Eats Beat

A west Fort Worth Italian restaurant called it quits after 20 years. Here’s why

A dining room at Fortuna Italian in Fort Worth, which closed July 24, 2022.
A dining room at Fortuna Italian in Fort Worth, which closed July 24, 2022. bud@star-telegram.com

Fortuna restaurant in Fort Worth moving

Hey, Bud! What’s up with Fortuna closing?

—West side readers

Fortuna Italian Restaurant, an affordable Ridglea favorite for 20 years, lost its lease and closed July 24 to relocate, owners Afrim and Nora Ismaili said.

A scrawled message board covered with customers’ sad farewells Sunday included the message: “New location coming soon.”

The Ismailis took over the restaurant, 5837 Camp Bowie Blvd., after founder Raif “Ray” Jumerovski sold it to open a steakhouse and then moved to open Ray’s Italian Bistro in Midland.

Salmon in lemon-butter sauce at Fortuna Italian when it opened in 2002.
Salmon in lemon-butter sauce at Fortuna Italian when it opened in 2002. Jennifer Long Star-Telegram archives
Fortuna Italian opened in 2002 in Fort Worth and closed July 24, 2022.
Fortuna Italian opened in 2002 in Fort Worth and closed July 24, 2022. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
Fortuna’s Camp Bowie Boulevard location closed July 24, 2022, after 20 years.
Fortuna’s Camp Bowie Boulevard location closed July 24, 2022, after 20 years. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Paco’s adds Sunday brunch buffet

Hey, Bud! What was that new taco place downtown?

—Message at facebook.com/diningguy

Paco’s Mexican Cuisine, 156 W. Fourth St. in Sundance Square, is an interior Mexican restaurant with mild sauces, careful preparation, reasonable prices and a wide selection of margaritas.

It also now serves a buffet brunch from 10 a.m. Sundays, when there’s plenty of street or garage parking; 682-224-6368.

A green chicken enchilada plate at Paco’s in Sundance Square.
A green chicken enchilada plate at Paco’s in Sundance Square. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Where to valet-park free downtown

Hey, Bud! It’s hot. Doesn’t anybody downtown still offer a free valet?

—Reader email

The best-kept secret is the 3-hour free valet parking for patrons at Toro Toro in the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth hotel, 200 Main St.

Try the $39 unlimited weekend brunch. Or go for the $49 DFW Restaurant Week menu Aug. 5-Sept. 4, featuring a chimichurri steak or achiote salmon.

A pork chop with chili-adobo marinade is the feature on Toro Toro’s holiday menu.
A pork chop with chili-adobo marinade is the feature on Toro Toro’s holiday menu. Handout photo

This story was originally published July 25, 2022 at 5:45 AM.

Bud Kennedy’s Eats Beat
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat. Support my work with a digital subscription
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