Eats Beat

Steakhouses in the Fort Worth Stockyards: Who’s new, who’s in — and who’s shockingly out

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Two new restaurants are coming to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

But two much-publicized restaurants are now out.

A new Los Vaqueros will open in mid-July at 2513 Rodeo Plaza. That replaces the current location, which will close June 30.

Then a completely new restaurant is expected to open as part of a project in the former Vaqueros location, 2629 N. Main St.

But cancel Cowboy Prime, a much-anticipated prime steakhouse in Mule Alley from TV chef Graham Elliot.

The new Los Vaqueros will be in the Exhibits Building with a patio on Rodeo Plaza.
The new Los Vaqueros will be in the Exhibits Building with a patio on Rodeo Plaza. City of Fort Worth

Executive Felipe Armenta of Far Out Restaurants, the company behind six local restaurants such as the Tavern, Pacific Table and Le Margot, said the company will not go ahead with plans to open its second Cowboy Prime. The first opened in 2022 in Midland to five-star reviews.

The decision leaves Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, 2406 N. Main St., and now-remodeling Cattlemen’s Steak House, 2458 N. Main St., atop the Stockyards steak world.

They’re followed by the reopened Brand Room, a cozy saloon; H3 Ranch in the Stockyards Hotel; 97 West Kitchen & Bar in the Hotel Drover; Provender Hall in Mule Alley; Riscky’s Steakhouse, designed in 1959 by an art director from Disney Studios; and the newly revamped Star Cafe & Cocktails.

The newer of two colorful dining rooms at Riscky’s Steakhouse.
The newer of two colorful dining rooms at Riscky’s Steakhouse. Handout photo

Another new restaurant is licensed, but has yet to take shape at 204 W. Exchange Ave. That’s the former Horseshoe Hill Cafe, now owned by “Yellowstone” producer Taylor Sheridan’s investors.

His company also owns Cattlemen’s and will add a patio as part of a $3 million remodeling.

So there’s no shortage of steaks in the Stockyards. If you haven’t gone for dinner or Sunday lunch lately, make plans.

Father’s Day is June 16, and the Major League Baseball draft is July 14 in Cowtown Coliseum.

Also canceled: a location of the Arizona-based Lone Spur Cafe boozy-breakfast restaurants that was planned in the Exhibits Building. That space will become Los Vaqueros.

Cattlemen’s Steak House in the Stockyards.
Cattlemen’s Steak House in the Stockyards. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram archives

When Los Vaqueros’ new location was announced, owner Vicki Cisneros immediately dealt with the No. 1 question from her customers and everyone considering lunch or dinner in the Stockyards:

“Where do we park?”

Los Vaqueros will offer free parking Sundays through Thursdays in the Billy Bob’s Texas parking lot, she said. That’s a block away across Stockyards Boulevard.

The restaurant will offer golf-cart rides if needed.

The lunchtime sunlight shining into Lonesome Dove Western Bistro.
The lunchtime sunlight shining into Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

On Friday and Saturday night, she said, the restaurant wants to offer customers free valet parking in a driveway on North Main Street.

Cowtown Coliseum offers free or discount parking if you sign up for the Stockyards Heritage email club at cowtowncoliseum.com.

Valet parking is also offered for $15 weeknights, $20 weekends outside the Mule Alley gate at 122 E. Exchange Ave., near Shake Shack.

This story was originally published May 16, 2024 at 5:30 AM.

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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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