Whiskey Ranch presents Cool Days of Summer

TX Whiskey

Whiskey Ranch is continuing its Cool Days of Summer series, with three local businesses on-site through the month of August to offer “cool down sweet treats.” One of the partners – MELT Ice Creams, The Snowy Churro Food Truck, and The Oopsie Scoopsie Italian Ice Truck – will be selling on-site on each day in the series.

To see which sweet treat will be sold each day, check out TX Whiskey’s social media channels for weekly announcements or call the venue at 817-840-9140. Tickets include one TX cocktail of choice.

at Whiskey Ranch from 6 to 9 p.m. on August 2nd, 4th, 18th, 23rd, 26th and 30th. To see which sweet treat you can enjoy, check out TX Whiskey’s social media channels for weekly announcements or call the venue at 817-840-9140. Tickets are $10 per person including admission and one TX cocktail of choice.

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2 vegan chefs collaborate on exciting all-day food truck in Fort Worth

Vegan News

There's a vegan food truck in Fort Worth serving some exciting food off Magnolia Avenue: Called It's Food, it's a collaboration between two vegan chefs that sets up shop at 1001 W. Magnolia Ave., where it serves brunch Tuesday-Friday and dinner Tuesday-Sunday.

Dinner
The food truck was launched in February 2022 by Luu Lac, a Vietnamese chef, and his partner Nicole Kerby, who first did pop-ups and events until they made a deal with Fort Liquor, who hosts the truck in their parking lot.

Luu is there for the night shift, serving burgers and sandwiches including:

Classic burger with onions, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and mayo
Islander - caramelized pineapple, grilled onions, lettuce, hoisin sauce, and mayo
Ranger - grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, horseradish, and mayo
East-Side - house-made kimchi, lettuce, hoisin sauce, and mayo
West-Side - crispy fried onions, pickles, lettuce, BBQ, and mayo

You can order any sandwich with a choice of Beyond Meat patty or else Crispy Fried Tofu. You can also build your own, selecting toppings and add-ons including bacon, kimchi, pineapple, red onions (fresh, grilled, or crispy fried onions), fresh/grilled jalapeños, sautéed mushrooms, sauerkraut, horseradish, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and cheese.

Sides include fries, onion rings, crispy fried tofu triangles, and eggrolls. Sauces include Sweet & Sour, Teriyaki, and Hoisin Sauce, which they make in-house, plus BBQ and hot sauce. They also make their own salsa, veggie sausage patties, and kimchi.

It's Food burger Vegan burger topped with melted cheese, jalapeno, and red onion, from It's Food.It's Food

He often features specials such as a recent "shrimp" salad with a strawberry-miso-tamarind creamy dressing.

His hours are Tuesday-Thursday 6-11 pm, Friday-Saturday 7 pm-12 am, and Sunday 6-10:30 pm.

Luu is a staunch environmentalist who once rode a recumbent tricycle to Texas all the way from Massachusetts, where he grew up. His slogan on It's Food's Instagram page says: "It's Food. 100% Plant Based. Zero Plastics." The page is fun and whimsical, and often promotes other vegan businesses in Fort Worth such as Planted Bakery.

Brunch
At the beginning of July, acclaimed vegan chef Armando Perez joined It's Food, with a breakfast operation that includes a classic breakfast sandwich and a burrito with black beans.

Perez is a well-known figure in the DFW vegan community who has worked at nearly every major vegan restaurant around Dallas-Fort Worth, including Spiral Diner, Zonk Burger, Tiki Loco, V Eats, Nature's Plate, and Nuno's Tacos & Vegmex Grill.

In 2022, he left Texas to live and cook in New York, but came back in the spring when a family member became ill.

"I also wanted to start something of my own," Perez says. "Luu had been doing burgers, and we talked about collaborating with a weekend special. But he came back and said he wasn't using his truck during the day, and came up with the idea of me doing sandwiches for breakfast and lunch."

Perez is serving two handheld items:

A.M. Sandwich: Just Egg patty, veggie sausage, hash browns, chipotle or regular menu, served on an English muffin, $7
Southwest Burrito: Tofu scramble, black beans, green chiles, zucchini, hash browns, chipotle or regular mayo, on corn or flour tortillas, $10

"With the burrito, I wanted to do something healthy, more vegetable-oriented, and also something that could transition into lunch," Perez says.

His hours are Tuesday-Friday 8 am-1 pm.

The partnership is a win-win for both chefs, giving Perez a chance to try out something in a low-risk way and giving Luu and his food truck another platform. Plus, we win because we get to eat their food.

"I always wanted to do brunch as well as late night, but it wasn't possible to do on my own," Luu says.

Image courtesy of Northeast Tarrant Chamber

Northeast Tarrant Chamber presents Family 4th Fireworks Show

The Northeast Tarrant Chamber presents the annual Family 4th Fireworks Show featuring bounce houses, food trucks, and a concert by the Texas All-Star Jazz Orchestra. A fantastic display of fireworks will take place at 9:30 pm.

The fireworks can be viewed from the parking lots of the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Avenue in Haltom City, and BISD Plaza, 6351 Boulevard 26 in North Richland Hills. Parking will be available on a first come first served basis, so plan to come early. Vehicles will not be allowed to park along the street.

This free patriotic event is made possible thanks to the support of the cities of Haltom City, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Saginaw, and Watauga.

Lola's

New Fort Worth restaurant is serving real deal Cuban sandwiches & seafood

A Fort Worth food truck serving authentic Cuban food has made the leap to brick & mortar status: Lola's Cuban Food, which started out as a food truck stationed in downtown Fort Worth at 118 N Henderson St., just opened a companion restaurant where it's serving all of its Cuban classics, plus expanding the menu to include seafood and more restaurant-style entrees.

The restaurant opened in mid-April at 4608 Bryant Irvin Rd. #440, in southwest Fort Worth, near I-20 and Chisholm Trail Parkway, in a shopping center that's also home to a Spec's.

Lola's is from husband-and-wife Miquelin Herrera and Linaim Morin, who moved from Cuba to the U.S. in 2014 and who launched the food truck in 2019.

"Lolas was born out of nostalgia for grandma's food, and a taste of home, one goal in mind: bringing our own Cuban flavor to the Fort Worth area," they say. "We are now opening our Cuban Restaurant - Bar to present our customers with a different way to experience Cuban culture: A place where people can meet with family and friends to enjoy our savory dishes and drinks in a comfortable atmosphere."

Lola's Cuban Food is named after Herrera’s grandmother Lola, and many of the dishes are recreactions of her recipes.

The menu includes tamales, stuffed plantains, empanadas, pappa rellena (stuffed potato), ropa vieja (shredded beef), oxtails, bistec encebollado (steak with onions), pork chop, and arroz con pollo.

A new section of seafood includes lobster in salsa, grilled shrimp, stuffed squid, and fried fish. Prices are moderate, ranging from $10.99 to $19.99.

They have a trio of classic sandwiches including a Cuban, a pork sandwich, and a “Cuban” burger, plus a wide-ranging and appealing assortment of sides including thick-cut plantain chips and potatoes in all ways: fried, mashed, steamed, and stuffed.

Drinks include Cuban sodas, smoothies, and an excellent selection of coffee drinks including a cordito (espresso with a tad of milk), and a con leche (equal parts espresso and milk). Desserts include flan, pastries, and an elegant composition of guava and cheese.

While Cuban food has a devout following, it's not as common around Dallas-Fort Worth, and the couple is quick to preach the joys of the cuisine, as well as make their food truck a festive celebration of their culture with a Cuban flag and Cuban music.

They'll continue to do the food truck concurrently with the restaurant.

"When we first decided to open up our Cuban food truck, it was from the desire to serve people with high-quality, delicious Cuban food at reasonable prices," Miquelin says. "Now we are taking it to the next level."

Truck Yard

Truck Yard presents Down To Fiesta

Truck Yard presents Holiday Onesie Party

Down to Fiesta will include little luchador wrestling, a Chihuahua/little dog race, Tex Mex food trucks, live music, and more. There will also be featured drinks like the Double Margarita (including a free luchador mask), Texican beer buckets, orange Ancho tequila shot, and MexTex Mexican Lager by Second Rodeo Brewing. Guests can take a swing at the prize-filled pinatas, which is free to play for kids and adults.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Ultra-chic Postino WineCafe brings wine and bruschetta to Southlake

Wine News

A nationally acclaimed wine bar-restaurant has opened in Southlake: Postino WineCafé, specializing in wine, bites, and a chic atmosphere, opened a location at 1440 Main St., in Southlake Town Square, in the no-brainer slot next to Trader Joe's.

Postino is known for its daily happy hour, bruschetta boards, and menu built for sharing, as well as a laid-back atmosphere, designed for all-day hangouts with friends, date nights, client get-togethers, and family outings.

The chain first came to Dallas in 2021 when they opened a location in Deep Ellum. They closed that location two years later in March 2023 and relocated to Addison, where they just opened in August.

"We are thrilled to bring Postino to Southlake and the heart of bustling Town Square," says Postino Co-Founder Lauren Bailey. “The Dallas/Fort Worth market is very important to us, and we are excited to be expanding our footprint here so soon – just a month since debuting in Addison."

Founded in Arizona in 2001, Postino's goal is to bring people together over wine and food. Its bruschettas are a menu mainstay, artfully presented on boards made of reclaimed wood, with 12 variations including:

Prosciutto Di Parma, Fresh Fig & Mascarpone
Sweet N’ Spicy Pepper Jam & Goat Cheese
Brie, Apple and Fig Spread
Ricotta, Dates & Pistachio

Guests can mix and match four bruschetta per board, meaning you can try more than one a time. The entire menu is that way: designed without a definitive beginning or end, with the freedom to tailor your experience based on the occasion, from a meal to a swift bite.

A category called Snacky Things features chicken and filet skewers with garlic yogurt, shrimp scampi, and crispy cauliflower with sultana raisins, capers, and a Romesco drizzle.

There are entrée salads, soups, hand-pressed paninis (on ciabatta or focaccia bread), with the option to mix-and-match sandwich, salad, and soup.

Desserts include: Chocolate Bouchon with vanilla bean ice cream, Crème Brulee, and Salted Caramel Sundae with vanilla ice cream, chocolate covered corn nuts, pretzel sticks, and salted caramel drizzle.

Weekend brunch is served from 11 am-3 pm with spritzy cocktails, lemonades, and bowls

The wine list by Advanced Sommelier and Beverage VP Brent Karlicek is especially fun to sample during their 11 am-5 pm happy hour spotlighting 25-plus wines for $6 a glass, along with $6 pitchers of beer, both local and beyond.

"We fervently champion winemakers across the globe – from trailblazers like Folk Machine, Mary Taylor, and Scarpetta to the guardians of tradition like Ernst Loosen and Bonny Doon," Karlicek says in a statement. "Producers dedicated to crafting approachable, harmonious wines without sacrificing excellence truly resonate with us. Our aim is to kindle a symphony of excitement and curiosity within our patrons during their dining journey."

Decor is attuned to the neighborhood, with art installations and local/vintage finds. At Southlake, that means a tribute to the Back to The Future series, which was the original inspiration that shaped architect Brian Stebbins’s design for Town Square. An interior wall is decked with close to 400 vintage clocks, juxtaposed by plants.

A semi-private dining space can accommodate up to 14 guests for showers, parties, and other events.

Fort Worth Fire Department welcomes its largest recruit class ever

Firefighter News

The Fort Worth Fire Department must be doing something right: On September 25, the department welcomed its newest class of recruits at Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex to start their Fire Training Academy journey, a 36-week course.

With 60 recruits, the class is twice the size as the usual Academy class — making it the largest recruit class in the history of the department.

The class of 60 includes two sub-groups:

The first group, Class 93, consists of 10 "fast-tracked" students who already hold their Fire and EMS certifications. They'll graduate on November 17.
The second group, Class 94, consists of 50 brand new recruits who hold no certifications. They'll graduate on May 17, 2024.

This largest class in the history of the Fort Worth Fire Department comes after the Mayor, City Council and City Management’s vote to approve staffing levels where they need to be for a Department serving a city this size.

In August, a fire ad-hoc committee recommended increasing the fire department's staffing with 76 new positions, from 979 to 1,049 positions - particularly to cut back on overtime costs, racked up due to an increase in the number of special events they are called on to cover.

The recommendation called for the department to take on two 50-person recruitment classes, one in September and one in February, with approximately 25 percent predicted to fall out due to attrition, for a total of 76.

In addition to the increased number of recruits attending the Academy, staffing studies and negotiations with City leadership and stakeholders has made room for an additional 15 people to be added to the training team. These new training instructors, as well as the use of adjunct instructors from within the Department, will provide even more skill-based learning opportunities with experienced and tenured firefighters.

In a statement, Chief JIm Davis said, "I want to thank the Mayor, City Council and City Management for their diligence in seeing us through our staffing study and helping make the necessary adjustments to our staffing levels. I’m excited that the Department is growing alongside the City of Fort Worth and look forward to watching the new recruits go through one of the best training academy’s in the country."

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