Birthday Trip to DFW: Part 2

I planned for Sunday to be our day exploring Fort Worth.  We started with breakfast close to the hotel, Pioneer Restaurant.

I got the taco omelette and Jimmy got a standard southern meal, grits, eggs, and bacon.  There was enough food for two meals, so we dropped it off in the room before checking out a local church.

Overflow Church was a small, hipster style place.  They had a really great production level during worship and their pastor was very energetic.

We happened to be there for their end of summer celebration.  They had a bounce house for the kids, fancy coffee drinks and free tacos.  We were pretty full from breakfast still, but who turns down free tacos?!?!?

Next stop was the Fort Worth Water Gardens, which is several water features in downtown.

Then we were off to the Stockyards. It is a 98 acre historic district north of downtown that used to be home of the local livestock markets.  Today, it is a celebration of the cattle industry and a social gathering place with many shops and restaurants.  They host a rodeo and have twice daily cattle drives down the stone streets

A customer from work had recommended checking out H3 Ranch and Booger Reds Saloon, so that is where we stopped for a mid-afternoon snack.  They also said we should get the Sweet Thighs and they were so right! Three chicken thighs roasted, then deep-fried and slathered with a spicy sweet glaze.  The skin was perfectly rendered and crispy without the chicken being overcooked.  An order of burnt end and french fries added some additional sustenance.  They are also known for their in house flavored vodka margaritas.  I went with the Malone which uses pineapple and mango.

We slowly perused the shops, which offered a much needed break from the stifling heat.

4:00 was cattle drive time.  It was really neat to be so close to these animals.  Those horns are massive!

We stopped for some treats on the way back to the hotel.  Krispie Kreme's HOT LIGHT was on, so we got some fresh doughnuts, then stopped for a twist cone at Braum's Ice Cream.  My mom and I found that place on our trip to Oklahoma and I was so excited to have it again.

We took a dip in the hotel pool before Facetime calling the kids.

Esme was so intrigued by this concept.  She kept smiling and saying "Hi."  We have done this on previous trips, but this was the first time she really understood it.

We had a late dinner in Dallas at a spot recommended by the Buraholic. Rodeo Goat has several locations in Texas and has a large menu of fun and funky burgers along with some tried and true favorites.

We both went out of the box with our selections.  I got the Sugar Burger which had candied bacon, grilled peaches caramelized onions, arugula, and jalapeño jam.  Jimmy tried the Mike Rawlings which had Irish whiskey cheddar, candied bacon, blackberry compote, shredded lettuce, and whole grain mustard.  Both of them were really well balanced and unique combinations.

Next Up: A day in Dallas and heading back home