This Fort Worth restaurant news sings the summertime blues. In the past month or so, more than a dozen places have closed their doors, from chef-driven eateries to longtime family-run spots. But things perk up as we head into August and welcome favorite events like DFW Restaurant Week and Hatch chile season. Stay with us until the end to find out when Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes will return.

Here's what's happening on the Fort Worth dining scene. Let's start with the bad news first.

The Rim at Waterside has shuttered for good. The restaurant opened in 2021 in the southwest Fort Worth development as a second location of chef Keith "Buttons" Hicks' popular spot in Burleson. It took over the old Taco Diner space at 5912 Convair Dr. and included dishes diners knew and loved from Hicks' old Westside restaurant Buttons, including chicken & waffles, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp & grits. It had since changed ownership. The Burleson location remains open. (The closure also comes on the heels of the announcement that neighboring Piattello is moving from Waterside to The Shops at Clearfork this fall.)

Megu French Japanese Cuisine, the fine-dining fusion restaurant at at 3113 S. University Drive near TCU, has closed. Opened in 2024 with an innovative side-by-side combination of French and Japanese cuisines from chef-owner Peter Liang, gained a reputation for its intimate ambiance and attention to service provided by Liang himself and even earned a nomination for Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas-based Picazo Sushi & Poke will move into the space.

Los Girasoles, a longtime family-run restaurant on Jacksboro Highway in Fort Worth, is closing at the end of July. "In less than a month, Los Girasoles will be closing our doors as we begin a new chapter somewhere else. Or even something new who knos —it’s the start of a new beginning for our family. While it’s hard to leave the place that has meant so much to us, we’re excited and hopeful for what’s ahead," they posted on Facebook July 10.

Milkshake Factory, a Grapevine dessert shop that specialized in milkshakes and gourmet chocolates, closed in early July. The Pennsylvania-based sweet spot made its Texas debut in Grapevine in 2024. There's just one DFW location remaining, on Preston Valley Road in Dallas.

Cibi, a popular Italian restaurant in Aledo, has closed. They posted an "arrivederci" note in early July, saying, "We've been honored over these past few years to host your date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, wedding receptions, and family dinners. Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of so many special memories."

Previously reported recent closures:

• Shaq's Big Chicken: Closed in June.
• Mutts Canine Cantina, Fort Worth: Closed June 29.
• La Playa Maya, Fort Worth Stockyards: Closed July 5. (All other locations remain open.)
• A Taste of Europe, Arlington: Closed in late July.
• Jon's Grille, Fort Worth: Closed July 11.
• Pulido's Kitchen & Cantina, Hurst: Closed July 16. (All other locations remain open.)
• The Basement Lounge, Fort Worth: Closing July 31.
• Maple Street Biscuit Co. has closed all locations except Mansfield, which will become Biscuit Belly.

Weinberger's Deli in Grapevine remained closed as of Monday, August 3 - but only temporarily - for construction work related to the restaurant's expansion. They are posting daily updates and reminders on their Facebook page.

DFW Restaurant Week returns August 10-September 7 to celebrate its 30th anniversary with more than 160 restaurants across North Texas offering special prix-fixe menus that benefit the North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope. Participating restaurants will serve two-course lunches and brunches for $29, three-course dinners for $49 or $59, and select $99 signature dinners, with a portion of every meal donated to charity. Reservations are open now, and a preview weekend happens August 6-9.

Pal's Bar & Kitchen has opened at 5636 N. Tarrant Pkwy., Ste. 120, in the space formerly occupied by The Point Pub and Grill. Led by chef Sripal Reddy Alugubelli, the neighborhood restaurant serves a from-scratch menu that includes smash and gourmet burgers, wings, Tex-Mex fusions, sandwiches such as Reuben and Philly cheese, salads, fried seafood (including fish & chips), and a build-your-own pasta option with a choice of noodles, sauces, and toppings. The casual spot also features a wall of big-screen TVs, has weekend chef specials, and happy hour deals.

The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth has promoted Sean Malek to executive chef, putting him in charge of culinary operations across the Cultural District luxury hotel, including Emilia's, banquets, catering, and in-room dining. Malek joined the hotel as executive sous chef in 2024 and brings nearly 20 years of experience, with a focus on menu development, team mentorship, and expanding the property's dining program alongside culinary consultant Toni Robertson.

Chef Sean MalekPhoto courtesy of The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth

Blue Mesa Grill is toasting the 30th anniversary of its annual Hatch Chile Festival with a month-long menu of New Mexico-inspired specials available August 1-31. Included are Asadero Cheese Bites with hatch salsa verde and sweet red chile sauce; Santa Fe stacked chicken enchiladas; Hatch cheese relleno and steak taco combos; Pozole; a Hatch brownie, and more, plus the commemorative, Hatch-infused Dirty Thirty Margarita. The celebration will include a Hatch Chile Weekend Brunch on August 15-16 ($30 adults; $15 kids 6-11, kids 5 and younger eat for free.)

Eatzi's Market & Bakery is celebrating Hatch chile season with the return of its annual lineup of limited-time menu items, available through August at all locations and online. Highlights include Hatch Pimento Spread, a Beef Slider with Hatch Pimento Cheese, Hatch Chicken Salad, and Hatch Queso, all featuring roasted Hatch chiles. The seasonal offerings are available through the end of August while supplies last.

Blue Goose Cantina welcomes the return of its 24th Annual Hatch Chile Fest, running August 4 through September at all eight North Texas locations. The limited-time menu features 11 seasonal food and drink specials, including Hatch tamales, Hatch pulled chicken enchiladas, Hatch street tacos, Hatch margaritas, and weekend brunch dishes, all made with authentic Hatch chiles from New Mexico.

Salt & Straw has brought back its annual Summer Pies ice cream series through August 27, featuring five pie-inspired flavors including the new Peaches and Cream Galette alongside returning favorites such as Wild-Foraged Berry Slab Pie and Wildflower Honey and Lemon Chess Pie. The ice cream shop has also introduced a limited-time Tacolate Milkshake, available through September 7, blending Cinnamon Snickerdoodle ice cream with its popular Tacolate ice cream taco.

The Sicilian Butcher has introduced a summer menu refresh with 14 new dishes at its Dallas-Fort Worth locations. New additions include appetizers, build-your-own entrées, and Italian classics such as Nonna's Garlic Bread, Ravioli Cacio e Pepe, Lasagna, Pentolino, East Coast Stuffed Pepper, and Chicken Alla Tomasso. The restaurant is also continuing several value specials, including a two-course lunch for $18 from 11 am-3 pm, all-day happy hour, a Vino for Two deal, and 50 percent off select bottles of wine every Wednesday.

SusieCakes is rolling out a month-long Dog Days of Summer collection, available August 1-31. The lineup includes dog-shaped Frosted Sugar Cookies, dog-friendly PupCakes made with banana and peanut butter, homemade dog treats, and a dog-themed decorated cake. Coinciding with National Dog Day (August 26) to promote shelter adoption, the bakery will donate $1 from every Frosted Sugar Cookie and PupCake sold throughout August to local animal rescue organizations, including Saving Hope Animal Rescue, Dogslife, Dallas Pets Alive!, and Chew Animal Clinic. Orders are available in-store and online.

SusieCakes is offering special Dog Days of Summer treats for pups. Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse has added a shareable Pennsylvania Heritage Fried Chicken Bucket for two, served with house-made ranch, truffle hot sauce aioli, and honey mustard. The limited-time dish is paired with Belvedere martinis or Moët & Chandon Champagne, with optional upgrades including Dom Pérignon or American sturgeon caviar for a luxe twist on comfort food.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop has launched Fuzzy's Beach Club, a limited-time summer menu with California beach vibes, including a Cali-Style Steak Taco ($5.35) topped with fries and guacamole, a Baja Fish Taco ($4.55) with Pacifico beer-battered fish, Brisket Queso Fries ($12), Churritos ($4.25), and the Malibu Daydream cocktail ($8), plus $5 Pacifico draft beers. Available through August 30.

Torchy's Tacos is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a limited-time Taco Two-Step meal deal featuring two signature tacos, chips and salsa, and a fountain drink starting at $9.95. The birthday celebration also includes the new Muay Thai Taco of the Month for August and a limited-edition Torchy's Monopoly game available to select rewards members and for purchase while supplies last.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is now offering delivery for the first time in its 50-plus-year history through a partnership with DoorDash. Guests at the Arlington location can order signature dishes such as the New York Striploin, Keg Burger, Mushrooms Neptune, and Cheesecake for delivery. To celebrate the launch, DoorDash customers can get $10 off orders of $40 or more through August 5 with the code 10KEG.

Postino is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the launch of Postino Pass, a free digital membership program that unlocks personalized perks after guests complete a short quiz. Members receive surprise rewards such as wine upgrades and complimentary bites, while the anniversary celebration also includes limited-edition Anniversary Reserve bottles of Stage Dive Pinot Noir and Holly's Way Chardonnay, with Bottle Club members receiving the wines at no extra cost.

Starbucks is bringing back Pumpkin Spice Lattes on August 25, along with other fall flavors. New additions include the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Pumpkin Spice Chai, Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha, banana bread-inspired lattes and chais, and the new Chaider, plus returning pecan beverages, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and seasonal food items including a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Hedgehog Cake Pop.