There are tons of delicious events to check out in North (and Central) Texas this spring. Here are eight.
1.) Just as it has been doing annually for the past 41 years, English pub J.R. Bentley’s (406 W Abram St, Arlington, 817-261-7351) will be offering specials on Irish beer and adding Reuben sandwiches and corned beef and cabbage with new potatoes to the menu 11am-2pm and 5pm-10pm Thu in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
2.) Muy Frio Margaritas (3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 109, Fort Worth, 817-238-3386) is partnering with Queso Carne (@queso.carneboxdelivery) for a class called Charcuterie with Me: St Patrick’s Day Edition 6pm-8pm Thu. The $65 fee includes the food and supplies for class, a charcuterie tray, and a complimentary miniflight of drinks from Muy Frio. Register at MuyFrioMargaritas.com/Book-Online.
3.) DFW Sheraton (4440 W John Carpenter Fwy, Irving, 972-929-8400) is the host hotel for the 36th Annual Bluebonnet Brew-Off happening 1pm-1:45pm Fri-Sat. This homebrew contest and craft beer festival includes beer samples, beer-pairing lunches, live music, pub crawls, stein-holding competitions, technical speakers, and more. Tickets are $35-$75 at BBBrewOff.com.
4.) After a pandemic hiatus in 2021, Waco’s (typically) annual Texas Food Truck Showdown is back for 2022. Head to Heritage Square (300 Austin Av, Waco, 254-757-5600) 10am-8pm Sat and enjoy bites from 40 food trucks and vote for them in the showdown. Before and after the competition, the trucks can accept payments for their regular food items. However, during the competition (10am-4pm), you can use only $5 Tasty Tickets — sold on-site — to sample 4-ounce signature dishes, and in doing so, you are giving that food truck a vote. There is no cost to attend. For more information, visit TheTexasFoodTruckShowdown.com.
5.) It’s time for the first crawfish boil of the year at The Horny Toad (9530 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-560-8623). The Wild Cajun (@TheWildCajun, 985-637-9506) will be on-site serving an all-you-can-eat boil, including crawfish, alligator sausage, corn, and potatoes for $35 per person 12pm-4pm Sun. Dalton Torres will perform 2pm-4pm. For tickets, sign up and pre-pay with the bartender upon arrival.
6.) At various dates and times thru Sun, Mar 27, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is open at Irving Mall (Lower Level, 3865 Irving Mall, Irving, 972-255-0572) with tickets starting at $17.50 per person. However, if you go 7pm-10pm Fri, Mar 25, you can make a night of it by attending When in Rome: A Taste of Italy in Dallas, where you will see the exhibit while enjoying live music by a string quartet, imbibing drinks, and eating slices of Sicilian pizza. Tickets for When in Rome are $50 per person at ChapelSistine.com.
7.) Lost Oak Winery (8101 CR 802, Burleson, 817-426-6625) is the location of the spring 2022 DFW Wicked Wine Run 5:30pm-9pm Sat, Mar 26. Known as “the race with a drinking problem,” the Wicked Wine Run combines wine festivals with vineyard runs/walks for those 21 and up. Enjoy contests, food trucks, vendors, and wine, of course. Race start times are 5:30pm for the 5K run and 7pm for the 1K walk. Race registration is $40 at WickedWineRun.com/Locations/Texas-Dallas, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting local nonprofit Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue (@AlliesHaven). Four wine tastings are included.
8.) Heart of the Ranch (5000 Clearfork Main St, @HeartoftheRanch1848) is this year’s location of the main event for the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival 6:30pm-9pm Fri, Apr 1. Tickets ($125 per person at FWFWF.TicketSauce.com) cover tastings from artisan producers of craft beers, wines, spirits, and specialty foods, plus bites from the best chefs and restaurateurs from all over the world. (Note: No one under the age of 21 is allowed to attend.)
