American and Southwestern

If you’re looking for a fine steak dinner downtown, head straight to Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House (812 Main St., 817/877-3999, open daily, $22–38). Though it’s Chicago-based, everything else about this place is pure Texas, from the huge cuts of succulent meat to the Wild West decor to the colossal chocolate cake. Reservations are recommended.

Far more casual is the aptly named Cowtown Diner (305 Main St., 817/332-9555, www.thecowtowndiner.com, $10–20). Comfort food is the main draw here, so bring your appetite for standards like mac and cheese, Salisbury steak, and meatloaf, each with a fancy twist. Entrées are enhanced by subtle yet effective additions such as quality cheese, roasted red peppers, and freshly made sauces. Above-average side dishes (smoked Gouda mashed potatoes, creamed spinach) complete these well-rounded and generously portioned meals.

For those in search of something a bit more upscale, consider Grace (777 Main St., 817/877-3388, www.gracefortworth.com, $12–31). This is a great spot for drinks and appetizers, since Grace has developed a well-earned reputation for its quality cocktails and soups. The entrées are also top-notch, but sometimes an appealing dining experience consists of nothing more than an Old Fashioned (or two), a mushroom and cognac soup, and a side of bacon-wrapped onions.

Southwestern cuisine is the main draw at Reata (310 Houston St., 817/336-1009, open daily, $12–29). The Reata is a rare small-town-to-big-city import (the original is in the West Texas town of Alpine), but the food has become a Fort Worth tradition with cuisine inspired by regional cowboy cooking: Tenderloin tamales, barbecue shrimp enchiladas, and smoked jalapeño quail are signature dishes that don’t appear on menus in most other cities. Reservations are recommended.

Another erstwhile Texas/American tradition is barbecue, and one of the city’s favorite proprietors is Riscky’s (300 Main St., 817/877-3306, open daily, $9–18). Located on historic Sundance Square, Riscky’s offers traditional barbecue (brisket, sausage, chicken), but its biggest draw are the giant beef ribs smoked over a wood fire and rubbed with “Riscky’s Dust,” a concoction of nearly 20 spices.

Mexican

Adjacent to Riscky’s on Sundance Square is Cabo Grandé (115 W. 2nd St., 817/348-8226, www.cabogrande.com, open daily, $12–23), an “upscale taqueria” with Mexican and Latin American influences. Although the restaurant offers pricier fare like red snapper and steaks, you’re better off sticking with the classics—their queso, chicken enchiladas, and beef tacos are consistently good options.

One of the only other notable downtown Mexican restaurants is Mi Cocina (509 Main St., 817/877-3600, open daily, $7–15), a local chain that offers reliable Tex-Mex cuisine. Locals love the Mama’s Tacos and fresh guacamole, and you can’t go wrong with the pork tamales or quesadillas. Save room for the caramelly flan.