Rabbit, Snake, & Elk Walk into a Bar...

...well, not so much a bar but the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Ft. Worth's Stockyards.

I'm on my final push toward home on a multi-day road-trip, I called a friend whose family had recently visited Ft. Worth.  From her posts on Facebook I knew that they had eaten somewhere nice in the Stockyards.  So I gave her a call and she helped to direct me to Lonesome Dove.

Walking in to this rustic saloon styled restaurant I was cautious as to what culinary "delights" might await me.  Beyond recommendations from friends who have traveled through an area I also base my first impressions on the "others" who I see dining.  Yes, there were obviously other tourists, like myself.  Additionally, I know a place in a "touristy" area is good if locals area also dining.  Several of the "others" included what appeared to be business professionals from Ft. Worth's neighboring downtown neighborhood.  My first instincts were that I was in the right place for my lunch en route home.

I'm not sure where the geographic dividing line happens to be between those areas where having a house brewed iced sweet tea available happens to be, but apparently Ft. Worth is not "southern" enough to be safely within the sweet tea zone.  Needless to say I was polite about mixing in some Splenda into my iced tea.

As my server introduced the menu to me, upon learning this was my first time, he mentioned that any of their appetizers could be served in smaller tasting portions and mixed together.  Well that sounded awesome as I was trying to be a little budget conscious as this was the end of my road-trip.  I made a selection of a rabbit-rattlesnake sausage as well as a slider made from an elk sausage.  Due to the mix in the sausage it was difficult to distinguish the rabbit from the rattlesnake; I've eaten rabbit before and could tell there was something "extra" with it but I'm sure I'd never be able to identify it as rattlesnake.  Whatever the combination of flavors it was very tasty.  The elk sausage slider was also a wonderful treat; not too gamey but still something a step up from beef.

Left: Elk Sausage Slider with Seared Foie Gras and Blueberry Jam
Right: Rabbit-Rattlesnake Sausage with Spicy Manchergo Rosti and Creme Fraiche

For my entree I selected the "Daily Stockyard Special" which was tenderloin tacos.  Let's just say that having a great steak in Ft. Worth's Stockyards is a treat and this spin on tenderloin within two lightly fried soft taco shells was just wonderful.  The true highlight, however, was the red bell pepper soup.  "Just magical."  That's truly all I can say to do the soup justice!!  If the soup was all that I had tried on this day I would still be able to present a highly positive review of Lonesome Dove.

"Daily Stockyard Special"
Tenderloin Tacos with Red Bell Pepper Soup,
Mexican Rice, and Spicy Guacamole

If you're in Ft. Worth or the larger Dallas Metroplex it would be very worth your time to venture on out to the Stockyard's and saddle yourself into a seat at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro.

And remember, happy eating is only an adventure away.