Eat, Drink & Be Merry’s Fort Worthies

With the launch of Madeworthy, we wanted to have a page dedicated to local people, places, and events that add to our city. Originally called “Be Seen,” this page was renamed “Fort Worthies” in our first anniversary issue. Here are the Fort Worthies we featured in our Eat, Drink & Be Merry 2021 issue.

Texas barbecue is hot stuff, and no one is hotter than Brix Barbecue. Recently awarded the Critics’ Choice for Barbecue in Fort Worth Weekly’s Best of 2021, Trevor Sales and his rescue dog/inspiration Brix are riding high. While Sales may be from the Chicago area, his barbecue is pure Texas. Right now, Sales serves up his incredible barbecue and mouth-watering sides from an Airstream (the “Smokestream” to those in the know) across from HopFusion every Saturday and Sunday. However, he has announced that Brix will be moving into a brick-and-mortar location in 2022. Congratulations, Trevor and Brix! 

Did you know that Central Market’s first store in the Metroplex opened right here in Fort Worth twenty years ago? Fort Worth foodies quickly adopted the store, making Central Market a favorite place to meet, eat, learn, and shop. “Fort Worth immediately embraced Central Market and we immediately embraced Fort Worth,” said Stephen Butt, president of Central Market/H-E-B. “I’ve said from the beginning that this city has soul. It’s unique personality and warm, friendly, generous residents have helped shape our store into what it is today. Our customers feel a sense of ownership and community when they enter our doors. Our partners know them, and they know our partners.” 

The global pandemic hit the fitness industry hard, shuttering many studios. But indoor cycling and yoga instructor E’Lyn Taylor saw an opportunity, and Studio E, the first mobile cycling studio in the DFW area, was born. Instead of going to the studio, Studio E comes to you! Specializing in spin and yoga classes, E’lyn’s goal is to promote “diversity and inclusion… by introducing fitness as a safe space for the mind and body.” 

There are few treats more comforting and more delicious that Portugal’s pastéis de nata. Now Fort Worthians can experience Portugal’s favorite snack right here. Young entrepreneur Elliott Holloway, a senior at Paschal High School, along with a few of his friends have started Mimos, a baking company that produces these delightful custard tarts. They are available at The Table Market and at the Clearfork Farmers Market. Be sure to get to the farmers market quickly, however; they sell out quickly!  

Fort Worth’s favorite chef Jon Bonnell has written several cookbooks, but his latest is more personal. Carry Out, Carry On: A Year in the Life of a Texas Chef recounts how Bonnell and his restaurants navigated the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020. The restaurant business was hit hard by the shutdown, but Bonnell was able to pivot to offer what became his beloved $40 “home meals,” as well as helping other restauranteurs through the pandemic.  

On a beautiful Saturday in September, some of Fort Worth’s most inspiring women gathered at The Magnolia to celebrate a birthday. Instead of focusing on herself for her birthday, Katrina Carpenter wanted to create a cozy space for these community leaders from all over our city to start a courageous conversation about race and sisterhood. Because racial equity cannot be attained without open, honest dialogues. Happy birthday, Katrina! 

In a town with numerous outstanding craft breweries, Neutral Ground Brewing Company is quickly making a name for themselves. The brainchild of Texan Stan Hudson and Louisianian Sean Doublet, the brewery is named for the area of land between Texas and the Louisiana Purchase where, until the official borders were drawn, free trade and fun flourished. The brewery hosts a delicious variety of food trucks and a range of events from yoga to salsa dancing. As Hudson and Doublet say, let’s meet in the middle! 

After a virtual year, the GM Financial Parade of Lights illuminated the streets of Downtown Fort Worth for the 39th year on Sunday, November 21, at 6 p.m. This year’s “Making Spirits Bright”-themed parade marked the city’s official kick-off to the holiday season with more than 100 festive floats, each adorned with holiday decor and over half a million sparkling lights. Once again, families enjoyed this beloved Fort Worth tradition as marching bands, floats, horse-drawn carriages, and Santa and Mrs. Claus wended their way through Downtown, officially kicking of the holiday season in Cowtown. 

While Scotty Scott, the genius behind Instagram’s Cook Drank Eat, always loved to cook, he originally planned to be a lawyer. However, his passion for cooking was such that after graduating from law school, he realized that cooking was more than just a hobby. In January of 2022, Scott’s first cookbook, Fix Me a Plate, will be published. “This has been without a doubt the most challenging yet rewarding experience of my culinary career. It involved the academia of law school, the creativity of food photography and the meticulousness of recipe development all in one.” 

Established in 1989, the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition has been leading the drive to find a solution for homelessness in our communities through community change. One of the ways you can help the Coalition is to fill a “Welcome Home Basket.” Fill a new laundry basket with essentials such as cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and bedding. These baskets will help turn an empty apartment into a home for someone moving out of homelessness! 

Who doesn’t love a picnic? North Texas native Kellie Seville does. She also recognized that, while people are still leery of dining in a restaurant, picnics are a wonderful way to get together with loved ones, so she created The Pink Cactus. She and her husband Carlos design luxurious picnics in your choice of location for date nights, showers, anniversaries, Girls’ Nights Out, and more. They provide everything you need to create beautiful memories.  

When the old V.I.P. Lounge on White Settlement closed due to the pandemic, Chris Jordan, Kristin Thomas, Bailey Batts, Deandre Young and Jywon Young saw an opportunity. The friends renovated the space, and The Rabbit Hold Pub opened to the public last summer. Featuring the same whimsical spirit as its sister tavern, The Mad Hatter on Carroll Street, the Rabbit Hold has been well-received by West Siders looking for a neighborhood haunt.  

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.