As the night seems to come to an abrupt end at 2 a.m. (or earlier) and all the hot spot locations begin to close their doors, what's next? Of course you're not just going to go back to bed, the night is young, and you're hungry for some late night bites.
It's undeniable that Fuzzy's, Toppers, and Salsa Limón (or Whataburger, of course, if you are up for the stroll) are all great late night eats, but there are new places to discover in Fort Worth's rich food culture.
Grab yourself an Uber and go check out one of my top late night eats off of TCU campus:
10. Picchi Pacchi (Downtown Fort Worth)
Sure, Toppers is great and easily accessible on TCU campus, but let's be honest; the wait takes forever and we can't all afford to pay that much every time we crave a good slice. Picchi Pacchi fixes that. With one of the best slices in the Fort Worth area, and open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, Picchi Pacchi is a great late night location when you've got some time to go sit down and ponder your night's decisions. So grab a slice of one of Fort Worth's best.
9. Salsa Limón: Brick and Mortar Location (W 7th Street District)
Okay, I wasn't lying when I said this wasn't any of the TCU campus late night hot spots, because this is their brick and mortar location, not the taco stand on Berry. This location is worth snagging an Uber and getting over to (before 1 a.m. Fridays, 2:45 on Saturdays, and from midnight to 2:45 on Sundays) solely because of the vast size of the menu when compared to their small stand on TCU campus. Instead of just a few tacos, they have 8+ filling options for tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and more. Plus, this location isn't nearly as long of a line and takes less than half the time that the small stand does just because of the size of the kitchen. Although it's easy to make your way to the small stand on Berry, try getting up to their main location and trying out some of their diverse menu. (or check out their $2 breakfast tacos for a morning-after snack).
8. Flying Saucer Drought Emporium (Sundance Square)
Flying Saucer is well known for its incredible dishes and the extensive craft, regional, and domestic beer list to accompany them. Categorized as a beer garden, it's location was named one of the top 12 bars in the country by GQ Magazine. Not only is the food great, but the environment is one to remember. A rustic styled interior and Christmas light decked garden area, this bar doesn't close until 1 a.m. on Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. Their menu consists of bar staples like nachos and burgers, but also ranges to unique dishes like the "River Rocket," a sandwich consisting of smoked salmon, jalapeno roasted cream cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and Swiss cheese on a toasted marble rye bread. The Flying Saucer is a great place to start at or end up at late at night.
7. Max's Wine Dive (W 7th Street District)
Now this one is a little bit of a stretch, seeing as how it closes at midnight, but you have to trust me on this. Max's provides one of the top late night meals you can have, plus, if you're not feeling like calling it an early night when you stroll up at 11:30 pm, just order yourself some drinks and then go back out. Kind of like the Superbowl halftime, but better. Max's is a upscale, dive bar-styled restaurant located less than a few minutes from W 7th Street. It's unique style and incredible food comes with the slogan "Fried Chicken and Champagne... why the hell not?!" And trust me, try the fried chicken. Or the fried egg sandwich; it's the size of your head. Either is truly mouth watering.
6. Benito's (W Magnolia St.)
Benito's, located on W Magnolia St,. is well known for its authentic (not Tex-Mex) Mexican food. With a range of well-known traditional Mexican items, this is a great spot to mix up from your normal taco stands. Open until 3 a.m. every night, without fail Benito's is a great spot to wind up at at the end of the night.
5. Rodeo Goat (W 7th Street District)
If you haven't had one of Fort Worth's best burgers, then you're doing it wrong. Rodeo Goat hosts a menu of incredible, gourmet, and uniquely styled burgers that can satisfy anyone. This establishment is open as late as 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, perfect for those that start craving some grub around midnight. There are always two special creation burgers up head to head in competition and your order counts as a vote to keep them on the menu, both are usually pretty great. But if you like to stay within the confines of the menu, I would recommend starting with a Cheese Fries Surprise, and you can't go wrong with any of the day to day burgers on the menu. But don't be afraid to try something new other than a plain burger, or you'll be missing out.
4. Taco Heads (W 7th Steet District Behind 7th Haven Bar)
"Damn. Fine. Tacos." their website declares, and I can't help but agree. Their soon-to-open brick and mortar location will be in South Main Village, just south of downtown. But the well-known food truck is located (typically as late as 2 a.m.) just behind 7th Haven Bar; a location in which they claim to be able to kill two birds with one stone, due to the adult beverages sold within the local bar and the nonintoxicating-ly delicious smelling tacos you can't help but grab on your way out. After midnight they serve incredible breakfast tacos. Go grab yourself a Damn Fine Taco, you won't regret it.
3. Ol' South Pancake House (just North on University Drive)
A staple in the Fort Worth native's diet, this 24-hour diner is the best around. It doesn't matter what you're craving, they've got you covered. Personally, I can't ever pass up on a good late night breakfast; and man, do they do breakfast right. With all the fancy brunches these days (which are incredible, I know), it's nice to go old school diner and get some great breakfast grub without breaking the bank completely. From traditional waffles, eggs, or pancakes to their German pancake, chicken and waffles, or "The Skillet" biscuits (shown above), you can't go wrong when it comes to breakfast food. And they have several diner-style dinner meals if you're in the mood for that.
2. Bearded Lady (W Magnolia St)
Bearded Lady is one of the best brew pub styled restaurants in Fort Worth. Their food is served all the way until 2 am, and can be washed back with the endless list of local or regional craft brews. The menu consists of mouth watering American-styled dishes such as their homemade mac and cheese topped off with bacon and other decadent flavors, or their "Pull Yer Pigtail Pulled Pork Sandwich" covered with mild jalapenos, cilantro and tomatoes, and topped with guac and feta. This is one of my favorite late night spots and I highly recommend checking it out.
1. Velvet Taco (W 7th Steet District)
Easily one of the best tacos places around. Velvet Taco is open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, making it one of the top late night locations in Fort Worth. Their diverse menu of tacos can make anyone's mouth water around 2 a.m. with unique items like "Texas Burger" and "Buffalo Chicken" to staples like "Rotisserie Chicken" and "Annatto Shredded Pork." The side items are also well worth checking out. I highly recommend getting the "Crisp Tots & Local Egg," covered in herbed goat cheese, smoked cheddar, avocado cream, and bacon, and topped off with a single over easy egg. Velvet Taco is a Fort Worth late night must.
So go check out some of Fort Worth's best after a late night out: you won't regret it.