8 Local Family-Owned Restaurants in Dallas Fort Worth

Sure, big chain restaurants are cool and all, but there’s something really special about local, mom and pop restaurants. You can really tell that these family-owned restaurants put a lot of love into their food because it simply tastes amazing! I’ve lived in Dallas-Fort Worth for years and wanted to share a few of my favorite local places to eat. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or a local looking for a delicious meal, these tried and true restaurants won’t dissapoint!

Coffee cup at Mama's Daughters' Diner in Dallas, Texas

Courtesy: Mama’s Daughters’ Diner

1. MAMA’S DAUGHTERS’ DINER

If you love soul food, Mama’s Daughters’ Diner is the place to visit! They have been cookin’ up a storm since 1958 and are owned and operated by three generations. Everything is made in house, from their pies to their cornbread and rolls! What makes this restaurant EXTRA legit is that they have been featured in several publications, including Paula Deen and Southern Living magazine. Plus, the atmosphere at all of their DFW locations is very cozy and gives off those classic diner vibes. Just reading their menu, my mouth starts to water. Their food options are endless!

MULTIPLE DFW LOCATIONS

Italian food at the Italian Cafe in Irving, Texas

Courtesy: @jennkpop

2. ITALIAN CAFE

Alright, y’all — if you love Italian food, like me, then Italian Café is the place for you! The owner, Ben Carpenter, wanted to bring a little piece of Venice, Italy to Las Colinas, and he did just that. Italian Café has it all! As a result of their delicious food, great service and cozy atmosphere, Italian Café has become a local go-to for italian food in Irving. Pro Tip: If you want to really feel like you’re in Italy, eat here before catching a gondola ride (the docks are right around the corner from the restaurant)!

IRVING

People standing in Taste Community Restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas

Courtesy: @deputy_tex

3. TASTE COMMUNITY RESTAURANT

Taste Community Restaurant is truly something special. It’s a community-run restaurant in Fort Worth that serves those looking to eat a great meal as well as serving those who struggle to eat. Their menu has no prices, because they want the guests to pay what they can afford. How amazing is that?! The menu changes from season to season, featuring a variety of different delicious food like poke bowls, burgers, French toast and more! This is an awesome place to enjoy a good meal and pay it forward to feed a family or person in need.

FORT WORTH

People sitting in I love Sushi in Denton, Texas

Courtesy: @sstargazerr

4. I LOVE SUSHI

Sushi, sushi, and more SUSHI! Sushi is definitely a favorite of mine and I Love Sushi in Denton will hook you up! They have been serving the Denton area since 1998. Their restaurant is on the smaller side, but don’t let that deter you — There’s rarely a wait, and their smaller size really makes the dining experience feel more cozy and intimate. As soon as you walk in, you can tell that an incredible amount of care has been put into I Love Sushi! Better yet, their sushi is reasonably priced, and they even have lunch specials. You can’t beat that!

DENTON

People sitting around a table eating crab at the Crab Station in Arlington, Texas

Courtesy: @ckinc1

5. THE CRAB STATION

I had to shake it up a little and give you guys a Cajun and seafood option. I’ve eaten here a few times and have never been disappointed! The Crab Station is family-owned, and they pride themselves on making everything from scratch. The Crab Station began in Arlington as a small cafe. Fun fact: The owner didn’t plan on opening a seafood restaurant, but after his wife became pregnant and starting craving crawfish and crab legs, he began creating seafood dishes and a few menu items grew into The Crab Station! The restaurant has since opened locations in Carrollton, The Colony, Dallas, Fort Worth, and even Houston.

MULTIPLE DFW LOCATIONS

People sitting inside Mason & Dixie in Grapevine, Texas

Courtesy: Mason & Dixie

6. MASON & DIXIE

This little restaurant in Historic Downtown Grapevine offers sandwiches, soups, salads and various desserts. Mason & Dixie’s owner, Beth, is originally from Florida but has lived in Texas for over a decade. Beth’s passion for food turned into a vision to open her own restaurant, which is now Mason and Dixie! This is a great place to stop for lunch before shopping or wine-tasting along Main Street. It has adorable decor, a friendly staff and (of course) delicious food!

GRAPEVINE

Exterior of Lucille's A Stateside Bistro in Fort Worth, Texas

Courtesy: @hartgb

7. LUCILE’S STATESIDE BISTRO

This Fort Worth staple has a wide variety of dishes such as burgers, pizza, salads, soups and more, all of which are delicious! The building that’s now home to Lucile’s first opened in 1927 as Steve’s Café. Lucile’s pays homage to the former Fort Worth classic, Steve’s Café, by showcasing historical photos of Steve’s in the lobby of the restaurant. Lucile’s was has also been voted Fort Worth’s Best Martini, Breakfast, Pizza, Dessert, Family Restaurant, Chicken Fried Steak and American Restaurant. If all these awards don’t convince you to visit them, I don’t know what else will!

FORT WORTH

People standing in line at Feedstore BBQ in Southlake, Texas

Courtesy: @ecclingerman

8. FEEDSTORE BBQ

Last but not least is Feedstore BBQ. Of course, I had to add a family-owned BBQ restaurant…because Texas, that’s why! Feed Store BBQ has been around since 2001, but the Lafavers family has been living in Southlake since the early 70s. The family raised their kids on a plot of land behind Miller’s Grocery. Years later, they bought the grocery store and remodeled it into Feedstore BBQ. Now, their son Chef Mike Lafavers is making their delicious BBQ and fixin’s well-known in Southlake (and beyond).

SOUTHLAKE

Featured Image: Feedstore BBQ
Courtesy: Cheryl Collett