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My New Favorite Place
My new favorite place isn’t all that new. After a proof of concept period that had them utilizing a rented kitchen on weekends for delivery service only, Pearl Snap Kolaches opened the doors to their current space in January of 2015. Tucked in the triangular space formed by the confluence of the neighborhoods of Rivercrest, Monticello, and Crestwood is one of those old school, Fort Worth cool, architecturally and historically interesting places that, if you grew up here, is woven into the fabric of your Fort Worth experience. Over the decades several businesses have occupied the several retail and dining spaces in said triangle, but Pearl Snap is my favorite and definitely the most promising.
I had heard about Pearl Snap back when they were cooking up kolaches and other goodies in the kitchen of the Lunch Box but had never tried the goods. When they opened shop on White Settlement, I popped in for some kolaches-to-go and over the next few months did the same a few times here and there. However, a few weeks ago, I took my kids there and decided to eat-in and hang out for a bit. It was then that my eyes were opened to the unique and fun experience Pearl Snap offers the residents of Fort Worth; one we don’t have enough of.
The times I had been there before I hadn’t really noticed the place all that much, I got my food and my coffee and was out the door in a minute. There’s value to that, as anyone who’s ever been hungry and in a hurry at the same time can attest, but there’s even more value in a place where you can feed your family great food at a great price and let your kids be the circus animals God intended them to be.
The floors are concrete, the tables are covered, there’s a foosball table and other games, and one whole wall is a giant chalkboard. After hammering some cinnamon rolls and sausage kolaches, my kids immediately started in on what they are best at, playing and having fun. While I sipped my coffee and caught up on the latest current events via Pearl Snap’s wifi, I looked around at the other diners, some of whom had kids and some of whom didn’t. I’m always sensitive to how others are affected by my kids’ noise level, but no one seemed to notice or care that my kids were having a ball. This brings me back to my earlier point. There aren’t enough places in Fort Worth where adults can enjoy some food and conversation while allowing their kids to just be kids.
I spoke with the owners of Pearl Snap about this, who are both dads, and they agree. They wanted to open the kind of place they would want to go with their families and feel at home. Really, that’s what Pearl Snap is. It’s kind of like your living room. There are comfy couches, a big TV, an internet connection, and no questions asked. You can just go and hang out and have fun and people will bring you delicious coffee and kolaches. It’s pretty awesome.
Now let’s talk about the food for a minute. Pearl Snap is very big on sourcing everything they can from within the great state of Texas. In fact, if they can get it in Fort Worth, even better. They make everything fresh, every day and its delicious. The kolaches are easily the best I’ve had anywhere, and lest you think Pearl Snap is a breakfast only place, allow me to tell you a little bit about their burgers. Two big ol’ beef patties and cheese topped with your choice of bacon, jalapenos, and everything else, nestled gently between two kolache dough buns that will knock your socks off. So not only is this my favorite place to take the kids on Saturday or Sunday morning, but it’s also my favorite spot to meet a friend for lunch. Oh yeah, when you go in for one of these amazing burgers, ask them about their beer “specials” too. You can thank me later.
If that isn’t enough to convince you to check Pearl Snap out, let me add that every other Sunday, they host a kid friendly live music series that features some artists that will blow your mind. Real deal touring artists, as well as some locals, in a venue that holds a few dozen! Where else can you do that on a Sunday morning? You can also catch the Pearl Snap guys at the Clear Fork Farmer’s Market on Saturdays or they will deliver to your house, or cater your party, or host your party. This is literally one of the most accommodating and friendly restaurants in town. Which leads me to my final point…
There are a few iconic places in Fort Worth. I don’t need to name names; you know the places I’m talking about. Pearl Snap has the potential to be one of those places. It will not surprise me in the least if one day I roll up at 8:30 am and find a line out the door and no place to sit, or if in 30 years my kids are taking their kids there or meeting their friends for a burger and a beer. Pearl Snap is a quintessentially Fort Worth place. It’s the kind of place Fort Worthians tend to get behind and, like the cool old building it’s in, I expect Pearl Snap Kolaches will also weave its way into our collective Fort Worth experience. And that makes me happy.
BB
I can’t thank you enough for writing this story. It brought tears to my eyes literally as I read one of the first stories that truly understands our mission of the bakery. It’s been a long haul and people are finally recognizing it and loving it as much as we do. Thank you again, truly. Blair Chappell, Wife and strong supporter of husband Wade Chappell (owner of PSK).