Ellerbe Fine Foods — Fort Worth’s Beloved Farm-to-Table Pioneer Where James Beard-Recognized Chef Molly McCook Turns Local Ingredients into Something Extraordinary on Magnolia Avenue
Few restaurants in Fort Worth have earned the kind of enduring reverence that Ellerbe Fine Foods commands. This charmer helped start Cowtown’s fine dining revolution with its upscale Louisiana/Texas menu, and after more than 15 years on Magnolia Avenue, it remains one of the most celebrated dining destinations in the city. Led by co-owner and Executive Chef Molly McCook — a 2020 James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist — and co-owner and General Manager Richard King, Ellerbe highlights the freshest local and seasonal ingredients in its elegant, innovative, farm-to-table cuisine. One of the first local restaurants founded on a farm-to-table ethos, Ellerbe has remained true to its roots — few restaurants tweak their menu weekly based on what’s fresh and available, but Ellerbe does.
Chef McCook designs the menu around whatever vegetables are coming in from the farmers market first, then picks the proteins — making twice-weekly trips to Cowtown Farmers Market and supplementing with additional visits to markets in Haltom City and Dallas. The result is a menu that changes constantly and rewards repeat visits. Recent highlights have included pork shoulder confit drizzled with Creole mustard butter alongside mascarpone-infused grits, lemon-spritzed mashed avocado toast adorned with beets, feta, and chickpeas, and a velvety squash soup finished with whipped chèvre and lemon zest. The oyster appetizer is exceptional, the duck confit is really excellent, and the bread pudding should not be missed — with outstanding values in wines by the glass and bottle that are unusual and expertly paired. Co-owner Richard King also oversees Ellerbe’s acclaimed wine program, White Gloves, Purple Teeth, which extends the restaurant’s cellar beyond the dining room into retail and off-premises experiences.
Ellerbe Fine Foods is located at 1501 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104, with apéritif hour beginning at 4pm Tuesday through Saturday, dinner served Tuesday through Thursday 5–9pm, and Friday through Saturday 5–10pm. The restaurant seats 90, including outdoor patio tables for 26, and reservations are strongly recommended as seats fill quickly. Catering and private events are also available on and off-site. For more of Fort Worth’s finest dining experiences, explore the Fort Worth restaurant guide on Selling the Fort.
