City Guide: Fort Worth, TX

When Fort Worth crosses your mind, here's what you should do--pack up the car, put on this playlist and drive until you see the friendly, twinkling lights of Funky Town.

I like to think that Fort Worth is one of the best kept secrets in the southern US. Even with a growing population of 750,000, the city feels as casual and approachable as a small town. But not to worry, there's still plenty to do. Whether you're an art aficionado, coffee enthusiast, cowboy or foodie, Fort Worth offers a little slice of something for everyone. Here's a guide to my favorite places around Cowtown:

EAT

Railhead BBQ 
2900 Montgomery Street
  This is a great casual place to get delicious barbecue and watch a football game, sitting under the glow of neon beer signs. I'm also a fan of their cheeky t-shirts that say "Life's too short to live in Dallas."

Thai Select
4630 Southwest Loop 820
Don't be fooled by appearances. This small restaurant may be located in a nondescript strip center, but it's the best, authentic Thai food I've found in Fort Worth.

King Tut
1512 West Magnolia Avenue
I first visited this restaurant after returning from a trip to Egypt with an appetite for Mediterranean cuisine. The owner is so sweet and eager to share stories about his homeland. The entrees are flavorful and well-priced. My favorite thing about the restaurant is the cheesy decorations--including kitschy tablecloths and golden sphinxes.

Spiral Diner & Bakery
1314 West Magnolia Avenue
A cool vegan restaurant that you don't have to be vegan to like. The decor is fun & they've got a great drink menu. Don't try to go on a Monday because they're closed "for a day of rest."

Shinjuku Station
711 West Magnolia Avenue
Named after the famous train station in Tokyo, this Japanese restaurant has a memorable ambiance and menu. Order "tapas style" and try the roasted shishito peppers and seaweed salad. Request to sit outside if the weather is fair and if you have to wait, order a drink by the bar. It's fun to watch the bartenders make the specialty cocktails right in front of you. I highly recommend the Shinjuku Old-Fashioned.

Esperanza's
2122 N Main St
Anyone from Fort Worth will tell you that Joe T. Garcia's is one of the best Mexican restaurants in town. When it comes to atmosphere, I have to agree, but as far as food is concerned, I actually prefer their sister restaurant next door. Esperanza's has a bakery with hard to find Mexican pastries, and their breakfast is terrific. I always order the migas.

The Woodshed
3201 Riverfront Drive
The latest venture of local celebrity chef, Tim Love, this smokehouse is perfectly nestled on the Trinity River. It boasts a menu of salads, sandwiches, tacos, barbecue, and family-style dishes. The patio is the ideal place to enjoy one of the 25 craft beers on tap with friends, and there is often live music in the evenings.

Food Trucks
Both the Fort Worth Food Park and Cowtown Chow Down have a rotating schedule of food trucks, live music events, and free wifi. If you want a quick and cheap eat that's also unusual, check out the hours and schedule on their websites.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop
2917 West Berry Street
Maybe I just love this place because it was one of my old college haunts, but their fish tacos are really amazing, topped with feta, cilantro, and tomatoes. Order chips & queso for the table--you won't be sorry.

DRINK

The Flying Saucer
111 East 3rd Street
Admittedly, I haven't been here since they moved from the historic Land Title Block building, but their beer selection is unbeatable. (It's the only place in town I can find my favorite German schwarzbier.) They offer daily specials and trivia night is on Tuesdays.

The Library Bar
611 Houston Street
I don't enjoy the weekend crowd at the Library, but if you're up for some Tuesday night socializing, go play "Not Your Grandma's Bingo" at 10 pm and drink $1 Tecates.

Embargo
210 East 8th Street
You either love it or hate it, but this latin club's mojitos are legendary. They also sponsor free salsa lessons for those of us who are rhythmically challenged and dance competitions for those who aren't.

Pete's Dueling Piano Bar
621 Houston Street
Always a crowd-pleaser, Pete's is a fun place for big groups or if you just feel like a good old-fashioned sing-along.

Capital Bar
3017 Morton Street 
When the weather is nice, the backyard is the place to see and be seen. Live music or DJ, there is always musical entertainment and dancing at Capital. No cover charge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Bar Louie
2973 West 7th Street
Bar Louie is usually crowded, but the atmosphere is chill. The cocktails are pricey but delicious. Though the rooftop bar no longer offers much of a view, it's still picturesque and nice on a summer night.

Rahr & Sons Brewery

701 Galveston Avenue
A local brewery that offers tours, events, and collectible pint glasses.

BE MERRY

Blue Mesa
1600 S. University Drive
The best bargain for Happy Hour. $4 drinks and a free quesadilla & nacho bar that doesn't skimp on portions. Get there early; the patio is always packed.

Gloria's

2600 West 7th Street #175
The best margaritas in town and a Happy Hour that lasts all day Monday-Thursday. They should just call it Happy Days.

WAKE UP

Avoca Coffee
1311 West Magnolia Avenue
This is my go-to coffee place in Fort Worth. There are just enough seats and outlets to accommodate busy bodies on their laptops, and the coffee is amazing. Did I mention they often have free samples of Dude, Sweet Chocolate? Coffee, free wifi, AND chocolate! I think I'll just move in, thanks.

Paris Coffee Shop
704 West Magnolia Avenue
Not a coffee shop at all. It's actually a diner with a cheap and delicious breakfast menu. Very southern--think cheesy grits and biscuits with gravy. I include it here, because the drip coffee is surprisingly good.

Buon Giorno Coffee
915 Florence Street
A favorite of students and local musicians, Buon Giorno also makes a really mean cup of coffee. And by mean, I mean sensational.

Stay Wired
2918 West Berry Street

What this coffee house lacks in charm, it makes up for in a really smooth cappuccino. Also a computer repair shop, they can fix your laptop while you sip your coffee.

BRUNCH

Blue Mesa
1600 S. University Drive
Yes, the same place that is famous for its happy hour also has an incredibe Sunday brunch. The buffet is $18.95 for adults and $6.95 for children, but it includes an overwhelming spread of southwestern food as well as bottomless mimosas.

Sapristi Wine Bistro

2418 Forest Park Blvd

The first time I went to Sunday brunch at Sapristi, I opened the door to hear laughter and glasses clinking--always a good sign. The food is delicious and worth the occasional splurge. And no brunch is complete without a mimosa or bellini--both are good here.

SHOP

Stella's
3460 Bluebonnet Circle
Named after an adorable Jack Russell terrier, Stella's is a "shop of shops" and a great place to find unique jewelry and clothing.

Beehive
5122 Camp Bowie Blvd
A trendy boutique with the latest styles at prices that won't break the bank.

Cattle Barn Flea Market
Cattle Barn #1, Will Rogers Complex on Gendy St & Harley Ave
A true flea market inside a historic cattle barn, this weekly event defines everything I love about Fort Worth--it's hip, yet unpretentious. Stop in on Saturday or Sunday for bargains on costume jewelry, collectibles, old trunks, you name it.

Montgomery Antique Mall
2601 Montgomery Street
This antique house is massive with over 240 vendors. Anyone from avid collectors to casual browsers will find a souvenir to take home.

PLAY

The Stockyards
Directions here.
No visit to Fort Worth is complete without a trip to the historic Stockyards. It's where Fort Worth gets its nickname, Cowtown. Watch the cattle drive, explore the maze, and shop for cowboy boots and souvenirs.

Billy Bob's Texas
2520 Rodeo Plaza

Step inside the world's largest honky tonk and reaffirm all the stereotypes you have of Texas. Learn to two-step, watch the bull riders, and catch a concert inside the dancehall where music legends were born. Billy Bob's is like its own world, but everyone must experience it once.

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
3400 Burnett Tandy Dr

Established in 1896, the FWSS&R is one of the oldest around. It's definitely worth checking out if you're visiting in January or February.

Kimbell Art Museum
3333 Camp Bowie Boulevard 
My favorite art museum in Fort Worth, the Kimbell has an impressive permanent collection, world famous rotating exhibitions, and a delicious lunch buffet.

Trinity Trails
The Trinity River runs right through the heart of Fort Worth and right alongside is 40 miles worth of trails for walking, jogging, or cycling. Many improvements and projects are being planned for the Trinity River, so I imagine it will be an even cooler area 5-10 years from now.

The Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard

Escape from the city. Pack a picnic, fly a kite, or throw around a frisbee on the lawns of this 109-acre park. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is the oldest in Texas and the perfect place to take a walk or lie in the grass with a good book.

***

I recently returned from a weekend trip to the Fort to say "see you later" to my college friends and old stomping ground. Saying goodbye to the city that had become my home was not easy, and I know I will miss many of the places I've listed here in this guide. Even though I'm off to a new destination right now, I like to believe I'll be back one day--maybe even permanently. Happy trails to you, Fort Worth, until we meet again.

Vintage Shopping in Austin

Austin, Texas is one of my favorite cities in the US, and every time I visit, I try to spend some time shopping in one of the many vintage boutiques. Why buy vintage? A lot of people don't understand it, claiming that vintage is just a fancy word for old. There are a several reasons I enjoy shopping at thrift, resale, & vintage stores: 1) It's sustainable. 2) Fashion is cyclical. Yesterday's fads are tomorrow's trends. 3) It's an easy way to add an individual touch to your wardrobe. Wearing unique, recycled pieces means you're not going to be caught wearing the same outfit as your best friend, coworker, or professor. 4) It allows me to be creative. Strolling through a vintage shop turns the wheels in my imagination, trying to envision how an outdated dress could be styled for modern wearing.  With that said, here are a few of my favorite vintage stores in Austin:

Prototype Vintage Design

1700 1/2 S. Congress Ave. (entrance on Milton St.)

Prototype is my favorite vintage spot in Austin. It's well-organized and has a killer t-shirt selection as well as a few pieces of retro furniture and decor. The owners tend to select pieces that are well-suited for modern style and their prices are reasonable. Don't miss this one!

I picked up this acid wash button down and square scarf from Prototype.

Feathers

1700-B S. Congress Ave.

Right next door to Prototype and well-worth a stop, Feathers has amazing vintage pieces that are worthy of a New York boutique. The prices tend to be a little higher but aren't outrageous when you consider that many of the clothes are designer label. The store has a great aesthetic and I always feel inspired after browsing the collection of dresses, handbags, shoes, and jewelry.

Uncommon Objects

1512 S. Congress Ave.

A SoCo classic which everybody should experience as least once, Uncommon Objects is a treasure trove of antiques, furniture, vintage maps, salvaged jewelry, and trinkets. It's like rummaging through your grandma's attic, but so much better!

Off the Wall

1704 S Congress Ave.

Off the Wall has an awesome selection of furniture, antiques, and collectibles as well as vintage cowboy boots and handbags. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable, and it's easy to lose track of time as you sift through the many shelves of curiosities and odds and ends.

New Bohemia

1606 S. Congress Ave.

With styles from the 40s to the 90s, New Bohemia maintains a rotating collection of vintage frocks, boots, handbags, and jewelry. Browse the sale rack outside and admire the glittery store sign.

Cream Vintage

2532 Guadalupe St.

With over ten years of experience, multiple locations, and more than 15,000 vintage pieces in stock, Cream  knows what's up. Their location on the Drag at UT has sale bins for rummaging and they offer in-store alterations.

***

Consider this a beginner's guide to vintage shopping in Austin. The list is short, but it's concentrated in two areas and easy to do in one afternoon. I hope to improve it in the future, adding new stores and photos. Did I miss your favorite shop? Where should I go on my next trip to Austin?

Summertime in Texas

Summer seems to be the longest season in Texas with warm weather beginning in May and continuing until October, and ever since I was a child, it's been my favorite. Days are endlessly sunny and full of possibilities. Responsibilities are few. The freezer is full of Blue Bell ice cream and there are ice cubes in my coffee. What more could a girl ask for? Sure, the sidewalks are hot enough to fry an egg on and the mosquitoes are unavoidable, but once you're thoroughly doused in bug spray there are many places to escape the heat--at a river, lake, beach, or natural pool. Texas summer nights are peppered with the brightest stars. Mine have been spent watching movies, playing pool, or gathered around a campfire with friends, Shiner Bock beers, and s'mores. The summer may be flying by quickly but I want to treasure its fleeting joys--bare feet, end of season sales, carnival rides, sangria and sundresses.

Corpus Christi

Over the weekend I drove down to Corpus Christi to help my friend celebrate her birthday. 

We went dancing downtown at night and spend all day Saturday relaxing in the sun. 

I couldn't get over how blue the water looked. It was shockingly clear for a Texas beach. 

windows down and radio up are an important beach ritual

Hanging out at Bob Hall Pier and enjoying $5 pitchers

I found this baby sand dollar as the tide came in 

sandy floorboards. warm breezes. suntans. 
wild beachy hair & road trips with friends. 

These are my favorite things about summer.

Hello 22

Although there's nothing extraordinary about turning 22, I have a feeling this year will be full of surprises and adventure. Last year on my birthday, I went to a Spanish restaurant with all my coworkers in Germany and the year before I was celebrating at a karaoke night in Halifax, so it was nice to spend my birthday at home for a change. I dined with family and friends at Rioja, a Spanish restaurant in Houston where we asked the waiter to bring out a selection of their most popular tapas. There's something wonderful about eating family-style in a restaurant, sharing food with the people you love and slowly savoring each bite. I think it's something we've lost in the American food culture, and I wish we took the time to enjoy eating more often. After countless rounds of food (my favorites included the bacon-wrapped dates and the pulled pork over mashed potatoes drizzled in truffle oil), we continued with conversation and glasses of red wine. Just when we all thought we were too full to eat another bite, the server brought out a pan of paella big enough to cover the entire circumference of the adjacent table. Not wanting to let any go to waste, we each had a couple of forkfuls before having it divided between to-go containers. I enjoyed every moment of our Spanish smorgasbord, and I hope to make tapas an annual birthday tradition.

"If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel— as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them —  wherever you go." -Anthony Bourdain 

A Tale of Two Cities

Confession: I am a double agent, living two separate lives. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I roll out of bed before 8:00 am, pack a lunch and walk to Smith Hall, where I spend most of the day, until 5:00 pm, in a classroom like this:

On these two days of the week, I am a student.     (TCU360)

But every other day, I wake up earlier, sometimes at 5:00 am. I put on nice clothes, pack a lunch, and drive for an hour until I arrive in North Dallas. I park in a multilevel garage and take the elevator to here:

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I am a working professional.

This is A Tale of Two Cities, or rather A Tale of Living Between Two Cities. I never imagined myself becoming a commuter, but I've also never been one to turn down a knocking opportunity. And now in my last semester of university, I am taking 15 credit hours in Fort Worth and working 25 hours at an internship in Dallas. Words like conference call, break room, toll road, and spreadsheet have become a regular part of my vernacular.  Silent elevator rides, drinking at least three cups of coffee, untangling the headset from my hair, and carrying an access card are just a part of my new daily routine. In the mornings I drive eastward into the sunrise, and on my way home, I drive westward into the setting sun until I reach the friendly, twinkling lights of Fort Worth. Meanwhile, I watch the clock advance, my fuel gauge drain, mileage increase, and the speedometer fluctuate sporadically between 0 and 75.  As I sit in traffic, passing DFW Airport, I gaze at the dozens of planes flying gracefully overhead. I like to imagine all the places those people are going and invent their adventures in my head. I also remind myself that all the work and extra driving will pay off whenever I'm able to board a plane once more and have adventures of my own. Though I spend my mornings and evenings in the glow of red brake-lights, I feel like this year is perpetually at a green light, with no breaks or time to stop. There's only 13 weeks until graduation! I'm not freaking out or anything...

A Tourist in Fort Worth

This past week I was visited by Kristina, one of my good friends that I met through study abroad. She flew down from New York for her second trip to Texas. Having friends visit is always fun, because it gives me the opportunity to play tourist in my own city. I managed to cross many locations off my ever-growing list of places to go to before I graduate. On Thursday evening we put on our boots and headed to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo which was followed by dancing at Billy Bob's, the world's largest honky tonk. We spent the weekend days shopping in Dallas and nights at the piano bar and salsa club in downtown Fort Worth.

On Sunday morning we watched the cattle drive in the Stockyards, which is obviously geared toward visitors, but I think it's cool that they still do it daily, and I can at least say I've been to it now. Afterwards we brunched at the Modern Art Museum and then browsed the permanent collection there. I'm no modern art aficionado, but I was amused looking at the pieces with light-hearted friends who were also uninterested in over-analyzing every brush stroke.

It was so great reuniting with one of my Semester at Sea friends after a year of being apart. We had a fun-filled week together, catching up and laughing about old times. I hope her trips to Texas becomes an annual tradition and that our reunions become more frequent than every 12 months!

Home is Wherever I'm With You

A few snapshots from my Christmas break at home:

Small Town Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. And since I spent it in the Czech Republic last year, I was even more excited than usual to go home and eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal, lovingly prepared by my grandma. Though our holiday celebration is pretty low-key and basically consists of eating lunch, falling into a food-induced coma and watching the A&M/UT football game, I can still remember the the bygone traditions that use to excite me as a kid such as a game of baseball in the backyard, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, fighting for the wishbone of the turkey, and helping my mom redecorate the house for Christmas. Going home always conjures up memories of my childhood and reminds me that sometimes the simplest things in life are the most important. I am truly blessed & have so much to be thankful for.

When we all left for college, my friends and I started a tradition of getting together every year for a Thanksgiving Leftovers Party. It was great to catch up with some of my classmates that I had not seen in months, even years. I love hearing about everyone's goals for the future--we've grown up a lot in just four years. Here's some snapshots and an appropriate soundtrack from my trip to my hometown for Thanksgiving.

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"For each new morning with its light, 

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Fort

Although I love to travel, and I am disappointed that I have no big trips planned in the near future, I am also very happy where I am right now. Fort Worth is a great city, and I feel lucky to have called it home for the past four years. As the 16th largest city in the United States, Fort Worth is very up-and-coming, and I have seen it grow and change dramatically in the short amount of time that I lived here. It's an exciting time to be here--new restaurants and shops are going up every week, and I believe Fort Worth is experiencing the same kind of growth that Austin did ten years ago.

So welcome to Part I of what I hope will be a series, showcasing my favorite things about one of my favorite cities--Fort Worth, Texas. Here's a short film called "The Fort" by Erik Clapp, which was recently selected for the Lone Star International Film Festival.

Labor Day Weekend

I spent my labor day weekend in Austin, catching up with some of my study abroad friends that I had not seen in a year. It was refreshing to see familiar faces and recount memorable stories of our summer in the Mediterranean. We spent the afternoon shopping and dining along South Congress and went out in the evenings to experience the Austin nightlife.

the weekend kicked off with a heartbreaking football game
under the friday night lights of Waco, TX.

well worth the long wait on a Saturday afternoon

this restaurant has a good Mexican breakfast menu that won't break the bank

unusual drinks: raspberry mint tea martini & avocado margarita

Ayesha, Bonnie, Me & Landry

After our mini SAS reunion, Bonnie & I headed to Lake Travis to soak up the sun with my roommate at her lake house. As we were driving toward Spicewood, I said, "I'm surprised there haven't been more wildfires out in the Hill Country like in East Texas. It's so dry here. It would be horrible on a day like this, with all the wind." It couldn't have been more than ten minutes later that we reached the top of a hill and spotted a steady chain of grey smoke building up in the cloudless blue sky.

We enjoyed a few blissful hours at the lake house, laying out in the sun by the pool. And then our weekend took an unexpected turn when the power went out and we were forced to evacuate. As we all took the long route out of town in a caravan of vehicles, we passed the wildfire which had made its way right up to the main road, only a couple of miles from the house. We ended up spending our last night in Austin and going out on Sixth Street, which is not too bad for having just fled the scene of a wildfire. 

Austin skyline at night

Bonnie, Rebecca, Me, Brittany, & Lauren

our first glimpse of the wildfire as we were driving in

new water restrictions in Austin go into effect today

It's been nothing but hot & sunny since my return to TX
(in Fahrenheit and Celsius)

 news coverage on the fires 

It makes me sad to see Texas, the land that I love, burning from border to border. Driving back to Fort Worth, I noticed that the sky seemed a little less clear than normal, tainted by the smoke of thousands of acres burning--so much smoke that it is visible to the astronauts in space. Where there was once green pastures and crops is now as brown and dry as a Triscuit cracker. Lakes have been reduced to the size of rivers. Cattle have nothing to graze on. A home is being destroyed every four minutes. It seems ironic that I spent an entire three months in Germany resenting the constant rain from preventing me from enjoying a new country, and now it is the one thing that can save Texas from this natural disaster. Although the temperatures have dropped significantly, it does not look like there is precipitation in the forecast for the next week. I can only pray that God might send some of that Saarland rain down here. We certainly could use it.

Texas on my Mind

I keep running into little reminders of Texas everywhere I go. Perhaps they are signs that is about time for me to head back where I belong. This summer has been great, just not what I expected. I knew that working abroad would be a different experience from studying abroad, but I never imagined how completely opposite it would be. However, I'm glad that I took this internship opportunity. It took a courage that I did not even know I possessed to leave behind everything familiar at home and fly across the globe to a place where I knew nobody. Had I not taken this chance, I may have always wondered what it was like to live in Germany. 

But the truth is, I feel like a fish out of water here. It's cold and rainy most days, and I just miss the summer weather I used to know, the beach, Mexican food, and my family and friends. Three months (or a quarter of a year really) is a long time to be in one place, when that place isn't home. The grass always seems greener on the other side, even though I know that it is much greener here than in the drought-ridden land I said goodbye to in May. And maybe when I'm back in Sealy sweating in the 100+ degree heat or stressed out of my mind at school in Fort Worth, I'll long for the lazy, grey days in Saarbrücken when I had few responsibilities. But right now, I simply desire to feel the warmth of the sun upon my face, to eat a Chilly Willy snow cone, and wear sandals and shorts again. Is that too much to ask for? Twelve days until I'm home. Let the countdown begin...

graffiti along the Saar River

I'm not sure what is so Texan about pepperoni pizza, but they sell this in Ihr Platz

it may be hard to find Dr. P on the East Coast, but it's here in Germany

cowboy boots in Paris (France, not TX)

[[Currently on repeat: "Texas" by The Damnwells]]

“For a few precious moments… I am back in Old Texas, under a high sky, where all things are again possible and the wind blows free.” - Larry L. King

"A Texan outside of Texas is a foreigner." –John Steinbeck