3 Rapid Restaurant Closures Of Note in Fort Worth

We did not see these sudden restaurant closures coming. Three Fort Worth favorites call it quits, though for different reasons. We’ll miss the tacos, biscuits, and the Pakistani spin by one of Texas’s Top 50 Barbecue Joints. Saying goodbye to Sabar BBQ, Taco Heads, and Biscuit Bar as all three restaurants suddenly close. We’ll have a Blue Christmas without them.

Sabar BBQ

A popular, upstart barbecue truck Sabar BBQ, made an unexpected announcement today. The Halal barbecue joint, featuring Pakistani seasonings and flavors had (seemingly) caught fire in recent months.

Sabar BBQ earned recognition from Texas Monthly this year with a spot on the Top 50 Barbecue Joints list. Its unique fusion even captured the gaze of Bon Appétit Magazine, with a lovely write-up in September. It has been set up on South Main Street next door to Tinie’s Mexican.

“Life moves fast. Just a few weeks ago we were planning another smoker, working toward a brick-and-mortar, and adding Fridays to our service days … and now we’re closing,” they said in a social post.

Sabar’s story doesn’t end due to industry hardships, but rather for a better offer. So that’s good news for Goldee’s BBQ-trained pitmaster Zain Shafi.

“An opportunity came up that we couldn’t pass on, and while this chapter is ending, we’re incredibly grateful for the journey,” he says. “Thank you to everyone who supported us over the past two years — especially our regulars. It’s been an honor sharing our Pakistani-influenced Texas BBQ with Fort Worth.”

This Saturday, December 20, will be Sabar BBQ’s last day.

Taco Heads

When owner Sarah Castillo announced the closure, in November, of her original Taco Heads location across from Dickies Arena, at least we could still get our fix at the second location in The Stockyards. Now, that location too has closed next door to Tecovas Boots.

Taco Heads began after food-truck success for serial restaurateur Sarah Castillo. She also owns Tinie’s Mexican in South Main Village, Side Saddle Saloon in Mule Alley, and is a founding partner in the ever-expanding La Pulga tequila brand.

Her December 11 Facebook post read: “Fort Worth, what a journey it’s been! It’s hard to believe we’re saying this, but this Sunday will be our final day open. We’re closing with full hearts, grateful for every customer who became a friend and every moment shared around our tables. Thank you for the laughs, the patience, the loyalty, and the love.”

The Biscuit Bar

Monday morning began with an announcement from fan favorite The Biscuit Bar in Mule Alley. The Biscuit Bar defined itself as an “approachable, craft-casual restaurant serving up Southern goodness on a biscuit.”

The post by Founders Jake and Janie Burkett read, in part: “We are permanently closing our doors and ask that you stand with our employees during this holiday season. It has been an honor serving you these past 7 years.” The owners even set up a GoFundMe for their displaced staff (around 100 employees) who find themselves unexpectedly unemployed during the holidays.

“The past few years have tested independent restaurants more than any in modern memory,” they said. Contributing factors included rising costs, supply chain instability, and a commercial environment shaped by large institutional interests.

The Biscuit Bar had locations in Plano, Abilene, Coppell, and Deep Ellum as well.