Restaurants

9 updates to the Fort Worth culinary scene since October

Stories by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalists, with AI summarization

Fort Worth’s food scene continues to evolve, welcoming both new names and beloved classics. Luby’s still draws crowds for its classic “square fish” and Thanksgiving dinners, reminding locals of Texas’ culinary nostalgia. Meanwhile, Dayne’s Craft BBQ has established itself as a must-visit in Aledo with inventive kolache flavors and a growing reputation.

Newcomers like Palate Garden introduce authentic Nepali-Indian flavors to Saginaw, serving everything from goat sekuwa to butter chicken. The arrival of Keke’s Breakfast Cafe brings a new diner vibe with Northeast-inspired home fries and pancakes, while chef Stephan Pyles delivers his signature Texas cuisine at The Seeker in Stephenville.

A huevos “divorciados” (separated, with red and green salsa) brunch with bacon at Paco’s Mexican Cuisine. By Bud Kennedy

NO. 1: IN SUNDANCE SQUARE, A RESTAURANT WITH 18 YEARS OF SUCCESS ADDS NEW BREAKFAST HOURS

The owner saw growing activity and said, “You know what? Let’s open a little earlier.’ ” | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by bud@star-telegram.comBud Kennedy

The Luby’s in Forest Hill is a classic Southern cafeteria and drew a line at lunch Oct. 24, 2024. By Bud Kennedy

NO. 2: YES, TEXANS STILL LINE UP IN FORT WORTH FOR LUBY’S TURKEY, ‘SQUARE FISH’ OR A LUANN

Travelers on Interstate 20 seem to know the iconic cafeteria is open. The parking lot and drive-thru line were dotted with out-of-state license plates. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

Key lime kolaches, among several flavors sold Friday mornings at Dayne’s Craft BBQ in Aledo.

NO. 3: HERE’S THE BEST FORT WORTH-AREA BBQ JOINT MICHELIN MISSED. IT SELLS KOLACHES, TOO

This is probably the best Texas barbecue restaurant that didn’t make the hoity-toity Michelin Guide ratings. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

A giant landmark restaurant and patio on a hill in Weatherford, shown Jan. 5, 2025, will become a new Heim Barbecue.

NO. 4: HEIM BARBECUE SETS PLAN FOR WEATHERFORD RESTAURANT; OWNERS MAKE MORE FORT WORTH MOVES

The Weatherford market has room for more barbecue, co-owner Will Churchill said. | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

The pork-belly huarache de nixtamal with apple-mint chutney at The Seeker restaurant.

NO. 5: WEST OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS RESTAURANT PIONEER STEPHAN PYLES DIALS HIS ‘GREATEST HITS’

“With everything that’s happening in Stephenville, it’s an exciting place to be,” the Dallas chef said. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

KeKe’s cheesesteak omelet with steak, green pepepr, onion, and cheese, as seen February 27, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. By Bob Self

NO. 6: WHAT’S A KEKE’S? IT’S A NEW FORT WORTH RESTAURANT FROM DENNY’S, WITH A DINER SPIRIT

Hands down, the star of the menu is the crispy home fries, a heaping helping of sliced red potatoes sauteed with onions. | Published February 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

A three-meat combination plate at Lil JJ’s Smokehouse in Fort Worth Feb 23, 2025, with ribs (top), brisket (far right), turkey, baked beans, collard greens and peach cobbler. The restaurant is the former Berry Best BBQ. By Bud Kennedy

NO. 7: NEW NAME, NEW CITY, SAME BBQ: THE POPULAR LIL JJ’S RESTAURANT OPENS IN NORTH FORT WORTH

John Berry’s friends told him his baked beans are so good, he should open a barbecue restaurant. He also offers giant baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, collards and house-made cornbread and peach cobbler. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

Brisket at Smokey Beards Q, opening a second location in Fort Worth to go with the original restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

NO. 8: NEW RESTAURANT IN FORT WORTH BRINGS SOLID TEXAS-STYLE BBQ — VIA THE MIDDLE EAST

A friend in Saudi Arabia told a Fort Worth restaurateur, “We gotta bring this to Riyadh.” Now, he’ll bring his heralded brisket back to Belknap Street. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bud Kennedy

Butter chicken, spicy coconut scallop curry and Makhmali Kofta are just some of the entrees at Palate Garden on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Saginaw. By Amanda McCoy

NO. 9: WANT AUTHENTIC NEPALI-INDIAN FOOD IN FORT WORTH? THIS NEW RESTAURANT IS WORTH THE TRIP

This restaurant owner couldn’t find authentic South Asian cuisine here in D-FW, so he started his own restaurant. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ella Gonzales

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.