Update on Former BJ Keefer’s Location
by Kevin Buchanan
We wrote about this not long ago, and things have been progressing steadily at the Restaurant Formerly Known As BJ Keefer’s on Magnolia. Friends of West & Clear have scouted the site and reported back that the initial rumors (such as a taco shop or pizza joint) aren’t looking too likely. To start with, here’s reader Ross’s report from the previous post:
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.
Followed up with reader Chewy’s observations:
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 owners 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.
I don’t know - I could always go for a Fuzzy’s-style taco shop, but a good sushi place on Magnolia would make me thrilled, especially since I plan on moving there in the not-too-distant future. I’ll swing by the new place this afternoon and get some photos.
20 Comments, Comments or Pings
Ross
I agree with Chewy – whatever’s going in, it is not a CiCi’s-type pizza place. Thank goodness.
Jun 24th, 2008
Jeremy
Whatever it is, it is looking nice. I drove by yesterday and peeked in, definitely not a low rent kinda place. I’ve got to stop over there later today to do a ‘walk through’ of the house I’m buying and if someone’s there working i’ll see if I can get any new information.
For the sake of my wallet, I hope it’s not sushi…it’s too close to my house. haha
Thanks for the update Kevin!
Jun 24th, 2008
Jeremy
All I got was shrugged shoulders from the man and his son…no english.
If only I were bilingual…
Jun 25th, 2008
Kevin
Having looked in the windows yesterday, I am almost 100% certain it’s going to be Asian of some sort, and I could definitely see it being sushi. The design of the inside and the decor seems to me to be very Asian inspired.
Jun 25th, 2008
steph
A sushi place would rock my world!
All we need now on Magnolia is a coffee shop with free wi-fi!
Jun 25th, 2008
Chewy
Not completely related to this, but Paul Paine with Fort Worth South was at the Fairmount Neigborhood Association meeting last night with a presentation.
Among the items he discussed was that the old Catholic Charities building at the corner of Magnolia and 5th and been bought and is going to be redevolped. FWS offered TIF money to the developer if they would commit to securing a restaurant on the first floor instead of putting two stories of medical offices like orginally planned. They have no idea on what might go in there but it’s good to hear FWS is pushing for more businesses that will keep Magnolia lively outside of 8-5/M-F.
Whatever is going in the old Keefer’s location will be a welcome addition to the hood and I can’t wait. Even if it’s sushi.
Jun 25th, 2008
Kevin
Chewy,
Great to hear about FWS pushing for retail/restaurants instead of office space. I have been intensely disappointed about all the Magnolia street level spaces being gobbled up by medical offices, so I’m glad FWS is trying to do something about it. I don’t want to see another Max Mehl disappointment.
Jun 25th, 2008
Chewy
I peeked in this evening and it’s looking good in there. Some things I noticed:
1) The booths are up against the front windows now and there will be tables throughout the rest of the place. Not bar height tables but normal height tables.
2) They completely redid the floor by pouring new concrete. They scored it into a diamond pattern and stained it. They were waxing it this evening.
3) I did finally see all the bamboo and I agree it does have a very heavy Asian look.
4) It looks like they’re going to have a walk up counter for ordering. I wonder if that’s just for lunch or for all the time.
5) I’m assuming that’s a bar going in where the old bar used to be. I was always worried that was where the CiCi’s buffet line was going but it’s fairly apparent it will be a bar.
6) The owners are probably reading these comments and laughing. If so, hurry up and open!!!
Jun 25th, 2008
Jeremy
Chewy,
Speaking of the owners reading these comments and laughing. I brought one of my Spanish friends over there to see if he could get anything out of the guys doing the remodel and they told him “pizza and hot dogs.” Obviously they’re full of it. I think you’re right, the owners are just toying with us…
Jun 26th, 2008
John MacFarlane
I work on Magnolia, so it will be a nice addition to Junsuree, Lily’s, King Tut, Scampi’s and Spiral Diner. It would be nice if was an Asian type place, maybe pan-Asian.
Jun 26th, 2008
Dena
In today’s Eats Beat in the FWST it talks about a new “taco and tequila bar” going in there - right after mentioning the new Fuzzy’s in Denton. I can’t tell if it means Fuzzy’s is opening the shop or if it is just something similar.
Jun 27th, 2008
Kevin
I’d be shocked if it’s anything but Asian. The decor doesn’t look “taco and tequila bar” *at all* to me.
Jun 27th, 2008
Ross
I’d be shocked as well, but hey, tacos and tequila sound pretty good too. I guess anything sounds good now, seeing as how most of us were under the impression that it was going to be a crappy pizza place.
Dena - I agree about your Fuzzy’s comment. That paragraph made it seem like the two were connected somehow. Does anybody correspond with ole Bud? Maybe he could enlighten us.
Jun 27th, 2008
Jeremy
I emailed Chuck Bush of Fuzzys back on May 28th and he said “Fuzzys has not purchased the building nor do we have any plans to.” However, he didn’t say anything about the establishment inside the building. Maybe he was being sneaky, or maybe he has nothing do with it. He did put his cell phone number on the email, should I call to dispell any rumors?
This is driving me crazy…haha
Jun 27th, 2008
Chewy
I can see the tequila aspect of it with the bar. They have shelves behind the bar that look like they’ll be showcasing liquor and not just your normal rack behind the bar. I agree the bamboo looks more Asian right now, but I can see a “hut”look depending on how they finish it out.
I’ve heard this place isn’t actually affiliated with the current Fuzzy’s owners, but a couple of the guys involved are from Fuzzy’s before it was bought a few years ago. If it is a taco joint, I hope they have cheap cold schooner’s like Fuzzy’s.
It’ll be interesting to see how many flat screens they add if any.
Jun 30th, 2008
Chewy
Alright, time for another daily update:
They’ve put a pipe/railing on the sidewalk about 10 ft from the building for what obviously looks like a patio. When I walked by there this evening I peeked inside and saw a bunch of wrought iron chairs and tables and a couple of umbrellas for the tables. There was also a Dish TV van in the parking lot which disappoints me as DirecTV has the better sports package so I could get the Astros. Oh well, I can’t have everything.
I’m beginning to believe more and more it will be the taco and tequlia place and not Asian after all.
Jun 30th, 2008
Bud Kennedy
Hey, I just saw these questions–
Acapulco Taco Stand andTequila Bar is opening there. It’s the latest from chef Paul Willis, who at various stops in his career has devised menus for (1) Lucille’s, (2) H3 Ranch, (3) Cabo Grill, (4) the newer Margie’s and (5) Fuzzy’s.
He says it’ll be more flashy than Fuzzy’s, with a selection of tequilas.
No opening date yet.
If can ever help, don’t hesitate to call — 817-390-7538.
Jul 2nd, 2008
John
That’s pretty cool!! I can’t wait to have another cool place to eat within blocks of work.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Ross
Finally. Thank you Bud.
And now it makes sense. Acapulco = beach = bamboo. I get it.
I’m glad it is being opened by someone with some experience in the restaurant business. The finish out looks amazing, but the quality of the food will determine this place’s longevity. I do wonder how the tequila bar aspect will play out – will it stay open past normal dining hours and become more of a bar at night?
Jul 3rd, 2008
Jeremy
IT’S FINALLY OPEN!!!
Well, the ’soft opening’ started this afternoon anyway…
The red umbrellas on the outdoor tables were up today (despite the rain) and the dining room was open! Unfortunately I won’t have a chance to stop in today, but I’ll update as soon as I do!
Aug 19th, 2008
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