Is this Fort Worth’s best chili? Plus more Turkey Day picks, and chef Olenjack is back

Bud Kennedy
·2 min read

Best chili? J&J, M&O, Dutch’s

Hey, Bud! I saw you wrote on Facebook that J&J Oyster Bar now has the best chili. Where else?

—Chilihead

J&J’s, 612 University Drive, has stepped up its cowboy menu lately with chili, fish and shrimp tacos, and even occasional specials such as calf fries.

My other two favorites are M&O Station Grill, 200 Carroll St., and Dutch’s Hamburgers, 3009 S. University Drive. And of course the legacy chili at century-old Carshon’s Deli, 3133 Cleburne Road.

Sirloin chili con carne at J&J Oyster Bar.
Sirloin chili con carne at J&J Oyster Bar.

Olenjack, Lane to open Fort Worth restaurant

Hey, Bud! I liked Brian Olenjack’s place in Arlington. Is there anywhere like that now? Where is he?

—Frequent callers to 817-390-7538

For a nice Arlington lunch or dinner restaurant right by the stadiums, I like Zack’s Bistro, a smaller Mercury Chophouse cousin at 900 E. Copeland Road.

Olenjack, a former Reata chef, has a new gig with Joe Lane Catering in Aledo.

Lane has big plans. He and Olenjack will open a “large two-story grill and bar” next year in a Fort Worth “landmark location,” he said

But not the Reata space, Lane said. Reata will move temporarily to 500 Throckmorton St. when its lease runs out next spring.

Chef Brian Olenjack. now with a Parker County caterer, will partner in a future Fort Worth restaurant.
Chef Brian Olenjack. now with a Parker County caterer, will partner in a future Fort Worth restaurant.

Heaven’s Gate, Jake & Dorothy’s for Thanksgiving home cooking

Hey, Bud! Is Heaven’s Gate open for Thanksgiving this year?

—Carol, Fort Worth

Fort Worth’s favorite old-time family buffet will start serving its $19.95 lunch at 10:30 a.m.

No specifics, but expect turkey and dressing, roast pork, meat loaf, chicken fried steak and the usual Heaven’s Gate menu of inexpensive home cooking; 3820 N. Main St.

▪ Another Thanksgiving buffet: Winslow’s Wine Cafe, 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd. will serve a huge $95/$29 spread with turkey, prime rib, chorizo-spinach stuffed pork loin and baked ham on the carving station.

Look for salads, pastas and brunch dishes (and pizza by request).

▪ And for a country drive and a charming small-town Thanksgiving, Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe in Stephenville will serve a $20.95 turkey, ham or chicken-fried steak dinner all day.

That’s with pumpkin pie or another dessert. It’s the famous restaurant’s 75th Thanksgiving.

Dorothy and Jake Roach founded Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe in Stephenville. It opened June 12, 1948.
Dorothy and Jake Roach founded Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe in Stephenville. It opened June 12, 1948.