Westfork is our series exploring the dining culture of Fort Worth and its surroundings.
I know a gal--for anonymity's sake we'll call her "Martha"--who finished her holiday shopping and baking and wrapping weeks ago.
My hatred for her perfection burns with the fury of a thousand suns.
I--like 95% of the population, probably you included--have not come close to finishing my holiday to do list. In fact, I haven't even started. I could say it's my iron will to avoid the juvenile tug-of-war that breaks out over $9 toaster ovens at 5 a.m. on Black Friday but in reality, it's because I'm lazy.
And I spend too much time thinking about food.
For me, fighting the masses in the food court simply does not work. But I could probably be lured into the maddening rush by the promise of a good snack, before and/or after my shopping hell.
And so as I make my list and check it twice (and plot ways to get the best parking spot along the way), I've also compiled my list of good bites near the major Tarrant County shopping areas.
Southlake Town Square
Thai Chili (215 Grand Avenue, Southlake) is the place for spice, in
case fighting over the last Wii wasn't exciting enough. The Chicken
Coconut Soup is a standout dish with its blend of spicy heat and
cooling coconut milk. Pad Thai follows the basic formula with a healthy
portion size. Service can be spotty, but compared to holiday checkout
lines, one would hardly notice.
Brio Tuscan Grille (1431 Plaza Place, Southlake) changes the menu
seasonally, a nice touch for a chain restaurant. Dining in the bar can
sometimes yield quicker service--as well as better cougar watching
(yes, we have them in Fort Worth, too)--but this is not the place to
duck into for a twenty minute meal but rather an end-of-shopping day
victory lap and glass of wine. Mushroom Ravioli al Forno is baked
comfort food for cold weather and the Sliced Steak Bruschetta is the
heartiest of the many bruschetta and flatbread options on the menu.
Northeast Mall
Italianni's (1601 Precinct Line, Hurst) is a hidden secret tucked about
a mile from the snarling traffic nightmare that surrounds the mall. The
Stuffed Mushrooms are a long-time favorite of mine with their blend of
herbs, sausage, and cheese as is the buttery Shrimp Scampi. The peach
bellinis and soothing Sinatra will take the edge off even the most
frazzled shopper.
Abuelo's (824 Airport Freeway) delivers what many frazzled shoppers
need most: an array of margaritas. The Los Mejores de la Casa (or "best
of the house") presents a side-by-side of two of the savoriest items in
the house--bacon wrapped filet and bacon wrapped shrimp. For a lighter
snack, the Layered Dip (creamy queso, guacamole, beans, and taco beef)
is a wonderful cocktail accompaniment.
Hulen Mall
Sushi Tao (4954 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth) runs lunch specials
that allow for more choice than the typical bento box. Diners can pick
from a list of various rolls (choice of two--and yes, Fort Worth can do
sushi) along with salad and soup for a mere $7.95. The Sesame Wakame
seaweed salad is solid portion.
Rosa's Café Tortilla Factory (5000 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth) is
the drive-thru option for
in-the-car-dining-before-it's-banned-by-Congress on the way to the mall
or while rushing home to wrap presents. Husk-on tamales help fake
Christmas cooking duty for those who like tradition. Crispy beef tacos
are stuffed with beef (and ooze just a bit of grease for that authentic
touch). Tortillas are available by the dozen and warm sopapillas make a
good substitute for the holiday cookies you forgot to bake for that
party in the neighborhood.
Ridgmar Mall
Tommy's Hamburgers (2701 Green Oaks Road, Fort Worth) is no-fuss,
no-frills burgers for the masses. The Green Oaks menu is slightly
abbreviated from that at the other Westside locations, but includes not
only a variety of basic burgers, but also crispy fried catfish and
chicken fried steak. I prefer the fried okra and corn nuggets as a
substitute to fries that can be too limp. The basic grilled cheese will
please even the pickiest backseat shopping assistant.
New York Joe's Pizza and Pasta (520 Alta Mere Blvd, Fort Worth)
delivers basic New York style pizza--the kind where the slices are so
big they require two hands--quickly and simply. This is a no-frills
joint where pizza and red-sauce Italian dishes rule the menu. Spaghetti
and meatballs and loaded pizza slices are the go-to dishes but staff
suggestions are rarely misses.
With this much eating to do, I can probably be prodded out of my chair
and off to the mall, reluctant to stand in-line for that Snuggie for
the dreaded cousin in the gift exchange (won't she regret that Jean
Nate bath set from a few years back?!), but secure in my knowledge that
a good meal awaits to bring on my Christmas slumber.
