How a Fort Worth burrito shop skimped on gifts to veterans

Plenty of restaurants claim a “portion” of your purchase will go to charity.

Always ask: How much?

In Texas, if a restaurateur donates 1 cent to charity, that’s legally a “portion.”

The now-closed Spec Ops Burritos restaurant in downtown Fort Worth prominently displayed logos of three veterans’ charities and promoted that eating there would “help a hero.”

But although co-founder Mark Corwin originally said a percentage of sales would go to charity, an official of the California-based MARSOC Foundation said no donation was ever received.

In an unsigned reply, the restaurant’s Facebook page administrator messaged, “We weren’t profitable,” but that Spec Ops did donate more than 1,000 burritos to veterans’ groups.

So note: A good restaurateur will say up front how much will be donated to charity, and whether that’s before or after expenses.

(And watch for the charity DFW Restaurant Week, Aug. 15-21.)

Don’t miss in May

The West 7th shops’ Bites & Flights Sunday will showcase dining along Crockett Street.

For $25, patrons can dine on sirloin from Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse, pepperoni pizzas from Thirteen Pies, macadamia chicken salad from Kona Grill, falafel from Terra, meatballs from both Market + Table and Bar Louie or sliders from Brewsters, Mash’D and Social House.

Six wineries will offer a sampling for $12; Crockett and Currie streets, 817-810-9076, west-7th.com.

The Fort Worth Zoo’s Beastro features 41 restaurants May 20; $99 at fortworthzoo.org, or $110 that day. More details in the midweek column or online at dfw.com/eatsbeat.

Slow-smoked

Work remains incomplete at the new Jambo’s BBQ Shack in Arlington, but owner Ashton Lovato said opening day is close.

Construction problems delayed the opening along with permit snafus, she said. Watch for the opening in the former Arlington Steak House, 1724 W. Division St.; jambosbarbequeshack.com.

Sushi by the Trinity

Denver-based Tokyo Joe’s, a fast-casual Japanese restaurant chain, is the newest addition coming to the Waterside shopping center on Bryant Irvin Road at Arborlawn Drive.

Also under construction at Waterside: Piattello Italian Kitchen, new from chef Marcus Paslay, and chains Blaze Pizza, Taco Diner and Zoës Kitchen; watersidefw.com.

This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 6:54 PM with the headline "How a Fort Worth burrito shop skimped on gifts to veterans."