Nobody has written more about Fort Worth food than novelist and sports author Dan Jenkins.
This week, with the football world in town, he has advice for guests:
"Tell them to get out to the Stockyards," he said.
"Go to the Star Cafe and have a chicken-fried steak. Go to Joe T.'s. Go sit on a saddle at the Stockyards Hotel bar and see what Texas is all about."
In downtown, he likes Jakes Burgers, a cousin to Dallas' more famous Keller's.
And he instructed -- "Ask directions and go to Angelo's or Railhead for barbecue."
Jenkins has spun entire novels around chicken-fried steak cafes ( Baja Oklahoma is set in the original Massey's Restaurant and was later an HBO movie starring Julia Roberts).
He also likes the chicken-fried steaks at Mac's on 7th. But the Star has more Texas flavor.
The Star is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, lunch Mondays; 111 W. Exchange Ave., 817-624-8701.
Joe T. Garcia's was mentioned here last week. Tips for newbies: Ask for chili con carne on your enchiladas if you want, and choose the Martín top-shelf margarita; lunch and dinner daily, 2201 N. Commerce St., 817-626-4356, www.joets.com.
Angelo's Barbecue, known for brisket and frosty brews, is open for lunch and dinner daily except Sunday near downtown; 2533 White Settlement Road, 817-332-0357, www.angelosbbq.com.
The Railhead Smokehouse, very similar but with thicker sauce and a busier bar scene, is open for lunch and dinner daily except Sunday near the museums; 2900 Montgomery St., 817-738-9808.
Three other Stockyards-area cafes worth a try:
Zippy's All American Grill, 1549 N. Main St., is a popular burgers-and-catfish cafe in a new location; lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, 817-334-0999.
El Asadero, 1535 N. Main St., is beloved for its uber-hot salsa, molé and green chicken enchiladas (but not for the too-sweet margaritas); lunch and dinner daily, 817-626-3399, elasadero.com.
The M & M Steak House, 1106 NW 28th St., near the Stockyards, is like a minitrip to West Texas, serving giant steaks dusted with garlic. Rib-eyes sell for half-price ($11) Wednesdays; dinner only Tuesdays through Saturdays, 817-624-0612.
Bud Kennedy's Eats Beat appears Wednesdays in Your Life & Food and Fridays in Weekend. Facebook "Bud Kennedy's Eats Beat"; Twitter @budkennedy
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