This July edition of Where to Eat in Fort Worth, our monthly roundup of the essential restaurants to try is hot, and it’s not just the summer weather. There’s a restaurant by the lake, two places with pizza, one with souffles and another serving brunch.

Here are 10 restaurants to try in July:

The Anchor on Eagle Mountain Lake
New restaurant on the shore of Eagle Mountain Lake opened June 28, replacing Sammy’s on the Lake, which closed in May. The new owners are Dustin and Craig Bunney, who own the successful Blue Mound Cafe chain, and they promise sunshine, cold beer, and good vibes along with front-row lakeside views, whether you roll up in a truck or float in by boat. Their menu includes seafood such as fried calamari, raw oysters, and catfish, plus Southern dishes such as chicken strips, chicken fried chicken, and chicken fried steak.

The Holic Pho
Asian restaurant serving pho, stir-fries, and Vietnamese favorites is now open at 108 S. Ranch House Rd, # 13001, in the Willow Park area west of Aledo, next door to Railhead Smokehouse BBQ. The Holic Pho is from Huy “Kevin” Ngo, a native of Vietnam who resided in California before moving to Texas. There are 11 kinds of pho, plus egg rolls, fried dumplings, popcorn chicken, stir-fried steak with rice, and shrimp garlic noodles.

Jesus Restaurant
Longtime family-owned Tex-Mex and BBQ restaurant just re-opened at 810 S. Main St. on July 1, following a temporary closure in May to let owner-chef Maria Martinez recuperate from health issues. The restaurant, which opened in 1969, is known for chicken-fried steak, chicken-fried chicken, brisket, and generous fried fruit pies in flavors such as apple, cherry, lemon, and peach. The food is wholesome, homey, and well prepared, with old-school lunch specials like cheese enchiladas smothered in chili and cheese, with a side of rice and beans.

Mary Sue’s Chicken & Dough
Mary Sue’s is from legendary restaurateur Eddie Deen, a 30-year industry veteran and owner of event venues Eddie Deen and Edison’s in downtown Dallas. They have a small menu starring Nashville hot chicken-style tender bites, available in combos with sides that include hand-cut fries, mac & cheese, and cole slaw. The dough part of their name refers to their small but tempting selection of baked goods that include yeast rolls, cinnamon rolls, and bite-size “dough babies.”

Mister O1
Miami-based chain known for its star-shaped pizzas just opened its first location in Fort Worth, at 2828 N. Tarrant Pkwy. #110. Their crust is made with an ultra-light dough, and the toppings are high-quality ingredients imported from Italy or locally sourced. Signatures include the Star Luca with ricotta cheese, spicy salami calabrese, mozzarella, Italian tomato sauce and basil; and the Coffee Paolo topped with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola, honey, coffee, and spicy salami calabrese. This is their fifth location in DFW.

Our Taphouse
New gastropub bar in the old Pouring Glory spot on the Near Southside opened mid-June. It comes from first-time restaurant owners Maria Castillo and Kevin Hudson. The menu is limited with dishes such as burgers and fries, tacos, wings, chicken tenders, and salads, plus 20+ beers on tap from local brewers such as Community, Lakewood Brewing, and Peticolas.

Pita Hut 
Mediterranean restaurant just opened at 821 NE Green Oaks Blvd. in north Arlington, and is similar to concepts like Halal Guys, featuring beef gyro, chicken shawarma, and beef shawarma which you can get in a pita sandwich or in a rice bowl, along with Mediterranean salads like fattoush and tabbouli. This is “Pita Hut #2”: Owner Abdul Iqnais opend the first location in Palestine, Texas, in 2023. This location has a bigger commitment to dine-in with more seating.

Rise Souffle 
Dallas-based chain dedicated to souffles has opened a location in Southlake at the Southlake Marketplace. Their menu of more than a dozen souffles includes smoked salmon, mushroom, raspberry, and praline pecan. Other items include marshmallow soup (a carrot and tomato bisque topped with goat cheese to look like a marshmallow), sandwiches, salads, and steak. This is their sixth location, joining Dallas, Plano, Fort Worth, Houston, and Tulsa.

 Son Of A Baker Pizzeria
Artisan pizza concept has opened at the new River’s Cocktail & Wine Bar, 4850 White Settlement Rd. Son of a Baker is from young pizzaiolo Joshua Villegas, who started out doing pop-ups before he found a stable home in 2024 at The Archibald, a club in downtown Fort Worth in need of a food offering. He has the same relationship with River’s, providing an in-house restaurant of sorts and giving him another platform for his killer pizzas, topped with gourmet ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, Italian sausage, and habanero onion bacon jam.

Urban Egg
Small but growing chain based in Colorado has opened its first location in Texas in Fort Worth’s Alliance area at 2828 N. Tarrant Pkwy. Founded in 2012, Urban Egg does creative twists on breakfast, brunch and lunch classics, including a variety of Benedicts and pancakes, sandwiches, salads, and healthier options. The result: a diverse menu that feels warm and familiar yet still inventive. Signature dishes include Billion $ Bourbon Bacon consisting of thick slices served with a bourbon glaze; biscuits & sage sausage gravy; and regionally inspired items like chilaquiles and shrimp & grits.