The video above takes you on a fort worth restaurant tour through the Camp Bowie neighborhood, a six-mile stretch of boulevard in southwest Fort Worth that's lined with historic Thurber brick dating back to the 1920s. The red brick road, tree-lined median, and clusters of local shops and eateries make this one of the more interesting areas to explore on foot in the city. Along the way, you'll also catch a look at some of the live music spots in the area and a performance by David Bridwell at Dead End Trading Post, which was the reason for the visit in the first place.
What Restaurants Are in the Camp Bowie Area of Fort Worth?
Camp Bowie Boulevard is packed with locally owned spots that cover a wide range of food. King Cade's Burgers is one of the more popular stops for a solid hamburger. Hudson House has a hip, social atmosphere and draws a crowd. Lucile caught attention for having live Maine lobster on hand. The meal of the day came from Cairo Mex, a Mediterranean-Mexican restaurant right along the boulevard. A little further down the road in the Ridglea area, The Meat Board serves up lunch with a meat-focused menu and has been known to host some live music as well. There's no shortage of bakeries, coffee shops, and boutiques mixed in between the restaurants, and the whole corridor has a walkable feel with sidewalks and minimal traffic interruptions.
Live Music Spots Along Camp Bowie Boulevard
The restaurant scene here overlaps with some solid live music options. Here are the spots mentioned in the video:
- The Bowie House — A new luxury hotel right where the red bricks begin on Camp Bowie Boulevard, hosting live music as part of its modern-meets-Western Texas atmosphere
- The Meat Board — A meat-focused lunch spot in the Ridglea area that occasionally features live music
- Oscar's Pub — A neighborhood bar in the Ridglea stretch that advertises live music nights
- Magnolia Motor Lounge — A ticketed music venue a bit further down the road, known for booking talented touring acts and strong local bands
- Dead End Trading Post — Located northwest of Camp Bowie, this is where David Bridwell played his gig and performed original songs for the crowd
The Camp Bowie Neighborhood Beyond the Food
What makes this area worth a full visit rather than just a quick meal is the neighborhood itself. The historic Thurber brick road runs about two miles through the heart of the district, and the surrounding streets are filled with small bungalows, English-style cottage homes, and churches that go back nearly 90 years. The area sits next to Fort Worth's Cultural District and the Arlington Heights neighborhood to the south. Originally named after that residential area, it was later renamed for a World War I military training camp nearby. There's a real sense of local pride in the history here, and the mix of food, shops, parks, and live music along the boulevard gives you a reason to slow down and walk around rather than just drive through.