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The Fort Worth Heatmap: Where to Eat This Fall

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Welcome to the fall edition of the Fort Worth Heatmap, wherein you ask, "Where should I eat in Fort Worth?" and we answer, "here," "here," and ah yes, also "here."

Additions to the fall map include Billy's Oak Acres Barbecue, a new barbecue spot in an old barbecue spot; Little Red Wasp, the more casual cousin to the upscale Grace; The Bearded Lady, where everything is battered in beer; and Venezuelan fast-casual spot Sol de Luna.

IN: Bearded Lady, Billy's Oak Acres Barbecue, Little Red Wasp, Max's Wine Dive, Sol de Luna
OUT: Campisi's, Elote Mexican Kitchen, Magnolia Cheese Co., Red Door Bistro, Waters Coastal Cuisine

Got a suggestion for a restaurant you think deserves to be added to — or deleted from— the next Heatmap edition? Drop us a line or leave a comment below.

Heatmap History

Summer 2013
Added: BBQ on the Brazos, Elote Mexican Kitchen, Salsa Limon, Pacific Table
Removed: Clearfork Food Park, Lee's Grilled Cheese, Ryan's Fine Grocer & Deli

Spring 2013
Added: Waters, Enchiladas Ole, Red Door Bistro, Campisi's
Removed: Torchy's Tacos, Reservoir, Fred's Texas Cafe


—Malcolm Mayhew

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

BBQ on Brazos

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Longtime North Texas barbecuer/chef John Sanford is serving dynamite barbecue out of a gas station in Cresson. Crusty brisket and snappy beef sausage are terrific, but load up on the sides, too, like the cilantro slaw and sweet 'n messy cornbread salad.

Enchiladas Olé

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First time at restaurant bat, and Mary Perez hits it out of the park with this little 'chilada dive. Food is more authentic than fancy, with an emphasis on sauces. Must tries: the enmoladas, chicken enchiladas with verde sauce and old-school red enchiladas.

Little Lilly Sushi

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Recently awarded four stars by the Dallas Morning News, tiny west side Japanese resto run by chef Jesus Garcia, whose menu changes more more by his imagination than by season. Pray you’re there when he’s doing his duck and oyster okonomiyaki. Order a California roll, we don’t know you.

Pacific Table

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This charming new resto in the University Park Village is headed up by chef Felipe Armenta, best known for serving forward-thinking Ameri-Tex at Tavern on Hulen St. Here, in this airy, handsome spaced lined with cedar wood, he pays tribute to California cuisine, zeroing in on fresh sushi, fish and oysters. Can't beat the tuna on rye.

Revolver Taco Lounge

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Authentic Mex Mex served in a classy, white table-clothed environment. Corn tortillas made in-house, as you watch. On weekend nights, look for Revolver’s new sidewalk taquiza, a build-your-own-taco stand pushing $2 tacos.

Rodeo Goat Ice House

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The Wynne family (Flying Saucer, Meddlesome Moth) entered the burger biz with this West 7th b-joint, housed in an old candy factory. Clever toppings and housemade sauces are great but the real sweethearts of this Rodeo are the juicy patties, ground daily in-house. Killer patio and brews, too.

Salsa Limon

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What a cool location for siblings Milo and Rosalia Ramirez's first standalone Salsa Limon: in an historic "streamline moderne" building from '47. As with their food trucks and La Gran Plaza mall storefront, you'll find a good mix of gringo and non-gringo tacos - fajita, barbacoa, tongue and intestines -- along with quesadillas, agua fresca and squealy TCU students.

Woodshed Smokehouse

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Tim Love's ode to campfire cooking remains one of the top tables in the city, and it's not just barbecue: there's also turkey tamales, smoked Brussel sprouts and, for breakfast, the "Sandwich," a two-fisted taco filled with a tenderloin patty, pickled chiles, an over easy egg and lamb bacon. Tim effing rules.

The Bearded Lady

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New on the Near Southside in a beautifully restored 1920s home, a craft beer pub whose food is made with, what else, craft beer. A good choice: beer-battered cactus, made with craft beer. And don't forget to order a craft beer!

Billy's Oak Acres BBQ

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Long-standing rustic cue joint recently taken over by ex-Grady Spears cook Billy Woodrich, who smokes ribs, brisket and sausage over pecan in a 50-year-old pit. Desserts come courtesy of another Spears expatriate, Susan Eddins; her buttermilk pie will out-mom your mom’s.

Little Red Wasp

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Outfitted with 'vette-red chairs to match the downtown resto's name, the more casual sibling of nearby fine dining palace Grace serves a mean $12 crispy chicken sandwich and an even meaner "Little Red Wasp" drink that does, in fact, sting.

Max's Wine Dive

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Texas chain opens Fort Worth locale in So7 area, touting jalapeno fried chicken, walls and walls of wine and a jukebox blaring songs that everyone sings along to. Nice touch: Friday brunch.

Sol De Luna

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New fast-casual spot in TCU area pays homage to Venezuelan cuisine, with an excellent chicken and avocado arepa and crisp tostones. Have the huge pepito sandwich and your day’s as good as done.

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BBQ on Brazos

Longtime North Texas barbecuer/chef John Sanford is serving dynamite barbecue out of a gas station in Cresson. Crusty brisket and snappy beef sausage are terrific, but load up on the sides, too, like the cilantro slaw and sweet 'n messy cornbread salad.

Enchiladas Olé

First time at restaurant bat, and Mary Perez hits it out of the park with this little 'chilada dive. Food is more authentic than fancy, with an emphasis on sauces. Must tries: the enmoladas, chicken enchiladas with verde sauce and old-school red enchiladas.

Little Lilly Sushi

Recently awarded four stars by the Dallas Morning News, tiny west side Japanese resto run by chef Jesus Garcia, whose menu changes more more by his imagination than by season. Pray you’re there when he’s doing his duck and oyster okonomiyaki. Order a California roll, we don’t know you.

Pacific Table

This charming new resto in the University Park Village is headed up by chef Felipe Armenta, best known for serving forward-thinking Ameri-Tex at Tavern on Hulen St. Here, in this airy, handsome spaced lined with cedar wood, he pays tribute to California cuisine, zeroing in on fresh sushi, fish and oysters. Can't beat the tuna on rye.

Revolver Taco Lounge

Authentic Mex Mex served in a classy, white table-clothed environment. Corn tortillas made in-house, as you watch. On weekend nights, look for Revolver’s new sidewalk taquiza, a build-your-own-taco stand pushing $2 tacos.

Rodeo Goat Ice House

The Wynne family (Flying Saucer, Meddlesome Moth) entered the burger biz with this West 7th b-joint, housed in an old candy factory. Clever toppings and housemade sauces are great but the real sweethearts of this Rodeo are the juicy patties, ground daily in-house. Killer patio and brews, too.

Salsa Limon

What a cool location for siblings Milo and Rosalia Ramirez's first standalone Salsa Limon: in an historic "streamline moderne" building from '47. As with their food trucks and La Gran Plaza mall storefront, you'll find a good mix of gringo and non-gringo tacos - fajita, barbacoa, tongue and intestines -- along with quesadillas, agua fresca and squealy TCU students.

Woodshed Smokehouse

Tim Love's ode to campfire cooking remains one of the top tables in the city, and it's not just barbecue: there's also turkey tamales, smoked Brussel sprouts and, for breakfast, the "Sandwich," a two-fisted taco filled with a tenderloin patty, pickled chiles, an over easy egg and lamb bacon. Tim effing rules.

The Bearded Lady

New on the Near Southside in a beautifully restored 1920s home, a craft beer pub whose food is made with, what else, craft beer. A good choice: beer-battered cactus, made with craft beer. And don't forget to order a craft beer!

Billy's Oak Acres BBQ

Long-standing rustic cue joint recently taken over by ex-Grady Spears cook Billy Woodrich, who smokes ribs, brisket and sausage over pecan in a 50-year-old pit. Desserts come courtesy of another Spears expatriate, Susan Eddins; her buttermilk pie will out-mom your mom’s.

Little Red Wasp

Outfitted with 'vette-red chairs to match the downtown resto's name, the more casual sibling of nearby fine dining palace Grace serves a mean $12 crispy chicken sandwich and an even meaner "Little Red Wasp" drink that does, in fact, sting.

Max's Wine Dive

Texas chain opens Fort Worth locale in So7 area, touting jalapeno fried chicken, walls and walls of wine and a jukebox blaring songs that everyone sings along to. Nice touch: Friday brunch.

Sol De Luna

New fast-casual spot in TCU area pays homage to Venezuelan cuisine, with an excellent chicken and avocado arepa and crisp tostones. Have the huge pepito sandwich and your day’s as good as done.

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