Benito's and a stroll along Magnolia Avenue

We hadn't been to Benito's Mexican Restaurant on Magnolia in a while, so last night after doing a little shopping we decided to go there for dinner. Benito's is a family owned restaurant with good food -- it's not  nouveau anything -- it's dependable and consistently good Tex-Mex. The portions are large and it is inexpensive. I always order the same thing, the pork taco plate, because they use whole pieces of pork (not shredded), and I like their green chili sauce. The pork tacos are excellent.

We almost went to Cat City Grill which I need to do, but they were very busy, and the Saturday night attire looked a little nicer than the shorts and flip-flops we were wearing. It was busy, which is good, as was Yucatan (I may not like it, but I am glad they are busy) and Lili's. Ellerbe's parking lot was about half full.

Which brings me close to the point. But one other thought first.

Magnolia Avenue is a good place to dine. It has locally owned restaurants which have on-site, local chefs. But also the city, along with organizations like Near Southside, has worked to make Magnolia more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Last night after dinner we strolled east from Benito's almost to Jennings and back, and even though it had been 100 that day, it was pretty comfortable and a very enjoyable walk.

The point (I try to have one).

Magnolia Avenue is almost at that critical mass point in development that comes when there are enough businesses to provide dining, entertainment and shopping options -- which in turn draws more people and more business. It's not there yet. But it's better than it has ever been. It still needs some Saturday night shopping spots, a dessert/ice cream/coffee shop or two, and more live entertainment.  Unlike the South 7th development which was built to hit critical mass immediately, Magnolia is developing more slowly, more organically, and in my view, in a more aesthetically pleasing way. The building reconstruction alone is worth seeing. Magnolia has always been my favorite street in Fort Worth and with just a little more activity it could be a major Fort Worth destination on its own.

Last night, there weren't people out walking, or bicycling, or sitting on the benches. But before long, maybe in the next few years, I think we will see that change.

FortWorthology: Southside Bicycle Improvments

Fort Worth South

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Post Script -- As a member of St Mary of the Assumption on Magnolia, I am happy to say that our facility is improving and we are not far away from restoring all of the 100 year old stained glass windows.

The Movies I 'll re-Watch almost Anytime.

There are a few movies I can watch again and again. Not all of them are great movies, some of them I like for being not great movies. Here they are in no particular order. I would be interested in any of your favorite "rewatchs."

Henry V / Kenneth Branagh
Branagh made Shakespeare popular, at least movie-popular, and his most popular production was his version of Henry V. I love it and have watched it dozens of times. The musical score is as good as the movie.

The Godfather / Francis F. Coppola
It is still the best of the three Godfather movies in every way. The development of the plot and characters leaves me spellbound. I don't know why more directors don't imitate the method of suspense-building.

The Blues Brothers / John Landis
Jake and Elwood. Belushi and Akroyd, plus, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, and a weapon-toting Carrie Fisher. "We're on a mission from Godt." Great music, too, obviously. 

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou / Coen Brothers
I have talked about this movie before. The music is as good as the movie. 

Goldfinger / Thunderball / Guy Hamilton
Sean Connery in all his double-entendre finest. I rarely watch them from start to finish but when some TV station has a Bond weekend I'll always look for these two.

Lawrence of Arabia / David Lean
I just can't get enough of this movie. Is there a better actor than Peter O'Toole?

Marshall Grain Co.

Even now, when shopping in one, big American city is the same as shopping in another, there are still locally owned retail stores. Not as many as there used to be, but there a few -- fortunately.

Fort Worth's, Marshall Grain Co. is one such store.

About this time each year my wife and I pay a visit to Marshall Grain and pick up a variety of organic fertilizers, and bug and weed killers. This year we bought diatomaceous earth as a bug killer. It works, I think, the bugs are gone, anyway. In the past we have purchased everything from chickens to gardening tools at Marshall.

If you haven't been to a Marshall Grain, it is worth a visit. Stop by and check out their assortment of farm and garden products.The staff is friendly and helpful.  And you might even leave with a couple of chickens.

Marshall Grain is on Lancaster Blvd., just east of downtown, and now in Grapevine.