Fort Worth Food News ― July 2025

July food news just keeps on rolling. New restaurants and bars have arrived and the former home of Rahr Brewing is shifting to become a distillery instead. More on that, plus a couple of vegan closures (including Maiden Fine Plants & Spirits), and all the foodie experiences to power you through summer in this installment of Fort Worth Food News for July 2025.

Polanco Fine Cuisine Reveals a Dramatic Two-Story Mexican Retreat In The Tower

The Novoa family plan to bring an authentic taste of the Mexico City suburb of Polanco. Polanco Fine Cuisine opened to the public this week. You’ll find it in The Tower at 570 Throckmorton Street, along with neighbors like Reata, Bella Gente, and Salsa Limon.

Polanco’s footprint within The Tower is massive ― a 16,000 square foot, two-story restaurant, with two private dining rooms. Allen Novoa, a member of the family opening Polanco, tells Fort Worth Digital Diary that a speakeasy named Coba will open in the basement in the next few months. Inside the restaurant itself, there is a lounge near the bar. Polanco features a full bar, with a nice selection of 33 tequilas and mezcals, and specialty cocktails will make the most of it, he says.

Fire Pot Turns Up The Heat With An Energetic All-You-Can-Eat Format

Fire Pot opened in mid-June at the former Keg location, 5760 Southwest Loop 820. It brings hot pot, sushi, and Korean Barbecue under one roof, advertising “Endless rolls. Premium fish. Zero judgment.”

The all-you-can-eat format is similar to some conveyor belt sushi spots you might have tried. This one has a refrigerated conveyor that shuttles a never-ending choice of fresh veggies and noodles.

An array of meats arrives via the upper train rail or delivered to your table by a cat-faced robot. Meats, which range from beef, chicken, and shrimp, to clams, scallops, and frog legs. You can cook your meal in various broths (from miso or mushroom, to Tom Yum or Tomato) or on a small hibachi surface right at your table.

Blue Flag Distillery To Open Soon on The Southside

When Rahr Brewing closed its brewery on Galveston Avenue, after 20 years in the South Main Village of Fort Worth, it left a lovely shell just begging to be filled. An upstart distillery has taken the bait. Blue Flag Distillery has announced its plans to begin distilling there soon.

Founder Will Rucker says Blue Flag will focus on American single malt whiskey. Its massive copper stills pulled in on July 1. On the emerging website, he says the brand is named Blue Flag because he and his wife would fly a blue flag outside their home as a sign to welcome neighbors over, “the bar’s stocked, the door’s open, come on in.”

River’s Cocktail & Wine Bar Joins River District’s Recent Uptick

Located at 4850 White Settlement Road, River’s Cocktail & Wine Bar starts pouring on July 11 at 4 pm. The River District is home to Gemelle Italian, and Heim on the River. It joins newly added Crystal Springs Hideaway, and Stewarts Croquet & Cocktails.

Night owls are welcome here, as River’s full bar with craft cocktails, beer and wine, is open until 2 am, and they’ll be serving hot pizza by Son of A Baker Pizzeria until 2 am as well. And, wait for it…happy hour extends from noon to 7 pm, Monday through Friday.

Chadra Mezza and Grill Makes A Big Move

Chef Nehme and Christina Elbitar opened their Chadra Mezza and Grill in 2022. It was long situated at 1622 Park Place Avenue. The fabulous, fresh Lebanese cuisine can now be found in its new home at 1700 South Freeway. Chadra has long been one of Fort Worth’s go-to spots for authentic Mediterranean.

“It’s the same Chadra you know and love, just with more space and more flexibility to serve you better,” say the Elbitars in a Facebook post. “Our new location brings everything under one roof — Chadra Catering Company, a smaller dine-in version of Chadra Mezza & Grill, and Mezza South, our beautiful on-site event venue with seating for up to 120 guests, a private dining room for up to 20, and a charming outdoor patio. Please note that Chadra Mezza and Grill is available for Delivery and Takeout only.”

Both Maiden Fine Plants & Spirits and Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops Have Closed

Fort Worth’s first vegan fine dining restaurant located just off Magnolia at 1216 6^th Avenue has closed. Maiden Fine Plants & Spirits was open for two years, one of the original tenants of the PS1200 mixed use development. Owner Amy McNutt of Spiral Diner and Bakery (which remains open at the corner of Magnolia, also opened Dreamboat Donuts & Scoops in the same development, offering cruelty free indulgences. It has also closed, but the sweet treats can now be found at Spiral Diner.

Maiden was an ambitious ever changing tasting menu of plant-based dishes. The full eight course tasting menu was indulgent $120 per person, with thoughtful drink pairings for $70 per person. Both the closures of Maiden and Dreamboat are yet another hit to Fort Worth’s once growing vegan scene which has contracted losing the likes of Pizza Verde, Vida Café and nearby Vice Burger in recent months.

Even More To Savor and Sip in July Food News

Bowie House is hosting a Summer Afternoon Tea service in The Mulberry Room. Each seating begins with a glass of champagne followed by savory bites, buttery biscuits, and sweet indulgences along with seasonal loose leaf teas.

Tokyo Café will host a chef-crafted omakase experience on Wednesday, July 23 at 7 pm. Chef Kevin Martinez has some special surprises in store.

Magdalena’s has some special experiences including cooking classes for kids as well as paella lovers (and Chef Juan Rodriguez is well known for his eye-popping paellas). Plus, on July 31 the supper club will be a Mediterranean feast and wine pairing.

Lettuce Cook announces new management, new hours and new menus, as the popular grab-and-go eatery and catering company celebrates is 10^th anniversary.

Rinery 714 at the top of the Kimpton Harper Hotel, recently launched its Sushi Fridays. Enjoy chef crafted sushi, beautiful 24^th floor views of downtown, along with craft cocktails each Friday from 5 pm to close.

Cafe Mirador will open alongside boutique fashion paradise Forty Five Ten by September in Museum Place. It will be more intimate than the original Mirador in Dallas. Read the full story.

Until next time … eat up, explore and come back to Fort Worth Digital Diary for more.