Tex-Mex$Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00
Mexican Inn Cafe on N Henderson St in Fort Worth is a weekday Tex-Mex counter with cheese enchilada platters, tamales and crispy tacos at affordable prices.
Order: Beef enchilada combination plate with refried beans; cheese crispy tacos.
Tip: The combination plates are the best value; weekday lunch service is fast with a walk-up counter.
Taqueria$Mon-Tue 07:00-22:00, Wed 07:00-00:00, Thu-Sat 07:00-02:00, Sun 07:00-22:00
Fuzzy's Taco Shop on W Berry St in Fort Worth is the original TCU-area Baja taco location serving fish tacos and breakfast burritos at budget prices.
Order: Baja fish taco with chipotle crema; street corn with cotija and chili powder.
Tip: The Tuesday taco deal lowers prices further; the fish taco chipotle crema is made in-house.
Burgers$Mon-Sat 11:00-20:00, Sun 11:00-15:00
Kincaid's Hamburgers on Camp Bowie Blvd in Fort Worth has served award-winning hand-formed beef burgers from a converted grocery store building since 1946.
Order: Classic cheeseburger with house spread on a buttered bun; chili cheese fries.
Tip: The original Camp Bowie location keeps a small seating area; arrive before noon on weekends.
American Barbecue$Mon-Tue 11:00-20:00, Wed-Sat 11:00-21:00
Angelo's Barbecue on White Settlement Rd in Fort Worth has smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage over post oak in the same roadside building since 1958.
Order: Sliced brisket sandwich piled high on white bread; pinto beans with jalapeño.
Tip: Service is cafeteria-style; grab a tray, order at the counter, and find a table in the wood-panelled hall.
American Barbecue$Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00
Railhead Smokehouse on Montgomery St in Fort Worth is a local BBQ institution since 1993 with jalapeño cheddar sausage and pulled pork cooked fresh daily.
Order: Two-meat plate with smoked sausage and pulled pork; jalapeño cheddar sausage.
Tip: The jalapeño sausage is made in-house; order it with the coleslaw on the two-meat plate.
Diner$Mon-Sat 07:00-14:30, Sun 08:00-14:30
Paris Coffee Shop on W Magnolia Ave in Fort Worth is a diner institution since 1926 offering chicken fried steak, buttermilk pancakes and daily pies.
Order: Short stack of buttermilk pancakes; chicken fried steak with cream gravy.
Tip: The pies rotate daily; arrive before 12:00 for the full selection before they run out.