Jun 2, 2008
What’s Up With BJ Keefer’s?
by Pete WannSo, we’ve gotten a few emails asking about what might be going in to the old BJ Keefer’s location on Magnolia.
We’ve heard a couple of grumblings about a new concept from the folks that brought you Fuzzy’s Tacos, but nothing official.
What have y’all heard? Post it in the comments.
Tags: BJ Keefer's, fuzzy's tacos, magnolia, restaurants
27 Comments, Comments or Pings
steph
I saw them repainting the window trim the other day. I’ve heard it might be the Fuzzy’s thing or a pizza place.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Jeremy
I’ve heard the same rumors as steph…
But. I emailed the guy that currently owns Fuzzys and he said they have nothing to do with that building, so I know that part for a fact. I’ve also recieved word from someone within the Near Southside that it is becoming an upscale mexican food restaurant. I don’t know if what this person told me is fact and I don’t know the owner of the building. Also, to confuse matters, I spoke with one of the workers in the building and he told me “pizza place, like a CiCi’s” in very broken english. So right now I don’t know what to believe, but I’m hoping for Mexican over pizza…
Can anyone set the facts straight?
Jun 3rd, 2008
steph
I also hope it’s Mexican food and not pizza.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Chris H
I just hope it’s not another place doomed to failure. That seems to happen with alarming regularity at that location.
Oh, and food that’s not terrible would be a plus.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Ben
With a name like Fuzzy Tacos how can you go wrong?
Jun 3rd, 2008
Pete Wann
Well, it’s “Fuzzy’s” Tacos, but yeah, obviously you got the joke. Their biggest seller is fish tacos (of course). T-shirts have a fish on the front that says “Eat Me!” etc. etc.
Classy joint.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Jonathan
What we really need is a pizza place that’ll still deliver at 3am.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Chewy
Dear lord, please don’t let it be anything near a CiCi’s type joint.
I just discovered Fuzzy’s breakfast tacos this past Sunday and they were amazing so if it’s a Fuzzy’s type place I could walk to that would by okay with me. I’d feel like I was cheating on Fuzzy’s but I’d get over it.
If not a Fuzzy’s type place I’d prefer to see it more like a Buffalo Bros. with a little more diverse menu and better pizza. It really just needs some flat screens and Rahr’s Red on tap.
While we’re on new places on Magnolia, is there any update on The Usual? I’m tired of being taunted with prohibition-era cocktails everytime I walk the dogs by there.
Jun 3rd, 2008
Jonathan
Last I heard, The Usual was planning an autumn opening.
Jun 4th, 2008
Pete Wann
That’s the most recent information I have as well. There have been a few speedbumps with the liquor license (they never happen as quickly as you think), but Brad is busy with the remodel and looking forward to finally getting it open.
I can’t wait to have a NON-smoking “bar” bar in my ‘hood!
Jun 4th, 2008
Kevin
Hopefully, we’ll be seeing them knocking out the new windows for the Usual.
Jun 4th, 2008
Jonathan
I heard another rumour a while back that there would be a martini lounge opening on the northwest corner of Magnolia and Henderson in the Max Mehl building. I did finally see some people in there the other day but couldn’t see what they were doing. Anyone have any news?
Jun 4th, 2008
Kevin
Jonathan,
Would be nifty. Haven’t heard anything about it, personally. It would be surrounded by the plastic surgeon.
I am really disappointed with the Mehl building. Not with the restoration itself - that turned out beautifully. I’m disappointed, though, that they took it to office space rather than the role it has served since constructed - apartments with ground-floor retail. We need more apartments on Magnolia, and it saddens me to see the Mehl go office space. I do hope the martini lounge rumor is true - we need something more interesting than a plastic surgeon to go in there.
Jun 4th, 2008
Chewy
So is The Usual supposed to be adding windows or is that just speculation/hope? I too hope they add some windows to give that building and the sidewalk/Magnolia some connection.
Interesting on the Martini Bar in the Mehl Building. I hadn’t heard of that rumor but it wouldn’t surprise me as I’ve heard there’s lots of interest in the buildings on Magnolia. I’ve heard the building on the northwest corner of Adams and Magnolia had been purchased and would be redone so hopefully that can be some apartments/retail.
I don’t have any confidence in that rumor though.
Jun 4th, 2008
Kevin
Chewy,
Northwest corner of Adams & Magnolia would be that big, beautiful old apartment building. I don’t think it lends itself to retail too well, but I do hope that if it gets purchased, it stays apartments as it is now. I know some guys who tried to buy it to make it offices, and that would be a shame. It’s a gorgeous old building, but in bad shape.
The windows are part of the plan at the Usual. Check Page 18 of this PDF:
http://www.fortworthsouth.org/Banquet2008RetailHealth.pdf
Jun 4th, 2008
steph
Chewy,
Are you talking about that 3-story dark brick building with the white and blue trim at the corner of Magnolia and Adams? I’ve been wishing someone would fix that one up.
EDIT: Oh, Kevin beat me to the punch!
Jun 4th, 2008
Chewy
Thanks Kevin. I missed that slide when I glanced at that PowerPoint.
That building is in bad shape which is why I don’t believe it’s been bought. The one problem I see with Magnolia/Fairmount right now is the unrealistic expectations that some owners have for their property that needs a ton of rehab. I don’t know if it’s the case with that building specifically but I’m kind of guessing the owner is in denial of how much work needs to be done or it wouldn’t have gotten like that.
I too want more mixed use with residents but I’d have to think any building with accessible ground floor would target retail. That building would be kind of tough with only one entrance and the step up.
Jun 4th, 2008
Kevin
Chewy,
Several of the great buildings on or near Magnolia that are in disrepair and are for sale have owners asking ridiculous sums of money for them. Apparently, the owner of the apartment building at Adams & Magnolia that we’ve been talking about wants some insane price for the building. I happen to know that people who have asked about the incredible old College Avenue Baptist Church rec building at College & Morphy have said the owner wants over $2 million for it, which is absurd. That’s another building I would love to buy and renovate into lofts - it even has a pool in the ground floor.
Jun 4th, 2008
Chewy
I just walked by the Mehl building with the hounds and I don’t think what’s left of the downstairs portion will be a bar/lounge. They’re framing it in for a small foyer and then offices from what I can tell. It doesn’t appear to be open enough for something other than an office.
Kevin - That is absurd for that building. Supposedly it’s no longer structurally sound and the biggest issue that building is going to have is that it has no parking. It’s surrounded by two single family homes so it’s uses are pretty limited.
Jun 4th, 2008
Jonathan
Darn. I knew it was an old rumor. Things must have changed. Too bad.
Jun 5th, 2008
Ross
Did we ever get a definitive answer as to what is going in at this location?
Yesterday, I peered into the building through some holes in the papered windows. Looks like the color scheme will be red and black with a lot of unfinished wood paneling. They appear to be putting in booths and I think the old open kitchen has been enclosed. There may be a bar area in front of the kitchen. My guess is Italian/pizza. Whatever it is, seems like the new occupants are putting some money into the finish out.
Jun 19th, 2008
Ross
UPDATE: Paper is off the windows. I’m changing my guess - it’s SUSHI. Or at least Asian. No way a pizza joint has that much bamboo.
Jun 23rd, 2008
Chewy
I was going to post this as well. I walked by last night and they were scraping the lettering off the windows and the “illuminated” B.J. Keefer sign is down. Hopefully they put something up there soon enough.
I can’t tell what it’s going to be but the owner’s don’t appear to be half-assing it so hopefully they’ll put as much into the food and service as they are redoing the interior.
I personally hope it’s not sushi since I’m not a big sushi fan, but I’d much rather see that than a CiCi’s type place. I personally hold out hope it’s a Buff. Bros. type place with an expanded menu beyond wings, sammiches, and pizzas.
I didn’t peek in and see any bamboo, but if it’s bamboo then it could be a more Fuzzy’s type place with bamboo serving a hut motif. The entrance has some slat hardwood looking stuff so they might be going to for a hut look. I’m no interior decorator though so I’m just making a wild ass guess which is what the Interweb was built for.
Jun 24th, 2008
Jeremy
Update: I walked by yesterday and there are patio tables and chairs on the patio along with a sign on the window that says “opening soon.” Yet still no word on a name or the menu? My roommate saw them brining in cokes and things this morning though, does that mean they’re opening as soon as this weekend?
Jul 15th, 2008
Kevin
Jeremy,
According to Bud Kennedy, it’s going to be Acapulco Taco and Tequila Bar, a restaurant from the mind of Paul Willis of Fuzzy’s fame.
Jul 15th, 2008
Jeremy
Thanks for the update Kevin!
Jul 16th, 2008
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