine, 817-416-5577)

Weinberger’s serves delicious meaty sandwiches and subs, including its most famous creation, the Italian Beef. Founded in 1952 in Chicago, the deli also serves a great hot dog. If the options overwhelm you, focus on the leaderboard featuring the 20 bestselling sammies of the current year. Says Dan Weinberger, “We offer a pretty large menu, so there should be something that will catch your eye. If not, ask for something special.” You gotta trust a guy who went to grammar school with Pope Leo back in the day. #TrueStory

 

Food Truck

Readers’ Choice: Taste of Louisiana (TasteofLouisiana504.com, 682-359-3938)

Critic’s Choice: Oh Balls! (120 S Sylvania Av, Fort Worth, 817-937-5435)

Headquartered at Martin House Brewing Company near Riverside, Oh Balls! elevates the humble meatball into a variety of tasty sandwiches and plates. Though big fans of the Bleu (house-made meatballs topped with smoked ham, mozzarella, Parmesan cream and cheese, chives, basil) and the Burger (house-made meatballs topped with bacon, jack cheese, TX Whiskey glaze, Best Maid dill pickles, chives), we adore the Carbonara (house-made meatballs topped with bacon, Parmesan cream and cheese, basil) on a sourdough roll — other bases include penne pasta, creamy cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or handmade pasta.

 

Fried Chicken

Readers’ Choice (tie): Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (1067 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-927-4693) and Lisa’s Chicken (many area locations)

Critic’s Choice: Mighty Chick Sando (3704 Cheek-Sparger Rd, Ste 110, Bedford, 682-503-4112)

This Korean fried-chicken joint is not only fun but serves up the best, most flavorful bird in the whole 817 — according to us, and, yes, we are FCFs (fried-chicken fiends). Tucked away in a shopping center in sleepy Bedford, Mighty Chick Sando specializes in original flavors and homemade sauces. While the place serves bone-in wings and tenders with succulent sides and “bites” like kimchi chicken fries and hot chicken fries (with Nashville chicken, red onion, jalapeno, cheddar, drizzled with cheese, Comeback Sauce), the “sandos” are the thing. While there’s the delicious-sounding Deep Cheese Sando (two fried chicken tenders, Swiss cheese, homemade cheese sauce, pickles, iceberg lettuce, onion, MC Sauce, on Brioche bun) and the Kimchi Cheese Sando (two fried chicken tenders, homemade kimchi and pickles, Mozzarella cheese, white garlic sauce, on brioche bun), our go-to is the BBQ Soy Garlic Sando (two fried chicken tenders, white garlic sauce, with homemade vinegar slaw and pickles, on brioche bun). Add a little Seoul Hot Sauce, and your fried-chicken fiending is sated.

 

Frutería

Readers’ Choice Wildcard: Hopscotch (103 W 3rd St, Fort Worth, @HopscotchSundanceSquare)

 

Indian Food

Readers’ Choice: Bombay Grill Indian Restaurant (4625 Donnelly Av, Ste 109, Fort Worth, 817-377-9395)

Critic’s Choice: Peak Restaurant & Bar (two area locations)

Peak is an Indian restaurant geared toward American sports fans, and we can’t imagine there’s anything else like it in the Western hemisphere. On a visit earlier this year, our reviewer found that the butter chicken masala hit the spot and the saag paneer, a creamy mélange of spinach and cheese cubes in assorted spices and other veggies, became an instant favorite.

 

Italian Food

Readers’ Choice: Nonna Tata (1400 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-0250)

Critic’s Choice: Piattello (5924 Convair Dr, Ste 412, Fort Worth, 817-349-0484)

Piattello offers guests an Italian experience of fine dining and European ambiance. Between the homemade pastas, charcuterie boards, and classic pizzas, everyone is sure to find something to enjoy. Piattello also boasts a diverse drink menu, from cocktails to beer and wine. So, if you want to escape to Italy at any point, an Aperol Spritz and a large plate of pasta at Piattello might do the trick.

 

Japanese Food

Readers’ Choice: Ichirō Izakaya | Yakitori Diner & Bar (401 Bryan Av, Ste 109, Fort Worth, 682-224-0226)

Critic’s Choice: Wabi House (1229 8th Av, Ste 227, Fort Worth, 817-662-0744)

You could probably spend a week trying Wabi House’s small-plate selection and still have trouble narrowing down your favorites. Ramen is the centerpiece here (and it’s great), but don’t sleep on the yakitori selections, especially the okra bacon.

 

Mediterranean Food

Readers’ Choice (tie): Beren Meze & Grill House (1216 6th Av, Fort Worth, 682-232-2403) and Terra Mediterranean (2932 Crockett St, Fort Worth, 682-224-2687)

Critic’s Choice: Flying Carpet (1223 Washington Av, Fort Worth, 817-682-200-9300)

Like its namesake, Flying Carpet has real magic: soulful food, generous hospitality, and neighborhood charm. The pillowy bread, fragrant kebabs, silken hummus, and sticky-sweet desserts (mmm, baklava) all taste like they were made by a wizened Turkish grandma, just as this cozy house off Magnolia makes you feel like a guest in someone’s home. But that doesn’t make it basic. From lamb shank to kunefe (Turkish sweet cheese pastry), and all the lovely dolma, falafel, and meze in between, you can eat like an Ottoman emperor of old here any day of the week (except Sundays).

 

Mexican Food

Readers’ Choice: Benito’s Mexican Restaurant (1450 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-8633)

Critic’s Choice (Top 3): La Casa De Lina (5216 Wedgmont Cir N, Fort Worth, 682-499-5884), Mi Cocula Mexican Grill (6550 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 130, Fort Worth, 817-708-2895), and Tinies (113 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-255-5425)

For hole-in-the-wall Mex-Mex, plastic tables, and fluorescent lighting, head to tiny La Casa De Lina. The velvety chicken mole rivals that of much pricier offerings around town, and stuffed pambazos (pan-fried sandwiches) are a lunch staple. On a chilly morning, the housemade horchata and traditional cinnamon-spiced café de olla served in clay cups are oh-so comforting. … Westsiders know Mi Cocula, the family-run eatery in a very generic Camp Bowie strip mall which serves hearty and un-fussy Mexican staples in surprisingly chic digs. The tacos and enchiladas you’re looking for are all there, but dive into the Autenticos section of the menu for the true experience. Standout dishes include tender pork guisada and chicken and chorizo tapatio. … Serving upscale Mex-Mex in a comfy SoMa setting, Tinies leans toward Oaxacan recipes with sharp salsas, and the tender meats impress in a way that feels festive without making you think about applying for a new credit card. The guacamole, elevated by the addition of piquant serranos, is usually gone before your margaritas have time to sweat on the cozy rooftop.

 

Pizza

Readers’ Choice: Southside Cellar (125 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-703-2184)

Critic’s Choice (Top 3): Felina (401 Bryan Av, Unit 117, Fort Worth, 817-386-0007), Gemelle (4400 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, 817-732-9535), and Serious Pizza (2728 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 682-348-2482)

In SoMa on the Near Southside, Felina serves up some of the most gorgeous flavors ever to grace any humble assemblage of dough, sauce, and cheese, especially the Hot Mess (soppressata, fior di latte mozzarella, pecorino, San Marzano tomato sauce, house hot honey, whipped ricotta, crushed red pepper). … Near Monticello, Gemelle specializes in Detroit-style pizza. This close cousin to Sicilian ’za comes on savory and gooey here, with a top of tangy sauce, a slightly browned cheese crown, and a well-baked crust. (None of this is burnt. Try it. You’ll see. That’s the style.) … On West 7th near all the nightlife, Serious Pizza does flavors — and size — properly. One of Serious’ New York-style slices is enough to feed two normal adults or one TCU lineman, and the ingredients are always fresh and cooked perfectly.

 

Plant-Based Dish

Readers’ Choice: Queso at Spiral Diner (1314 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-332-8834)

Critic’s Choice: TX Hot Chik’n Sandwich at Spiral Diner

Even carnivores agree: Spiral Diner’s version of a Nashville Hot chicken sandwich satisfies. It’s big, zesty, and flavorful, and won’t leave you hungry the whole rest of the day, assuming you finish the sammy in one sitting, which you may because it’s that delicious.

Ramen

Readers’ Choice: Wabi House (two area locations)

Critic’s Choice: Hanabi Ramen (3204 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-420-6703)

Hanabi has a broth for every bowl and buddy. We really revere the black tonkotsu ramen made with black garlic oil in pork and chicken broth, decorated with bamboo shoots, two egg halves, and delectable pork slices. The menu is so colorful that you may wrestle with picking just one favorite. If you have this problem, too, try the half-and-half option and savor two of your favorites at the same time. Wash it all down with some green tea, sake, or umeshu (plum wine). The miso ramen and shoyu ramen are also worthy of a good slurp. Hanabi (Japanese for “fireworks”) is the perfect description for the ambiance and flavor here.

Restaurant

Readers’ Choice: Michaels Cuisine (3413 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-877-3413)

Critic’s Choice: Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar (907 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-720-5330)

The Fort has had an influx of sushi and omakase options of late, but Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar has been doing the small-room/big-payoff thing since 2018, and people still line up. It’s the winning formula of pristine seafood flown in daily, crisp nori with warm rice, and meticulously trained chefs building every bite before your eyes, all at a price that still feels more than reasonable iN ThIs ECoNoMy. There are no sauce-drowned sushi boats here, just clean, deliberate hand rolls, sashimi, and, for the adventurous, daily specials (uni anyone?). Plan accordingly, or you may wait a bit, but that’s what happens when a restaurant makes simplicity feel so luxurious.

 

New Restaurant

Readers’ Choice: One Trick Pony Pizza Tavern (313 S Main St, Fort Worth, @OneTrickPonyPizza)

Critic’s Choice: Beren Meze & Grill House (1216 6th Av, Fort Worth, 682-232-2403)

Beren graduated from its well-trafficked food-hall space into the hip digs formerly occupied by Maiden in April, and word around the Near Southside and beyond quickly spread. Think: all your favorite Mediterranean delights — lamb kebabs, gyro, all those spices and rich olive oils — in a warm, elegant, chef-driven setting fed by the generous spirit of Turkish hospitality. Don’t even get us started on the bread. Each meal begins with homemade lavash (thin, lightly baked flatbread) and somun, a warm Turkish hearth bread, which are perfect for dipping in all the colorful meze. Designed for sharing, the grand meze is a feast for eyes and stomach, which makes Beren an ideal spot for a group hang or a birthday dinner. A thoughtfully curated bar program and a wine list pulling heavily from Turkey and the surrounding region round out an all-around stellar dining experience.

Salsa

Readers’ Choice: Salsa Limon (five area locations)

Critic’s Choice: Rodeo Goat (10 area locations)

Yes, our favorite salsa comes from a burger joint. We didn’t try to think out of the box, but the Goat’s offering just stands out every time we put a chip in it. This red Southwestern goodness is driven by just the right amount of chunkiness without swerving into the lumpy lane. It also has the ideal amount of spice to be accessible for most of your group while still giving the family a little love (and they can order jalapeños on their burger if they ne

ed more capsaicin). The salt level seems just right, too. We definitely recommend adding the Goat’s queso as well — the perfect combination for your first round of cold ones before diving face first into one of their unique ground-beef creations.

 

Seafood

Readers’ Choice: Waters Restaurant (301 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-984-1110)

Critic’s Choice: Juicy Seafood & Bar (6501 N Fwy, Fort Worth, 682-250-5798)

A boiled bag of some of the tastiest, freshest seafood you’ll ever have — that’s what awaits at Juicy. This small chain, whose only local outpost sits in North Fort Worth, is not big on ambiance (sports bars-y) or service (little conversation) but rules when it comes to delectable morsels of everything from snow crab legs and lobster to shrimp and scallops.

 

Soul Food

Readers’ Choice: Smoke-A-Holics BBQ (1417 Evans Av, Fort Worth, 817-386-5658)

Critic’s Choice: Drew’s Place Soul Food (5701 Curzon Av, Fort Worth, 817-476-1857)

A retro throwback of wood paneling and red booths is found within an A-framed mid-mod building that houses Drew’s Place, giving an appearance more likened to a lake cabin than a restaurant — ironically so, since it’s a short walk to historic Lake Como a few blocks south of Camp Bowie. This Black-owned soul food mecca offers a bevy of Deep South food staples done exceptionally well. Small or large baked or fried chicken plates come with sides like collard greens, fried okra, and fried corn on the cob with cornbread or a roll as a lagniappe. Fried or spicy catfish fillets are docked on the menu as well as a $10 LeeAnn lunch plate Tue-Fri, no doubt a riff on the Luby’s LuAnn Platter. There are ample options like a smothered pork chop or chicken-fried steak, but leave room for Drew’s sweet potato pie that’ll shut your mouth.

 

Street Tacos

Readers’ Choice: Los Guapos (2708 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-877-0008)

Critic’s Choice: Taqueria San Andres (961 W Magnolia Av, Ste D, Fort Worth, 682-250-3542)

Next to the divey Upper 90 sports bar on Magnolia Ave is Taqueria San Andres, a gem that consistently serves great Mexican food from an expansive menu that demands return visits. Why wait for Taco Tuesday when you can get $1.50 street tacos on Mondays here as well. San Andres’ street tacos are tiny but mighty, and breakfast tacos on flour tortillas, plus daily $4 margs, will rev your engine. The pozole is soup for the soul and great to dip a carnitas or pastor taco in, much like birria consommé — which they also have. The breakfast game here is strong, but the real contender is the molcajete mixto that includes multiple proteins in a sizzling volcanic bowl (molcajete) served with warmed tortillas for a taco variety. Ask for the off-menu Tapatio salsa to spice things up.

 

Sushi

Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill (3131 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-332-2583)

Critic’s Choice: Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar (907 Foch St, Fort Worth, 817-720-5330)

You can order off Hatsuyuki’s menu of handrolls and sashimi and have a fantastic meal, but you can also let the chef be your guide, which will make for some dazzling surprises. Either way, you’ll leave with your belly and memory full of a delightful meal.

 

Tamales

Readers’ Choice: Esperanza’s Restaurant & Bakery (two area locations)

 

Tex-Mex Food

Readers’ Choice: Chuy’s Tex-Mex  (ten area locations)

Critic’s Choice: The Original del Norte (1400 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-761-1890)

The Original Mexican Eats Cafe may have moved from its longtime spot on Camp Bowie, but it clearly retained its Tex-Mex chops. This Fort Worth institution still serves nachos that are robust and yummy along with righteous puffy tacos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and more. The menu includes the Roosevelt Special, named for 1930s visitor and 32nd POTUS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Need a dose of greens at lunch with a combination of Mexican flavors? We had the “Original” Mexican Salad the other day, and it delivered.

Thai Food

Readers’ Choice: Spice (411 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-984-1800)

Critic’s Choice: Ko Thai (725 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 469-978-0744)

While many area Thai restaurants, delicious as they may be, seem to view their dining rooms as little more than waiting areas for various food delivery services, Ko Thai swings in the other direction, making your weeknight Thai run feel like an anniversary dinner (without sacrificing the takeout prices). The two-story dining room is polished bordering on opulent, but the menu showcases all the familiar Thai comfort classics: Pad Thai, curry puffs, Tom Kha, and mango sticky rice, along with some charcoal-fired surprises, like the Crying Tiger ribeye. Throw in friendly staff and a full-service bar with craft cocktail specials, and you’ve got yourself a Thai joint that’s finally the whole package.

 

Vietnamese Food

Readers’ Choice: Mỹ Lan Restaurant (4015 E Belknap St, Haltom City, 817-222-1471)

Critic’s Choice: Viet Voyage Buffet (2615 W Pioneer Pkwy, Ste 110, Grand Prairie, 972-975-5123)

Unlike some buffets, Viet Voyage Buffet serves 30-plus chef-prepared fresh dishes made in small batches throughout the day, so everything tastes hot and vibrant. Nothing is mass-produced, and everything is made using authentic recipes and premium ingredients. If you’re not familiar with Vietnamese cooking, this is a great way to give it a try. “Every visit feels like a new culinary voyage!” as they proudly proclaim. Along with the home-style traditional dishes, you’ll find crab, clams, prime rib, and other grilled meats on weekdays, plus lobster and snow crab on Friday nights and weekends. Viet Voyage also showcases a rotating selection of French-Vietnamese pastries and desserts, so save room. (Note: Viet Voyage recently had a kitchen fire, so they are temporarily closed. For updates on the upcoming reopening, follow their social page, @vietvoyage.buffet, on Instagram.)

 

Waitstaff

Readers’ Choice: The Mont (4729 St. Amand Cir, Ste 105, Fort Worth, 817-502-3400)

Critic’s Choice: Almacén El Gallo (500 W 7th St, Ste 175, Fort Worth, 817-937, 2997)

Maybe it is a little early to hand a service award to downtown’s newest resto, but Almacén El Gallo earned it in its first month of operation. Burciaga Hospitality Group knows how to staff a restaurant. At lunchtime, Gallo’s dining room hums, with warm, welcome, attentive pacing and enough servers orbiting the floor to keep crowds moving without making anyone feel rushed. The food may be dressed up, but the hospitality remembers the main draw of a neighborhood cantina: make people feel taken care of.

 

Wings

Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Bros (two area locations)

Critic’s Choice (tie): Buffalo Bros and HCK Hot Chicken (6600 N Fwy, Ste 128, Fort Worth, 817-862-7435)

Meaty, juicy, and oh-so tender, Buffalo Bros’ wings still allow flavor to set them apart. Good Buffalo sauce is sweet but with only a little kick, and for this longtime establishment, getting this sauce just right means something. Thank you, Buffalo Bros. … HCK Hot Chicken is all about bold flavors, offering a variety of zesty sauces, dips, and heat levels to accompany the thicc bird. Sorry. Didn’t mean to make it sexual, but HCK does fried poultry right.