Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 9 best bars to watch college football

Where to drink

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Three weeks into the season and college football is on fire, thanks in part to an interesting shift in hierarchy: Alabama is taking a tumble down the polls, Texas is making a statement, and – love him or loathe him – viewers just can’t get enough of Colorado’s “Coach Prime” and his gleaming Blenders sunglasses.

At home, the 2023 College Football Playoff runner-up TCU Horned Frogs are still trying to save face after an embarrassing National Championship appearance back in January. The saga continues every Saturday at a sports bar near you. Here are nine of the best to visit in Fort Worth right now - a mix of old favorites and a few new surprises.

Texas Ice House
Those looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination to catch afternoon and night games will find it at this brand new hidden North Side sports bar. Texas Ice House opened in July at 2350 Decatur Ave., just a hop away from the Fort Worth Stockyards, in a quiet industrial district. The indoor-outdoor bar now opens earlier weekends, at 2 pm, offering a covered patio with multiple 65-inch flatscreens and a cozy interior bar with more TVs inside. Specials during college football games include $6 margaritas and $18 mix-and-match beer buckets. There's also stage for live music outside, where dancing often takes place after dark.

Upper 90
Open 10 years now on West Magnolia Avenue, Upper 90 still flies under the radar as a sports bar destination. After all, the eclectic Near Southside is not exactly known for its sports bar scene. Dark and divey, the bar is named for a soccer term that refers to the top corner of the goal. While big soccer matches will likely take precedence over college football on any given Saturday, Upper 90 is still a great, low-key spot for catching a key matchup. There’s not a lot of flash, but there are plenty of screens, and the full bar stays stocked with spirits and cold beer. Bonus: Customers can order food from Taqueria San Andres just next door.

The Rabbit Hole Pub
Vibes are always friendly at this White Settlement Road watering hole, where on Saturday, college football will always take precedence on the big screens. Glass garage doors slide open to a string-lit covered patio area, and there’s plenty of table seating both inside and out. The Saturday specials run deep: $4 mimosas and $5 bloody Marys until 3 pm, and beer buckets range from $16-$22 all day. But don’t miss the Rodeo ‘Rita, made with whiskey in lieu of tequila.

Lot 12
Watch parties go to new heights at this rooftop sports bar that offers sips and skyline views. Located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Place TCU, this open-air hotel sports bar is home to the Horned Frog’s “most elevated” tailgate scene. There’s an entire cocktail menu dedicated to TCU-themed drinks, including the purple-hued Frog 75 made with gin and sparkling wine, and the sangria-inspired Frog Fountain. Don’t miss the Topgolf Swing Suite while waiting for kick-off.

Buffalo Bros.
The original Buffalo Bros. on South University Drive has drawn TCU Horned Frog fans for game-day gatherings since 2007. But when a flashy new location opened in Sundance Square in 2019, the watch party bar was raised. Here there are more than 90 TVs to catch all the college football action. A 360-degree bar boasts more TVs both outside and inside the perimeter. Even more, there’s a side room with stadium seating and five more screens. Wings, pizza, and subs come out quickly, as does cold beer by the pint, schooner, or pitcher.

Brewed
Far from a sports bar, this West Magnolia Avenue coffee, dining, and drinking destination has long been known for its warm and cozy atmosphere, craft coffee, frilly cocktails, and elevated comfort food. But hold the phone: Brewed has gone purple with an over-the-top, football-themed pop-up not to be missed. Perfect for a pre-game pit-stop, the space currently features festive decor photo-ops galore, from purple pillows and balloon displays to hanging lights, floral, tinsel, neon signs, and even purple umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. While there’s just one TV for which to catch the actual game, the atmosphere will transport Frog fans to the heart of the action. Order a “Fight ‘Em On The Ice Mimosa” by the glass or carafe to share.

El Chingon
It’s always a party at this West 7th District bar, nightclub, and Mexican restaurant, where three 100-inch LED walls and seven 55-inch TVs ensure that no play is missed. Fans can enjoy half-price a la carte tacos and BOGO on select longneck bottles during games, and up to two hours after the final score. Other game-time specials include a massive molcajete bowl filled with grilled skirt steak, chicken, and shrimp accompanied by guac, elote, quesadillas, tortillas, and salsa - for $29. If your team wins, celebrate by staying late for DJ music and dancing.

City Works
Clearfork’s premiere destination for game-watching is City Works thanks to a dozen extra large HDTVs and more than 9,000 square feet of space to spread out. Add 90 beers and eight wines on tap plus a long list of shareable gourmet bar bites, and you’ve struck game-day gold. There’s also an array of sangrias, margaritas, mules, and old fashioneds. Booth and high-top seating along with extra high ceilings add to the spacious, sit-and-stay-awhile feel. Expect big crowds on Saturdays, especially during TCU away games.

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Sips pair with skyline views at Lot 12.

Texas Live!
For a Texas-sized watch party, there’s no place bigger than Texas Live! in Arlington. With a scene that rivals that of an actual stadium, the multi-venue entertainment complex is anchored by the Shift4 Arena. Here there’s more than 35,000 square feet of bar top, multilevel seating, screens, and a 100-foot LED HD TV at the center of it all. A full menu of apps, burgers, and wings is available, and reservations are always recommended to guarantee seating.

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Hottest new bars top this week's 5 most-read Fort Worth headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 8 new bars to hit in August. Fort Worth’s new bar scene is as hot as the weather, as a slew of new drinking destinations has opened in recent weeks. Here are eight new (or newly revitalized) bars to cool off with a cocktail this month - including a long-awaited champagne bar.

2. Award-winning Fort Worth restaurateur debuts one-of-a-kind new Italian. Fort Worth restaurateur Belen Hernandez has already won awards for her Mexican vegan concept Belenty's Love Mexican Vegan Restaurant, and now she is expanding into a new cuisine: Italian. Belen and her son just opened Vida Cafe, at 3522 Bluebonnet Cir., where they're doing vegan versions of Italian food.

3. Popular Dallas sushi spot expands west with new location in Grapevine. A Dallas sushi favorite is expanding west: Oishii, which has been a destination for sushi fans for nearly two decades, is opening a location in Grapevine. The restaurant will open at 401 E. SH-114 in September.

4. Smoothie Factory debuts new concept first in North Richland Hills. The Smoothie Factory chain is opening a new kind of location, one that will make its debut in Dallas-Fort Worth. The new concept is called Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, and the first ever location will open in North Richland Hills, at 8517 Davis Blvd., in the fall.

5. These fast-growing Dallas-Fort Worth companies earned spots on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list. Hundreds of Dallas-Fort Worth companies have experienced explosive revenue growth over the last few years, with one such business landing near the top of the prestigious 2023 Inc. 5000 list. One Coppell-based company, Green Light Distribution, ranked No. 4 nationally.

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Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 8 new bars to hit in August

Where to drink

Fort Worth’s new bar scene is as hot as the weather, as a slew of new drinking destinations has opened in recent weeks. Themes seem to be trending: island drinks are having a moment, but so is sparkling wine, cider, and sake. Here are eight new (or newly revitalized) bars to cool off with a cocktail this month.

The Coupe
Mark your calendars: The Coupe expects to finally open its doors on Tuesday, August 22. The long-awaited bubbles bar, at 314 S. Main St., comes from husband-and-wife duo Scott Kimble and Lauren Badgett, who’ll focus on unique small-batch sparkling wines from around the world in their first bar endeavor. (Don’t expect many mass-produced labels here.) The fresh space will feature a cool palette with shades of pink and green, along with floral murals and a chic bar. In addition to sparkling wine and a few still wines and craft beers, the bar will offer a handful of cocktails featuring sparkling wine. Small bites to start will include charcuterie, locally made bread and butter, and local baked treats. The Coupe will also be “BYOF,” and deals are in the works allowing for food delivery from nearby Bodega South Main and Coco Shrimp. The bar will open at 1 pm Tuesday-Sunday. Look for a soft opening Friday, August 18.

Shipwreck Island Tiki Bar
Land ho! Shipwreck has arrived in the West 7th district, bringing with it the closest experience to a real-life island available in Fort Worth. The tiki drink destination opened quietly last month but is celebrating its grand opening through Sunday, August 20. Located at 1015 Foch St., the bar comes from folks behind nearby The Shot Cellar. Once inside a very plain glass door, patrons are transported to an elaborate tiki paradise featuring palm trees, a floor painted with ocean waves, and a boat-shaped bar (complete with cannon and a parrot), all made iridescent with blue-hued black lighting. Glassware is as flamboyant as the drink selections, which range from the ocean water blue High Tide to the Pain, Kill, Arr! made with rum, coconut, and tropical fruit. As part of the grand opening specials, guests can order a Banana Runtz or Sunny Beaches and keep the limited-edition tiki glass (while supplies last). Or go big with a $200 Mai Tai made with very rare Appleton Estate 17-Year Legend Rum. (Pay $100 for a 1-ounce pour.) Also look for “7^th Seas Scrolls” to be placed around the bar featuring riddles that can be solved to unlock a super-secret cocktail.

M&O Cocktail Lounge
The longtime Foundry District hamburger joint (which opened in 2000 before The Foundry District was a thing) now moonlights as a sleek cocktail lounge. M&O Cocktail Station Grill has transformed its space into a full bar, offering cocktails, wine, draft, and craft beers along with the same two-handed burgers the family-owned eatery has served for more than two decades. With blue walls, booth seating, and intimate mood lighting, the updated digs lend well to weekend live music – there’s even space to dance the night away. Try the refreshing grapefruit Paloma made with 1800 tequila. Or visit for daily happy hour from 4-7 pm, or on Wednesdays when all house wines are $6 a glass all day. Hours are 3 pm-midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 12 pm-midnight on Friday, 12 pm-1 am Saturday, and 12 pm-10 pm Sunday.

The Lounge at Musume
Pronounced “muh-suh-may” and meaning “daughter” in Japanese, downtown’s new contemporary Asian fusion restaurant boasts Fort Worth’s largest Japanese whisky and sake selection. There are more than 50 premium sakes available along with more than 60 Japanese whiskys – plus a slew of craft cocktails. Opened in July, Musume sits below street level inside the new Sandman Signature Hotel (810 Houston St.), in the 103-year-old W.T. Waggoner Building that originally housed a bank. (There are multiple historic vaults inside, including one that leads to a private dining space with seating sunken beneath the floor.) One entire wall is dedicated to Musume’s 2,000-square-foot bar and lounge, which features a shiny black lacquer bar top that’s back-lit in rich tones of red. Unique specialty cocktails include the Green Tea Negroni, Mind Over Matcha made with gin and boba pearls, and the Pikachu made with vodka, Licor 43, peach, orange, and Szechuan peppercorns. The new Sandman hotel also has a very nice ground level lobby bar with Asian-inspired cocktails.

Thompson’s Bookstore
While not new, the downtown craft cocktail bar (900 Houston St.) recently revealed the results of a $4 million facelift, which included a revitalized underground speakeasy along with a new private event space and a top floor cigar bar and lounge. Gone is the kitschy pharmacy-themed décor in the speakeasy (which still requires a password to get in – found on Thompson’s Facebook page), replaced with a sophisticated Roaring Twenties-inspired design. Plush seating and jewel tones pair perfectly with the space’s Prohibition Era cocktails. But the fourth floor cigar lounge might be taking center stage amid Thompson’s updates. The new destination can accommodate up to 60 and features a horseshoe-shaped bar and pockets of cushy seating meant to encourage conversation. Ultra-premium cigars are also a draw, along with the classic Old Fashion to pair them with.

Slushy’s Secret Rooftop Tiki Bar
Opened in late May, the not-so-secret rooftop bar located atop Free Play in the Near Southside (1311 Lipscomb St.) has provided steamy skyline views all summer long. Slushy’s, named for its signature cocktail, serves a rotating menu of eight frozen slushies blended with housemade syrups along with a small menu of six tiki drinks. Patrons can keep cool with a Blue Tsunami made with banana rum and tropical juices, or a Magnolia Mai Tai. Enjoy 40 percent off slushies on Thursdays and 80s movie nights on Fridays. The bar opens at 6 pm Thursday and Friday and at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Atheneum Cider
The Saginaw cider shop and bar relocated to a new location at 1029 N. Saginaw Blvd. just last month. Husband-and-wife duo Brennan and Lizzy Couey opened Atheneum Cider in 2021 to “introduce some excitement into their boring, suburban lives,” says their website. Friends and family loved the stuff, and the couple eventually made enough to share with the masses. At the new location there’s more room for production and more room to spread out – which is great because the Coueys draw local crowds, not only for their wide array of flavorful ciders but for their fun personalities, trivia nights, game-watching, and more. Cider flavors include ginger and lime, raspberry lemonade, cherry limeade, and sour mango with Chamoy spice. The bar is open Tuesday- Saturday until 10 pm.

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The Coupe will serve bubblies from around the world.

Fat Tuesday
In case you missed it: A Fort Worth outlet of Bourbon Street-based Fat Tuesday frozen daiquiri bar opened in Stockyards Station in May. The famed rum-based drinks come in colorful varieties and flavors, including the Cat 5 Hurricane, Peach Bellini, and Miami Vice strawberry pina colada. All are served in a plastic cup (or a plastic boot, if desired) to go. Feel free to sip and stroll in the Stockyards – it’s completely legal and you won’t be alone.

Hotel Drover

Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 5 best bars for summery sips and specials

Where to drink

Bars are embracing the summer heat with cool drink specials and new seasonal cocktails. Some have launched themed libations aimed at transporting guests somewhere tropical. Think floral cocktails, citrusy spritzes, frozen concoctions, and lots of rum. One venue is even luring in patrons by offering $1 martinis in its outdoor garden bar for the hottest happy hour (literally) in town. Here are five Fort Worth bars to visit this month for the best in summer sips.

Gemelle
Tim Love’s expansive Italian garden oasis has just launched a drink special worth braving summer’s hottest heat wave. Visit Monday through Thursday from 4-6 pm for the “dirty dollar martini” deal, featuring $1 vodka, gin, or Italicus martinis. The latter is a floral Italian liqueur that comes in a pretty aquamarine-colored bottle intended to bring on Amalfi Coast vibes. The steal of a deal is only available outside at the restaurant’s orange-hued garden bar, where patio seating, lush greenery, and even a pool outfitted lounge furniture combine for a vibrant backdrop. Patrons can also keep cool with other summery cocktail selections like the limoncello spritz, frozen Aperol spritz, and frozen peach bellini – all as pretty as the garden itself.

The Backyard at Hotel Drover
There are a lot of great ways to spend a Texas summer night, and sipping a cool libation in The Backyard at Hotel Drover is one of them. The Stockyards luxe hotel has just launched a menu of new summer cocktails – two of which are only available during Hotel Drover’s Backyard Unplugged live acoustic music series, which is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights from 7-10 pm. Said two are the Howdy Hibiscus, made with Altos tequila, hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and a pretty edible flower, and the Lavender Layback, made with Tito’s vodka, lemon juice syrup, lavender, and muddled cucumbers. Other standout selections from the new summer cocktail menu include the turquoise-hued Coastal Cowboy made with two kinds of rum and blue curacao, and the Lone Star Breeze Sangria made with fresh fruit and pinot grigio. All new cocktails are available poolside (hotel guests only) and at the Veranda Bar (open to the public).

The Bearded Lady
Have a drink while doing some good. The South Main Street gastropub has launched a new cocktail of the month program where a portion of sales will benefit a nonprofit. This month’s recipient is Safe Haven of Tarrant County, and the cocktail is called 87888 – the number one can text to reach a 24-hour domestic abuse hotline. The refreshing concoction ($12) is just right for summer sipping, shaken with peach vodka, watermelon, lemonade, fresh basil, and orange curacao, topped with Topo Chico. Also try The Bearded Lady’s array of ranch waters, including pineapple, strawberry, spicy, and pickle. Note that the bar’s tiki-themed sister concept, The Tropic Lady, is anticipated to open by fall on Race Street.

RTB at The Sinclair
An acronym for “Rooftop Bar,” RTB sits 17 floors above street level atop The Sinclair Hotel downtown and is now open to the public Thursday through Saturday nights starting at 5 pm. With a constantly breezy scene (it’s windy up there) and multiple cozy nooks of lounge seating, guests can stay cool away from the hot concrete at ground level. The spacious destination is anchored by an indoor-outdoor, air-conditioned bar in the middle, where refreshing summertime libations include The Sinclair, made with Aperol, prosecco, lemon juice, and lemon soda, and the Drive Through, made with Malibu Rum, Tito’s Vodka, blue curacao, and lime juice. Visit for the most picturesque panoramic sunset views between 8 and 9 pm before the twinkling lights of the city start gleaming after dark.

The Post at River East
Don’t sleep on this Race Street gem that consistently provides for good vibes with good drinks to match. Opened in 2019 in a former 1940s post office, the bar, restaurant, and live music venue hosts musicians six days a week, both in the outdoor string-lit courtyard and inside the listening room for seated, ticketed shows. Courtyard shows are always free, and the talent level is consistently impressive. Catch a live acoustic set and try the Pink Panther Tini, shaken with anejo rum, coconut, and fresh tropical juices. Or try the Dilly Dally, which tastes like a garden party with gin, cucumber, lemon, and fresh dill. There are also daily specials, including $5 sangrias and house wines on Wednesdays, $5 classic cocktails on Thursdays, $5 craft cans on Fridays, and $3 mimosas, bloody marys, and micheladas all day Saturday and Sunday. The Post is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 am-midnight.

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Best bars for singles mingle into this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 6 best bars for singles ready to mingle. If you’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places, this list might help. These six Fort Worth-area bars are known in some circles for their matchmaking scene. Some offer swanky lounges where patrons dress to impress, and others are more casual, where even four-legged friends are invited. All make for a great night out – bonus if a new friendship blooms in the process.

2. Hop on over to this fun new boozy snack bar in Fort Worth's Sundance Square. There's a fun new spot to grab a bite and a drink, now open in Fort Worth's Sundance Square: Called Hopscotch, it's a new concept from Mockingbird Food Co., and it opened on June 9 in the former Jamba Juice location at 101 W. 3rd St.

3. Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 6 new restaurants to try in June. It's time for the June edition of our monthly column Where to Eat, featuring our favorite dining recommendations for the month, and there is plenty of fodder. Fort Worth's restaurant scene keeps on kicking, with promising new places debuting every week. Here are our suggestions for six new places to try in June.

4. Leave cellphones at home for comedian Dave Chappelle's live show coming to Fort Worth. Comedian/actor Dave Chappelle will soon bring his "Dave Chappelle Live" stand-up comedy show to arenas in five cities in Texas, including Fort Worth's Dickies Arena, on June 30. No cellphones, cameras, or recording devices will be allowed.

5. Texans are gliding over lakes and beaches in this summer's coolest watersport – eFoiling. The trendiest watersport of summer 2023 is taking people to new heights – about two feet above water, to be exact. EFoiling (also referred to as electric or motorized surfing) lets riders glide or “fly” above the water using a battery-operated surfboard. While the watersport is still fairly new, eFoil operators recently have popped up on lakes across North Texas and on beaches all along the Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida.

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Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 6 best bars for singles ready to mingle

Where to drink

If you’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places, this list might help. These six Fort Worth-area bars are known in some circles for their matchmaking scene. Some offer swanky lounges where patrons dress to impress, and others are more casual, where even four-legged friends are invited. All make for a great night out – bonus if a new friendship blooms in the process.

Mutts Canine Cantina
Some say how one treats their dog is a good indicator of their character, and anyone who takes their furry friend to this pet-friendly outdoor bar and dog park is surely a sweet soul. Located near the Shops at Clearfork right on the Trinity River, Mutts Canine Cantina stays busy with dog lovers who mix and mingle while their fur babies play. Dogs may run free in the enclosed park area (day pass required) while their humans grab a cold craft beer or cocktail, like the agave tequila “Barkarita.” (Add a sangria popsicle on top to keep cool.) Paid pooper scoopers constantly roam the premises, leaving more time to strike up conversation with a fellow pet owner. No day pass is required for the outdoor bar and grill, which serves sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders, and a “Woof Menu” of “Pupsicles” and “Doggie Dogs” (dogs must be on a leash). Day passes start at $12.95, and monthly memberships start at $24.95.

The V Lounge at Eddie V’s
A longtime Cultural District hangout for local business professionals seeking something stiff to drink after hours, this upscale bar promises – in their own words – “civilized seduction.” Setting a mood is intentional here; the lounge is dimly lit, the horseshoe-shaped bar encourages conversation, and live jazz trios play every night of the week. It’s only fitting to order a martini, perfect for sophisticated sipping. During happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 4-6:30 pm, select cocktails – including the Dapper Martini shaken with vodka or gin – are $10, and indulgent apps like black truffle tartare and oysters Rockefeller are also on special. Note the V Lounge is located to the left of the main steakhouse entrance, no reservations required. Get comfortable and hang out a while – Eddie encourages it.

Glass Cactus
Popular for GNO (girls' or guys' night out) this Grapevine night club and lounge sits right on Grapevine Lake as part of the Gaylord Texas Resort. Glass Cactus is only open on Friday and Saturday nights, so guests arrive dressed to impress and ready to let loose after working for the weekend. During the summer months, the club hosts its Sunset Party on the Patio on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 pm. This is when guests can catch a romantic summer sunset on the lake with a craft cocktail accompanied by live music from a DJ or an acoustic artist. At 9 pm, the party moves inside to the night club for live entertainment and dancing. (A small cover charge is required for entry.) The party goes on all the way until 2 am.

White Elephant Saloon
The White Elephant is a great spot to cowboy up and meet singles, especially on a weeknight. That’s when the iconic Stockyards saloon draws everyone from business travelers to rodeo professionals, many looking for a longneck bottle and a dance partner. A live country band plays here nightly, providing the perfect opportunity to two-step with a new friend. (Ladies, be prepared to be asked out on the dance floor by a cowboy.) Order a cold schooner or salt-rimmed margarita and take in the scenery. The historic bar dates back more than a century and remains a destination for those looking for love – or to drown their sorrows.

Winslow's Wine Cafe
The Camp Bowie Boulevard wine bar and restaurant's unofficial motto is "where friendships begin," and these friendships have been known to blossom into something more. In fact, management says they've seen relationships happen here time and time again. (Visiting on a Sunday or weekday evening is recommended for best chances of meeting other singles.) Since opening in 2008, Winslow's has established itself as the favorite neighborhood gathering spot, where an intimate ambiance is conducive to striking up good conversations. Inside, the cozy be-seen bar area offers high-top cocktail tables and cush barstool seating. On the patio, summer sunsets pair well with a glass of wine and a comfy chair by a fire pit. Note that while Winslow's is known for its impeccable wine collection, they do offer a full bar.

The Bar at Grace
It's no secret this elegant downtown dining establishment is known for its upscale bar scene. The bar itself sits immediately to the right of the hostess stand, where a social atmosphere is amplified by street-side floor-to-ceiling glass windows, pretty cocktails, and a pretty crowd to match. Management says they often see relationships bloom over a mixed drink at the marble bar. Even more, Grace offers daily “bubble hour” from 4-6 pm, when all sparkling wines are half-price. So, arrive early and toast to new friendships.

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Mix and mingle with fellow dog lovers while the furbabies play.

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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.

9 DFW companies clock in among Forbes' best employers in Texas for 2023

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Dallas-Fort Worth continues to prove it's home to some of the best businesses in the state. Two local employers in fact - Texas Oncology and Fidelity Investments - have moved into highly coveted top-10 spots on Forbes' 2023 list of "America’s Best Employers By State".

The prestigious list is a collaboration between Forbes and Statista to survey the satisfaction levels of tens of thousands of workers employed by national companies.

Dallas-based Texas Oncology - the largest cancer treatment and research providers in the state - earned a rank of No. 6. Forbes says there are more than 4,700 workers employed by the oncology network.

On its career website, nurse leader Nicole Forkner, BSN, RN, OCN said Texas Oncology has been her "home away from home" for nearly two decades.

"So many of our patients have left a lasting memory with me. Not only are we healing their heart, mind, and soul, but they are healing ours too," Forkner said. "The guidance we have received from our amazing Texas Oncology leadership team has led us through hurricanes, ice storms, new initiatives, software changes, and the COVID-19 pandemic."

Fidelity Investments made major gains in 2023. Though the company might be based in Boston, Massachusetts, its big presence in Westlake (coupled with a great work environment and advancement opportunities) propels it to the top year after year. The financial services corporation climbed to No. 9 in Texas this year, after ranking No. 22 in Forbes' 2022 list. There are about 61,000 people employed by Fidelity, according to the report.

Forbes explains that those on the list "aren’t the best large or midsize employers nationally, but a deeper look at which companies are closer-to-home options for every American worker."

Forbes and Statista determined their rankings by surveying 70,000 Americans working at employers in the U.S. with at least 500 employees each. The final list features 1,392 highly recommended employers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Nearly 270 employers ranked highly in multiple states.

Here are the 30 best large employers in Texas, as determined by Forbes and Statista:

Dallas-Fort Worth:

No. 6 – Texas Oncology, based in Dallas
No. 9 – Fidelity Investments (based in Boston; major corporate hub in Westlake)
No. 14 – Capital One (based in Richmond, Virginia; major corporate hub in Plano)
No. 17 – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas
No. 22 – Southwest Airlines, based in Dallas
No. 24 – Texas Health Resources, based in Arlington
No. 25 – General Motors (based in Detroit, Michigan; major assembly hub in Arlington)
No. 27 – City of Plano
No. 28 – Toyota North America, based in Plano

Austin:

No. 3 – Google (based in Mountain View, California; major corporate hub in Austin)
No. 13 – Apple (based in Cupertino, California; major corporate hub in Austin)

San Antonio:

No. 2 – H-E-B (based in San Antonio; more than 300 stores in Texas)
No. 26 – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Houston area:

No. 1 – NASA (based in Washington, D.C.; Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake)
No. 4 – Houston Community College
No. 5 – Houston Methodist
No. 6 – Texas Children's Hospital
No. 18 – National Oilwell Varco
No. 19 – Bechtel (based in Reston, Virginia; major corporate hub in Houston)

Throughout Texas:

No. 8 – Salesforce (based in San Francisco, California; offices in Austin and Dallas)
No. 10 – IKEA (based in Sweden; five stores in Texas)
No. 11 – Costco (based in Issaquah, Washington; 38 stores in Texas)
No. 15 – Cardinal Health (based in Dublin, Ohio; 23 locations in Texas)
No. 16 – Microsoft (based in Redmond, Washington; offices in Austin, Dallas, Friendswood, Frisco, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands)
No. 20 – Leidos (based in Reston, Virginia; locations in San Antonio, Houston, and Webster)
No. 21 – Cisco Systems (based in San Jose, California; offices in Austin, Dallas, Irving, Richardson, Houston, Laredo, and San Antonio)
No. 23 – IBM (based in Armonk, New York; offices in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Frisco)
No. 29 – Nike (based in Beaverton, Oregon; 26 locations in Texas)
No. 30 – Charles Schwab (based in San Francisco, California; 25 locations in Texas)

Award-winning Mexican restaurant hits the jackpot at new Denton location

Vegan News

A DFW restaurant that's earned national acclaim has opened in Denton: El Rincón del Maiz, previously of Garland, is now located at 1431 E. McKinney St. in Denton where it's winning over locals with its Tex-Mex classics and vegan dishes.

Now in a small center east of Denton Square, the family-owned restaurant from husband-and-wife Carlos Guillez and Michell Torres, and their son Gerardo Guillen, first opened in a former Sonic Drive-In November 2021.

They quickly drew praise including making a 2022 list by Bon Appétit of the Best New Restaurants in America (which strangely identified them as "the Saporito family"), as well as winning the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Award for Best Neighborhood Restaurant.

"We were so encouraged," Carlos says. "We'd decided to open because my wife was such a good chef that everybody would tell her, 'You need to open a restaurant.'"

But they discovered that the majority of their clientele were coming from outside Garland.

"Pretty much all of our customers were from areas north of Dallas, and some were driving 30 to 45 minutes," Gerardo says. "People kept saying, 'You need to move north.'"

They almost ended up in McKinney but negotiations were taking too long, and then the Denton spot opened. It's only a half mile from the Square, and has enviable proximity to TWU, UNT, the Denton County courthouse, and the Denton sheriff's office, all representing a built-in audience for their award-winning food.

Their recipes come from south Mexico including dishes like panucho — refried tortillas topped with black beans, choice of protein, coleslaw, and red onion; and enomoladas — corn tortillas with chicken, mole, red onion, and sesame seed.

A longtime home cook, Torres is also vegan. When she crafted the standard Mexican menu, she created an entire vegan menu, as well, using plant-based items like jackfruit and cauliflower to substitute for meat items, served on eye-catching tinted tortillas in flavors such as cilantro, beet, chipotle, and chocolate.

Since moving to Denton, they've added new dishes such as vegan pozole; vegan menudo made with mushroom; and vegan huevos con chorizo, featuring scrambled tofu, a vegan version of chorizo, and black beans, with choice of fried plantains or spicy potatoes.

These days, they're reveling in packed crowds on weekends, and they still haven't even gotten their liquor license yet (it's pending).

And here's one sweet irony: "We've seen customers from Garland coming to Denton," Gerardo says.

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