Vegan$magnolia-avenueTue-Thu 09:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 08:00-22:00, Sun 08:00-20:00
Spiral Diner and Bakery has served 100 percent vegan comfort food on Fort Worth's Magnolia Ave since 2002, never compromising on flavour or quality.
Order: Vegan Reuben, loaded nachos with cashew cheese, diner-style breakfast platter.
Tip: Weekend breakfast draws a queue by 09:00. The bakery case sells out of doughnuts first; arrive before 10:00 for the full selection.
Breakfast$cultural-districtMon-Sun 00:00-23:59
Ol' South Pancake House on S University Dr in Fort Worth has never locked its doors since opening 24 hours a day in 1962, except Christmas Eve.
Order: Dutch baby pancake, oven-baked German pancake, pecan waffle.
Tip: The Dutch baby is the signature and takes about 20 minutes to bake; order it when you sit. Closes only on Christmas Eve.
Tex-Mex$south-mainMon-Sun 11:00-21:00
Mexican Inn Cafe is a Fort Worth Tex-Mex institution at 8th Ave that has served the same reliably comforting enchiladas and combination plates since 1936.
Order: Combo plate with enchilada and taco, house cheese dip, sopapillas with honey.
Tip: The 8th Ave location has the most neighbourhood character. Combination plates with two or three items are the best value on the menu.
Burgers$camp-bowieMon-Sun 10:30-22:30
Fred's Texas Cafe is a Fort Worth burger institution on Camp Bowie W, open daily for straight-talking Texas comfort food and cold beer since 1978.
Order: Classic double cheeseburger, chicken fried steak, hatch chile queso.
Tip: Hatch chile season in late summer brings limited specials worth seeking out. The double cheeseburger is the crowd favourite.
Texas Bbq$$stockyardsSun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
Riscky's Barbecue in Fort Worth has slow-cooked authentic Texas ribs at its historic Stockyards Exchange Ave location, a neighbourhood staple for decades.
Order: Pork spare ribs, smoked sausage, sliced brisket, peach cobbler.
Tip: Sit on the covered porch to watch the nightly cattle drive at 16:00 and 18:00 on Exchange Ave while eating.
Steakhouse$$$stockyardsSat-Sun 09:00-12:00, Mon-Sun 11:00-16:00, Mon-Thu 16:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-23:00, Sun 16:00-22:00
H3 Ranch at the Fort Worth Stockyards Hotel is a classic Western steakhouse on Exchange Ave serving prime beef in a handsome lodge-style dining room.
Order: USDA prime ribeye, smoked brisket entree, pecan pie.
Tip: Weekend breakfast at the hotel dining room runs 09:00-12:00 and is the quietest way to enjoy the atmosphere before the crowds arrive.