1721 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

Andrew Marton of dfw.com has an interesting article about the comings and goings of Fort Worth Restaurant in these uncertain times of population boom and fading economy. Below is a link to the article:

http://www.dfw.com/2...oom-closed.html

The article talks about the closing of Delaney's and Mac's, the uncertainty at Brownstone, and the big success at Chuy's, Gloria's, and other establishments.

[JKC]

Over simplified and sloppy with the facts. And as one commenter points out apparently ignorant as to economic environment. But other than that, an altogether typical piece.

[Papaw]

It seems like restaurants either make it big or don't last very long, not much in between. Calculated Risk keeps up with this on a national basis:




http://www.calculate...x-declined.html

[youngalum]

Went to Brownstone one night last week--maybe 15 people in the whole restaurant, including the patio and it was a nice night. SLOW service and really inattentive service to boot.

The only thing keeping that restaurant open is the chef's name---and it appears that fade is wearing off.

[RD Milhollin]

Short article about the "patriarch of local fine dining" in Fort Worth, Walter Kaufmann of the Old Swiss House:

 

http://www.dfw.com/2...fort-worth.html

 

The interview apparently took place at the Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival this weekend:

 

http://www.fortworth...inefestival.com

[Papaw]

Dropped in at R.J. Gator's last night and noticed an added "Liquor Tax" on the tab that the waiter couldn't really explain.  Is this a new tax on liquor served in restaurants?

[John T Roberts]

I am not aware of a liquor tax, but I also don't drink alcohol.

[Papaw]

Well, I might have to join you John if the prices keep going up.

[mmmdan]

There's always been a tax, but it was the restaurant that was taxed and not the consumer.

 

The legislature changed the accounting in the last session.  http://abclocal.go.c...ocal&id=9190012

 

From what I've seen most places haven't reduced the price by the amount of tax they are now not paying and have simply added the tax on.  By doing this they are making a few more cents per drink.

[renamerusk]

Fort Worth increasingly looked upon as a gateway for new restaurants entering the Texas market:

 

http://www.fortworth...4d412433b1.html

[JBB]

Awesome.  Can't wait for that to open.  We ate at the one in Destin, FL a few years ago on vacation.  

[John T Roberts]

Pappas Burger is closing on Sunday, October 2nd.  Here's a link to the article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

 

http://www.star-tele...e105281011.html

[JBB]

Given the hot market for burgers in FW, I'm surprised it made it this long. I've only been a few times and I never thought it was anything special or unique, especially given their pricing. I doubt the space sits empty for long, but the weird access to that location means it has to be something that's a big draw like the other Pappa's brands next door.

[Doohickie]

Minor news, but The Egg and I in Ridglea is rebranding.  Next week they will be called "First Watch."  They will have a new menu (still classic breakfast with some interesting twists).  Apparently First Watch bought out all of Egg and I a year ago, and has been slowly changing all the restaurants over.  They just got to Texas.

 

If you stop by there between now and next weekend, you can pick up a new menu which has a 20% off coupon good for the first month of operation as First Watch.

[John T Roberts]

Thanks for the tip.  My office is just down the street.

[Doohickie]

The Clear Fork Bicycle Club has added The Egg and I to our regular rotation; it's very popular with our members.  I hope the new format is as good.

 

[John T Roberts]

That's a nice group picture.

[Doohickie]

Well, it's a nice group. 

[beverlyb]

Sweet Tomatoes, including the 7th street location, has closed. http://www.star-tele...e106167837.html

 

I've only been there a few times, but for a buffet, I thought it was pretty good. 

[John T Roberts]

I have only been there a few times, and I thought it was pretty good, but a little more expensive than similar places.

[renamerusk]

 

Coyote Ugly has closed. Saw this coming, think it would have been better suited in the stockyards

It actually lasted longer than I thought it was going to. I always felt like Coyote Ugly wasn’t the right type of bar for the area. Like you mentioned it probably would have worked better in the Stockyards.

 

 Primer: I never patronized Coyote Ugly.  However, as a distant observer, I thought its premise would not appeal to a broad amount of the general public.  For the customers that it sought to attract, CU would have done better along the interstates at the fringe of the City.

 

Simply because it includes the word "Coyote" in its name does not justify it being located or working better in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

[renamerusk]

Flores BBQ, one of Texas Monthly's top ranked in the state, is moving from Whitney to Clearfork. https://www.texasmon...-to-fort-worth/

 

  Sounds delicious!

[renamerusk]

For lack of another place to put it, the Freshii place in the bottom of The Tower, but not in Sundance, had a sign that they are opening tomorrow, Tuesday, February 5th.

 

The FWST has a monthly tally and a year end tally of restaurants that have open or closed.  This is a quick an easy way to keep up with the restaurant topic where ever they are located. 

 

The Forum also has thread that is tasked to do the same.  The Forum Thread is linked below:

 

 

The Comings and Goings of FW Restaurants

Started by John T Roberts, 16 Sep 2011

[roverone]

I will pull this conversation over to this thread.

 

We had lunch at Freshii today, I had a Mediterranian Bowl with chicken.  I though it was very good, and everyone else enjoyed the choices also.

 

I think it will be a good new option for downtown lunch.

[renamerusk]

A appreciative step; it will be easier to follow the restaurant's progress here.

 

BTW, any updates on the Burk Burnett repairs?

[renamerusk]

I certain that Heim Barbeque has been posted somewhere else in a thread, but I will posted here under "Comings and Goings of Fort Worth Restaurants.  It is an interesting

 

Heim to The River District. It is an interesting choice for a food establishment; will there big a large enough lunch and dinner crowd? -

 

http://www.fortworth...e0250ecd07.html

[ramjet]

I certain that Heim Barbeque has been posted somewhere else in a thread, but I will posted here under "Comings and Goings of Fort Worth Restaurants.  It is an interesting

 

Heim to The River District. It is an interesting choice for a food establishment; will there big a large enough lunch and dinner crowd? -

 

http://www.fortworth...e0250ecd07.html

Of course I can't predict, but Heim's has a following and name, and River Oaks, White Settlement, and the River District are hot neighborhoods these days.  I can totally see it working out.  I hope they are successful!

[george84]

Heim has a line out the door on magnolia all the time, Im sure they will do really well. The new one is closer to my house, so Im excited about that.

[renamerusk]

 

....Heim to The River District. It is an interesting choice for a food establishment; will there big a large enough lunch and dinner crowd? -

Of course I can't predict, but Heim's has a following and name, and River Oaks, White Settlement, and the River District are hot neighborhoods these days.  I can totally see it working out.  I hope they are successful!

 

 I certainly hope that they are very successful too; although I have concerns when a great eatery spreads itself out too thin and causes the quality of food to suffer.

 

 Now, with all that being hatched out,  I think for hot neighborhoods, Six Points/Race Street is even hotter (close proximity to Downtown) Someone will put a world class BBQ shop on Race Street and, well "Lookout!" and I would be even more excited for Heim then I am now.

[renamerusk]

High Tower Cafe & Deli - Houston showing some love for Town of the Cow!

 

http://www.fortworth...a3e3ccb670.html

[renamerusk]

Gemelle, Italian Restaurant and Cafe planned east of River District.

 

http://www.fortworth...d20e4692dd.html

[renamerusk]

 

 

Coyote Ugly has closed. Saw this coming, think it would have been better suited in the stockyards

It actually lasted longer than I thought it was going to. I always felt like Coyote Ugly wasn’t the right type of bar for the area. Like you mentioned it probably would have worked better in the Stockyards.

 

 Primer: I never patronized Coyote Ugly.  However, as a distant observer, I thought its premise would not appeal to a broad amount of the general public.  For the customers that it sought to attract, CU would have done better along the interstates at the fringe of the City.

 

Simply because it includes the word "Coyote" in its name does not justify it being located or working better in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

 

 

   Coyote Ugly closing - certainly should not be missed and was never a good fit for either W7th or the Stockyards -

 

https://deadspin.com...ping-1833442417

[renamerusk]

Monkey King Noodle Company (MKNC) from Fort Worth to Dallas to Fort Worth now -

 

Dallas Eater - https://dallas.eater...ellum-interview

[renamerusk]

Texas Wesleyan/Poly gets new eatery - Ben's Triple B Diner/Cafe

 

FWBP - http://www.fortworth...1ab8a29135.html

[John T Roberts]

It's been getting good reviews.  I have not been there, yet.

[JBB]

We narrowed dinner down last night to that and Heim.  We're going to wait on Ben's since I figured it's having big crowds with the press it's getting.

[txbornviking]

The Royal Falcon Pub (sister pub to the Bull & Bush on Montgomery I believe) is soon to close and will be replaced by BBQ On The Brazos along the Benbrook Traffic Circle.

 

https://www.star-tel...e232277347.html

[txbornviking]

Flores BBQ, recently moved to Ft. Worth (Clearfork) from Whitney AND named a Top 50 in Texas, is closing...

 

https://www.texasmon...ses-fort-worth/

[youngalum]

Flores BBQ, recently moved to Ft. Worth (Clearfork) from Whitney AND named a Top 50 in Texas, is closing...

 

https://www.texasmon...ses-fort-worth/

I wanted to go several times but the wife nixed it as it was a food truck and sitting outside in the heat isn't her idea of fun food experience.

[george84]

Exactly the same reason I haven't been. I was excited to try it once the weather got better or when the brick and mortar opened. Seems strange that they closed it so fast, before they even had a chance to get going.

[elpingüino]

Flores BBQ, recently moved to Ft. Worth (Clearfork) from Whitney AND named a Top 50 in Texas, is closing...
 
https://www.texasmon...ses-fort-worth/

For a sense of how abrupt this happened, just this morning Fort Worth Weekly published a glowing review, https://www.fwweekly...s-on-the-trail/

[panthercity]

I was in Press Cafe last weekend and the manager made mention of Flores BBQ. Said they were really struggling and were trying to get a loyal client base so that they could take into a brink and mortar store. He commented how it was tasty but the lack of any seating was tough in this high heat. Hopeful they are able to make a comeback down the road.

[JBB]

Kind of confusing, but it sounds like Flores is staying open but under a new name and with Lou Lambert involved.

[John T Roberts]

Bud Kennedy is reporting that the Taco Diner at Waterside has closed. 

[roverone]

I'm sad to have Taco Diner go, but will not miss it as it has been recently.  When it first opened it was enjoyable and a big draw, but the service and quality diminished in more recent times.

 

I go to Piattello often and they have remained good food / good service / busy.

 

A side note for those who had been to that Taco Diner: the huge tree in the grove close to the patio did not endure the construction around it and died over the last few months.  I noticed this week that it had been cut down.  A sad thing for such a majestic part of that area.  'Good lesson for developers that you have to be extremely careful not to destroy the very things that make your environment a place people want to be.

 

I hope something good can go in and take the restaurant's place.  The hotel may bring more people around there, but there are plenty of people nearby as it is, they just need to know that the grove area exists, and the have right kind of place will help draw more people back in there.

[John T Roberts]

Even though I had not been to that Taco Diner recently, I had been to REI and did eat at Tricky Fish when I was over there.  I had also been to REI several times over the last few months and I noticed the tree had died.  I just wondered how long it would be before it was cut down.  It is sad that the tree didn't make it because it was one of the few things remaining from around the swimming pool where I spent many summers.  The tree was on the northeast corner of the pool area, near the vending machines. 

[BlueMound]

Looks like Barrel and Bones in Montgomery Plaza
has gone dark.
Not surprising.
The location from Hell strikes again

[John T Roberts]

It seems to me that all parties should give up on locating a restaurant there. 

[txbornviking]

Any theories on what it is about that location that makes it so hard for a restaurant to survive?

[JBB]

The location in the building has to be part of the problem.  You can't see it from 7th and it's not highly visible from Carroll, so someone just driving by isn't likely to stop in without passing up one of the other restaurants in the building.  A location like that can kill something that's not really distinctive enough to be a draw.  I went to one of the BBQ places in that spot a few times and it was really good, but it was almost empty on each visit.