Jul 6, 2009
Jazz Cafe
By: Kevin Buchanan
Jazz Cafe, on Montgomery near Christ Chapel Bible Church and I-30, is one of those classic Fort Worth holes-in-the-wall, though it’s one that for whatever reason we don’t hear about as often as the big-name places like Fred’s. Probably because Jazz Cafe isn’t located near any of the big urban revitalization projects, but is instead kept company by Montgomery Street Antique Mall and that horrible ’70s concrete box with the burnt orange & brown rainbow paint that Lockheed prints (printed?) technical manuals in.
We’ve eaten there before, but finally thought to bring a camera to give the little cafe its due. After all, a tiny local cafe serving up Greek dishes with live jazz music and a couple of references to an awful, pretentious ’70s sci-fi flop? How can you not love that?
Most people would probably classify Jazz Cafe as a dive, and…yeah, that’s pretty accurate. We dig dives, though. Inside, Jazz Cafe is made of two small dining rooms, another room for musicians to set up in, a kitchen, and a couple of bathrooms.
The decor ranges from musical instruments to family photos to diving apparatus to Spiro T. Agnew album covers, and in its own off-kilter way it all works.
There is also an outdoor dining area just outside those windows to the left, set in a compact and actually rather cute garden area.
Just around the corner to the right is where the bands set up.
On to the food. I had this, the Vegetarian sandwich – and actually, this is half of it. It’s got mozzarella, cream cheese, mushroom, avocado, and tomato on onion-dill bread, and it’s extremely tasty.
It’s also quite large, as you can picture from thinking about another one of those on the plate. Worth the effort to eat, though, because it’s great. Very fresh and flavorful.
My dining companion had this rice dish, and while the exact nature of its ingredients escapes me at the moment, I was assured that it was very good as well. It’s at the bottom right of the lunch menu, for the curious.
And make note of the first two sandwich entries on the menu – any local hole-in-the-wall Greek-food live-jazz-music venue that makes one think of bad ’70s sci-fi and Sean Connery in a red diaper chasing a giant flying stone head earns extra bonus points, as far as we’re concerned.
So if you have never stopped in at Jazz Cafe, you really ought to rectify that. It’s great food, live music on the weekends, and an absolutely unique setting. We know that most of you out there in Readerland have probably known about Jazz Cafe for a while, but for anybody new to town: please do check it out. Just follow Fort Worth Hole in the Wall’s advice and never answer the phone on the wall. Oh, and take note: Jazz Cafe accepts cash or check only, no cards.
And now, Sean Connery IS Zed “The Enforcer” in…ZARDOZ!
I think one of the reasons why it doesn’t get all it deserves is because you can never figure out when the damn place is open!
I have been completely unsuccessful in going there…. 0/3 in fact. Each time I wanted to go, it was closed.
I’m still really wanting to try it…
The rice dish is Doyle’s Daddio Delight. The rice is formed into a large patty and grilled until crispy and topped with avocado and fresh pico.
I really need to remember to eat at this place more often. Everything is so good!
I agree with your comments on the ambiance, quality of food, etc., but I must warn your readers that the service is regularly abhorrent. I tried to introduce a few friends not too long ago to the Jazz Cafe, and the owner himself snubbed us and was more rude than any other server I had experienced in my dining to date. If you don’t mind being treated like you’re at Dick’s Last Resort, it’s worth checking out, just be forewarned.
I 100% agree with Jake Good on this one. I drive by Jazz Cafe nearly everyday as I live off of Montgomery and have only noticed the “Open” sign to be lit up on…Saturday mornings?? I’ve always marveled at the eclectic patio and wondered if it was indeed open for business. So glad to hear it is! When, exactly, is it open though?
Thanks for this post!
You must have gone on a Sunday. I see the Bonilla family sitting at their table…the round one in the middle. You will find DJ Bob there every Sunday with a big bottle of champagne and his friends and family. You truly captured the glory of the Jazz Cafe if you were there on Sunday.
This is our Sunday place, too. Nehme and I stroll in late and sit at the round table. We know its going to be a good week when it begins with Al Malacara on the piano, and Nick playing flute/singing.
Sounds like a great place to try and the Zardoz looks pretty good. Just so long as I don’t have to look at Sean Connery in a red diaper. Good grief!
That horrible ’70s concrete box with the burnt orange & brown rainbow paint on Montgomery Street was called GovEx in the ’60′s. It was a government exchange store for government employees similar to a military exchange. I went there once with my parents and we parked on the roof.
And I need to check out the Jazz Cafe since I live fairly close by.
You caught me in one of your pics in front of Pam and beside Carol also regulars as is DJ Bob Bonilla (ex tenor Sax Player)who holds court every Sunday with a bottle of champagne that he shares with everyone! It’s the ambience, Live Jass, character & food that keeps us going back. Don’t expect to be served immediately….waiting & bad service is half the FUN! Love to hear Nick Sing …. no telling what major Jazz star will be there — this Sunday Leo Saenz was on the trumpet while Rene Garcia was on Trombone…great musicians!
They’re only open for lunch. And yes, the service is slower than frozen molasses, but that’s totally part of the charm. It’s perfect for a slow, lazy Sunday morning. As long as you’re not starving. But the food is sooooo worth it. Anytime I go, I just pretend I’m on vacation. I love Jazz Cafe!
I realized something the other day at Jazz, the phone is gone. Maybe too many people were answering it. Great review and great pictures. The service has never bothered me but I never go expecting a quick meal.
I agree with Marcia completely. It’s not the speed of service (or lack thereof) that I mind, it’s the utter contempt that I’ve been treated with when dining there on a few occasions. On other visits, we’ve had a nice experience. However, it’s just not worth the hassle when their food can easily be prepared at home – where at least I’m not yelled at for asking for no sprouts!
I, too, have experienced the terrible service at Jazz Cafe. It’s worth suffering, but just barely. Last I was there it was still a cash only establishment.
We absolutely love, love, love the Jazz Cafe. If you are in a hurry, go to the Golden Arches down the street. If you want the Stepford wives to be your waiter, go to a chain restaurant as there are many in Fort Worth (that by the way take credit cards). We pride ourselves on eating at locally owned restaurants as those are the ones that give our city its character. We loathe chains and will not give them our hard earned dollars as the masses often choose to do. None of our top ten favorites are chains. The food is great, the setting is artsy, and the music on Sunday is fabulous.
No need to take a swipe, Shanna. There are plenty of other locally owned restaurants out there. Equating quality service with chain dining only exacerbates the problem.
The jazz AND food at the Jazz Cafe on Magnolia (Nick and company also) before it moved was just great, too. I wish they’d come back – that space looks to still be available (next to HotDamn Tamales and across from the Paris Coffee Shop). Consider that, do, Nick….please, please, please.