This roundup of restaurant news around Fort Worth is brimming with tasty bites, from new openings to seasonal menus to tempting new desserts. There's a new coffee place and a new tea shop, with pizza, Indian, and Mexican food all coming soon.
Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news:
Jacquelinevanaya is the name of a new catering outfit from Jacqueline Anaya, founder of Calisience, the trend-setting food truck and restaurant that won Best New Restaurant of the Year in CultureMap's 2023 Tastemaker Awards. Anaya, who closed the restaurant in early 2024, called the past two months since the closure "a breath of fresh air," but said that, as of now she will not be opening another restaurant. "However, I’m excited to announce that I am taking private caterings and participating in pop-ups," she says. "In addition, I will be sharing recipes, behind the scenes and some of my favorite places to go eat."
Hugo’s Invitados, the upscale and authentic Mexican restaurant in Las Colinas, is opening a location in Westlake, at 55 Tarragona Dr., along with an event venue next door. According to owner Mark Hulme, it'll open in August. This is Hulme's second stab at expansion for the restaurant, following a location that opened for a brief period in Dallas' West Village.
Green Nest Cafe is a new coffee shop in Bedford, at 3708 Cheek Sparger Rd. in the Shops at Cheek Sparger, near Nirvana Dental and Mighty Chick Sando, where it serves coffee and espresso drinks including lattes, macchiatos, mochas, cold brew, and drip coffee, using beans from local Eiland Coffee Roasters. The shop also sells chai lattes, iced and hot tea, and hojicha and matcha drinks. They're currently in softe opening phase, but will be adding sandwiches, muffins, cookies, and other bakery items soon.
Pattea Lou's Tea Room is a sweet new tearoom in Keller at 770 S. Main St. #430 offering more than 20 loose-leaf teas, scones, macarons, and specialty chocolates imported from Belgium. Owner Patti Gibson will eventually expand the menu to include light lunch items like sandwiches and soups, plus formal tea service with sweet and savory towers, by reservation only and at least 24 hours in advance.
Parry's Pizza in Fort Worth is about ready to start slinging the pies. Located at 9601 North Fwy., Parry's is part of a buzzy Denver—based chain that serves NY-style pizza, wings, calzones, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta, and 72 craft beers on tap. Parry's was founded in 2007 outside Denver by David Parry, a native of New York who wanted to bring a New York-style pizzeria to the Denver suburbs. They currently have locations in Colorado, Texas, and Arizona, with additional coming-soons slated for Las Vegas and Houston. According to the owners, the location will open on April 22.
Aroma Grill & Bar is a new Indian restaurant coming to Keller at 721 Keller Pkwy. #116, in a former buffet spot. According to a lengthy post by the city of Keller, Aroma is from Nepal natives Jyoti Kandel and Shree Ram, who've previously worked at restaurants and hotels in New York, London, and California. The cuisine will be Indian and Nepalese with Himalayan spices, with disues such as chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, samosas, momos, curries, and tandoori grilled foods, as well as a full bar. According to Kandel, the restaurant will open on or about April 18.
Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse chain, is offering a limited-time $44 special that includes a selection of their signature Brazilian cuts of meat and sides such as charcuteries, soups, and salads, plus desserts of tres leches, crème brûlée, or chocolate brigadeiro.
Lazy Dog Restaurants has new seasonal dishes including firecracker shrimp, spicy tuna crispy rice, green goddess salad (goat cheese, peas, red grapefruit, pickled red onions, pumpkin seeds, on greens in green goddess dressing), rainbow trout (with crispy smashed potatoes, garlic green beans, charred corn + roasted red peppers), NY steak with garlic butter green beans & waffle chip potato au gratin, sweet + spicy St. Louis style ribs with umami fries, three-layer confetti cake, and roadtrip bowl with fried chicken.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub has launched its spring menu featuring fried pickles with Sriracha sauce, Wagyu beef and bacon jam burger, chicken & waffles, and a cast iron skillet southern peach crumble. Spring co*cktails include Tito’s Hibiscus Lemonade and Spicy Mango Margarita with jalapeños and Sauza Hacienda tequila.
Pepitas, the vegan taqueria in Denton, is now serving brunch on Saturdays and Sunday from 11 am-2 pm. Menu items include tres leches pancakes; breakfast tostadas with black beans, pico de gallo, salsa, cheese, and guacamole; breakfast tacos filled with cheese, soyrizo, tofu, potatoes, and chipotle mayo sauce; and breakfast quesadillas filled with egg, pico de gallo, and sausage.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, the gelato and ice cream chain, has collaborated with Oreo to offer three new flavors: Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Flavorite (chocolate chip cookie dough ice, vanilla ice cream, and Oreo crumbles), Oreo Double Stuf Flavorite (Oreo crème ice, vanilla ice cream, Oreo crumbles, and Oreo crème swirl topper), and Oreo Frappe Flavorite (Oreo mocha ice, vanilla ice cream, and Oreo crumbles. Available through April 30.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the Italian ice chain, has new frozen treats starring Oreos, available through April: Cold Brew Frozen Coffee made with OREO cookies, joining their trio of Original, Mocha, and Caramel flavors; and Rita’s Cookies n’ Cream Concrete.with vanilla ice, custard, cold brew coffee, and Oreo cookies.
Jakes Gameday is now serving hi-Seltzers, a line of non-alcoholic, zero-calorie, zero-sugar, THC-infused seltzers, available in lemon-lime and cherry flavors. They’re offering three co*cktails, using the specialty seltzers.
Yogurtland has unveiled two new flavors, Strawberry Matcha and Milk & Honey, and also brought back the fan-favorite Strawberry Mango Sorbet. Available while supplies last.
Wetzel’s Pretzels is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a nostalgic ’90s creamsicle-flavor beverage, the Orange Dream for $7+. It’s made with sweet, creamy orange citrus granita and layered with soft whip topping.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has released a new drink, the Patrón Sidekick, for the month of April. It features a margarita served on the rocks or frozen with an added one-ounce shot of Patrón Silver sidekick that hangs on the rim of the schooner. Available through May 5.
McDonald’s in North Texas is getting in on the bagel action by bringing back the bagel breakfast sandwich. McDonald’s removed the bagel sandwiches in 2020 to pare down its menu and get rid of all-day breakfast. But fans formed a Facebook group with more than 12,000 members called “Where’s my McDonald’s Bagel?” to track where the sandwich was still offered. It's being revived at only a limited number of stores but those include North Texas, in three varieties: bacon, egg, & cheese; sausage, egg, & cheese; and steak, egg, & cheese. They’ve also brought back spicy chicken McNuggets for a limited time.
Spoetzl Brewery, the family-owned brewer of Shiner Bock, updated the design and packaging of the Shiner Bock bottles to honor Texas roots and history dating back to 1909. The new cans include a map of Texas, a more prominently featured ram, and simplified typography for a fresher, more contemporary feel and easier recognition on crowded shelves.
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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.
