Erin Ratigan

Texas

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Arts and music lover, freelance journalist, amateur gardener. Retweets ≠ endorsements.

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Articles

The Dish: Fort Worth restaurants firing up fresh starts, revivals this spring

1 week ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Who doesn’t love a comeback story? There’s a reason they are a popular trope in literature and entertainment. We like rooting for an underdog and watching them rise up, renewed and revitalized. Such stories are a reminder of what can be accomplished through passion and commitment. Restaurants can also undergo a metamorphosis through new management, reworked menus, or even – as in Duchess’s case – breathing new life into a historic building. Here are some revivals taking shape in Fort Worth.
The Dish: Tarrant restaurants offer new vegan options for Meatless Monday

2 weeks ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

You don’t have to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy a Meatless Monday, and while it’s no trouble finding barbecue and seafood restaurants around Tarrant County, meat-free dining is also available. Whether you’re a long-time veggie or just want to keep your vegetarian friend happy, here are a few spots with the bowls, entrees and baked goods to kick the cravings. Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo and dairy-free options are all available at Flower Child, which just opened a Southlake location.
The Dish: Got plans for National Brunch Month? Here are some ideas in Tarrant County

3 weeks ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Did you know there’s a National Brunch Month? I didn’t, but apparently April holds that illustrious title, and I’m nothing if not enthusiastic about eating breakfast in the afternoon. That said, shouldn’t every month be brunch month? Whether it’s a gathering of your whole family on Sunday afternoon or a fun outing to catch up with friends, brunch is an inherently joyful, communal concept that speaks to both the value of good food and of sharing time with loved ones.
The Dish: Culinary mashups bond us to favorite foods in new ways

4 weeks ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Frequently, when my friends ask where I want to go for dinner, I struggle to choose. They ask, “What are you in the mood for?” I stare back blankly while trying to make up my mind. What if I want a bunch of different things? I like lots of things, I can’t always be expected to pick. That’s when another option comes to mind: fusion. Fusion restaurants feature dishes that draw from multiple regions and techniques.
The Dish: Guests with special diets have options at 2025 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

1 month ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Picture this: You’re a vegetarian out with a group of friends and all of them love beef. The group votes on where to have dinner and you are outvoted. Next thing you know, you’re sitting in a booth at a barbecue joint hoping your roll and grilled asparagus can keep you going the rest of the night. This scenario is pretty common for people with dietary restrictions.
The Dish: Chefs plate up the 2025 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival menu

1 month ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Fort Worth is home to many festivals throughout the year — ArtsGoggle, the Main Street Arts Festival, the Lone Star Film Festival, Mayfest, Oktoberfest and the list goes on. But one of the biggest culinary events of the year is the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, which this year runs April 3-6 at Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork. The fest comprises five events.
The Dish: Fort Worth’s spring menus get cracking with shellfish

1 month ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Spring is only a few weeks away, though the unpredictable Texas weather might suggest otherwise. But one dependable harbinger of the season is the bloom of seasonal restaurant menus. The big catch of the season is seafood. Coastal-themed dishes are featured at restaurants across Fort Worth into May, so all I can say is, “I’m sorry, lobsters.
The Dish: Tarrant County restaurants let the good times roll for Mardi Gras

1 month ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

You don’t have to go to New Orleans to enjoy Mardi Gras fare. Sure, you could drive approximately eight hours southeast to laissez les bons temps rouler, but there are several restaurants across Tarrant County bringing the NOLA spirit on or around March 4. A festive bonus is that a couple places offer live music, too. Whether it’s beignets, crawfish, gumbo or just a fruity hurricane cocktail you’re wanting to celebrate the holiday, here are some restaurants ready for a Fat Tuesday fest and beyond.
The Dish: Fort Worth’s women-owned restaurants deserve some love

2 months ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

Valentine’s Day has passed, taking with it the cheeky sister holiday of Galentine’s. Calendar dates aside, who says appreciating women must be reserved for one day a year? Certainly, there is no deadline for acknowledging and appreciating women in the restaurant industry. There are many women-owned food and drink spots around Tarrant County –– from the fine dining concept at Maiden to the casual sit-and-sip shop of Ostara Coffee Roasters.
The Dish: Sushi, burgers, tacos, oh my! Lunch rush gets busier in Fort Worth

2 months ago | fortworthreport.org | Erin Ratigan

It can be overwhelming deciding where to go for lunch. It feels like Fort Worth has countless restaurants vying for everyone’s attention, and there are more places added to the list every week. I’m not going to tell anyone where or what to eat. What constitutes “good food” is subjective, and I’m not in the food criticism game. What I will do, however, is offer a glimpse of some new spots opening just in time for the lunch rush –– and another that’s on its way.