J&J Oyster Bar to Close at the End of May

Like many Fort Worthians, I ate my first oyster at J&J Oyster Bar. My father taught me how to perch a plump oyster atop a saltine cracker and hit it with a squeeze of lemon a dash of hot sauce. Then down the hatch it went. Some memories stay with you. For generations of local, that casual Gulf Coast oyster shack experience holds a lot of memories. Now after a 45 year run, J&J Oyster Bar has announced its closure at the end of May.

The original location of J&J Oyster Bar “opened in Fort Worth’s Cultural District in the late 1970s,”according to its website. “It began in a tiny building built from surplus aluminum from an old bomber plant.”

Local Memories on The Move

By 1981 it found a new home inside a historic space ― the former Topsy’s Café across University from what is now The Modern Art Museum. The 1947 architectural masterpiece ― a steel-clad café remains one of the only original Streamline Moderne cafes left in southern part of the country. That’s where I recall imbibing my first oyster.

J&J Oyster Bar moved out of that location in 1998, and Salsa Limón moved in 2012. Then four years later, in 2016, they too were forced to relocate in advance of impending development of the area.

The owners, Milo and Ro Ramirez couldn’t bear to see the architectural jewel face a wrecking ball, so they transported it to its new home on White Settlement Road instead. The eyes of the city were transfixed as the shiny, historic café traveled across town to its new home in The River District.

The current location of J&J Oyster Bar is where it moved nearly three decades ago now. Taking over a quirky old Taco Bell ― achieving a similar coastal dive bar charm.

J&J Oyster Bar’s Unique Menu Will be Missed

Beyond freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, and golden fried beauties, J&J Oyster Bar has been a go-to for gumbo and clam chowder. The fall and winter months will be bleak with out them.

The crispy little log shaped hushpuppies were perfect for dipping in those tiny plastic butter tubs. And, the tomatoey shrimp cocktails were a perfect start with an ice cold beer.

If you are fan of fried fish, J&J Oyster served some of the best. From fried shrimp and clams to catfish sided by hand cut fries. Or a Cajun classics like po’boy sandwiches, crawfish and Boudin balls.

“As one of Fort Worth’s first purveyor of fresh shucked oysters,” and the like, J&J Oyster was like a trip to the beach on a workday.

This adds to the growing list of sad closures in recent weeks. Thanks to owners Jim and Cathy Shusler for the memories and becoming such a cool and lasting part of Fort Worth’s culinary development.