Culinary musts for visitors are some of the favorite regional cuisines, including Tex-Mex and barbecue. Keep in mind that you're in cattle country, so barbecue will be beef, not pork. We like Angelo's (a popular barbecue joint), Joe T. Garcia's (landmark Tex-Mex restaurant) and the Cattleman's Steak House.

Below is a sampling of restaurants in town. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$21-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Angeluna—The giant angels on the facade of the Bass Performance Hall across the street, plus the moon riding high in the Texas sky, inspired the moniker for this airy dining spot. Some popular item from the menu: hickory grilled angus ribeye with truffled potato croquettes and flash-fried calamari. The gourmet stone oven-baked pizza is also a favorite. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-3 pm. Dinner Sunday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 215 E. 4th St., Fort Worth. Phone 817-334-0080.

Cafe Aspen—A Cowtown mainstay, Cafe Aspen offers lighter American-style dishes along with Mediterranean cuisine (both French and Italian). Try the 16-oz. pork chop, the bone-in ribeye or the chile crusted tuna. Quick, attentive service. Monday-Friday 11 am-2 pm and 6-9 pm, Saturday 6-10 pm. Reservations advised. $$. Most major credit cards. 6103 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth. Phone 817-738-0838.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House—This steakhouse is a mecca for the carnivorous country club crowd, special-occasion and expense-account clientele. The surroundings are opulent, and the steaks are legendary. Seafood is also on the menu, but plays second fiddle. Desserts are not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for a 45-minute wait at the bar if they don't know you. Monday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1812 Main St., Fort Worth. Phone 817-877-3999.

Michael's—Chef-proprietor Michael Thomson serves up consistently delicious offerings. We like the Gulf crab cakes with ancho chile cream sauce. Regional influences are apparent in the pepper-crusted, pan-seared tenderloin with ancho chile bourbon sauce, toasted pecan flan and jalapeno apple pie. It's casual fine dining with a contemporary ranch motif. Lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-2:30 pm; dinner Monday-Friday 5:30-10 pm. $$$. Most major credit cards. 3413 W. 7th St., Fort Worth. Phone 817-877-3413.

LOCAL AND REGIONAL SPECIALTIES

Angelo's—This is the city's top barbecue place and a local shrine. The atmosphere is casual, and you'll get the sense of adventure that comes with eating at a legendary, family-owned barbecue joint. Brisket is melt-in-your-mouth tender. They also serve huge mugs of beer. Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm. $. No credit cards. 2533 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth. Phone 817-332-0357.

Railhead Smokehouse—Readers of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram voted this the Best Barbecue and Happy Hour. A citadel of fine barbecue, it has a feverish loyalty among locals. Add to your brisket, sausage, ribs or chicken embellishments chosen from the cafeteria-style offerings. Monday-Saturday 11 am-9 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 2900 Montgomery St., Fort Worth. Phone 817-738-9808.

AMERICAN

8.0 Bar and Restaurant—Good burgers and hip atmosphere, but what really draws the crowds are the martinis. Monday-Saturday 11 am-midnight, Sunday 5 pm-2 am. $. Most major credit cards. 111 E. 3rd St. Phone 817-336-0880.

Billy Miner's Saloon—Burgers and chicken are served up in a casual, bustling downtown locale. Monday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-midnight, Sunday noon-11 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 150 W. 3rd St. Phone 817-877-3301.

ASIAN

BKK-Narita—The first part of this name stands for Bangkok (they serve good, grease-free Thai food); the last part is the location of a Tokyo airport (they have open cooking at the table and Japanese delights). Lunch Monday-Friday 11 am-2:30 pm. Dinner Monday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 6060 Southwest Blvd., Benbrook. Phone 817-738-3175.

Thai Garden—The menu combines Thai and Chinese offerings. Freshness and natural ingredients are the hallmark of this eatery. Their lunch buffet is a great value. Sesame chicken is always a winner. Daily 11 am-2:30 pm and 5-10 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 3310 Lancaster Ave. Phone 817-536-1002.

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Paris Coffee Shop—Country breakfast is served up with warm, friendly service. This place is popular with locals. Monday-Friday 6 am-2:30 pm, Saturday 6-11 am. $. Most major credit cards. 700 W. Magnolia. Phone 817-335-2041.

COFFEEHOUSES

Coffee Haus—You'll find great java, fruit granitas, Italian sodas, smoothies and splendid deli sandwiches. Try the panini: turkey, ham or roast beef on focaccia, with grilled Italian tomatoes, provolone and pesto. Monday-Thursday 8 am-midnight, Friday and Saturday 8 am-1 am, Sunday 10 am-11 pm. $. 404 Houston St. Phone 817-336-5282.

Four Star Coffee Bar—Billed as "the coolest coffee joint in town," with folk-art painted tables, chess boards, reading room and breakfast breads. Monday-Thursday 7 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am-1 am, Sunday 8 am-3 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 3324 W. 7th St. Phone 817-336-5555.

FRENCH

Saint-Emilion—Country-French cuisine is served in a charming brick chalet. Roast duck is a favorite. Fresh seafood offerings change frequently. Their signature dessert is a rum creme brulee. Tuesday-Friday 6-10 pm. Reservations advised. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 3617 W. 7th St. Phone 817-737-2781.

ITALIAN (INCLUDING PIZZERIAS)

Sardine's Risorante Italiano—Dimly lit and cozy, this restaurant offers high-spirited service, live jazz every night and such tasty entrees as zuppa di pesche and desserts such as tiramisu. Monday-Thursday 5-11:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm-12:30 am, Sunday 3-11:30 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 3410 Camp Bowie Blvd. Phone 817-332-9937.

MEXICAN

Benito's—This eatery serves "real" Mexican food such as Yucatan tamales in banana leaves and really good chiles rellenos. Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-2 am, Sunday 10 am-9 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 1450 W. Magnolia Ave. Phone 817-332-8633.

Joe T. Garcia—Joe opened part of his home as a restaurant in 1935. Now the sprawling dining rooms and open-air fiesta gardens fill a city block. The crowds keep coming for enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, chiles rellenos and bistec ranchero. Monday-Thursday 11 am-2:30 pm and 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 11 am-10 pm. $. No credit cards. 2201 N. Commerce. Phone 817-626-4356.

STEAK HOUSES

Cattleman's Steak House—Cowtown's most famous steakhouse is a meat-and-potatoes kind of place in the Stockyards District. It's said to serve the best fried and baked potatoes in the District. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm, Sunday 10 am-9 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 2458 N. Main St. Phone 817-624-3945.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

Blue Mesa Grill—Their large Southwestern menu incorporates lots of blue corn and green chiles. Signature dish: Adobe Pie (dome-shaped tortilla stuffed with chicken, cheese and peppers, served with chipotle -and red chile sauces). A variety of excellent tequilas are available. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 1600 S. University. Phone 817-332-6372.

Kimbell Buffet—An unusual atrium creates atmosphere at this museum restaurant. Gourment entrees, soups and pastries. Lunch Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday 11:30 am-2 pm, Friday and Sunday noon-2 pm. Dinner Friday 5:30-7:30 pm. In addition, desserts and drinks are available Tuesday-Sunday 2-4 pm. $. Most major credit cards. Inside the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Phone 817-332-8451.

Sunflower Shoppe Natural Foods & Cafe—A healthy selection of sandwiches, salads, frappes and other delectables, in the setting afforded by a wonderful natural-foods store. No hot foods. $. Most major credit cards. 5817 Curzon. Phone 817-738-9051.