The Oasis lakefront restaurant between Fort Worth and Dallas has a new owner
The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake, a floating restaurant and marina known for seafood but also for one of the region’s best chicken-fried steak, will change hands Dec. 31, co-owner Don Walker said.
Dallas-based Suntex Marinas bought the Oasis and Lynn Creek Marina, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway off Texas 360, and will slowly change it to Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill, according to new co-owner Bryan Redmond of Suntex.
The Oasis joins Fred’s Texas Cafe in Fort Worth as iconic local restaurants changing Dec. 31. Fred’s is moving from 915 Currie St. to 7101 Camp Bowie Blvd. West.
Walker confirmed the Oasis sale, writing in an email: “The Walkers are hanging it up. We’re going to retire. After 75 years doing business in Grand Prairie and 31 at Lynn Creek Marina, it’s been a great ride.”
Redmond said the Oasis will change gradually to Blue Sunshine, a name the company uses at a marina restaurant in Sarasota, Florida.
“We’re looking for a family-friendly atmosphere and prices to draw more families to the lake,” Redmond said.
“We’ll have a little something for everybody.”
Suntex, a nationwide marina company, also operates three marinas on Eagle Mountain Lake northwest of Fort Worth.
The Oasis opened along with then-new Joe Pool Lake and became known for catfish, shrimp, oysters and weekend bands and patio parties.
With other cafes closing or changing in recent years, the Oasis became known for one of the best chicken-fried steaks, a West Texas-style version floured and seasoned but not encased on heavy batter or fried beyond recognition. The result is a chicken-fried steak that’s more steak than crust.
In recent years, the restaurant has closed several times because of high water on the lake, and needed repairs last year after the freezing weather caused sprinkler pipes to burst.
The restaurant is popular for its appetizers and lakefront bar food, including everything from seafood stuffed avocados with sriracha ($12.95) to coconut shrimp with chili-lime sauce ($14.95), wings, pickle chips, quesadillas and nachos.
The Oasis at Joe Pool Lake is open for lunch and dinner daily. It’s 1½ miles east of Texas 360; 817-640-7676, theoasisrestaurant.com.
More Fred’s farewell
The farewell month at the central-city location of Fred’s Texas Cafe continues with the return of chef’s specials Saturdays through Dec. 24.
On Dec. 21, Fred’s will welcome current and former employees, customers and friends for a farewell party with a pig roast. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish, dessert or canned goods.
Lost in November
The two December closings add to a list of November shutdowns:
▪ Samson’s Market Bistro, a small Ethiopian restaurant, closed on Camp Bowie Boulevard.
▪ The Los Vaqueros Restaurant location on South University Drive closed to make way for Vibe Taco, which will include some Los Vaqueros menu items. Other Los Vaqueros locations remain open in north Fort Worth and Willow Park.
▪ South University Drive locations of East Hampton Sandwich Co. and Zoes Kitchen closed to make way for restaurants that have not yet been announced.
▪ The Heim Barbecue location on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas was damaged in a fire and remains under repair.
This story was originally published November 30, 2021 at 8:52 AM.
