Finding a great restaurant that’s off the beaten path is always rewarding. The Near Southside offers several hidden gems that are worth the hunt. The locals know them well and keep them busy.

Stir Crazy Baked Goods at Daggett Avenue and South Main Street offers homemade tasty treats and cakes for special events. They are a pioneering a new community in South Main Village by hosting regular art shows, weekend markets and special events inside and out of the bakery. The popular Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos came to Midtown in 2012 and immediately had lines streaming out the door. Paul’s Donuts Subs & Gyros offers a full menu of breakfast items, sandwiches, and sweets. Community minded Z’s Cafe offers awarding-winning chicken salad, catering, and friendly service. Paco & John Mexican Diner serves authentic tacos, enchiladas and regional dishes for lunch and dinner. Tony’s Pizza has brought traditional New York style pizza to the Near Southside with crispy crusts and user-friendly service. Melt Ice Creams opened in April 2014 and has garnered critical acclaim from every food critic in town. Photographer Kari Crowe is taking her artistry in a new direction with Fort Worth’s first “farm-to-cone” ice cream shop, located on West Rosedale Street at Alston Avenue in the former Café d’Angeli space. Kari’s scratch-made ice cream incorporates fresh and local ingredients, with seasonal flavors and something for every taste. We agree wholeheartedly with Kari when she says, “every good neighborhood needs a good ice cream shop.”