Bar News

New Fort Worth bar in Foundry District channels spirit of New Orleans

Let the good times roll.

Photo courtesy of Tulane's

Fort Worth gets a sweet taste of New Orleans with the debut of Tulane's, a NOLA-inspired cocktail lounge that opened at The Foundry District on February 25.

Located at 2708 Weisenberger St., the lounge is a fond homage (but no relation) to New Orleans' premier university, from two Fort Worth food & beverage veterans.

Partners Daniel Zapata and Amanda Jones have both been slinging cocktails around Fort Worth for a number of years. Jones' family owns Houston Street Bar and Patio, the downtown Fort Worth sports bar; Zapata worked there, and has also worked at acclaimed bars such as Thompson's and Poag mahone's.

Tulane's is the first bar they've owned, and they put all of their heart and soul into it, practically building the place from ground up. "It's a labor of love," they say.

Jones lived for many years in California, while Zapata has lived in Fort Worth his whole life. But they're big fans of the Big Easy.

"I fell in love with New Orleans, and just tried to figure out a way to bring a slice of that back to Fort Worth," Zapata says.

They've drawn their inspiration from New Orleans landmarks such as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, injecting Tulane's with a New Orleans spirit that includes elegant chandeliers and jewel-tone lighting behind the bar in hues of purple, emerald, and magenta.

Having an outdoor space was key, one that would channel the garden space of Audubon Cottages on Dauphine St. in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Their beverage program includes techniques such as infusions and on-premise barrel-aging, but they also do good old-fashioned NOLA classics, everything from Sazerac and Vieux Carre to hurricanes and rum punch.

There are basic eats, just enough if someone needs to nosh. That includes pizza by the slice, plus seasonal New Orleans-style specials such as crawfish boils. They're making their own pizza, using a high-tech TurboChef oven.

The bar opens at 3 pm, and the pizza starts up at 6 pm and runs 'til they close at 2 am, daily.

Tulane's fits in into the Foundry program, says Jenny Sanders, marketing director for M2G Ventures, which has been the force behind developing this revitalized warehouse district.

"They have a wealth of knowledge," Sanders says. "And whether it's Blackland or 38th & Vine or Tulane's, what ties it together is that it's a homegrown brand. We love having people who are from Fort Worth, who see an opportunity and decide to go for it - who care about the city and want to make a contribution."

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Tex-Mex News

Fort Worth restaurant Los Vaqueros spills dates on upcoming relocation

Courtesy rendering

Rendering of new dining room at Los Vaqueros.

There's an update on beloved Cisneros family Tex-Mex restaurant Los Vaqueros., which will be relocating to the historic Stockyards Exhibits Building at 2513 Rodeo Plaza in 2025.

According to a release, the big move for the restaurant will take place in the thick of the Christmas holiday:

The restaurant will remain open at its 2629 North Main St. location through December 22 at 3 pm. They've been in that space nearly 30 years.
The new location will open on December 26, just in time to ring in the New Year and welcome Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo visitors in January.

“This year has brought unexpected challenges, but also incredible opportunities,” says Cisneros Restaurants Inc. President Vicki Cisneros in a statement. “We are grateful to be able to celebrate one last Christmas season with our friends here before starting a new chapter two blocks down the road at Rodeo Plaza.”

Los Vaqueros Restaurant has brought Tex-Mex cuisine to the historic Stockyards neighborhood since 1982 and to Willow Park since 2008.

The original move was slated to take place in the summer, but they extended the timeline to ensure the space reflects the authentic essence of Los Vaqueros. That included collaborating with Bennett Partners Architecture and Design and IMGC, LLC, the family worked tirelessly to preserve the rich history of the Stockyards while incorporating modern restaurant amenities.

Cisneros says they wanted "to get it just right."

"This is likely the last restaurant my husband Johnny and I will personally oversee, so every detail mattered," she says. "From incorporating historic wood and barn doors from the original building to designing custom chairs, plates, and glassware, the space truly embodies the spirit of Los Vaqueros: it’s about cowboys, ranchers, and Tex-Mex cuisine.”

They also did not want to disrupt family transitions of dining at the restaurant during the Christmas holiday.

"We’re grateful to the building’s new owners for allowing us to stay through the season," Cisnerous says.

Fans can expect some fanfare between December 20–23, when they relocate the illuminated marquee sign to the new location in the 1910–12 Stockyards Exhibits Building — also a historic site, and home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the John Wayne: An American Experience Museum.

Amenities in the new location will include a banquet room that seats 100, with an adjacent patio that seats 20 and a Fiesta Room that seats 50.

The restaurant will be open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, and will see the launch of “Los Vaqueros After Dark” on the weekends, an extended service that features a menu of enchiladas, tacos, nachos, and specialty breakfast items until 12:30 am, and bar service until 1 am.

Parking is free Sunday-Thursday at the nearby Billy Bob's lot (131 Stockyards Blvd.), excluding special events. On weekends, parking fees apply, but free parking options are available around the perimeter of the Stockyards, as well as separately managed parking lots that offer different rates and occasional coupons.

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