FLAVOURS OF DALLAS & FORT WORTH
It’s been a while between tequila shots and margaritas in the Lone Star state of Texas for MiNDFOOD’s Editor-in-Chief Michael McHugh. As he returns to Fort Worth and Dallas, he discovers the food scene is more than just great barbecue.
It’s been quite a while between tequila shots and margaritas in the Lone Star state of Texas for MiNDFOOD’s Editor-in-Chief, Michael McHugh. But as he returns to Dallas and Fort Worth, he discovers the food scene is so much more than just great barbecue and Tex Mex. Eating out now has a conscience, and a world-class dollop of culture – plus there’s also an extraordinary range of local craft beer to choose from.
Much has changed. There seems to be a different energy here in DFW – the Dallas-Fort Worth cities of Texas. Sure, it still has that wonderful, wide open space feel, where the huge billowing sky rolls into the land and seems to never end – and it goes without saying the people are as friendly as ever. But the connection between the cities is more accessible, with the new TEXRail commuter train connecting Fort Worth to the airport. The DFW airport sits right in the middle of both cities, so access is easy. Of course you can also hire a car to get around, but personally I think the best way to travel is by Uber. These cities have very large footprints, offering very different neighbourhood experiences and food and shopping options. All the locals drive when they want to get anywhere, and everything is spread out – with much more land to develop.
As I start my trip, it seems Downtown Dallas has changed the most, with newly renovated hotels like the ultra-cool Adolphus taking a key position in the CBD. Swoon The Studio’s cool redesign has really taken the hip factor up a notch – I even had a haircut in the lobby. But the area has also seen new restaurants, cafés and shops open – which are changing the feeling of this inner city completely.
Fort Worth too has had new areas open up, like The Foundry District – where young entrepreneurs and sisters Jessica and Susan Warman are creating community spaces for events and pop-ups. Across the road, there’s Thrive Apothecary – a shop owned by husband-and-wife team Trey Phillips and Dr Lisa Gardner-Phillips. It specialises in CBD oil, derived from all-natural high-quality industrial hemp. They sell enriched edibles; wellness oils; hair, skin and body lines; and ranges for pets, and are bringing diversity and the latest trends to this part of the city. The Warman sisters are also involved with the $175 million development of the Stockyards, an old favourite tourist area of bars, restaurants and shops that bring Cowtown to life.
Eateries like Taste Community Restaurant in Fort Worth and Café Momentum in Dallas are giving back to the community, and bringing new thinking around non-profit dining experiences. There’s the old favourites like Bailey’s Bar-B-Que attracting the same local crowds, while across town in West Magnolia Avenue Heim Barbecue serves mouth-watering Texan barbecue alongside an enormous range of whiskeys and craft beers. Originally started as a food truck run by young couple Travis and Emma Heim, it’s now the go-to barbecue joint for both locals and visitors to Fort Worth. And then there’s Mexican at Beto & Son in Trinity Groves, another collection of extraordinary dining experiences. Beto & Son’s Liquid Nitrogen Margarita is part of the Margarita Mile – a cocktail crawl of the best and brightest margaritas in Dallas.
A TASTE OF TEXAS
You can experience your own taste of Texas at Meatstock. The festival will be held in Sydney from 4-5 May at Sydney Showground, Olympic Park. Tickets are available online at tickets.meatstock.com.au. Make sure you come and say ‘howdy’ and visit the Dallas Fort Worth stand.