Society today tends to favor the newest and hottest places. Restaurants will live and die by a wave of hype that surrounded it for a few years and it’s often difficult to find places that have stayed and could stand the test of time, but Margie’s has. Open since 1953, Margie’s Italian Gardens has served the community authentic Italian cuisine that has been a staple of the community ever since. It was founded by Margie Walters, after coming here from a small village near Florence, Italy. I went on a weekday around 6:30pm and it was pretty busy, but I was sat quickly at one of the last available tables.
Margie’s interior is pretty nice. It’s nothing crazy fancy, but for the most part people were wearing business casual and looked a little more presentable. The music was good, all a mix of older songs from the 50’s and early 60’s. Think Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitz Gerald. There are large pictures of Margie throughout the room from various points in her life, reminding you of the history that comes with each menu item. I think people appreciate the authenticity, as it’s so hard to find nowadays in a sea of franchises.
Each table has these small breadsticks that you can dip into their cheese spread to snack on as soon as you’re seated. For an appetizer we had to get the garlic bread, because no Italian restaurant visit is official until you’ve stuffed yourself with the bread. While we ate that we ordered some drinks as well, I ordered a Coors, and my girlfriend ordered a frozen Aperol spritz mixed with peaches which was fantastic. For entrees I ordered the braised short rib ragu and my girlfriend ordered the spaghetti. Both of which were fantastic, and normally I’m not a pasta kind of guy so this holds some weight. After trying to eat all of my food I had to stop because we wanted to save room for desert. The waitress recommended the Tiramisu and it was so so good. That might have been the highlight for us overall.
Margie’s is truly one of a kind here in Fort Worth, it being on the side of what resembles a dirt road adds to the charm too. This spot feels like the kind of spots that only locals know about and cherish. While the tourists are out in downtown eating subpar Italian food, we’ll all be at Margie’s. See y’all there!
