Dos Molinas

When was the last time you entered a restaurant only to be confronted by a Fort Worth SWAT team member?  You learn one of two things when this happens.  You're either about to get shot in a fire fight.  Or the more likely explanation is that the officer is picking up an order.  And many of you are already aware that our local law enforcement folks know some of the best places to eat - those down and dirty hole in the walls that most are afraid to try. 

A Revival Perhaps?

We've been through this revival thing before but lets see if it sticks this time. 

 

So often the question comes up, "have you found any new restaurants?".  These questions come from loving people who know but clearly don't read this blog - because they would know the answer.  Posting has been slow as adventuresome eating has been slow.  Finding new restaurants becomes a challenge when you have so many you love and only so many meals to eat in a day.  The adventuresomenessity has been on hold for ....

 

Until now. 

 

Dos Molinas. It's on 25th Street just north of the stockyards, tucked back into a little neighborhood you probably don't visit often. The breakfasts are filling and delicious. And Fort Worth has a SWAT team that likes the food. More to come.

 

But until the Dos Molinas post arrives I wanted to touch back on a few older post that will get you back in the reading spirit.

 

Most Controversial Post

Although the review of Spiral Diner initially had some vegans gnawing at their non-GMO, locally made, hemp bits in anger, it was the Letter to Benitos that really got a firestorm going.  I still get comments today about my complaint of no chips.  Turns out I was right as they caved. 

 

On the free chip note, Salsa Fuego is trying to lure old Benitos fans as they now charge for chips and salsa.  I was a huge fan at first (before it was cool to like SF).  But their insistence on hiring horrible servers, then raising all of their prices, then still not getting food out in a timely manner stopped me from going for a long time.  A recent trip revealed the new chip policy and I almost posted from my phone to see if we could get a new free-chip-comment war going.  But alas, I don't know how to post from my phone.  Luckily the food was still good.  Unfortunately, the service still lacks.  But Carlos is looking to move up to the Golden Dragon spot just north of him so maybe he'll be able to get things ordered properly in a larger space.  Best of luck to him in the new space. 

 

Why Not?

There are two posts that I always get comments about and thought some of you might have missed them.  The first is actually a story about a non-Fort Worth restaurant hidden in a Fort Worth  Restaurant Post.  My trip to Montgomery Street Cafe prompted a memory of my trip to Jean's Feed Barn in Cross Plains.  It's interesting only as a point of knowing what a bad person I and the people I associate with are.

 

Second, involves a growing up story if you will.  An opportunity presented itself and, well, just read about becoming a man.

 

Bittersweet Memories

With Verve Pipe playing in the background we remember the goat party that never was at Caro's.  Though the food was over-priced and less than good, the dream still lives on.  We should also never forget Fuzzy's.  I know it isn't gone, but its gone to hell.  Remember when the tacos were full of ingredients and there was only one location instead of one on every corner? 

 

Favorite Restaurant

Naming a favorite restaurant is like picking your favorite kid right?  Everybody has one but you can't shout it out because the other kid may be the one that ultimately decides which home you go into so you stay quiet to preserve unity but also to keep the opportunity to stay at the Stayton instead of a mobile home with no steps out front, parked on a vacant lot by a river somewhere.

 

 

We're back online now and I hope you will return with me to the journey of exploring the unique restaurants that make the Fort just that much better than....well you know.

 

Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival 2013

According to Fort Worth Weekly, the organizers of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival have set a date for the event.  They also put out a new website with more detailed information. 

First things first - clear March 27-30....2014..... on your calendar.  We're still hoping that's a typo but its probably not.  Considering that John Bonnell is one of the main organizers and he's also opening a new restaurant, Waters, soon in the West 7th area, we'll probably waiting another year.

From the looks of people involved it looks like the right folks are working to make this a great event. 

Mijo's Fusion

Mexican-Asian Fusion? 

Chopsticks and Taco Trucks?  Salsa and soy sauce? 

Egg rolls and burritos...spicy peppers...rice....

Black Rooster Bakery

Fort Worth has seen an influx of bakeries in the last few years and I am one of those who hopes the trend continues.  Especially if we keep getting places like the Black Rooster Bakery.

FW Weekly Best Of

The Fort Worth Weekly has published its 2012 Best Of winners this week.  Normally at this time of year, for the past five years, I sit down to write a post lambasting the readers of the FW Weekly for filling the Best Of food categories with chains.  But all has changed.  The Best Of awards now include a section for chain restaurants.  After congratulating Jersey Mikes, Qdoba and Taco Bell, they then get down to the business of real restaurants for the rest of us.  Its definitely worth a read if you want to find some new places to try out.  I've already found some new locations that will show up here in the future.

Unfortunately, for five years, I have also been snubbed.  For those of you that don't know, Fort Worth Hole In The Wall is the number one food blog in Fort Worth with a name that uses more than five words.  It's also number one in the category of "Most Anonymously Written Food Blog", "Mostest Poorly Ritten Food Blog", and "Failure To Adapt To New Technologies Blog".  Yet this recognition goes unrecognitioned each year. 

Well, at least Macaroni Grill is no longer included as "Best Italian Food".

Bonnell's New Restaurant - Waters

John Bon "Jovi" nell is coming to West 7th and hopefully by the beginning of next year.  This is great news for fans of his signature restaurant, Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine.  And he's completely cool with the Bon Jovi comparisons.

Waters will focus on his coastal seafood recipes and will include an Oyster Bar in the old Bailey's spot in the West 7th development.  If your'e one an elite Star-Telegram subscriber, click here for more information from Bud Kennedy.  Or just keep reading here for free and ignore paying the Star-Telegram Internet Gods.

If the article isn't available, worry not, for I have obtained an exclusive interview with the world famous, home grown John Bonnell*: 

FWHITW:  John, what is it about Fort Worth that drew you here?
John Bon-Jovi-nell:  Well, I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride.

FWHITW:  Absolutely.  Why did you decide to open Waters?
John Bon-Jovi-nell:  Its my life.  Its now or never.  I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive.

FWHITW:  Do you have an idea of who'll be your main sous chef or other important staff?
John Bon-Jovi-nell:  Tommy and Gina.  He used to work on the docks.  But the unions been on strike, he's down on his luck, its tough.  So tough.  And Gina used to work at a diner all day so she knows the restaurant business.

If you haven't been to Bonnell's restaurant on the south side of town then you're missing out.  Chef Bonnell is acclaimed throughout the country for his technique and style.  He has become well known for his focus on using local and seasonal products to provide the best taste and highest level of freshness.  But he's equally well known for his wild game.  Anybody who has enjoyed his elk tenderloin knows what I'm talking about.

This is a great restaurant for the West 7th area and should be a huge hit with the users of the Will Rogers Coliseum (stock show, cutting horse competitors, etc.).  Although it will be far from a hole in the wall, its one of our local chefs showing his chops and helping out the thriving West 7th area.

More information will be coming if Chef Bonnell reads this and decides to provide alternative answers to the questions above.

* This interview may not have actually happened.

Weekend Fun - Diez y Seis de Septiembre

As you all already know, September 16 (sunday) is the anniversary of the day impoverished Mexicans began their uprising for freedom from Spain.  This was part of what the old world called, the "American Spring" in which numerous countries revolted after learning of other nearby revolutions through the early form of twitter (which explains the 40+ year delay).  Though many here celebrate Cinco de Mayo due to its distance between major holidays and generally good patio weather, this is the real deal for celebrating Mexican Independence.  

Bud Kennedy has a great write up in the Star-Telegram today about three restaurants that are celebrating the anniversary.  All of them are west side restaurants and all but one of them are terrific.

My new favorite, Revolver Taco Lounge, one my old favorites, Lanny's Alta Cocina Mexicana, and my non-favorite, Hacienda San Miguel all have prepared special menus that celebrate Diez y Seis de Septiembre.  For details on the menu check out Bud's article here. 

If you get a chance to check out one of the restaurants over the weekend and try the menu, let us all know how it came out. 

Revolver Taco Lounge

For months I would drive by the little Revolver Taco Lounge restaurant that was hidden between the Magee architect's office and a place that sold what looked to be stone yard art.  It never really stuck out but I knew it was there.  I never intended to stop because I couldn't figure out where to park and my interest wasn't piqued enough to care. 

Look, there's a table waiting for you.

Leah's Sweet Treats

A new cupcakery is in town to challenge the duopoly held by Cupcake Cottage and J. Raes.  And from this investigative reporter's initial visit, Leah's Sweet Treats is a valid contender.  Many people don't know that the Cupcake industry is run by the mafia.  Here in the Fort we have two long-standing families that rule the cupcakery world with fluted fists.  Hopefully the resulting cupcake wars don't destroy the tranquility of the west side.

Shinjuku Station

What do you think when you go to a sushi restaurant and the waiter says "we're not you're standard sushi joint -we're more traditional"?  Then what do you think when he says, "we don't have the rolls with avocado, cream cheese and the deep fried rolls"?  Like most, you probably think, "well, lets see if they have some chicken fingers on the menu."

Brownstone Kitchen+Bar

I wish I had reviewed Brownstone after my first two trips there.  Now I don't have many good things to say about the place. 

Originally, Brownstone was opened by Chef Casey Thompson in her hangover of Top Chef fame.  Chef Casey, as I call her, opened Brownstone Kitchen+Bar a couple years ago and it received great reviews.  The theme was southern but she focused on local foods and everything was prepared in house.  Late last year, Chef Casey announced she was leaving Brownstone because she couldn't handle Fort Worth's awesomeness.  Although she was probably never actually at the restaurant, we'll refer to her being there so she can receive the pre-leaving accolades.

Unpaid and Underappreciated Contributors Wanted

I've had a lot of requests over the last few years from people who would like to jump onto my micro-celebrity bandwagon and write a review of a restaurant.  Forever, I've held off because nobody is as awesome and funny as me.  Then I read some of my old reviews and was humbled by the insipidness and poor writing.

With that being said, if you are interested in joining the illustrious ranks of this secretive and elusive group of post-modern patricians, writing the truth regardless of the cost, please email fortworthholeinthewall@yahoo.com.  Put something in the subject line other than "Reply now for rapid rabid sexual performance".

I will still be writing reviews at my slightly irregular interval but this will provide a more consistent blogging atmosphere. 

There are very few rules but they may change without warning and at my whim.  Nothing offensive as determined by me.  No politics, except equal mocking.  I will review and revise as necessary.  And nothing stolen from another blog without inadequate attribution.  You may use your real name or a pen name. 

This blog turned five last month and this will help to keep it young.  Everybody knows five years to a blog is like 75 to a human.  Let me know if you want to help.

Dos Amigos Taqueria

For those of you who are still around wondering if this site is active - congrats!  You're the first people to read the first post of the 5th year of free, loyal community service from Fort Worth Hole In The Wall. 

What good would a Hole In The Wall site be if there wasn't another good Hole In The Wall review?  It would be no good.  So here it is - not a good review - just a review of a good hole.

Cowtown Chow Down

Are you ready for a new food truck park in Fort Worth?  Head out to 1100 North Main Street on Saturday to help out with the grand opening. 

Thanks to DFW.com for the heads up on this and actually doing your job as opposed to some food blogs....

Austin Food & Wine Festival

If you have been thinking, whats up with all this food and wine festiving on the hole blog lately, it means you are perceptive.  And hopefully you are also intrigued enough to help spread the word about the future of Fort Worth's own festival - but more on that later. 

Food and Wine Festivals

After mentioning the Austin Food & Wine Festival, which starts today, it became apparent that a movement had begun in Fort Worth for our very own Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival.  I'll be attending the Austin festival to provide reconnaissance for the Fort Worth Festival Founders.  It should be a great time and will hopefully inspire some other local people who are headed down to help push for a similar Festival in Fort Worth. 

If you haven't seen the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival Facebook page, check it out.  They are just getting started and probably could use some help.  This would be great way (other than this blog) to showcase the unique and local restaurants and chefs here in Fort Worth.  And who wouldn't love an event that allows them to walk around and eat and drink all day? 

If you oppose this, you might as well be from dallas or Iowa.  If you support it and love America, check out the Facebook page for the Future Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival and spread the word.

Cowtown Farmers Market to Downtown

The Star-Telegram is reporting that the Cowtown Farmers Market is going downtown this Thursday from 10-2. The market will be set up at Federal Plaza which is located at 1000 Throckmorton.

This is a one-time deal so for those of you who have been hoping for a downtown market, now is the time to show your support.  I'm a fan of this because going out to the traffic circle always makes me want to go to Salsa Fuego and going to Salsa Fuego so much makes my pants not fit as well. 

We're approaching the time when the Farmers Market has some of its best stuff so check it out.

Curly's Frozen Custard

Did you know that Curly's is actually a bastion of chef prepared, locally sourced food?  Neither did I, until recently.

Austin Food & Wine Festival

For those of you who view this site that consider themselves Foodies, listen up.  It's time to get tickets to the Austin Food & Wine Festival, April 27-29th. 

Chefs from all over the nation will be attending and if you're a Top Chef fan, you will probably recognize many of the names.  For those of you who watched this season, which was filmed in Texas, this may be of particular interest to you.  Paul Qui, winner of the Texas season and Austin based chef will be there, along with our very own Tim Love.  There are some other chefs from the metroplex attending as well. 

I don't know what that is but it looks delicious.  Presumably all attendees get to lick that cutting board.

Personally, I think we could use even more local hole in the wall restaurants and if some of those are from top quality chefs focusing on great ingredients, that wouldn't be so bad.

This festival is taking place just south of downtown Austin and should be a pretty good time for anybody attending.  Which begs the questions, why don't we have something like this in Fort Worth?  We've got our very own Tim Love - why can't he pimp our little Fort out?  I'm sure when he reads this he'll be compelled to do exactly that.  In fact, he'll probably take this on as his post-Woodshed challenge.

If you're interested in more info, check out their website - Austin Food and Wine Festival.