by Erin Ratigan, Fort Worth Report
October 29, 2026

Like All Hallows Eve, Día de los Muertos is a festival during which the living celebrate their deceased loved ones. The energy of this holiday is far from somber, and the party atmosphere is intended to keep alive the spirits of one’s departed ancestors, lost friends or family and even pets. 

Here are some spots around Fort Worth where you can mark the occasion, whether by dancing to a live mariachi band, grabbing a bite with family or sipping an appropriately spirited cocktail. 

Symbolism flavors Toro Toro’s Día de los Muertos dishes

Toro Toro is offering Mexican specials until Nov. 3, and they’re loaded with seasonal symbolism. Savories, dessert and three beverages are on the table, with one main being their Luz de Mar Tiradito. The seafood-centric dish symbolizes marigolds, flowers indicative of the holiday, and features salmon, sea bass, saffron aguachile, mango relish, macha salsa and crisped sweet potato. 

Another option is the Fuego del Sol Short Rib, which the restaurant’s website said is intended to represent “the sun at its fullest power, ember-charred and golden.” The short rib is achiote-braised and presented alongside a charred poblano cheese enchilada, pureed plantain, green zucchini and squash blossom sauce. 

Diners with a sweet tooth might try the Amanecer Pumpkin Brulée with salted caramel ice cream and pepita brittle that represents the “sweetness, harvest and memory” of dusk.

There’s a mocktail highlighted among the specials called Punch Calavera, which represents “the altar, where sun becomes color, aroma and reverence.” This drink has a bit of a punch to it from strong cinnamon tea paired with hibiscus, orange juice and guava. 

Inspired by the nostalgia and the colors of sunset is the DDLM Sangria. This cocktail has something for wine and rum lovers, with red wine and añejo rum combined with grenadine, mango, piloncillo and cinnamon.

Finally, there’s the Saffron Sour, a twist on the Whiskey Sour made with reposado, egg white, cinnamon-saffron syrup, lime and tangerine. “This cocktail represents the zenith, when the sun is at its highest point. It is the moment of greatest power.” 

200 Main St., Fort Worth; 817-975-9895

Outdoor market and buffet at La Cabrona Cocina Mexicana

This Mexican eatery in the Artisan Circle area off 7th Street will host its third annual outdoor Día de los Muertos celebration 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1. La Cabrona will mark the occasion with a mariachi band, all-you-can-eat buffet for $35 per person, drink specials and filling the street with vendors from local businesses. The event is free to attend, as is parking. 

Their Facebook page describes the event as a family-friendly celebration of life including the lives of those who have died.

“Whether you’re joining us to honor loved ones, experience the traditions of Día de los Muertos, or simply celebrate life with friends and family, it will be a day filled with culture, food, music, and community,” the post said. 

They also advise that attendees keep an eye out for “La Cabrona’s iconic roaming Catrina bringing even more festive flair throughout the celebration.”

The regular menu at La Cabrona highlights appetizers like flautas, elote, quesadillas and ceviche while mains range from chiles rellenos and mole to tacos and fried marinated red snapper. 

2933 Crockett St., Fort Worth; 682-224-2560

Pan de Muerto Gallo at Almacén el Gallo

Almacén el Gallo will offer Día de los Muertos specials until Nov. 4 with specialty tequila cocktails and a prix-fixe three-course menu for $75, according to their email newsletter.

For the first course, guests can choose between betabel en mole rosa or tamal uchepo. The former sees roasted beets over pink mole with pumpkin seeds, jocoque crema, greens and lemon vinaigrette, while the latter is a traditional sweet corn tamal with Morelia green sauce, onions, salt and queso fresco.

Round two is either a grilled 6-ounce filet with poblano sauce and rajas con queso or a Oaxacan-styled mole with pork ham hock, plantains and queso fresco.

In the dessert course, there is pumpkin-stuffed pan de muerto with orange blossom, coconut and vanilla. Alternatively, foodies might try the sweet corn custard that comes with peanut ice cream, pineapple, dried coconut, vanilla and toffee sauce.

Customers can also order pan de muerto gallo — a traditional Mexican bread, here made with orange blossom — for $12.

500 W. 7th St., Fort Worth; 817-937-2997

Family-style dining at Maria’s Mexican Kitchen

Día de los Muertos is very much a family-oriented holiday, so if you’re looking for a spot serving family-style entrées, Maria’s Mexican Kitchen on South University Drive has several options on their menu’s platos tradicionales section.

Flautas, tamales, enchiladas, pollo asado and seafood quesadillas are just a few of the offerings, as is the house poblano mole with roasted chicken, veggies and sesame seeds. These entrees range from $20 to $56.

Fajitas come in chicken, jumbo shrimp, ribeye, prime sirloin, bacon-wrapped shrimp, grilled portabello varieties. They also have smaller plates available, such as house guacamole, shrimp taquitos, crab tostadas and loaded nachos that can be upgraded to include chicken or steak.

Maria’s also serves brunch. Their Mexico City chilaquiles showcases tortilla strips, scrambled eggs, avocado and salsa quemada. If someone in your party prefers sweeter flavors, there’s a cuatro leches French toast with housemade brioche and mixed berries. Classics include carne asada, huevos rancheros and breakfast tacos. 

Adults can peruse a menu of 74 tequilas.

1712 S. University Drive, Fort Worth; 817-916-0550

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.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. ""