Trailboss Burgers — The Fort Worth Stockyards’ Home of the Buffalo Burger, Where Riscky’s Century-Old Legacy Meets Cattle Drive Views, Half-Pound Angus Beef, and All-You-Can-Eat Fried Catfish on East Exchange Avenue
Right in the beating heart of the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, steps from the Long Horn Trail where the twice-daily cattle drive rolls past, Trailboss Burgers at 140 E. Exchange Ave. brings the full flavor of Cowtown to the table in one of the most atmospheric dining settings in the city. Part of the legendary Riscky’s family of restaurants — a Fort Worth institution whose roots stretch back to 1927 when Polish immigrant Joe Riscky opened his first grocery and market near the Stockyards — Trailboss is where that century-old heritage meets the great American burger in a room that radiates western character at every turn: saddle bar stools, red and white checkered tablecloths, cowboys on staff, and a festive patio that delivers the best street-level view of the cattle drive anywhere on Exchange Avenue. Prices stay surprisingly reasonable for such a prime Stockyards location, and the staff’s genuine hospitality has earned rave reviews from visitors and locals alike.
The menu is anchored by the signature Buffalo Bill burger — 100% pure buffalo meat, 96% lean, with 30% higher protein, fewer calories, 50% less cholesterol, and an exceptional omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, served with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and pickle on a toasted bun — making Trailboss the only spot in Fort Worth where a bison burger this well-executed is the headliner. For those who prefer traditional beef, the half-pound Certified Angus Beef burgers are equally compelling: the Legend Burger stacked with homemade onion strings and house Ranch’n sauce, the Smokehouse layered with bacon, cheddar, and two over-easy eggs, and the Spicy Steer topped with pepper jack and fried jalapeños. Beyond burgers, Trailboss is the only Riscky’s location serving the famous Riscky’s Beef Brisket Stew — big chunks of smoked brisket in a rich, savory broth — and the all-you-can-eat fried catfish with unlimited refills on catfish, fries, and hush puppies is an institution unto itself. Smoked turkey legs, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, sweet potato fries, crispy tater tots, and a full kids’ menu round out a surprisingly comprehensive spread.
Trailboss Burgers is located at 140 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76164, and is open Sunday from 8am to 9pm, Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday from 10:30am to 10pm, and Saturday from 8am to 10pm, with weekend breakfast served Saturday and Sunday mornings. Dine-in, takeout, and online ordering are all available. Whether you’re fueling up before the cattle drive, cooling down after a morning in the Stockyards, or simply chasing one of the most uniquely Fort Worth dining experiences available anywhere in the city, Trailboss delivers on every count. For more of Fort Worth’s most iconic dining destinations, explore the Fort Worth restaurant guide on Selling the Fort.
