This early-September restaurant news roundup will put Fort Worth fondue fans in a bit of a funk. Things cheer up with new pizza and hotpot spots, a lookahead at some Hispanic Heritage Month specials, and new menu items featuring fall flavors.
Here’s what’s happening lately on the Fort Worth dining scene.
Simply Fondue is abandoning its plan to relocate near the Convention Center in downtown Fort Worth. Earlier this year, the restaurant had announced it was leaving its longtime subterranean location in Sundance Square and reopening near the Fort Worth Convention Center – as previously reported by the Star-Telegram. But in a late August Facebook post, the owners say, “As the summer has progressed and as we worked on our move, the puzzle pieces to opening a new fondue location have fallen out of place. While we are not saying no to fondue, we are saying that we cannot possibly open in the location we had planned and in the timeframe that was initially laid out.” They urge diners to stay tuned – they could be back in another location. Fingers crossed, as Fort Worth is now without a dedicated fondue restaurant.
Fort Worth Food Truck Park is holding a soft grand-opening event Saturday, September 5 from 11 am-midnight. A new spot for food truck dining, it’s located at 3419 Berry St., Fort Worth. At the opening event, there’ll be seven food trucks serving Mexican, Caribbean, Creole, BBQ, Nepalese, Venezuelan, and more.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened at 1521 Keller Pkwy., Keller. One highlight is a Friday lunch buffet, with all-you-can-eat pizza and salad for $6.99 per person, 11 am-2 pm Fridays. A grand opening event is scheduled for Thursday, September 17 from 3:30-7 pm, with a ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm. That day, they will offer free small pizza for the first 100 gusts, a chance to win free pizza for a year, DJ, face painting for kids, giveaways, and more.
House BBQ & Hot Pot Restaurant is coming soon to 620 US Hwy 287 N Frontage Rd #100, Mansfield. They describe themselves succinctly as: “Premium BBQ. Rich hotpot. Fresh seafood. One unforgettable experience.” A soft opening will take place starting at 11 am Tuesday, September 15. As part of the festivities, parties of four or more will receive one free bottle of soju. There’ll also be prizes and giveaways.
Dan’s Bagels is officially opened September 2 in North Richland Hills, at 9041 Mid Cities Blvd., just west of Precinct Line Road and across the street from Birdville High School. The local chain has built a following for its sourdough bagels made via a three-day process, in varieties such as Plain, Everything, Sesame Seed, Poppy Seed, Salt, Garlic Salt, Rosemary Salt, Asiago, Jalapeno Cheddar, Onion, Garlic, Cinnamon Raisin, Blueberry Pie, and Cinnamon Sugar Crunch. They also do bagel sandwiches such as BLT, smoked turkey club, pastrami reuben, chicken salad, and tuna salad. The shop is open 7 am-1 pm Tuesday-Sunday.
Vidorra opened August 31 in Grapevine, bringing its modern Mexican menu to 700 W. State Hwy. 114. The Milkshake Concepts restaurant serves signature dishes including aguachile, guacamole, street tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and the tableside Parrillada en Fuego, along with handcrafted margaritas, premium tequilas, and a Soft Serve Margarita. Weekend brunch features chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, pan dulce French toast, brunch cocktails, and tableside mimosas.
Hudson House will open its Southlake location on Monday, September 14, at 1131 E. Southlake Blvd. The 12th location from Dallas-based Vandelay Companies will take over the former RA Sushi space and serve East Coast-inspired menu staples including its cheeseburger, raw bar and sushi, plus the “World’s Coldest Martini,” chilled to 10 degrees.
The COOP is a new Memphis-style hot wings restaurant with extensive patio coming 1012 S. Main St. in Fort Worth, near Rosedale (aka the old Brix BBQ spot). The restaurant says it is about 60 days from opening (in November) and has begun hiring staff as renovations continue.
Mercado Juarez will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the return of Chiles en Nogada, available September 11-20 at its Fort Worth and Arlington locations. The seasonal Mexican dish will be followed by a Mexican Independence Day celebration on September 16, featuring live mariachi during dinner and $3 house margaritas.
SusieCakes is remembering Dolly Parton with a limited-time four-pack of Dolly’s Decorated Cupcakes, available through September 13. The $25 box includes two vanilla and two chocolate cupcakes topped with pink vanilla buttercream and hot pink sanding sugar butterflies, with $1 from each box donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The cupcakes are available at SusieCakes bakeries with 24 hours’ notice, while supplies last.
SusieCakes is offering Dolly Parton-themed cupcakes through September 13.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes
Taco Cabana celebrates its 48th birthday in September with the debut of the Dragonada, a lemonade-based drink with dragon fruit and chamoy, plus the return of the Double Crunch Pizza and Green Enchiladas. Birthday specials include 48-cent Bean & Cheese Tacos on Mondays, $2.50 margaritas and Cabana Refreshers on Thursdays, and double daily happy hours from 3-6 pm and 9-11 pm.
Hat Creek Burger Company is putting a Texas spin on the Cuban sandwich with its limited-time Classic Cubano, available for four weeks starting August 23. Inspired by a recent culinary trip to Miami, the sandwich features toasted Cuban-style bread layered with ham, Swiss cheese, tangy pickles, crispy pork belly, Mojo Sauce, and Hat Creek’s Happy Sauce.
TX Whiskey is adding a rum-cask finish to its Experimental Series with a new limited-edition bourbon aged in Barbados rum casks. The TX Rum Cask Finish features notes of caramelized plantain, vanilla bean, banana bread, toasted coconut, and rum raisin, with a finish of soft oak and spiced rum. Only 1,100 bottles are available for $39.99 at Whiskey Ranch in 375-milliliter bottles, with a limit of eight bottles per customer every 30 days.
Taco Bell is bringing back its ice cream taco with a new twist, teaming up with artisanal ice cream brand Salt & Straw on the $3.99 Churro Ice Cream Taco. Available for a limited time at Taco Bell locations, the treat features a crispy waffle cone shell filled with new Churro Ice Cream, then topped with puffed rice and a dark chocolate-flavored coating. The collaboration also includes a Salt & Straw Choco-Waffle Chiller, available at select Live Más Cafés.
Salt & Straw’s Churro Ice Cream Taco and Chiller for Taco Bell.Photo courtesy of Taco Bell
Snooze Eatery is boozing up brunch with a new Build Your Own Mimosa program. There’s also a lineup of new dishes, including Pumpkin Pecan Pie Pancakes, Tiramisu French Toast, crispy and smothered breakfast burritos, breakfast tacos, and a Smoked Salmon Benny. The customizable mimosas are available by the glass or bottle, while two new cocktails — a Strawberry Morning Marg and a Paloma — join the bar lineup.
MOD Pizza is rolling out a refreshed menu with five new signature pizzas, a Mediterranean salad, and the CinnaMOD, a shareable dessert pizza topped with cinnamon sugar, salted caramel, and vanilla icing. The menu update also includes Pumpkin Spice and Pink Vanilla Cake Pops. For a limited time, MOD is offering a Spicy Thai Pizza with grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, jalapeños, cilantro, and a new sweet-and-spicy Thai chili finishing sauce — the chain’s first new ingredient introduced through a limited-time pizza in three years.
Postino is getting into the pickle craze through a new collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles. They’re introducing a new Hot Pickle Dip made with whipped cream cheese, labneh, garlic, dill, Grillo’s pickle brine, and Hot Dill Pickles. Served with house chips and fresh vegetables, the limited-time dip is available at all Postino locations September 3-October 28. Suggested pairing: Mother Block Orange Wine or a draft Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA.
Postino Hot Pickle Dip featuring Grillo’s pickles.Photo courtesy of Postino
McDonald’s is choosin’ Texas for a special, limited-time Texas Meal featuring collectible cups representing seven regions of the state, including Dallas/Fort Worth. The meal comes with 10 McNuggets, medium fries, and a medium drink, plus a choice of cup designed by Texas artist Avery Orendorf. Spicy Chicken McNuggets are also back for a limited time and can be ordered as part of the Texas Meal or a la carte at participating Texas locations.
Applebee’s is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month early with two $6.99 margaritas available throughout September. The limited-time drinks are the Dos-A-Rita, a blend of Applebee’s House Margarita and a 7-ounce Dos Equis Lager served over ice with fresh lime; and the 1800 Coconut Lemonade Margarita, made with 1800 Coconut Tequila, lemonade, and triple sec. The Dos-A-Rita is also available frozen for an additional $1.
Silver Fox is shaking up the classics with its new Refined & Reimagined cocktail collection, available September 8-January 18. The limited-time lineup includes a Redemption NY Sour with bourbon, Disaronno, lemon, honey, Shiraz, and Luxardo cherries; a Garrison Brothers Old Fashioned; and an Espresso Martini made with Grey Goose, Licor 43, Disaronno, Frangelico, and Nespresso espresso.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is adding a fall dessert with its new Pumpkin Spice Biscoff Cake, available through Thanksgiving for $11.95. The warm pumpkin cake is filled with molten Biscoff butter and topped with caramel-pumpkin drizzle, chopped pecans, and vanilla bean ice cream.
Pumpkin Spice Biscoff Cake at Firebirds Woodfired GrillPhoto courtesy of Firebirds Woodfired Grill
Golden Chick is adding queso to its menu for the first time with a limited-time Tex-Mex lineup available through November 1. The warm, mild queso blends American cheese and cream with roasted green chiles, jalapeños, and red bell peppers, and comes with new offerings including a Tex-Mex Tender Combo, Tex-Mex Tender Roll, and Tex-Mex Fries. Queso can also be added to any order for $1.
Thirsty Lion is donating to No Kid Hungry throughout September for Hunger Action Month, giving diners an easy way to help fight childhood hunger. For every reservation made at any Thirsty Lion location, $1 will be donated to the nonprofit, up to $5,000. The donations could help provide up to 50,000 meals for children facing hunger. Thirsty Lion has one Tarrant County location, in Euless.
Chili’s is turning a nostalgic sip into its September Marg of the Month with the $6 Cherry Limeade Margarita, made with el Jimador Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, grenadine, house-made sour, and Sprite. The drink comes with a citrus sugar rim, lime wedge, and two cherries. For the first time, guests can also upgrade the Marg of the Month to a frozen version with Chili’s Patrón Frozen Marg for $10.
Dairy Queen is bringing back its Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat and adding a new Brown Sugar Cookie Dough Blizzard Treat to its fall lineup. Available through September 27 while supplies last, the Brown Sugar Cookie Dough features brown sugar cookie dough pieces and brown sugar topping blended with DQ soft serve, while the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard combines pumpkin pie filling and crust pieces with soft serve, whipped topping, and nutmeg. Texas locations are also serving a new Toasted Marshmallow Mocha DQ Coffee Cooler.
Dining and Cooking