Eats Beat

Mexican restaurant’s world-famous Christmas decoration blowout is getting an update

Campo Verde’s Christmas light show, a 40-year attraction drawing families from across Texas, is getting a new look this year.

The 200,000 lights have been replaced with modern LEDs and the sprawling Tex-Mex restaurant is divided into rooms such as a “Winter Wonderland,” a “Christmas Candyland,” a “North Pole” and a “Peppermint Village.”

The Christmas tree is already up. It has a Budweiser neon above it.

The decorating is about half finished, with the other half open for dining.

New Christmas decorations are underway Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde.
New Christmas decorations are underway Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

The official Christmas season is November through February at Campo Verde, 2918 W. Pioneer Parkway (Spur 303) near Bowen Road.

An “Ice Palace” is hung with white icicle lights.

The restaurant has simpler Tex-Mex food now under new owner Tommy Stewart, a Louisiana pub owner.

The Christmas tree is up Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde.
The Christmas tree is up Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Stewart has added updated menu items such as a spicy salsa verde (try it on chicken enchiladas), a white cheddar queso and a chipotle bacon-jalapeno cheeseburger.

Otherwise, the menu now offers routine fajitas, tacos and enchiladas. Lunches sell for about $9, dinners about $15.

The chips remain the same, with salsa and cheese sauce (or order the white queso).

Campo Verde’s train, above, chugs through new Christmas decorations Sept. 9, 2023.
Campo Verde’s train, above, chugs through new Christmas decorations Sept. 9, 2023. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Right now, Campo Verde is offering $3 street tacos Tuesdays, 2-for-1 burgers Wednesdays and enchilada plates for about $7 Thursdays.

It’s open for lunch and dinner daily except Mondays; 682-259-7154, campoverdedfw.com.

A new “Candy Land” is part of Campo Verde’s Christmas decor, seen Sept. 9, 2023.
A new “Candy Land” is part of Campo Verde’s Christmas decor, seen Sept. 9, 2023. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
New Christmas decorations are goibg up Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde.
New Christmas decorations are goibg up Sept. 9, 2023 at Campo Verde. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com
Chile powder-dusted chips, hot sauce and cheese sauce at Campo Verde Sept. 9, 2023.
Chile powder-dusted chips, hot sauce and cheese sauce at Campo Verde Sept. 9, 2023. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

This story was originally published September 12, 2023 at 5:30 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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