Fort Worth Journals

Fort Worth Eats,Shopping & Fun!

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Fort Worth by samepenny

Hard Stone in Texas Photo - Fort Worth, Texas More Photos
Quote: I love Fort Worth! The purpose of this journal is to give updates, especially when I come across something that is truly worth heading out of the house for. Also I will add my favorate and often tried restaurants. You can trust me! As this journal grows, I will add seasonal information. Fort Worth has become a major tourist destination. The North Side, Stockyards Historic District and the Downtown Sundance Square area and the major draw. However the so-called Cultural Distric with major museums is very important also. The new Modern Art Museum is due to open in early 2003.

Fort Worth Eats,Shopping & Fun!

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

Hard Stone in Texas Photo - Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
There are several companies in the Fort Worth area that manufacture clothing, boots and other 'western' gear. Also we have the benefit of many outlet shops connected to these companies that are worth checking out.

Quick Tips:

Keep an eye on my journals for shopping updates, check the internet with a search engine for major outlet shops and check with 800# operators for the numbers of companies that make and sell in the United States.

Best Way To Get Around:

Get on with it and drive or be driven. This is Texas.

Buckaroo's Soda Shoppe

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

A real soda shop Photo - Buckaroo's Soda Shoppe, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
This is a great place to get out of the sun/ heat and or rain! A fun way to let the children have some fun. Fun for you too! Real chocolate sodas and other ice cream delights of our childhood. Casual seating including saddles for children and limber adults to perch on. Handy, clean rest rooms. Very air conditioned. Another Riscky restaurant in the Stockyards. A good idea!

Ice cream and casual fast food service. Hamburgers etc. A lot of fun in a non-beer environment. About a 2 minute walk to where the longhorns saunter by.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 1, 2002

Buckaroo's Soda Shoppe
201 Stockyards Station
Fort Worth, Texas
(817) 624-6631

Ashton Hotel Cafe

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Beef Tenderloin Photo - Ashton Hotel Cafe, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
The is a fine 'boutique' hotel, with prices for rooms and suites that are top of the line for Fort Worth ($250 to $750). This is the old Fort Worth Club Building, 1915. A beautiful restoration. Often the home for headlining visiting performers at the Bass Hall. Very nice environment. Very fine food. The restaurant brochure refers to the food as 'American Bistro Cuisine'. That's a handle! Vast tables covered with white linen. No crowding. About 9 seats at the lavish bar. Very small restaurant. Menu small but enough choices to please everyone from vegetarians to carnivors! All the the table service was white. Tiring to the eye! I enjoyed my grilled vegetables ($19.95). My friend had a...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 1, 2002

Ashton Hotel Cafe
610 Main St
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
(866) 327-4866

Riscky's Bar-B-Que

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Stockyards Station Shops Photo - Riscky's Bar-B-Que, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Riscky's has many locations. The new one on Camp Bowie Blvd has a very nice atmosphere, fancy decore, liquor and plenty of parking. Not to mention, I can get there in 10 minutes. The location in the Stock Yards Station in the North Side Historic District is across the street from the area where the Longhorn cattle are kept when they are not out grazing by the Trinity River. Yes, Texans can eat beef and look at live cattle at the same time. It is my opinion that Riscky's makes the best bar-b-que in our area. Prepare for a debate on this subject!! There are few vegetarian alternatives. I suppose that you could get a green salad. The purpose for coming to a place like this is to eat meat: tur...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 19, 2002

Riscky's Bar-B-Que
6701 Camp Bowie Blvd & Many Others
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
(817) 989-1800

Bistro Louise

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Restaurant | "Bistro Louise-American Cuisine, Med Spirit"

Bistro Louise Bar Photo - Bistro Louise, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
I was a guest at a 'ladies' lunch at Bistro Louise. I have to say, the word GUEST became extremely important when I saw the prices on the menu. This is a high-price place, especially when you consider that this is a neighborhood restaurant. Call it 'class' style of service and surroundings. Food excellent! We had a wonderful artichoke starter, $4.95, but the waiter didn't give us time to finish it before our main course showed up!!! I chose a 'combo' salad plate for lunch, $9.60, pushing off the idea of having the house special, Pecan Chicken, which was more than $20. I liked my salad. Another woman had the Tuscan sandwich, a 3-meat sandwich with homemade vegetable chips, $9.50. ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 23, 2002

Bistro Louise
2900 South Hulen Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
(817) 922-9244

Paris Coffee Shop

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Paris Coffee Shop Photo - Paris Coffee Shop, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Open 6 am to 2:30 pm weekdays and 6 am to 11 am on Saturdays, this is the ultimate local Fort Worth experience. No place to diet. Everything is home made. Breakfasts are heavy on meats, gravy and sugar. Lunches are specials plus huge burgers, chicken fried steak and desserts. The pies are famous for hundreds of miles. I enjoy the food once in a while. The meeting and chatting with friends is wonderful. Ten minutes from downtown. 5 minutes from the hospital district. There is a fair amount of free parking. Coffee is strong and tea is iced.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 4, 2002

Paris Coffee Shop
704 West Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
+1 817 335 2041

Massey's Restaurant

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Homemade Pecan Pie Photo - Massey's Restaurant, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Fort Worth went into mourning when Massey's closed for a while a few years ago. Famous for huge plates of chicken fried steak, with fried potatos, covered in rich cream gravy. A weak side salad. Tea is served in glasses large enough to be pitchers. No ceremony here. Waitresses flight plates at hungry customers. Pies are homemade, sometimes by the waitresses. Always rich and loaded with calories.

This enormously popular restaurant is no place to look on the menu for something light and low in salt. Portions are so large that older couples often split entres.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 4, 2002

Massey's Restaurant
1805 Eighth Ave
Fort Worth, Texas 76110
+1 817 921 5582

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Bar"

Tarrant County Court House Photo - Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Bar, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
We love this family owned and managed restaurant. The food is all fresh (nothing out of a can), the recipes are supurb. No lard is used in any dish. Although the specialities are heavy in the fresh fish and seafood catagory, the beef and chicken dishes are wonderful. The sauces that come out to your table with the traditional bowls of chips are incredible. My favorate is the green tomatillo sauce. Of all the dishes on the menu, my hubby prefers the Red Snapper Cortez at $17.00. It contains fresh red snapper pan broiled topped with a shrimp, scallops and mushroom cream sauce. I prefer the Moctezuma's Enchiladas which is spinach enchiladas topped with green tomatillo cause and so...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 28, 2001

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Bar
6209 Sunset Drive
Fort Worth, Texas
(817) 738-3329

Rick's on the Bricks

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Restaurant | "Rick's on the Bricks (817) 732-2401"

Sundance Square downtown Photo - Rick's on the Bricks, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Since 1989 Rick's has been providing wonderful, juicy, fat hamburgers, Texas fried chicken, fried pickles (yes pickles) and the best fried onion rings you'll ever have. Many other menu items including a few that are healthy. Kiddy menu. As Rick's has a fully licensed bar, you can also have the drink of your choice. Rick's is very busy after work and in the evenings with neighborhood folk and medical center employees dropping in for a drinky on their way home. Look for an old house on the north side of the street when looking for Rick's. The entrance is on the southwest corner. Newcomers often have trouble finding which door is the one that actually opens. You wouldn't de...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 29, 2001

Rick's on the Bricks
3716 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Fizzi Restaurant

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Fort Worth has its own Space Ship Photo - Fizzi Restaurant, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Fizzi's seemed like such a good idea when we with friends decided to go there for dinner before going to the Bass Hall. However, I was discouraged from the start when we realized that the chairs were miserably uncomfortable. Something like iron porch furniture--only harder. The bar is in the very front once you get past the dreary outside patio. After you trek into the restaurant, you realize that the place has been over decorated. OK, so how about the food? You order and are charged for each course. An expensively priced entre becomes a extremely expensive meal this way. Appetizizers, heavy on seafood choices are $9 to $10. Salads are the same with soups at $6. Entres of $30 ru...Read More

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on May 12, 2002

Fizzi Restaurant
500 Commerce Street Downtown By Bass Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
(817) 336-3499

Sardines Ristorante Italiano

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Sardine's NEW LOCATION"

St. Patrick's, one of the oldest buildings in town Photo - Sardines Ristorante Italiano, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Sardine's moved off Camp Bowie Blvd when their antique building was torn down to make way for a parking garage for the medical school. The new location is where Cactus Flower used to be. A broad, typical Italian menu with something for everyone. Close enough to downtown to stop there on your way to the Bass Hall, but without the high prices of some of the downtown restaurants. On the North end of the Cultural District. A very nice and friendly atmosphere. A very loyal following. This location has much free parking. This is a large restaurant that maintains a small cafe attitude. A party of 4 can eat very well for about $100 including wine and tip. Open for dinners and late in...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 12, 2002

Sardines Ristorante Italiano
509 University Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 332-9937

Riscky's Catch

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Riscky's Catch Rhythm & Blues Cafe"

Way in to Stockyards Station from North parking Photo - Riscky's Catch, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
This is a wild, happy place that blasts with music on the Fridays & Saturdays. In the best location in the Stockyards Station, it is one of a dozen eateries in that location. Whatever you want is at hand, but this restaurant seems to be the most fun. All you can eat catfish for $8.95 every night. Longneck beer is $3. Nightly specials. Parking is nearby for $3. The entire area is grand fun. Tons of stuff going on. A 10 minute walk from Billy Bob's Nightclub and 5 minutes from the rodeo at the Cowtown Collesium. The only reason to come out to the Northside Historic District on a weekend is to have a great time. Shopping, eating, music and shows. All sorts of livestock. P...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 12, 2002

Riscky's Catch
140 East Exchange
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
+1 817 625 1070

Red Hot & Blue-Fort Worth

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Red Hot & Blue, Memphis BBQ"

Tea served in pitchers Photo - Red Hot & Blue-Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Yet another type of BBQ! This time the speciality is Memphis- style smoked pulled pork and beef. The taste is different than what we are used to, but very good. The ice tea comes in glasses so large, they actually are pitchers. The tea comes in two ways: regular or sweet (with sugar). The service is excellent and fast in this nicely decorated medium size restaurant with full bar. There is also take out service. The meat sandwiches come with the option of cole slaw pilled IN the sandwich. It's not a salad, it's a condiment! The pulled pork is wonderful and very lean. The beef is always smoked without sauce, but you can sauce it up yourself as you please. I enjoy the larg...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 9, 2002

Red Hot & Blue-Fort Worth
3000 S Hulen Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
(817) 731-8770

Railhead Smokehouse

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant

A beef plate plus drinks Photo - Railhead Smokehouse, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
In our ongoing challenge to find the best bar-B-que restaurant in the Fort Worth area, we spent a hot summer evening at a picnic table at the Railhouse Smokehouse. Yes, there are inside tables and a sports' bar, but somehow eating fine bar-b-que a few feet from your own car adds to the experience. You stand in line to order and pay. The food is sliced, diced or whatever and is 'plated' on a piece of feeble plastic ware in front of your eyes. No questions about what is going on back in the kitchen. This is Texas bar-b-que, smoked long hours scenting the entire neighborhood. Beef, pork and of late chicken breasts and turkey. Plates are served with sides that I always find a let down. The sla...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 11, 2002

Railhead Smokehouse
2900 Montgomery St
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
+1 817 738 9808

Schlotzsky's Deli

Restaurant | "Schlotzsjy's Deli"

big cheese & turkey special Photo - Schlotzsky's Deli, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
This chain started in Austin, TX, back in the 70's. Does that tell you something? Although there are many locations now, the promise of large, well made and attractive sandwiches, pizzas, and salads holds true. A definate 'bang for your buck'. Everything is large, extra large or huge!

Fillings vary from the super fattening meats, cheeses and dressings (beef and pork) to the less guilt ridden lighter versions with turkey and chicken. Stand in line, self-service drinks. Always tidy.

Most of the sandwiches are served hot and toasty, but no burnt smell as in some hot sandwich places.

Children of all ages welcome. Handicapped accessible.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 7, 2002

Schlotzsky's Deli
4608 Bryant Irvin Rd
Fort Worth, Texas 76132
(817) 423-4300

Out of Afrika

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Attraction | "Out of Afrika -- closed 2003"

Out of Afrika Photo - Out of Afrika, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
There was so much I wanted to buy when in Africa, but could not due to baggage limitations. Delighted I was to find this wonderful shop in Fort Worth just a 10 minute drive from the Cultural District. Don McGoodwin owns this shop. He makes frequent buying trips to South Africa. He has large shipments of new merchandise coming in on a regular basis. It is Don's long range plan to also arrange tours to Africa for people interested in various activities such as hunting and photo safaris. He has a wealth of information he is willing to share on travel to Africa. The shop is lit appropriately for the showing of fine art items. The glass shelves have lovely arrangements of car...Read More

Member Rating 1 out of 5 on December 29, 2001

Out of Afrika
5108 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, Texas

Niver Western Wear

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Attraction | "Niver Longhorn Western Wear (817) 332-2389"

Swift & Company sign Photo - Niver Western Wear, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
Slightly more than a stone's throw from downtown Fort Worth, on the corner of West Magnolia and Hemphill. (Across from the famous Paris Coffee Shop) The outlet shop is on the short south end of the building. Look for the big red arrow and the name 'Niver Western Wear'. Free parking for shoppers. This is very, very classy western wear of the sort that you would find in the jazzy shops in Vail and Taos. No ladies jeans! Beautiful blouses, skirts and vests often at extreme mark down prices. Men's jackets, shirts and pants, likewise marked down. Private dressing rooms! Several round racks have severely marked down vests and shirts. Extremely nice stuff so don't let the ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 19, 2001

Niver Western Wear
1221 Hemphill Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Justin Boot Company: Retail Factory Outlet Store

Attraction | "Justin Outlet Boot Store"

Justin Outlet Boot Store Photo - Justin Boot Company: Retail Factory Outlet Store, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
This store is 2 blocks from the HQ of this company. The inventory changes all the time. A vast selection of men's boots, a big selection of women's (this varies with the season), and some children's. Very good prices. Also very good sales people who are determined to help you find what you really want. This is so unusual for an outlet store. 5 minutes from Niver Longhorn Western Wear so you can shop both on the same day.

10 minutes from downtown Fort Worth. Free parking. Telephone for hours and days open and also driving directions if you don't know the area.

This is a very good shopping experience.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2002

Justin Boot Company: Retail Factory Outlet Store
717 W Vickery Blvd
Fort Worth, Texas 66614
(817) 885-8089

Old Tyme Mercantile

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Old Tyme Merchantile Historical Clothing Equipment"

Children jump on Tarantula Photo - Old Tyme Mercantile, Fort Worth, Texas
Quote:
I wandered into this shop and into another era. A wonderful selection of actual period western clothing and the ability to order new most of whatever you might want. A petticoat is on my wish list! Yes, we do wear this stuff! Owners Kevin & Diane Keim are very nice people. This shop is down past the ticket office of Tarantula Railway. Just about across the boarding area from the Wedding Chapel. A faster way to get in would be to park in the 'no charge' lot for shoppers on the west side of Exchange avenue (next to Lou's steps), walk east along the outside of Stockyards Station, then use the Stockman's Club entrance into the Station. Or you can use the main entrance and w...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 5, 2002

Old Tyme Mercantile
140 E Exchange Ave
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
(817) 625-1822