The holidays may be upon us, but that does not stop the bi-monthly roundup of Fort Worth restaurant news. There is always news to gather, whether from emails, press releases, or the worldwide web.

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

JD's Hamburgers is debuting a new food truck in order to alleviate their "to go woes." According to a Facebook post, they're in the process of giving the truck some updates and upgrades, so that it may live its life producing to-go burgers. Customers will be able to order online and pay ahead of time, then come to the truck on the east side of JD's to pick up their orders at a designated time.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening a new location in Fort Worth on Sunday, December 31. The restaurant will feature the brand’s signature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pickup lane that allows guests to conveniently pick up digital orders without leaving their cars. The restaurant is at 6301 N. Beach St., and just in time for this opening, diners can try the Carne Asada, available for a limited time.

Calisience, the Race Street taco shop famous for its signature birria tacos, is bringing the birria theme to breakfast. Owner Jacqueline Anaya has introduced a cool new breakfast burrito featuring scrambled eggs, grated cheese, and shredded birria meat all wrapped up in a flour tortilla which gets lightly grilled on the cooktop to give it a lightly browned exterior. Cut it open and it's a soft mix of eggs, meat, sauce, and melty cheese.

Blue 22 Sports Grill, a rare family-friendly sports bar and restaurant in Trophy Club owned by husband and wife Mack and Veronique Graham, closed after two years. "We reached a checkmate and unfortunately we lost the game," they posted on Facebook. The bar was lauded for its good-quality food at affordable prices, so there's no rhyme or reason here.

Pizza Buzz, a family-owned Fort Worth take-out pizzeria known for classic and exotic pizzas topped with the likes of tandoori chicken, elote, and pickles, not to mention killer cannolis, is relocating: They're closing their location on Basswood Boulevard and moving to 5901 Watauga Rd., better known as the former home to the original Chef Point Cafe, which represents a bigger space with multiple dining areas, larger kitchen, and a backyard outdoor space, which will accommodate not only take-out but also dining-in, allowing them to expand the menu, and offer beer and wine. They've launched a fundme, come on, give 'em $10, and will make the switch sometime in January of 2024.

Aventino's Italian Restaurant, the long-standing family-operated establishment owned by Erica and Chris Hight and son Zander Hight, have introduced mixed drinks and cocktails. "Our new Liquor Cabinet promises to add another level of harmony to our award-winning Italian dishes," says Chris Hight in a statement. They're open Monday-Saturday from 5-9 pm with only 15 tables, making them a coveted reservation.

I Heart Mac & Cheese in Highland Village at 2250 Justin Rd. is under new ownership and will mark the occasion with a grand re-opening on Monday, January 8. This is the second location owned by Dr. Pratik Soni, who opened his first I Heart Mac & Cheese in N. Richland Hills in August 2023. I Heart Mac & Cheese is the Florida-based chain specializing in mac & cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, with dishes such as lobster & white truffle mac & cheese, buffalo blue mac & cheese, chicken parm mac & cheese, vegan grilled cheese, mac bites, cheesy broccoli, and tater tots.

Carrabba's Italian Grill is now permanently open for lunch and has added new Bistro Combos by Carrabba’s Sandwich Bistro – a menu of hearty sandwiches on toasted focaccia bread and choice of side which can be ordered for dine-in or to-go. Options include Italian with salami, prosciutto ham, mortadella, mozzarella tomato, Romaine, pepperoncini peppers, roasted garlic aioli and Italian dressing; Bruschette chicken with tomato, burrata, and pesto; sirloin & mozzarella cheese with Marsala Sauce and mushrooms; chicken Parmesan; Caprese; and meatball. Get them in boxed lunches with sides like chips or pasta salad and a cookie; or in sandwich trays for five or more.

Bonefish Grill has winter specials including crispy artichoke hearts in Bang Bang sauce, mussels in a white wine butter sauce over scallop & shrimp linguine, cedar plank salmon, tomato grouper with Parmesan risotto, bone-In pork chop, and tomato butter bistro filet. Parmesan risotto is now available with any entrée and there's a new molten chocolate lava cake.

Dairy Queen has new Chicken & Dumplings in a creamy gravy; and is currently featuring their Candy Cane Chill Blizzard and Frosted Sugar Cookie Blizzard Treat.

Dunkin’ has brought back two cult favorites: Pink Velvet Macchiato which first debuted in January 2020, with espresso, red velvet cake flavor, and notes of cream cheese frosting, available hot or iced through late February; and the Pancake Wake-Up Wrap with a pancake wrapped around bacon or sausage, egg, and melted cheese; Sweet Black Pepper Seasoned Bacon available in a Sweet Black Pepper Seasoned Bacon Sandwich or as Snackin’ Bacon. They also have a new Frosty Red Velvet Specialty Donut with a red velvet cake, vanilla icing, and cream cheese-flavored sprinkles; White Hazelnut Bark Coffee, marrying the flavors of hazelnut and white chocolate.

Gas Monkey Garage, the northwest Dallas hangout of hot rod king Richard Rawlings, is dabbling in hot sauce, and of course their branding is automotive-themed. There are three flavors: Skidmark Sauce, with a blend of ghost and chipotle peppers; Burnout Sauce, with "farm-fresh peppers" delivering a smooth yet fiery kick; and Green Light, a verde sauce with jalapenos, lemongrass, and parsley. They're in a 6.7-ounce bottle and are $13 each.

McDonald's has debuted its highly anticipated Squishmallows Happy Meal, giving diners the opportunity to collect up to 12 Squishmallow characters with the purchase of a Happy Meal. The line-up will feature 10 Squishmallow characters like Cam and FiFi as well as McDonald’s icon, Grimace. There will also be a special mystery character.