Quantcast
Fort Worth Oktoberfest

Dust off your lederhosen – Oktoberfest arrives in Fort Worth this week for an annual three-day celebration of all things German. Practice stein hoisting and your best polka moves, then partake in complimentary salsa dance lessons at a local brewery. Also on the list, a Keller wine tasting, meat and beer pairing, and museum happy hour.

Wednesday, September 20

3V Tasting: Orin Swift
3 Vino Wine Bar & Bottle Shop in Keller will host a wine tasting featuring varietals by Orin Swift. The $29 price includes five wines and a cheeseboard. Visit anytime between 3:30-8 pm. No reservations required.

Harvest Season Wine Dinner at Bonefish Grill
A four-course dinner paired with select varietals from Napa Valley's Duckhorn Vineyards will include: spinach salad with goat cheese, cranberries, and apples; linguine with clams; apple chutney pork tenderloin & swordfish with pumpkin ravioli: and pumpkin spice lava cake with a cream cheese molten center, served warm. Starts at 6:30 pm, $55 per person, at 1201 E. Southlake Blvd. in Southlake. Call 817-421-3263 to RSVP.

Thursday, September 21

Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Prost! Fort Worth’s aMunich-style celebration of German culture is back at Trinity Park. Fort Worth Oktoberfest kicks off Thursday featuring loads of German fare (including those soft Bavarian pretzels), carnival games and rides, stein hoisting, barrel racing, dachshund parades, polka music, and plenty of Spaten beer. (Don’t miss Happy Hour Oktobefestband, visiting all the way from Bavaria.) Admission is $10 on Thursday and $15 on Friday and Saturday. Or pay $20 for a three-day pass. A commemorative stein glass is guaranteed when purchasing tickets in advance. Admission is free for children under 12 with a paying adult. The festival runs from 5-11 pm Thursday and Friday, and 11 am-midnight on Saturday.

Meat & Beer Pairing Class at Funky Picnic Brewery & Café
Funky Picnic will partner with The Meat Board butcher shop for an exploratory pairing of meats and beer. Menu items include German sausage, jalapeno sausage, and bacon-wrapped bourbon sugar bourbon quail legs. Beers will range from pilsner to Prostoberfest. Tickets are $41 and the pairing will begin at 7 pm.

Salsa Dance Lessons at Neutral Ground Brewing Co.
Spice up your dance moves with free salsa lessons at the Race Street brewery. The folks at Neutral Ground Brewing Co. will push the tables aside for a makeshift dancefloor and pour up pints for some liquid courage. No partner needed. The lessons will run from 7-8 pm.

Friday, September 22

Kimbell Happy Hour
Friday means it’s time for happy hour at the Kimbell Art Museum. The museum will open after hours for cocktails, bites, and live music. The Allegro Guitar Society will provide tunes while guests can enjoy beverages and bites available for purchase. (Members receive a 10 percent discount.) Admission is free and the event will run from 5-7 pm.

Fish City Grill

Fat tacos, crispy pepperoni pizza, and more Fort Worth restaurant news

News You Can Eat

We have lots of tasty restaurant dish in Fort Worth right now, including a new pizzeria, a new AYCE pizza buffet, and new limited-edition tacos. There's more than one fried chicken offering, and at least two pumpkin specials including pumpkin frozen yogurt and pumpkin cookies for dessert.

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

Shinjuku Station, a Near Southside sushi bar and pub, closed after 13 years. In a note posted on Facebook, owners Casey, Jarry, and Mary Ho said they were closing "with great sadness" and their final night was September 2. "Over the past three and a half years, our little izakaya has weathered the most turlent economic times, heavy building construction, and a global pandemic," their note said. "We're proud of the way we've been able to survive, finally and in spite of our best efforts, we say Goodbye. While the Near Southside development grows and new businesses move in, we hope you'll join us in supporting small and local. In the meantime our sister restaurant Tokyo Cafe at 5121 Pershing Ave. is there to fulfill your Japanese and sushi cravings."

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a California-based chain known for its crispy, curly pepperonis and mountain-sized pizzas, has opened its first location in Fort Worth, at 3488 TX-144, across the street from the Texas Motor Speedway and around the corner from the Tanger Outlets. Fort Worth marks their second location in Texas, with possibly a dozen more planned for Dallas-Fort Worth. The restaurant is owned and operated by local resident Varinder Basati, whose brother Robby Basati is Mountain Mike’s largest franchisee in California. In addition to their signature pizza, there are big-screen TVs and a 500-square-foot patio, arcade games, an all-you-can-eat pizza and salad lunch buffet, and a full craft beer and wine list.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has a new fall menu that includes Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Apple Walnut Salad, a charcuterie Bridge Board, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Choco'nana Cheesecake: Banana cheesecake with an Oreo cookie crust.

Eatzi’s Market & Bakery has new menu items: Chia Seed Pudding in two varieties: the Original, with granola, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries; and the Matcha with kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, and raw almonds. Also power bowls: Bistro Filet Power Bowl or Chicken Power Bowl, with barley, arugula, mixed greens, mustard dill potatoes, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and shiitake mushrooms with a green harissa dressing; Salmon Power Bowl with brown rice, spinach, mixed greens, cucumber, carrot, edamame, radish, and green onion with ginger miso dressing; and Vegetarian Power Bowl with couscous, kale, mixed greens, roasted chickpeas, sweet potato, cauliflower, and shiitake mushrooms in a lemon tahini dressing.

Dog Haus has three new Hawaiian-themed menu items, $1 of which will be donated to Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund: Ohana Chicken Sando ­with a fried chicken tender and slaw on a King’s Hawaiian bun; Mighty Moa bone-in wings tossed in teriyaki aioli and topped with spicy mayo; and an island-inspired cocktail with rum, Aperol, orange curaçao, and pineapple.

Salata pumpkin cookieWho could resist this pumpkin puff cookie from Salata?Salata

Salata has brought back the Pumpkin Puff Cookie, a pumpkin-flavored cookie it first introduced last year with a light fluffy texture, macadamia nut, white chocolate chunks, and cinnamon. Launching Tuesday, September 19, the cookie will remain in restaurants through the end of the year.

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery launches its new fall menu on September 21 with the following dishes: Pumpkin Pecan Pie Pancakes with vanilla cream cheese filling, caramel sauce, and candied pecans; Monte Cristo Brioche Toast; Carbonara Breakfast Pasta featuring spaghettini tossed with Parmesan scrambled eggs, habanero pork belly, red onions, garlic & diced tomatoes; Blood Orange Punch; Pumpkin Latte, and Pumpkin Martini with oat milk.

Fish City Grill and Half Shells have two chalkboard specials through September: Chimichurri Shrimp Tacos with avocado crema, pico de gallo, Cheddar jack cheese, cilantro, Cuban black beans & rice for $16; and Herb-Crusted Texas Redfish with roasted Brussels, red bell pepper, lemon basil rice, for $26.

Bonefish Grill has a new three-course dinner for two for $46, featuring two salads, two entrées, and a shareable dessert, from choice of Caesar, Atlantic salmon, Pork Tenderloin, Sirloin, Chicken, Rainbow Trout, Mahi Mahi, Linguine & Clams, and Key lime cake. Available through October 29.

City Works Eatery & Pour House in Fort Worth is celebrating Oktoberfest from September 16-October 3 with German-inspired beers and bites including Smokehouse Currywurst (Spicy hot link, currywurst sauce, bacon-braised sauerkraut, caramelized onions, steak roll), Pork Schnitzel (pork chop, brown butter spaetzle, braised red cabbage, dijon-herb cream sauce), German Flatbread (Smoked hot link, bacon-braised sauerkraut, spicy mustard bechamel, swiss cheese, scallions). Oktoberfest specialty beers include Rahr & Sons Barrel Fest in Fort Worth.

El Pollo Loco has brought back Stuffed Quesadillas in three varieties: Poblano Chicken Stuffed Quesadilla with chicken, Oaxaca cheese, poblano peppers, pico de gallo, sliced avocado and cilantro; Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Quesadilla with chicken, Oaxaca cheese, salsa roja, sour cream, and pico de gallo; and Beef Avocado Stuffed Quesadilla with shredded beef, Oaxaca cheese, avocado salsa, sliced avocado, onion and cilantro.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar has a new Birria Burger, their take on Birria tacos, made with beef patties, house-made chorizo stacked on a grilled/crisp quesadilla, cilantro onion aioli, and a side of "consome" (someone at HQ does not know how to spell consommé?); and Churro Shake in collaboration with Siete Foods made with vanilla custard, cinnamon sugar, Siete churros, and whipped cream.

Chicken Salad Chick has a new Chick Melt featuring choice of chicken salad flavor or pimento cheese, paired with provolone cheese, atop a croissant. The Chick Melt’s golden-brown, crispy exterior harmonizes with its melted, cheesy interior. It's a permanent menu addition that debuted September 12.

Shake Shack has fiery menu additions, all dusted with a hot pepper spice blend of cayenne pepper, brown sugar, vinegar powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. The Hot Menu items include Hot Chicken sandwich, Spicy Shackmeister Burger, Spicy Fries with Ranch Sauce, and Spicy Cheese Fries with Ranch Sauce.

Cicis Pizza is bringing back its all-you-can-eat Adult Buffet deal for $5 every Monday and Tuesday from September 18 to October 24.

SusieCakes has new fall-inspired treats with seasonal ingredients through September: Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake made with pumpkin spice cake frosted and filled with coffee buttercream; Mocha Cupcake, a chocolate cupcake frosted and filled with coffee buttercream and topped with white jimmies; and the Whoopie Pie, with two thick, chewy chocolate cookies sandwiched with vanilla buttercream.

Yogurtland has brought back Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Swirl frozen yogurt, made by swirling Pumpkin Pie and Cheesecake flavors together using the middle handle.

Wendy's has added two new seasonal pumpkin items: the revolutionary Pumpkin Spice Frosty, a pumpkin version of their thick ice-creamy shake with notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg; and Pumpkin Spice Frosty Cream Cold Brew, featuring cold-brewed coffee with Frosty creamer swirled over ice.

Malai Kitchen has launched a traditional Marzen version of Oktoberfest beer, an amber lager that is semi sweet with a crisp finish. Plus, all taps at all locations will transform into Bavarian style beers September 16 through October 3 featuring a Helles Lager pale ale, Hefeweizen German unfiltered wheat ale, Schwarzbier traditional dark lager or "black beer," Munich Pale Ale, and Apple Strudel Milkshake IPA, a take on a popular Oktoberfest dessert made with apple puree, milk sugar, oats, cinnamon, and vanilla. At all four locations in Uptown Dallas, Preston Center, Southlake, and Fort Worth.

Howdy Homemade, the ice cream brand providing employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), is now sold by the pint at H-E-B, Albertsons, Tom Thumb, Safeway, and Randalls stores.

The ADD SOY Act (H.R. 1619) is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA) and Nancy Mace (R-SC). The ADD SOY Act (Addressing Digestive Distress in Stomachs of Our Youth) would provide soy milk as an option for kids and reimburse the schools for providing soy milk. In 2020, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for America recognized fortified soy milk as a nutritional equivalent to dairy cow milk. However, schools are not presently being reimbursed if they provide soy milk as an option, yet the USDA is reimbursing public schools for cow’s milk to the tune of $1 billion annually – despite the fact that studies show that nearly one third of it is being thrown away by the students.

Grace/Facebook

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

This week in gluttony

Glimpses that fall is on the horizon appear in this week’s tasty lineup. There’s an “end of summer” wine flight night, one very official steinholding competition (Oktoberfest is approaching), and a football watch party that features an unusual main course. Save room for hand-made pasta, and a multicourse Mediterranean wine dinner.

Thursday, September 7

End of Summer Wine Flight Night
It’s the first Thursday of the month, which means it’s flight night at WineHaus. This edition will feature selections well suited to wrap up summer. The $25 price includes three wines from Brazil, France, and Italy. The tasting will be available from 6-9 pm.

Mediterranean Wine Dinner at Grace
Wine dinners are back at the elegant downtown steakhouse, and this one won’t disappoint. Guests will start with hot and cold mezze selections before moving to swordfish kebobs, octopus with black chickpea puree and tabbouleh, then Colorado lamb with saffron apricots and artisan cheese for dessert. Mediterranean wines will be flowing with each course. Dinner is $165, plus tax and gratuity. Arrive at 6:30 pm for sparkling rose and tray-passed canapes before dinner at 7 pm.

Pasta Making Class at il Modo
The Italian restaurant on the ground floor of The Kimpton Harper hotel downtown will host its monthly hands-on pasta-making class in its dedicated pasta-making room. Participants will learn how to mix, roll, and cut pasta before the chef prepares their finished product for sampling. The hour-and-a-half class is $70 and starts at 7 pm.

Saturday, September 9

U.S. Steinholding Association Competition at Turning Point Beer
Oktoberfest season is nearly upon us, which means steinholding competitions will soon pop up all over town. But Bedford’s Turning Point Beer brewery is home to the area’s only official competition sanctioned by the U.S. Steinholding Association. Participants will compete in a bracket “hoist-off” to see who can hold a hefty beer stein the longest. The top male and female will move on to the state finals at Alstadt Brewery in Fredericksburg, where German roots run deep. The $15 entry free includes a 15 percent discount on Turning Point beers for the day. Winners from each bracket will also receive a Turning Point gift pack valued at $100. The competition will run from 3-5 pm.

Sunday, September 10

Lola’s Community Market
Every second Sunday of the month, Lola’s Fort Worth hosts an all-local farmers market. Visit to shop more than 30 vendors, eat bar bites and food truck fare, and enjoy live music. The event is pet-friendly, kid-friendly, and free. The market runs from 11 am-4 pm.

4th Annual Gator Roast at Twilite Lounge
Calling all New Orleans Saints fans: your local Big Easy-inspired bar will smoke two whole alligators (and plenty of chicken) to kick off the first Saints game of the season. Saints fans or not, all are welcome to partake in the cookout and enjoy drink specials, giveaways, and the full kitchen menu. (But practice your best “Who dat?” battle cry.) The party starts at 11:30 am.

scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net

Must-try limited-edition dishes, plus more Fort Worth restaurant news

News You Can Eat

It looks like September is going to be good times for Fort Worth diners, with lots of openings on the way, plus must-try special limited-edition menus, including seafood samplers, bone-in wings, and all kinds of specialty burgers coming up.

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

F1 Smokehouse, the new foodtruck-turned-restaurant slated to open at 517 University Ave. with smoked meats, salads, and sandwiches from chefs Felipe Armenta and Graham Elliott, is getting close. The restaurant posted a FB reel peeking some of its vivid appointments including a houndstooth banner under the restaurant's outdoor sign, a slatted wood ceiling, a neon-outlined cowboy, an outdoor live plant wall with magenta blossoms, and photos of ZZ Top, Willie Nelson the Lone Ranger, Andy Warhol, and other pop culture figures outlined in glossy yellow and blue frames. Dishes include "Mac n’ Jack," a rendition of mac & cheese with wagon wheel pasta, cheddar jack bechamel, jalapeños, and roasted red peppers.

The Station Patio Icehouse in Keller has closed for what they say is an "undetermined amount of time." In a FB post, they addressed patrons, Keller residents, and local businesses, stating that "due to unforeseen circumstances, it is with a heavy heart that we announce The Station Patio Icehouse will be closing effective Sunday August 27, for an undetermined amount of time. We have enjoyed being part of the Keller community, and serving the old town Keller patrons. we will keep everyone posted and wish you all the best."

Skillet N Grill in Arlington has closed after 30 years and sold the business to Dixie House as of October 1. In a FB post, the restaurant said they put a tremendous amount of thought into selling felt that now is the right time. "We are family run, including our 65-year-old father that puts in a 100 hours a week every week and has for a long time. He has decided he’d like to retire, and take care of our mother that has been ill for a few years now. Most if not all the employees and family members that currently work at Skillet will continue to work for Dixie house after the transition. Also we still own the old location that currently has a Mediterranean Restaurant open so pop in there and you might run into some of the family including our dad Shebli."

Smoke'N Ash BBQ Tex-Ethiopian Smokehouse, an already acclaimed BBQ startup, is getting closer to reopening its doors at its new location at 5904 S. Cooper St. in Arlington. In a FB post, the restaurant said that they're wrapping up construction and are awaiting final inspections. They said they'll announce a soft opening in the coming days. The restaurant closed its last location in South Arlington at the end of May. They've earned multiple press nods for their fusion of BBQ and Ethiopian food including an episode of CultureMap's Where to Eat, then earning notice on a NY Times roundup in July '23, followed by a spot on a Texas Monthly list of New and Improved BBQ places, and is on the lineup at the magazine's BBQ Fest in Lockhart November 4-5.

Flip's Patio Grill has a new Coffee-Rubbed Bacon Burger for its September burger of the month. They say that the coffee adds an extra layer of oomph and is an energizing concoction of flavors that strangely works. The Coffee-Rubbed Bacon Burger features a 50/50 brisket-chuck blend, rubbed with coffee, topped with smoked Gouda cheese, bacon, caramelized red onions, and BBQ sauce.

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux has introduced bone-in wings to its menu for the first time, for a limited time in flavors including Buffalo, Sweet Chili, and Lemon Pepper Dry Rub, plus a special flavor exclusively to the Arlington and The Colony restaurant locations called the "Louisiana Kick, crafted in collaboration with franchisee and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, featuring the bold and zesty essence of Louisiana cuisine with the fiery spirit of Texan culinary passion.

Dough Bro’s, an Italian kitchen with locations in Dallas, Plano, and Bedford, has added six new menu items including three new starters: Bruschetta, with tomato, basil, and buffalo mozzarella; Pepperoni Rolls with marinara dipping sauce; and brilliant Pizza Fries, house fries topped with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and choice of various meat things. Three new pizzas include Supreme, with pepperoni, Italian sausage, bell pepper, onion, mushroom, and black olive; BBQ Chicken; and Hawaiian.

Fish City Grill and Half Shells have four new items: A new sampler with calamari, fried pickles, and shrimp-crab queso; Super Greens Salmon Salad with kale and shaved Brussels sprouts; Shrimp & Chicken Penne; and a Chocolate Addiction dessert with chocolate cream, chocolate drops, nuts, almond toffee crunch, and a cookie crumb crust.

Tacodeli has a new permanent dessert: a Brown Butter & Bourbon Blondie, sourced from The Bearded Baking Company in Bastrop, like a butterscotch version of a brownie.

BoomerJacks has brought back the Beer Cheese Burger, Jumbo Pretzel with beer cheese, and debuted a new Watermelon Margarita, and a new Fried Oreo dessert.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill has new seasonal specials including Pork Chop with Bacon and Fig Jam, wings in a spicy Calabrian chile butter, Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara, Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding, and the returning Blood Orange Margarita with Sauza Gold Tequila, Disaronno Amaretto, and blood orange sour.

Wendy's has new Made to Crave menu additions: The Loaded Nacho Cheeseburger or the Loaded Nacho Shicken Sandwich, both served on a jalapeño cheddar bun, and Queso Fries with roasted poblano queso and shredded cheddar.

Taco Cabana is launching all-new Frito’s Pie Quesadilla, Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Street Tacos, a Triple Chocolate Cookie, and the TC 45 Vodkarita with Tito’s Handmade Vodka sold in a commemorative 24-ounce yard cup.

Cici's is offering Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls, a pumpkin spice version of their regular cinnamon rolls but with pumpkin-spicy icing featuring cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.

Smoothie King has brought back pumpkin smoothies, made with organic pumpkin and packed with 10+ grams of protein, in five options including Pumpkin Power Meal with almonds and dates; the Pumpkin Slim-N-Trim; and Pumpkin Vegan.

SusieCakes has a new limited-time Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcake with a pumpkin cupcake, coffee buttercream, and cinnamon sugar, available September 5 through October 1 $4.75 each.

La Madeleine has a festive menu with limited-time items including Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Streusel Muffin with cinnamon-sugar streusel, Turtle Cheesecake with caramel and chocolate drizzle and candied pecans, Caramel Apple Danish, and Carrot Cake.

Hotel Drover/Facebook

These are the 7 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

This week in gluttony

Live music paired with themed cocktails is on the menu this week, as Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. This week also kicks off college football season, and there’s a tailgating party and grilling class just for the occasion. Save room for a bourbon dinner and a tequila dinner, too.

Wednesday, August 30

Real Minero Mezcal Dinner at Don Artemio
Be one of the first to partake in Real Minero’s new private batch mezcal during this five-course dinner at the nationally recognized Mexican restaurant. Menu highlights include dry beef ceviche, watermelon salad, and filet mignon with bone marrow. Cocktails will be paired with each course. Dinner is $195, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, August 31

Maker’s Mark Dinner at Clay Pigeon Food & Drink
Representatives from the iconic Kentucky distillery will be on-hand to tell the story of Maker’s Mark bourbon and showcase its unique barrel stave finishing program. Guests will be among the first to try Clay Pigeon’s own wood-finished version of the spirit. A three-course menu will include a chopped grain salad, filet mignon, and sweet corn pot de crème. Cocktails will be paired with each course, and there’ll be a welcome cocktail upon arrival. Dinner is $135, plus tax and gratuity, and seatings are available 5-8:30 pm.

Saturday, September 2

National Tailgating Day at Whiskey Ranch
The home of TX Whiskey will toast to the kick-off of college football with a TCU watch party. Also visit for DJ tunes, TX Whiskey-infused popsicles by Melt Ice Creams, food trucks, and yard games. The $10 ticket also takes care of your first cocktail. The party will run 12-5 pm.

Let’s Go Girls! at Hotel Drover
The Stockyards hotel puts some giddy up in girls’ night out. They'll host a live performance by local double female-fronted duo Danni & Kris, who’ll cover all the best country girl anthems from the likes of Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves. Themed cocktails will include Man! I Feel Like a Woman made with strawberry Malibu rum with strawberries and coconut, and the Any Man of Mine margarita made with anejo tequila and pink dragon fruit. The party will take place outside in The Backyard, 7-10 pm, and is open to the public.

Sunday, September 3

ChickensU at Martin House Brewing Company
The pitmasters behind BrisketU have launched ChickensU, a hands-on class that shows home cooks how to smoke, grill, and rotisserie a chicken like a pro. Participants will learn chicken anatomy, pros and cons of injecting and brining, the eight-piece breakdown, and more. The class is $89 and will take place at Martin House Brewing Company, 11 am-2 pm.

Red Wine Blending Class at Hotel Vin
Become a winemaker for a day during this hands-on wine blending class, where guests will learn how to craft their own signature red blend. A selection of premium reds will be available for each guest to create with. The $50 class price, plus tax and a small fee, also includes charcuterie and summer sips from Susana Balbo Wines. The event will run from 3-5 pm.

Cowtown Unplugged at Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The Omni Fort Worth Hotel will host its twice-yearly Cowtown Unplugged country concert event for hotel guests, where delicious dishes and live acoustic music combine for a Texas-themed weekend staycation. This year features Suzy Bogguss and headliner Jack Ingram. A preshow dinner, reserved for VIP package holders, features coffee and peach smoked buffalo brisket, honey habanero pork spare ribs, charcuterie, passed hors d’oeuvres, and several sweet treats including Dr Pepper cupcakes. Packages start at $299 per couple and include overnight accommodations, the intimate show, and a Texas-themed breakfast buffet the next morning.

PJ's Coffee/Facebook

These are the 5 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week

This week in gluttony

School is back in session for most and events are somewhat quiet. But there’s still opportunity to partake in tasty happenings, from complimentary coffee and beignets at a grand opening party to Cuban sandwiches paired with mint mojitos at a mid-week celebration. Save room for a brunch “smorgas-board” by week’s end.

Tuesday, August 22

Virtual Beignet-Making Class with Dusty Biscuit Beignets
Dusty Biscuit Beignets closed its doors on South Main Street last week after nearly two years in the space, promising “to be continued” at some point. For now, that’s in the form of a virtual cooking class. Owner Trey Smith will demonstrate how to “sling your favorite French Quarter treat” via Facebook Live from 7-8 pm. The class is free, but they're inviting viewers to donate via Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, or GoFundMe.

Wednesday, August 23

National Cuban Sandwich Day at The Post
The Race Street restaurant and live music venue will celebrate National Cuban Sandwich Day with half-price Cuban sandwiches of their own. The ensemble consists of pulled pork, ham, Swiss, and a dill pickle with mustard on a house-baked baguette. Get it for $6 and pair it with $7 mojitos on special, too. There’ll also be live music in the open-air courtyard from 6-8 pm followed by more live music in the Trinity Room from 8-10 pm.

Friday, August 25

PJ’s Coffee Fort Worth Grand Opening
The New Orleans-based coffee chain will celebrate the opening of its latest Fort Worth location with free coffee and giveaways. Visit PJ’s Coffee at 7048 Granbury Rd. from 11 am-1 pm for a complimentary 12-ounce hot or cold brew coffee along with pastry samples (including beignets), free t-shirts, coffee lip balm, and more, while supplies last. An official ribbon cutting will take place at 11:30 am.

Saturday, August 26

Indonesian Food Bazaar at Soli-Deo Indonesian Church
The Richland Hills church will celebrate 78 years of Indonesia’s independence with a food festival. Visit for authentic Indonesian dishes, drinks, and desserts along with live music and entertainment. The event will run from 10 am-2:30 pm. Admission is free and food items range from $5-$15.

ByWasonga at WineHaus Brunch
Pair brunch boards with bubbly during this pop-up brunch at WineHaus featuring chef Henry Abuto of ByWasonga catering. The “smorgas-board” will include cinnamon toast crunch waffles with honey butter syrup, fried chicken, sausage, bacon, roasted potatoes, and fresh fruit. The $23 price (plus a small fee) also includes a glass of sparkling wine. Ordering tickets together for the entire party is recommended to ensure one beautiful board display for sharing. Brunch will run from 11 am-2 pm.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

'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.

Country icon Willie Nelson returns to 'hillbilly' inspiration in new album

The Red Headed Stranger goes Blue

Almost as much as Willie Nelson is known for Austin, he's known for Nashville — and for subverting it. The 90-year-old singer has made an iconic, and extremely long career of conforming to and bucking against musical expectations, and now he's circled back around to tradition — without losing his own sound.

Nelson's new LP, Bluegrass, is his first album-length tribute to the traditional country genre. Yet, released on September 15, it's not even his first album of 2023. It follows I Don't Know A Thing About Love: The Songs of Harlan Howard, a tribute to the Nashville songwriter who gave folks "I Fall to Pieces."

Bluegrass, in a way, is Nelson's genre-bent tribute to his own work. The setlist gathers a dozen of the songwriter and his fans' "favorite" songs he wrote, according to a press release, re-rendered with a bluegrass ensemble.

The focus on orchestration highlights that this is a collaborative effort by the amiable, but largely solo performer. One song, "Good Hearted Woman," is the only track on the album not just written by Nelson, thanks to the similar creative genius of outlaw country great Waylon Jennings. Willie's son, Micah Nelson, created the cover art: an appropriately blue portrait of the singer with warm undertones and a wreath of familiar recreational leaves. The album was produced by Willie's longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon.

Willie Nelson BluegrassNelson's son created the cover art — in blue, of course.Image courtesy of Willie Nelson; created by Micah Nelson

Even if a listener doesn't recognize each song on the album, Nelson's voice is as unmistakeable as ever. Against a bluegrass arrangement, it floats undisturbed and unhurried. At times, it even sounds like Nelson and the band are performing in different meters, the band bustling along cheerfully while the singer lounges around the beat — but never on it.

In fact, listeners who avoid Bluegrass may find their tune changes when listening to these laid-back renditions. "Still Is Still Moving To Me" brings the more frenetic tempo and multi-part harmonies that the genre is known for at its most ferocious; but iconic songs like "Sad Songs and Waltzes" and "Yesterday's Wine" may not even strike listeners as bluegrass if they're not listening for it — just very string-heavy traditional country tunes.

"On the Road Again," "Man With the Blues," and album-opener "No Love Around" are perhaps the tracks that benefit the most from the Bluegrass treatment. All three seem a little more cheerful, a little more upbeat, and a little more reassuring than their original forms. There's nothing warmer than hearing the iconic "On the Road Again" melody on gut strings — except perhaps listening to the country legend offer his "advice" over that plucky, self-assured backcountry orchestra.

Most important, the arrangements rework rather than rewriting the songs. None of the renditions give off an air of hokeyness or trying to shake things up; These are just great country songs that sound even better with a banjo. It makes sense that the change in instrumentation wouldn't shift much, since according to the release, Nelson decided to record the tribute because the style informed so much of his natural songwriting style.

"Using his own catalog as source material, in the spirit of traditional bluegrass sourcing hillbilly folk music, Willie chose songs combining the kind of strong melodies, memorable storylines and tight ensemble-interplay found in traditional bluegrass interpretations of the roots (from European melodies to African rhythms) of American folk songs," acknowledges the release.

By Texas Monthly'scount (shared in the release), this is Nelson's 151st album. Avid collectors can look forward to a 12-inch special edition pressed in blue vinyl, available for purchase on September 29. Preorder ($29.98) at willienelson.com.

This year the songwriter was honored with a five-part documentary series, a blowout 90th birthday concert, the naming of a prestigious arts endowment by the University of Texas at Austin, and two Grammy Awards. His book, Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs, comes out October 23. He will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame days later, on November 3.

Listen to Bluegrass on your favorite streaming platform. More information is available at willienelson.com.

Flix Brewhouse set to open in Mansfield with food and beer brewed in-house

Let's All Go to the Movies

Austin-based Flix Brewhouse, famous for its first-run cinema and in-house brewery, will debut a new location in Mansfield, with an opening set for Thursday, September 28.

The theater will open at 416 N. US 287, in The Shops at Broad, with its trademark full menu of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and pizza as well as beer that's brewed in-house.

Mansfield marks the chain's 10th location and the fifth in Texas, joining the original in Round Rock, along with Frisco/Little Elm, El Paso, and San Antonio.

But Mansfield will offer something new that no other location has: the ability to order your meal directly from your phone. Instead of pressing the button at your seat and waiting for a server to take your order, orders can be transmitted directly to the theater's kitchen. So convenient!

Call buttons are still available to order for moviegoers without smartphones or for those who prefer that method.

The 38,000-square-foot theater and brewpub will have nine auditoriums featuring reclining chairs and personal, pivoting tabletops.

A full bar incorporates a fully-functioning brewery where a team of brewers craft beers that are unique to the location and the featured films. A small taproom is available for guests to enjoy a brew before or after a movie and play movie-themed pinball.

In addition to new releases, Flix Brewhouse offers their Flix Picks program, which curates specialty monthly FanFests around cult classic movies that are paired with a themed menu and souvenir glassware.

For those who go to the movies a lot, Flix has The Circle, a loyalty program with special perks like discounts, birthday tickets, and more. Early sign-ups for the free program receive an exclusive invitation to the theater's soft opening event.

The opening date coincides with the release of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie for the younger set, as well as the sci-fi epic The Creator and the latest in a gruesome horror franchise, Saw X.

“Moviegoers can expect to have a transformative experience when they visit a Flix Brewhouse location,” said Chance Robertson, Flix CEO, in a statement. “Our team pours its passion into every aspect of the theater whether that is in a glass of award-winning, freshly brewed beer, a delectably-themed meal, or the state-of-the art audio visual experience of a movie."