Never been to Ft. Worth before: what can't I miss? (with a limitation)

[silverlakebodhisattva]

Coming into Ft. Worth for several days in October, and I've never been before. I'm interested in knowing what locals favor. One limitation: the Woman In The Hat and I don't eat mammals. Birds, OK, fishes etc., OK, but no mammals. I realize that this limitation cuts us off from almost as much in Ft Worth as it would in Argentina, but there must be SOME local food that's not "beef, beef, and beef, with a side of pork".

We've eaten and liked, Thai, Vietnamese, many Chinese regionals, Japanese, French, Italian, Creole, Cajun, Russian, Uzbek, Turkish, Morrocan, Scottish, Cuban, various Mexican regionals, Tex-Mex. (Can't actually think of a whole cuisine we don't like, though I've heard ugly things about Samoan...) We're not big on natto, shiso, fermented bamboo shoots, mushy peas, the really funky fish sauce that has chucks' o' fis.

What's good, and doesn't require a car, if I'm staying where the ABA is meeting?

[dparis]

I am not impressed with the food. Better Tex-Mex at other Ft Worth restaurants. Overly hyped. Service was not that good either.

-----
Joe T Garcia's Mexican Restaurant
2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX

[twinwillow]

I'd go to Nonna Tata and definitely pass up Joe T's.
Check it out.

-----
Nonna Tata
1400 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104

[loratliff]

Locals? At Joe T's? Yeah, maybe for a margarita, but locals haven't gone there for the food in 10+ years.

If you want some good Mexican, stick to the north side, near Joe T's, but hit up El Asadero or La Playa Maya. La Playa has some great Mexican seafood.

Oh, I know you do eat some meat, but if you like any "fake meat," you'll probably also like the original Spiral Diner on Magnolia. Entirely vegan, but I've eaten there with plenty of non-vegans and they've been very satisfied.

By the way, none of the links/locations it's added here are correct. Both El Asadero and La Playa are on the main drag near the stockyards.

-----
La Playa Maya Restaurant
3205 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, TX 76110

La Playa
202 W Central Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

El Asadero
100 Williams Ave, Cleburne, TX 76033

[OCNC]

Do you think there are 800 tourists there every night? They are locals, because they know what cheese enchiladas are all about.

[PseudoNic]

While I do like Joe T's enchiladas, you really should hit the other places mentioned. El Asadero is authentic and a great bang for the buck (I was there Monday). Whatever you do, don't ask for the "mas picoso" hot sauce. Or do...if you're brave.

-----
El Asadero
100 Williams Ave, Cleburne, TX 76033

[Its Still Mooing]

La Playa Maya has four locations in the area, I believe. The one on Hemphill is where I usually go. I'd have to agree with you on both suggestions.

-----
La Playa Maya Restaurant
3205 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, TX 76110

[PseudoNic]

That is a good one. As mentioned above, there is also a La Playa Maya on N. Main St. This puts you close to both the Stockyards and Sundance Square for doing some tourist-type activities!

-----
La Playa Maya Restaurant
3205 Hemphill St, Fort Worth, TX 76110

Main St Cafe
231 E Main St, Lewisville, TX 75057

[OCNC]

This is easy, Joe T's. They make great Tex Mex in Texas and it is where all the locals go.

[Carrollton Foodie]

I won't get into the debate about the pros and cons of Joe T's, but if you go you must sit outside. The weather in October should be perfection for al fresco dining and their patio is gorgeous.

[vstock]

I would recommend Eddie V's for seafood in Ft. Worth. Our food was wonderful and our service was even better! It is in an area just North of the Stockyards. I'd ask your hotel if they have a shuttle or it should be a quick cab ride away.