Best places to eat out in Fort Worth & what to order off the menu

Eating out used to be for special occasions. With today’s busy schedules, though, eating out is a fact of life. But healthy choices aren’t nearly as plentiful as the tempting appetizers and generous portions on many restaurants’ menus. And sometimes you do want to treat yourself. How can you stick to your diet and choose nutritious foods when dining out? Fortunately, Fort Worth boasts plenty of options. Here are the places locals go when they want a healthy and delicious meal out on the town.

Righteous Foods

Righteous Foods’ bright and airy aesthetic, Instagram-worthy plating and focus on clean eating makes it a top casual dining spot. Their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus all feature a wide range of organically-sourced dishes sure to delight. Start your day off right with the antioxidant-packed Acai Bowl or enjoy a light but fulfilling dinner of blackened salmon served with Baby Kale salad.

Taco Heads

This former food truck sensation now occupies a brick-and-mortar location on Montgomery Street. But they’re still serving up the same seriously flavorful street-style tacos that made them such a success. Try the Bourbon Black Bean Veggie Tacos with avocado slices on top for a delectable lunch.

Fixture

With its casual ambiance and emphasis on local- and American-sourced food and drink, Fixture is a perfect place to relax with friends and family while supporting the culinary artisans in your own backyard. The veggie sandwich (carrot, radishes, cucumber, tomato, herb vinaigrette, Romesco, and cilantro pesto on wheat bread) is a great pick for either a weekday lunch or a weekend brunch. And if you’re hoping to go home with leftovers, order the Hearty Fields Bowl with Grilled Shrimp.

 Café Modern

For a memorable date night, try Café Modern inside the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Its floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the museum’s reflecting pools, creating a serene dining experience. And, in nice weather, the open patio offers even better views. Chef Denise Shavandy may be a Texas native, but she brings an international flair to her use of fresh, nutritious and seasonal ingredients. Don’t miss the Spring Pea Dumplings & Baby Vegetables, or the Avocado & Greens Salad.

All four eateries also participate in the Blue Zones Project, an initiative that engages local businesses and organizations in an effort to make healthy lifestyle choices accessible to everyone. For other meal ideas, look for a Blue Zones Project symbol next to menu items or ask your server for their Blue Zones-inspired offerings.

Finally, there’s no need to unnecessarily limit yourself or rule out a favorite restaurant when you’re in search of wholesome options. With just a few tweaks, you can transform almost any dining-out experience into one that supports your healthy-eating goals.

• Ask your server to skip the bread so there’s no temptation to fill up on carbs.
• Pass on the soda and stick to water. You’ll save on your check in addition to cutting excess sugar and calories from your daily intake.
• When serving sizes are particularly large, split a meal with your friend or loved one. If your tastes are too different, just ask your server to box up half of the meal before bringing it out. You’ll get two meals for the price of one.
• Choose a dish with a lean protein, such as chicken or fish, and a side of vegetables or a salad. Ask for sauces and dressings on the side and gravitate toward menu keywords like “raw,” “fresh,” “steamed,” “grilled,” “roasted” or “broiled.”
• Don’t be shy about asking for substitutions. For example, if your entrée comes with potatoes, ask for grilled asparagus. Many restaurants — even the ones that don’t technically allow for substitutions — will accommodate a variety of dietary habits and preferences.
• Eat slowly. Dining out is an experience and should be treated as such. Make sure to leave your body enough time to savor everything and register fullness.