There’s a certain kind of Fort Worth restaurant that doesn’t bother with pretense — the sort of place that wraps you in warmth the second you step inside. That’s the feeling restaurateur Mary Perez is betting on at her new Enchilada’s Ole/ Holy Cue location at 1208 Magnolia Ave., tucked into the former home of the long-running Cat City Grill. It’s been just a little over a month since Perez announced she was taking over the space, and now — ahead of a three-day grand opening slated for December 11, 12, and 13 — curious guests have already begun wandering in, some lucky enough to stumble onto a surprise day when the food was on the house. For everyone else, look toward Tuesday, Dec. 9, for the doors to open.
Inside, the dining room carries the clean, easy confidence of someone who knows exactly who she is. Perez thrifted much of the décor, from flea-market chandeliers to vintage tables and chairs, blending boho charm with the kind of polish Magnolia regulars expect. The table I landed at wasn’t just thrifted — it was hers, straight from her own dining room. As she put it, “I always wanted a place that felt calm and inviting for my customers, and this place reflects that.”
A fresh mural from local artist Megan Najera stretches across the west wall, brightening the space with the kind of personality Perez favors: unfussy, colorful, lived-in.
But the soul at this newly revamped spot is still the menu. Perez is pulling classics from her former spots and tightening them into one dual-concept lineup — daily fideo, smoked meatloaf, smoked brisket enchiladas, brisket tacos and more. On my visit, a plate of brisket tacos arrived with rice and beans, followed by a family-style platter of brisket enchiladas draped in caramelized onions and one of her signature sauces. A house-made salsa hit the table alongside something I hadn’t seen in far too long — a glass bottle of Coca-Cola, which felt perfectly in step with the restaurant’s throwback hospitality.
Perez didn’t stop moving while we talked. She was juggling kitchen duty, greeting curious customers, and simultaneously confirming plans she’s weighing for Weatherford and maybe even a Granbury locale in the near future.
“I’m so excited to see this version of my restaurant come to life,” she said. “It was very difficult for me to be in two places at once when the concepts were separated.”
Now, both Enchilada’s Olé and Holy Cue live under the same roof. For guests, that means smoked meats and sauced-up Tex-Mex in one stop. For Perez, it means a streamlined operation — one that still lets regulars customize their visit. Full-service dining is available, but so is POS self-ordering for customers who already know exactly what they want. She carved out a separate area along the east side for call-ins and pickups, a nod to the growing demand for quick-turn meals.
The bar program is simple this time — beer and margaritas only — a deliberate choice that trims red tape and keeps costs down. Most dishes will stay under $16, another strategic decision designed to preserve scratch cooking without pricing out the neighborhood. As she put it, “You either go with the trends, or you fold. People want faster quality, but they still want it done right, and they want to sit down and eat after they order.”
Speaking of orders, Perez is also taking holiday meal orders up to Dec. 20th.
The Magnolia location is more than a consolidation — it’s a calculated plant in a corridor that’s only gaining momentum, especially with its proximity to the hospital district. Perez knows exactly what that visibility means. “For me, it’s just phenomenal to be in that hospital district,” she said in an October interview. “I mean, it’s kind of like a dream come true for a restaurateur.”
Enchilada’s Ole Express/ Holy Cue is already taking every day to-go orders and catering Family Meals with free delivery. Call 817-751-5556 to place your order today.