My Favorite....PITA

A staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Greek food, pita bread is a round, flat, pocket bread. Pita bread can be stuffed, topped, dipped, or chipped. There’s a lot to be said for this thin flat bread, so lets get down to my Fort Worth favorites.

JAZZ CAFÉ

Locate at 2504 Montgomery, Jazz Café serves creative pita’s and other traditional Greek food. A hole in the wall, and a little overwhelming as a first timer, Jazz Café is eclectic and crowded with mismatched tables and chairs with an outdoor area filled with what looks like antique junk. However, the quaint feel and charm make this one of my favorite lunch spots. Their Greek salads are phenomenal yet still traditional. Another favorite is their black bean soup or black bean enchiladas served with cold sour cream and pico de gaillo (which I usually don’t like, but it fits well with the thick hot black beans). However, my favorite is the Green Gobbler. They serve a thin, toasted pita topped with melted Swiss cheese, thick sliced turkey, and smothered with avocado. Stop into Jazz Café and give me your thoughts…no dress code but cash only.

2504 Montgomery Street

Fort Worth, TX 76107

T: 817.737.0043

PAK-A-POCKET

Some believe that there is nothing special about Pak-A-Pocket. I mean, they are sandwiches you could make in your own kitchen. But that is exactly the reason I love it! Plain and simple, this order at the counter restaurant keeps be coming back and day dreaming during class. As you walk in and browse the menu you will see traditional Greek food such as gyros, Greek salad, kafta and falafel. Although I am sure these items are great, I tend to order a plain ole “cold pocket” ($4.45). Every day, nicest woman in the world stands behind the counter to guide you through the construction of your pita. I like mine with turkey, cheddar cheese, lettuce (no tomato) and ranch dressing. She will ask if you want chips, and yes definitely get the pita chips ($0.69, even better dipped in ranch). Every time, I get a chocolate chip cookie ($0.50, nothing to write home about, but who doesn’t love a cookie?) and a lemonade ($1.29), which tastes like it came from a powder, but just like your momma used to make. The simplicity of the meal, the quick service, and the friendly atmosphere had me at “pita.”

 5512-D Bellaire Drive South

Fort Worth, TX 76109

T: 817.735.4363

http://www.pakapocket.com/

Pictures Coming Soon...

Let me know your thoughts! Greek House and Terra are 2 other favorites for me!

My Favorite....MEXICAN FOOD

The best type of food found in Fort Worth is Mexican food, hands down. The typical Texan Mexican (Tex-Mex) is served spicy and flavorful with plenty of chips and margaritas. If you know me well, you know I consider chips and queso as a food group and could eat it every day of my life. What could be better than fried tortillas dunked in melted, spicy cheese? And served with a sweet and sour margarita? I can hear the antacids calling my name, but every bite and sip is worth it.

JOE T. GARCIA'S

What began as a small family restaurant with seating availability for sixteen people has now grown into a booming restaurant with patrons willing to wait up to two hours for one of their 1,000 seats. The restaurant started in 1935 by Joe T. Garcia and his wife Jessie, and his legacy lives on in the generations that still own and operate it. For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to dine at Joe T.’s, I am very sorry. For those of you who have, I think you know exactly what I have to say about the restaurant and probably have your own input as well.

It is by far the best Mexican experience in the world. Not only is the food divine, but the margaritas are strong, and the atmosphere is lively. Joe T.’s is the chosen place for special occasions and nights out. However, I have been known to spend three hours on a lazy Saturday there as well. When the weather is nice….there’s always a crowd. Here’s how I do it:

When waiting in line, send one of the members of your party to the bar and get a pitcher of margaritas on the rocks. They will set you up with cups (salted, or unsalted), limes, and straws. This makes the wait more than bearable. Once you are ushered to your table by the pool or on one of the patios surrounded by lush landscaping, order another pitcher (you know your going to drink it anyways, right?) and get a bowl of queso (my life!). Enjoy the atmosphere and start eating chips, followed by an order of their killer nachos. A whole corn tortilla fried into a tosdada topped with melted cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeno relish. If you think you can take some more, ask what’s on the menu. The waiters will tell you only 2 items: the Enchilada Dinner, with two cheese nachos, two cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, guacamole, and corn tortillas; or the Beef or Chicken Fajitas (also available Combo) served with rice, beans, guacamole, pico-de-gallo, and homemade flour tortillas. However, locals know that this “limited menu” is not all they offer. For instance, I get the Childs Plate Chicken Fajitas or 2 nachos with beans, cheese, and chicken fajita meat. These are some alternatives to the large portions and the overindulgence on chips, salsa, queso, and nachos. Saturday and Sunday Joe T.’s offers a brunch menu, which is served until 3:00 including Migas and Huevos Rancheros.

2201 N. Commerce

Fort Worth, TX 76164

T: 817.626.4356

Check Out the Website

Joe T. Garcia’s is such a Fort Worth landmark, that I felt it rude to compare another favorite Mexican restaurant. However, a list of my favorites are the Original, Mi Cocina, Chuy’s, and Uncle Julios. Has anyone tried the new San Miguel’s on Crockett? List your favorites and comments on Joe T.’s below.