What You Missed This Week on FTW Foodies

Happy Friday, Foodies! Fort Worth’s dining scene is buzzing with new flavors, local legends, and a few surprises you’ll want to add to your must-try list. Whether you’re here for the latest openings, a hot restaurant tip, or just in it for the group’s wild food debates (seriously, y’all have OPINIONS about chile relleno), you’re in the right place.

You might notice a few new sections this week—shout-outs, chef spotlights, and more ways to discover what’s fresh around town. Got feedback or a foodie tip? Hit reply! I read every single note.

🦄 Hot Restaurant: Walloon’s Restaurant is making waves on the Near Southside with chef Marcus Paslay’s Gulf Coast-inspired menu—think fried oysters Rockefeller, Louisiana barbecue shrimp, and redfish beignets. After a wild year (including bouncing back from a car crashing into the building!), Walloon’s is back and better than ever.

🎉 Recently Opened: Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza just landed on North Tarrant Parkway, bringing their famous 72-hour dough and creative pies like the Matteo 2.0 (Italian sausage, jalapeños, onions) to Fort Worth. If you’re ready to level up your pizza game, this is your next stop.

👋 Community Shout-Out: Big love to Taste Community Restaurant, Fort Worth’s nonprofit, pay-what-you-can spot that just launched a new spring menu. Chef Jeff Williams and his team are all about feeding everyone—no matter what’s in your wallet—and the new dishes (like Spring Hash and Eggs and Strawberry Salad) are getting rave reviews from locals.

👨‍🍳 Chef Spotlight

Chef Kevin Martinez – Tokyo Cafe & Yatai Food Kart
Kevin M. is a Fort Worth favorite, known for his creative Japanese-inspired dishes at Tokyo Cafe and his Yatai Food Kart food truck. He’s also a community hero, organizing meal distributions and collaborating with other chefs (like Paco’s Mexican Cuisine) to bring innovative mashups—think Birria Ramen—to the city. His story is all about creativity, community, and honoring culinary roots

👀 Popular This Week

Best Chile Relleno

Chuck N. asked the group for their go-to spot for chile relleno, and Joe T. Garcia’s and Benito’s came out on top as the most beloved spots for this cheesy classic. Honorable mentions went to Rio Mambo and Abuelo’s, but the debate is still sizzling! See the full thread.

Partons Pizza Experience

Sid K. took his kiddo on a 30-minute drive to Partons Pizza after seeing all the hype in the group, and said it was absolutely worth it for the old-school thin crust and unbeatable value. If you love classic pizza joints, Partons is a must-try—and don’t miss the bacon and tomato specialty! See the full thread.

Best Catfish Spot

Melayna M. shared a drool-worthy photo of her catfish plate, sparking a flood of comments from locals eager to try it and vouching for the spot’s cornbread and 10/10 flavor. If you’re craving crispy catfish, this post has the whole group planning their next meal! See the full thread.

Del Campo Empanadas Love

Felina F. raved about Del Campo Empanadas, calling their beef classic and guava cream cheese pastries “to die for” and promising to take some home for supper. Group members agreed: this is a can’t-miss spot for seriously delicious empanadas. See the full thread.

HEB Seafood Boil Opinions

Destiny C. asked if HEB’s seafood boils are worth it, and the group consensus was mixed—many suggested skipping it and heading to Terrebone’s or The Crab Station for a more flavorful seafood experience. Lots of helpful tips and alternatives in the comments! See the full thread.

Sourced from Fort Worth Foodies FB community

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📢 Upcoming Events in Fort Worth

Chase Rice at Billy Bob’s Texas

April 18, 2025, 10:00 PM
Country music fans, this one’s for you! Catch Chase Rice live at the legendary Billy Bob’s in the Stockyards for a night of boot-stomping fun.
📍 Billy Bob’s Texas
💰 Tickets required

🦋 Butterflies in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Step into a world of color at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s beloved Butterflies in the Garden exhibit, happening now through April 30! Wander through the lush Rainforest Conservatory as thousands of exotic butterflies from around the globe flutter all around you—including the dazzling Blue Morpho and other rare beauties from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This is North Texas’ largest live butterfly exhibit, and it’s a magical experience for all ages (kids 5 and under get in free). Timed entry tickets are available every 30 minutes, so you can soak in the sights at your own pace.

📅 Now–April 30, 2025
⏰ 8:00am–5:00pm (last ticket sold at 4pm)
📍 Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd
💰 $0–$22 (kids 5 and under free)
👉 Get tickets and details here
👉 Event info

📢 Foodie Poll