Category: WordCamp DFW Information

Texas and Fort Worth are known for their barbecue. But fear not, our vegetarian and vegan loving fans, there are plenty of options for you to dine out in Cowtown. While barbecue restaurants have been booming across the area, so have vegetarian and vegan places. And for our friends who prefer no meat, there’s no shortage of amazing places to eat.

So with the help of Toni Haste, who gave us the idea for this list, here are five vegetarian and vegan places you might want to try out during your stay in Fort Worth.

Spiral Diner

1314 W Magnolia Ave,
Fort Worth, TX

Spiral Diner has only been serving up vegetarian dishes since 2002, but don’t let that fool you. The diner has now grown to three locations: Dallas, Denton and Fort Worth. And better yet, the Fort Worth location is just a couple of miles away from WordCamp DFW. Oh, and the food is amazing.

“Fort Worth’s quintessential, vegan eatery. Offering healthy, delicious vegan-friendly options like: Spicy, Buffalo Chik’n Nachos, Tofu Scrambles, Pancakes, the ‘Ate’ Layer Burrito, and so much more,” Haste said. “This is a home-town favorite since 2002 and a popular dining spot for veggie and meat eaters alike (though you won’t find any animal products here).”

Rodeo Goat

2836 Bledsoe & Currie
Fort Worth, TX

Don’t let the name fool you; Rodeo Goat is a great place to dine on vegetarian food. Yes, they do serve your more traditional meat burgers, but they offer great vegetarian options that rival their meat brethren. Oh, and it’s location in west Fort Worth is just down the road from WordCamp DFW.

“With over 20 different gourmet burgers (that can be ordered veggie or quinoa patty) and an impressive craft beer selection, Rodeo Goat is a spot not to be missed,” Haste said.

Planet Sub

411 W. 7th St., Ste #100
Ft. Worth, TX

Like Rodeo Goat, Planet Sub offers a menu that’s primarily dominated by meat. But don’t let that get you down. The salads and vegetarian options the restaurant offer are just as good, if not better, than their meat options.

“Offering 4 different gourmet, veggie friendly sub sandwiches including: the Veggie Grinder, the Veggie, the Meatless Masterpiece, and the Tempeh Parmesan,” Haste said.

Lili’s Bistro

1310 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Lili’s Bistro also offers meat options, but offers great vegetarian food as well. They have a whole section of their dinner menu devoted to vegetarian options. But be warned, if you want to stop by for dinner, you’ll likely need to make a reservation to make sure you get in.

“Bistro is fair with generous, tasty menu options including the Quinoa Stuffed Poblano and Big Tempeh Street Tacos, and more,” Haste said. “Separate lunch and dinner services. Great atmosphere, with occasional live music.”

Velvet Taco

2700 W 7th St.
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Who doesn’t love tacos in Texas? Velvet Taco specializes in making unique tacos that you likely won’t see anywhere else. And that includes vegetarian tacos. And all of their food is made from scratch, which gives it that great fresh taste. And the best part? It’s just down the road from WordCamp DFW.

“One of DFW’s favorite taco spots,” Haste said. “Vegetarian options include the famous: Nashville Hot Tofu, Fried Paneer, and Falafel. Open til’ the wee hours of the morning most days.

In Texas, barbecue isn’t something you eat every now and then; it’s a way of life. We love barbecue that’s slowly smoked and doesn’t need to covered in sauce to be eaten. Sausage, brisket and ribs should have their own food pyramid. And we love to debate our favorite barbecue places.

Fort Worth is no longer the end of the line for cattle drives, but it still has great places to chow down on you barbecue favorites. So, here’s our top five barbecue places on the Fort Worth side of town.

Angelo’s

2533 White Settlement Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Established in 1958, Angelo’s consistently ranks among the best barbecue places in the DFW Metroplex. The family recipe passed down from generations features hickory wood and special dry rubs to give it the perfect taste.

Don’t just take our word for it. Nearly 70 local, national and international celebrities have stopped by to try out the barbecue here. And as an added bonus, it’s located just northeast of the UNT Health Science campus, making it the near perfect choice for a meal during your stay. And if you like it enough, you can even have it shipped right to you.

Heim Barbecue & Catering

1109 W Magnolia Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Heim doesn’t have the history or tradition of Angelo’s. Instead, owner Travis started Heim just in 2014 selling barbeque out of a food truck. And in 2016, Heim traded his food truck for a more traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant south of downtown.

But what they lack in history, they make up for in great food and a great atmosphere. Heim serves up all of the traditional barbecue — brisket, sausage and ribs — but you’ll definitely have to try their bacon burnt ends. Make sure you get there early to be able to get a taste of this great start up restaurant.

Riscky’s Barbecue

140 E Exchange Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76164

Located in the heart of the Fort Worth stockyards, Riscky’s Barbecue is so much more than a “tourist trap”. For over 75 years, they’ve been cooking up ribs, chicken and barbecue sandwiches in their famous “Riscky Dust” dry rub.

Riscky’s also has locations in other parts of Fort Worth, including Sundance Square, but the Stockyards location is hands down the best place to chow down on barbeque. Aside from being steps away from the cultural heart of Fort Worth, you’re just steps away from great shopping and entertainments inside the Stockyards complex. It’s dinner and an adventure.

Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ

1700 N Las Vegas Trail
Fort Worth, TX 76108

Billy’s Oak Acres doesn’t have the notoriety that Heim, Angelo’s or Riscky’s have, but that doesn’t mean they don’t cook mean barbecue. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. They serve the typical barbecue, plus they’ve added chicken fried steak, for a more country home feel, and even Tex-Mex. Also, be sure to try the banana pudding before hitting the road. It’s a great place to eat and relax.

Cousin’s BBQ

6262 McCart Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76133

Opened in 1983, Cousin’s is one of the few top barbecue places where sausage is the top item on the menu. Of course, they serve the other barbecue favorites, but their hand made German sausage helps them stand out in the sea of other barbecue places in the DFW area. Located outside of the I-820 loop around Fort Worth, Cousin’s is a bit of a drive, especially for those staying near the UNT Health Science Center, but you’ll find that the sausage here more than makes up for the extended drive.

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s WordCamp DFW held on Nov. 11-12. There are also plenty of opportunities to sponsor the event, speak at the event or help run it. We hope to see you there!

WordPress DFW is the reason you’ll be in Fort Worth in early November, but there’s a whole of places in this city that are worth checking out. From historic to new and relaxing to exciting, Cowtown offers it all. So when you’re not listening to one of our awesome speakers, here are five places you’ll want to check out when you’re in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Stockyards

Fort Worth isn’t known as “Cowtown” for nothing. The historic stockyards located north of downtown no longer process cattle, but there’s still plenty to do. Numerous stores call this area home, selling practically everything western, Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth related. Or dine at any of the restaurants that dot the area that, you guessed it, serve barbecue. Want to have an adventure? Try the 5,400 square foot Cowtown Cattle Pen Maze or ride the mechanical bull. Looking to relax? Take in one of the two daily cattle drives right through the Stockyards. Or you can hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for a leisurely trip down along the Trinity River. The Stockyards have basically anything you could want in Fort Worth.

Stockyards Website

Museum District

Fort Worth made it’s mark with the Stockyards, but that’s not all it has to offer. Just west of downtown marks the museum district with three outstanding museums. The Kimbell Art Museum has been bring outstanding works of art to Tarrant County since 1972. Or you can head over to the National Cowgirl Museum. Established in 2002 after 27 years of trying, the museum tells the story of the women who helped shape the American West and shares their often hidden accomplishments. Or you can check out the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and explore the history and science of the area in neat and interactive ways. And make sure to check out one of the shows in the planetarium or Omni IMAX theater.

Kimbell Art Museum Website

National Cowgirl Museum Website

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Website

Sundance Square

Looking for a good place to spend the night having a good time? Sundance Square has you covered. Located right in the middle of downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square features 21 stores, 34 restaurants and numerous entertainment venues. Sit outside on the plaza and take in the massive mural that celebrates the city’s history along the Chisholm Trail. Or cool off with the jetted fountains.

Sundance Square Website

Water Gardens

Wanting to take a break from stress? Looking for a place to find some peace and quiet? The Fort Worth Water Gardens has just what you need. Despite being located right in downtown, the water gardens’ underground design cancels out the city noise and replaces it with the smooth sound of rushing water. Venture down into the active pool and be surrounding by 38 feet of falling water. Climb up a terraced knoll for a great view of the entire gardens. Or find your inner peace at the blue meditation pool. A trip to the water gardens is definitely the way to take a break.

Fort Worth Water Gardens Website

Coyote Drive-In Theater

Looking for a cool way to end the day? Pull on up to the Coyote Drive-In Theater. A throwback to a time when drive-in theaters were all the rage, the Coyote Drive-In features nightly double features for the whole family to enjoy. But it’s not just the movies that are great. The drive-in features a modern concession stands with plenty of places to sit and live music. Coupled with the crisp November nights, there might not be a better place to spend an evening.

Coyote Drive-In Website