As I promised earlier this month, I have some Halloween treats for all you witches and warlocks looking to venture outside your usual haunts for a ghouls night out. If you’re a regular reader, you knew that joke was coming, so I hope you enjoyed it. 

Creepy cocktails were easy to find for this column, as bars and eateries seem to be especially into All Hallows Eve. I assume that’s because they’re really into spirits.

OK, I’ll chill with the puns. I just can’t help myself, it’s my favorite time of year. There’s something so rewarding about wearing a full face of prosthetics to Kroger and watching my fellow shoppers try to avoid eye contact with me while I casually peruse the cereal aisle.

Yes, I was a theater kid. Why do you ask?

Since this holiday frequently entails frantic last-minute trips to the store for extra candy — no judgment, we’ve all done it — I’ve included a drive-thru special to ease your errands. Remember, neither nostalgia nor sugar crashes are just for kids, so stay safe out there, have fun and keep your dentist on speed dial.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

The chain restaurant with locations throughout Tarrant County has a bunch of dishes for those looking to get wicked. Among the dishes they’ve highlighted on social media as well as their menu is their Spooky Pizookie, a seasonal version of their signature dessert, the Pizookie. This rendition features vanilla ice cream over a large cookies-and-cream cookie, while regular Pizookies come with vanilla or chocolate ice cream, and sugar, salted caramel, chocolate or cookies-and-cream cookies. There is also a strawberry shortcake Pizookie.

BJ’s Pumpkin Ale is one of the alcoholic drinks in season, along with a blueberry sour and their Unlucky Ducky, another sinister spin on a regular menu offering. The latter has tequila, rum, vodka, peach schnapps, triple sec, Monin sweet and sour syrup, and pineapple juice served in a ceramic bath and garnished with a miniature rubber duck.

Their menu shows a gluten-free original Pizookie, and all of their gluten free items are viewable on their website. 

4720 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth; 817-292-9200

201 E. Interstate 20, Arlington; 817-465-5225

Smoky and pumpkin spice cocktails at Atlas Bar

Atlas Bar is one of several spots celebrating Halloween with seasonal cocktails like their Susperia, made with smoky Ilegal Mezcal Joven, dragonfruit, lime, cinnamon and allspice. For those wanting more — and a Harry Potter reference, too — there’s the Patron…us, which has pumpkin puree, Patron reposado, Patron XO, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and cold brew.

There are a variety of bites on offer, from seasonal hummus and German pretzel bites with cheese and mustard to poutine, flatbreads, wings and beef pho. Desserts are cheesecake or the Grave Digger, the house take on a dirt pie. 

314 S. Main St., No. 100, Fort Worth; 682-348-5386

Frozen drinks for kids and adults at El Primo’s in Mansfield

Customers can grab some not-so-frightening frozen drinks for $12 at El Primo’s in Mansfield. For in-house and to-go dining, there are hurricanes, strawberry daiquiris, whisky and Cokes made with Crown Royal, pina coladas and bellinis, all in 16-ounce aluminum cups that customers’ can take home. For kids, there’s a $6 12-ounce frozen Dreamsicle, also in souvenir cups.

El Primo’s is having Halloween trivia 7-9 p.m. Oct. 30, and a party 5-10 p.m. Oct. 31 with face painting, a costume competition and a DJ.

This Mexican restaurant’s menu shows shareable appetizers such as fajita nachos, chips and tableside guacamole, quesadillas and wings, as well as mains of red snapper, chipotle chicken pasta, and lobster and shrimp enchiladas. Burritos, fajitas, chile relleno and other staple dishes are available. There is a kids and seniors menu, as well.

For dessert, diners can choose from sopapillas with honey and ice cream, banana pudding, tres leches cake, churros and a seven layer chocolate cake. The latter serves up to four people, according to the menu.

2300 Matlock Road, Mansfield; 817-225-4140

Dunkin’ Donuts

The Halloween Munchkins bucket is one of a couple festive flavors you’ll find at Dunkin’ Donuts. This seasonal item is exactly what it sounds like, a bucket filled with 50 donut holes in assorted flavors including chocolate and orange sprinkle-covered varieties. Rather have a whole donut than a bucketful of holes? The Spider Donut is back, featuring a frosted donut with a glazed chocolate Munchkin up top and a drizzle of chocolate icing for legs. 

If you’re looking for a beverage instead, they have a Candy Bar Signature Latte with chocolate, toffee, pretzel and peanut butter flavors and espresso, according to their website. Order it hot or cold. 

Dunkin’ Rewards members can earn triple the points on orders of a dozen or half dozen donuts and Munchkin orders of 25 or 50 until Oct. 31. 

7621 Summer Creek Drive, Fort Worth; 682-250-5615

6201 Denton Highway, Haltom City; 817-514-4980

We’d love to hear from you! Send your restaurant tips and hot takes to erin.ratigan@fortworthreport.org. 

Erin Ratigan is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in narrative news features. You can find her on X @erinratigan.

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