10 neighborhood restaurants our Fort Worth readers love. Got one to add? Tell us

We’re asking Star-Telegram readers to share their favorite neighborhood restaurants — those local spots that don’t always get attention, but they should.

We have 10 recommendations so far for places in Fort Worth, Keller and nearby suburbs. Do you have a favorite hidden gem to add to our list? Or, want to weigh in on one of the restaurants below? Use this quick form to tell us, and check back as we update this story.

We’re looking for restaurants that only locals tend to know about. Mom-and-pop eateries in nondescript strip malls. Local haunts that may not be fancy, but their food and service have earned the loyalty of regulars. Restaurants you’d probably never think to try until a local “insider” recommends it.

Thank you to all our readers who have already shared their favorites!

(Prices below are based on entrees $=under $15ish; $-$=about $15 to $30; $-$-$=over $30. Questions? See something that needs to be updated or corrected? Send an email to mleclercq@star-telegram.com.)

Aventino’s Italian Restaurant | Camp Bowie Blvd.

• Reader recommendation: “Excellent Italian, especially the chicken scaloppine.”
• What to know: The owners of Aventino’s are “involved in every aspect of the business, from cooking the food to scheduling reservations.” In addition to the chicken scaloppine, the menu has a long list of specialty entrees including seafood. A “reverse happy hour” is Fridays, 8-9 p.m., with half-off drinks. See the menu. $-$

Rise and Shine Restaurant | Altamesa Blvd.

• Reader recommendation: “Where everybody knows your name! Fast, friendly service and tasty, fresh food.”
• What to know: Rise and Shine Restaurant is a hidden gem — it doesn’t even have a website — that offers signature diner breakfast dishes like the Biscuit Debris, but also has more traditional plates like pancakes and omelets. For lunch, there’s the South of the Border burger and a variety of sandwiches. $

La Casa de Lina | Southwest Fort Worth

• Reader recommendation: “It’s homemade Tex Mex that is delicious, and always consistently good.”
• What to know: Star-Telegram ”Eats Beat” writer Bud Kennedy has described La Casa de Lina as one of Fort Worth’s best little Mexican breakfast cafes. It recently added dinner hours, a second dining room and a dessert counter. Crowds come in for chilaquiles verdes, green chile pork, sopes and pambazos, a fried chorizo-potato or chicken-potato sandwich dipped in guajillo sauce. Locals love the extra touches like horchata and cafe de olla, the traditional sweet, cinnamon-spiced coffee, served in imported terra cotta cups. See the menu. $

Birrieria Los Chivos de Oro | Hemphill Street

• Reader recommendation: “We just found out about it. The menu is loaded with enough enticing items to warrant at least five or six trips. All the meat items are done with cabrito, which is a huge selling point. Don’t be afraid of it, if you haven’t tried it. It’s delicious!”
• What to know: This traditional Mexican restaurant is family owned, which is almost always a good indicator of some authentic cuisine. Located in south Fort Worth, customers go for their specialty birria. See the menu. $-$

Rogers Roundhouse | South University

• Reader recommendation: “Relaxed atmosphere, large tap list, great food, excellent and kind waitstaff, large patio — I go once a week.”
• What to know: Nothing is better than Tex-Mex on a patio with a cold beer. Rogers Roundhouse is behind University Park Village, next to one of the largest working railroad stations, and is named after a retired engine repair facility. You can bring your pups and enjoy live music on Friday nights. Another bonus is that they also sell Curly’s Custard. See the menu. $

Tuk Tuk Thai | West 7th

• Reader recommendation: “Consistently great food with wonderful curry dishes.”
• What to know: Some of us at the Star-Telegram love this place, too. This little gem is tucked in a strip center near UNT Health Science Center campus and is great for dining in or fast takeout. The Pad Kra Pao (sautéed garlic with bell pepper, onion & basil leaves) is a favorite. $

Aladdin Cafe Mediterranean Cuisine | Near Crowley

• Reader recommendation: “Food is fresh, consistently delicious, and the service is fantastic!”
• What to know: Aladdin Café, which has made Yelp’s list of top 100 in Texas, serves up an authentic blend of Greek and Lebanese flavors, drawing from family recipes passed down through generations. Popular items like chicken schwarma, eggplant and hummus, combined with a love of community, make you feel right at home. See the menu. $-$

Acquario Italian Restaurant | Davis Blvd. in Keller

• Reader recommendation: “Great food, wine list and atmosphere. Fair prices. Owner heavily engaged in customer service. Outstanding chef who is co-owner.”
• What to know: The spirit of Italy meets the bold heart of Texas in a vibrant menu of fresh seafood and premier steaks. With an elegant yet comfortable ambience and heartfelt service, every meal becomes a memory to savor long after the last bite. See the menu. $-$-$

DeVivo Brothers Eatery | US 377 in Keller

• Reader recommendation: “It is family owned and operated, the food is fantastic and the service is great. They just expanded to provide more space and they did it seamlessly!”
• What to know: This family-owned eatery serves a bevy of Italian pastas and sandwiches, along with a sweet and savory breakfast menu. Recent renovations included installing a new pizza oven that cranks out wood-fired pies. See the menu. $-$

Los Jimadores Tex-Mex Tequila Factory | Bedford-Euless

• Reader recommendation: “Great Tex-Mex, combined with higher-end traditional Mexican food, in a relaxed local strip center location.”What to know: This community favorite gets thing started with shredded chicken flautitas and chile con queso topped with ground beef. Save room for a main course, from taco platters to sizzling fajitas, made with locally sourced ingredients. See the menu. $-$

More to come! As we receive additional restaurant recommendations from readers, we’ll add them to this list. Use the form below to send us yours.

Star-Telegram journalists Tiffani Jackson, Brayden Garcia, Ella Gonzales and Jake Harris contributed to this story.

This story was originally published April 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM.