There's an exciting new restaurant from two longtime Texas hospitality veterans opening in Fort Worth: Called La Pistola Kitchen + Saloon, it'll be a restaurant-cocktail-and-wine-bar, opening in the former Taco Heads space at 1812 Montgomery St., across from Dickies Arena in the Museum District.

According to a release, it'll open in September 2026.

La Pistola is from food & beverage team Jeffrey Yarbrough and Camille McDonald, who previously worked together to help open Teddy Wongs, the hugely popular Asian restaurant in the Near Southside.

They describe La Pistola as a combination of old-world Italian hospitality with the spirit of the American West, drawing inspiration from the resilient heroines in 1970s Spaghetti Westerns.

Their goal is to create a place that accommodates everyday dining as well as memorable celebrations — everything from lunch after tennis to rosé with friends to cocktails before a concert at the Arena to sharing pasta on date night.

"La Pistola was created for neighborhood regulars, wine lovers, business lunches, golfers, couples, and anyone drawn to a room with a story," states the release so very eloquently.

Food & beverage
Lunch will feature Italian and chef-driven sandwiches, salads, and light plates. Dinner will showcase house-made pastas, veal parmesan, seafood, chicken, steaks and meats, and coastal Mediterranean-inspired sides.

The beverage program centers on an approachable wine list similar to the one that Yarbrough and McDonald created for Teddy Wongs, plus Italian-inspired craft cocktails and beer. Signature drinks include the "She's a Pistol" Whiskey Sour with Italian hot honey and the $5 Rosé All Day.

Location
Montgomery Avenue is one of Fort Worth's fastest-growing hospitality districts, and Yarbrough and McDonald felt it could use more casual dining. With its location across from Dickies Arena, it's poised to serve neighborhood residents, business people, and guests attending concerts and other events.

Credentials
Yarbrough has 40-plus years of experience in hospitality, having helped develop and operate notable restaurants and entertainment venues throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. He is also founder of bigInk Commercial Real Estate, a hospitality-focused business and real estate brokerage company specializing in restaurant, bar, and entertainment deals.

McDonald is a Fort Worth-area native and TCU graduate whose resume includes winemaking in Napa Valley and restaurant consulting and concept development. She currently leads wine and experiential programming at her family’s historic property, The Sanford House.

Opening Teddy Wongs sparked a unique partnership and ultimately brought La Pistola to life, Yarbrough says.

"Camille and I riff off each other the same way, whether it's menu development or décor," he says. "She's got energy; with her it might be a slug in the arm instead of a wink, but we both know when we've got a hit."

"Jeffrey and I both believe successful restaurants start with understanding the city, the street, and the people," McDonald says. "This project is about building something that belongs in Fort Worth."