Opening day has arrived for Rex’s Bar and Grill, a new concept from namesake Rex Benson, owner of Fort Worth's legendary Ol’ South Pancake House.

Located at 1505 S. University Dr., in the former Romano's Macaroni Grill space next-door to Ol' South, Rex's is a family-friendly sports bar with a home-cooking style menu, full bar, big TVs, and spacious patio. It opened on January 14.

It's a dream come true for Benson, who always had his eye on the building and thought it would be the perfect spot for a sports bar.

“I know it’s something that Fort Worth has needed for a long time, but especially in that general location,” Benson says. “We’re right by TCU, Dickie’s Arena, and the Fort Worth Zoo. There’s so many big attractions that are in and around that area, but it needs a place to watch sporting events and dine with families. I’ve dreamt about it for a long time.”

The new concept merges Benson’s previous experience in the bar and restaurant industry; in 2008, he took over Ol’ South Pancake House from his father, who founded the restaurant in 1962.

But before that, he gained nightlife experience in west Texas as one of the creators of the Lubbock music venue Blue Light Live and by working at Tom's Daiquiri Place, also in Lubbock.

While Rex's is a sports bar, it has a better-than-the-usual-sports-bar menu with pizza, tacos, wings, sandwiches, and burgers, plus beer, wine, cocktails, and VIP lockers for spirits.

Menu highlights include chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes & green beans, and tomahawk-style pork chops with Brussels sprouts and mac & cheese. Other entrees include short ribs with roasted mushrooms and tomatoes; and salmon with broccolini.

There are shareable appetizers like deviled eggs, jumbo cheese sticks served with marinara & ranch; and chips which can be ordered not only with queso but with a trio of dips: avocado, pimento cheese, and loaded white queso.

The signature Rex's burger has two patties with loads of melted cheddar, thick-cut bacon, and a fried egg, served with fries and sliced pickles made in-house.

Decadent desserts made in-house include a tall 4-layer chocolate cake with thick fudgy chocolate frosting — like homemade but better — and cheesecake drizzled with pecan-studded praline sauce.

The space itself is expansive at over 7,200 square feet plus a beautiful outdoor patio, which has a stage for live music. While there are ample TVs, a scoreboard, and plans to install a 20-foot big screen, Rex's is not littered with memorabilia, opting instead for a clean interior with rustic wood-paneled walls and a cool bar.

“What I’m really trying to do is make a place that everyone can enjoy,” Benson says. “We want to make it clean, fun, and family friendly.”
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Cecelia Lenzen contributed to this story.