We don’t often include fast food or casual restaurants in this column, but given that many people probably visit such establishments far more frequently than fine dining spots, we’re taking a moment to appreciate these easy breezy local spots.
When you’re tired after a long day at work, running errands, corralling kids or just trying to function, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing quick bites or opting for last-minute walk-in dining.
One of these updates highlights a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired item and if you guys know of any other St. Patty’s specials or flavors coming to town, let me know. You’ll find my email at the end of this column.
Margaritas and Wild West pizzazz at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is debuting a Wild West menu, according to a PR email, with new items “built for big flavors and a little bit of trouble, with rodeo-ready tacos, nachos, and margaritas that happily wear the pants so you don’t have to.”
Among the featured flavors are margaritas made with Pantalones Organic Tequila. The spirit appears in the Party Pants Margarita, a two-drink flight of either mango, strawberry or lime margs which can also be made spicy. For an even hotter option, there’s the Pants on Fire Margarita with strawberry and jalapeno.
Two tacos are on offer. The Texas Brisket Taco goes for $4.59 and stacks brisket over beer-battered poblano chiles with cheese, cilantro-lime crema, chipotle aioli, pickled red onion and cilantro.
The Sonora Relleno Taco is a modified version of the Texas Brisket that cuts out the brisket and adds guacamole.
Finally, the $11 Head Honcho Nachoslayer ground beef, refried beans, queso Dorado — a signature dip featuring their classic creamy yellow Queso Bravo blended with smoky arbol chile salsa — shredded cheese, pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo, cilantro-lime crema and guacamole.
9180 N. Freeway, Fort Worth; 817-750-8226;
2917 W. Berry St., Fort Worth; 817-924-7943
Shamrock Shake returns to McDonald’s
My understanding is that McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is what some might call a “cult classic,” so I figured I can’t do a casual dining column without mentioning this update.
Staff at one Fort Worth location told me the limited-time flavor usually sticks around for three or four weeks, saying the St. Patrick’s Day-themed sweet will likely disappear in late March.
The mint-flavored green beverage isn’t the only special for lovers of all things Shamrock. They’ve also got a Shamrock McFlurry, which combines the proprietary mint syrup with vanilla soft serve and Oreo crumbles. This frozen dessert is available in mini and regular sizes, while the shake comes in small, medium and large.
3041 Western Center Boulevard, Fort Worth; 817-232-8027;
3601 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth; 817-377-9260
Korean-inspired flavors at Shake Shack
If it’s fusion you’re after, Shake Shack has some Korean-inspired menu items on the table.
Obviously, they’ve got a burger on the list, the K-Shack BBQ Burger with a quarter-pound Angus beef patty, American cheese, crispy onions, scallions and Korean barbecue sauce. Korean barbecue sauce pops up again on their K-Shack Spicy BBQ Fries, along with kimchi seasoning. The fries can also be ordered with cheese sauce, according to their social media page.
There are two chicken options: the K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich and K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites. The sandwich brings together breaded chicken breast with sweet and spicy sesame gochujang, scallions and kimchi slaw. The Bites are coated in gochujang glaze and come with scallions and a dipping sauce of the customer’s choosing.
For diners with a sweet tooth and a bit of a wild side, there’s a spicy gochujang caramel custard shake with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
122 E. Exchange Ave. Ste 160, Fort Worth; 817-885-5420
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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