This edition of Fort Worth restaurant news has a strong indie touch, with lots of news about locally-owned restaurants making changes. That includes closures, new chef appointments, and fun new menu items. And it being August, we're also coming up on that most special time of the year: PSL time.

Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news:

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, a hot dog chain known for creative toppings, closed its location in Mansfield at 121 Debbie Ln. #131 at the end of July, after one year. Crave features hot dogs which you can dress up with more than 20 toppings, plus brats, sausages, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork. Owners Dawn and Mordicah Thomas originally signed a deal to open multiple locations but hot dog shops seem to often be a gamble in DFW.

Cuco's Sandwich Shop, a Latin restaurant that had been open at 6650 Glenview Dr, North Richland Hills, has closed, after nearly 35 years. In a post on August 12, they apologized for closing without notice but said that "due to health issues we had no choice," explaining that "after being closed for an extended period of time it made re-opening our doors too difficult." They originally opened in 1990 and were one of the few places in the area to get Cuban sandwiches and authentic Puerto Rico food.

The Pizza Bistro, a small family-owned operation, has closed its location with a buffet at 8545 Boat Club Rd. in northwest Fort Worth, after what they call "nine saucy, cheesy, unforgettable years." They've relocated all operations to their location at 750 W. Bonds Ranch Rd., also in northwest Fort Worth, and only a few miles away. Sadly, it means that the buffet is gone, but they're still slinging their trademark pizza and full menu — wings, pasta, sandwiches, cheesebread — for pickup and delivery.

Aloha Dreamers Shave Ice, a mom-and-pop Hawaiian-style shaved ice stand that's been operating inside Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine since spring 2024, is closing down. Their last weekend will be August 15-17, their final day. Hawaiian-style shave ice is sometimes called "shaved snow" because it is so much lighter and fluffier than Texas-style shaved ice. Husband-and-wife owners Matt and Lene Reynolds originally launched the business in 2022 as a "Shave Ice on Wheels" food truck, which they will continue to operate until they find a new location. "We’ve met and made a lot of friends and connections to further our business journey," the couple say graciously. "It’s not goodbye, it’s just See you down the road."

The Bearded Lady has two notable specials for the month of August: a spaghetti grilled cheese sandwich — an actual sandwich featuring spaghetti, marinara, and mozzarella on garlic sourdough bread — and a hatch green chile juicy lucy burger, a half-pound burger, bacon, cheddar, and Hatch chiles on a brioche bun.

il Modo at the Kimpton Harper has a new executive chef: Irene Garza, who they say brings "heart, hustle, and a distinctly soulful approach" to the kitchen. Garza started on the line at breakfast, then ran banquets, then became senior sous chef, before taking the role as the first female Executive Chef at il Modo.

Starbucks iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte — made with real pumpkin — will return on August 26. It'll be joined by a slew of fall items, including Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte, alongside a new Pecan Oatmilk Cortado and new Italian Sausage Egg Bites. The company just launched its "Green Apron Service," to ensure an elevated customer experience, featuring a warm welcome, ceramic cups for in-store sipping, a direct hand-off (rather than placing the drink on a counter for pickup), and a clean lobby and condiment bar.

MilkShake Factory, known for milkshakes and chocolates, has a new limited-time Banana Cream Pie Milkshake, featuring banana and chunks of vanilla wafers, for $9, available through September 12; as well as a permanent new bark: Cookies & Cream Bark, with crushed chocolate sandwich cookies in white chocolate.

Original ChopShop the fast-casual concept known for customizable bowls, has new menu additions for fall: The Glow Up Shake featuring coconut chia pudding, pineapple, banana, and dragonfruit; the Scottsdale Cobb with hard-boiled egg, cheddar, and cilantro lime ranch; and Piña-Dragonfruit Lemonade. The Arizona-based chain has nine locations across DFW including Allen, Lakewood, Fort Worth, Southlake, and Plano.

La La Land Kind Cafe will launch a kids’ menu on August 19 at all 23 of its locations including Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and Nashville partnered with Disney’s Mickey & Friends, featuring five flavored milks and three mini food items: Avocado Toast, AB & J Toast, and Hazelnut Toast.

Mister O1, the pizza chain with six DFW locations, is serving a limited-time pizza topped with burrata stracciatella, bacon, basil, and Cloud23 sauce, the brand by Brooklyn Beckham, through September 30.

Cicis has a new Mix & Match Combo to-go menu featuring two items for $10 from a choice of a 7-inch two-topping pizza, five boneless wings, baked pasta, side salad, or four pieces of cheesy bread.

Potbelly is adding Pork BBQ mac — three-cheese mac with pulled pork and BBQ sauce — to its Underground Menu, the app-only collection of menu items.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has partnered with Guinness on a new limited-edition Guinness stout flavored ice cream with chocolate chunks. A 14-oz pint is $11.15 at all Van Leeuwen scoop shops or purchase online with shipping nationwide for $12 (although it's currently showing up as Out of Stock).

White Rhino Coffee has appointed Sara Escamilla president & CEO, as founder Chris Parvin steps down to focus on family and other pursuits. Escamilla was previously COO for six years as White Rhino Coffee has expanded from two locations to 13 cafes.

Loews Arlington Hotel has appointed Tareq Shaban as Director of Food and Beverage. Shaban will oversee the food and beverage operation for the 888-room hotel including its five restaurants and lounges, banquet services for the attached Arlington Convention Center and special events at the property.