A bag of Fritos corn chips slit open and filled with Texas red chili without beans, shredded cheddar, diced white onion, and pickled jalapeños.

Frito pie's Texas origin is contested between Fort Worth, San Antonio, and New Mexico, but the Texas version is unambiguous in format: Fritos, Texas red chili with no beans, and cheese, eaten from the bag. Daisy Dean Doolin, mother of Frito Company founder C.E. Doolin, is credited with the original recipe, and the Frito Company was founded in San Antonio in 1932 before operations expanded to Dallas. The dish spread through school cafeterias and concession stands across North Texas during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming the definitive half-time and high-school game-day food at Fort Worth schools and TCU tailgates.

2 editor picks for Fort Worth Frito pie in Fort Worth, ranked by editorial score. All Fort Worth signature dishes · Fort Worth Frito pie across every city.

Reata Restaurant ★ 4.5

$$$SouthwesternDowntown

Reata Restaurant in Fort Worth returned to its original Throckmorton St home, serving the celebrated West Texas ranch cooking that made it famous.

OrderTenderloin tamales, cowboy ribeye, tres leches cake.

TipLunch is a great-value way to sample the kitchen. The rooftop terrace has sweeping downtown views, ideal in cooler months.

DirectionsView

Woodshed Smokehouse ★ 4.5

$$SmokehouseCultural District

Woodshed Smokehouse by Tim Love in Fort Worth sits on the Trinity River, blending live-fire cooking techniques with a lively outdoor riverside patio.

OrderBeef brisket, smoked chicken, wood-roasted oysters, house-made sausage.

TipWeekend brunch begins at 08:00 with wood-smoked eggs and cocktails. The riverside patio is best on weekday evenings.

DirectionsView

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