Crystal Springs Hideaway featuring Big Kat Burgers is Now Open in Fort Worth’s River District
Texas Beer and Wine Garden to hold grand opening on January 3rd
Crystal Springs Hideaway is now open in Fort Worth’s emerging River District with a laid back Texas beer and wine garden featuring 25+ draft beers, burgers, cocktails and a unique wine, cheese and charcuterie shoppe.
The venue is now open to the public with a soft opening that kicked off last week. set for Friday, January 3rd with live music from local artist, Deric Merrill.
To provide the perfect hang-out location, the “Hideaway” has several large TVs perfect for bowl watching and is dog friendly. The original water tower overlooks the beer garden, which is nestled beneath mature live oaks and majestic 150-year-old cottonwood trees. It also offers two patios with heaters and two indoor bars with bar seating.
In addition to a wide array of award-winning burgers that Big Kat is known for, they are rolling out additional menu items including chicken sandwiches, BLT, salads, and shareables, including cowboy caviar, mama’s corn dip and beer-battered jalapeno bottlecaps. A brunch menu will also be available on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Crystal Springs’ wine, cheese and charcuterie shoppe offers customers a “Build-Your-Own” cheese and charcuterie board option. The wine shoppe curated by local wine professional JR Clark features a variety of unique wines at different price points, providing something for everyone. Guests are invited to choose their wine, pair it with their favorite cheese and meat, grab a couple of glasses and find a place to relax and enjoy.
About Crystal Springs Hideaway
Owners, JD Granger and his wife Shanna, searched to find a historically significant property to create a comfortable place that becomes a part of the Fort Worth fabric. “Over the years, I feel like our beloved Fort Worth joints have faded away. But then I came across this great 100-year-old bungalow with a stone carriage house and water tower – nestled smack-dab in the middle of a neighborhood. I immediately knew this is the kind of place people miss and want to hang out at. It has the character for our vision and is the perfect neighborhood to do it in. It’s casual. It’s comfortable. And it will be an affordable place to enjoy drinks with friends and grab a bite to eat,” said JD Granger. The raw character of the carriage house, the original hardwood floors and shiplap in the bungalow, and the 150-year-old cottonwoods offer a look back in time. All renovations were carefully executed to preserve and enhance the history of the site, while introducing the efficiencies necessary for excellent service and care. The name of the venue is a nod to the Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion, which was located directly behind the venue and known as the birthplace of western swing music in the 1920’s. The Grangers hope to create a unique atmosphere and memorable space for an ice-cold beer and a good time.
For hours of operation, directions, menus and all the details go to www.crystalspringshideaway.com
About JD and Shanna
JD, an attorney and former Tarrant County prosecutor, is best known for his role in overseeing design, construction and implementation of the transformational Trinity River Vision project in Fort Worth. A key role that JD played as director of the Trinity River Vision was changing the perception of the river by creating development opportunities and designing special spaces that drew people to the river for recreation and pleasure. JD designed the Woodshed Smokehouse, Coyote Drive-In, Panther Island Pavilion, kayak, paddleboard, tubing concessions and signature river events. Shanna oversaw all programming and marketing for Panther Island Pavilion and numerous river events that brought thousands of people to the riverbanks. Shanna directed and produced the Rockin’ the River music series, Fort Worth’s Fourth, Sunday Funday, the outdoor ice-skating rink, Panther Island Ice and TRWD Flyfest. JD’s innovative planning and strategy has proven successful in inspiring growth along the Trinity River in Fort Worth. He took an amenity that was once viewed as an eyesore and transformed it into some of the most desired real estate in Fort Worth as seen by numerous developments that have come online celebrating the river since his efforts were started. After JD secured $400 million for the river project, JD and Shanna moved to the private sector, growing their real estate company, creating an event production company that produces the annual Fort Worth Oktoberfest drawing over 30,000 people to Trinity Park for German bier, food and entertainment, and now creating a Hospitality venture to bring the Crystal Springs Hideaway to Fort Worth.
About Big Kat Burgers
Owners and chefs, Mike Sugg and Bryce Blackburn are lifelong friends. After working in various culinarypositions, they decided to do their own thing and teamed up to bring Big Kat Burgers to Fort Worth in 2017. The burger food truck quickly gained a loyal following, with devoted customers tuning to social media for their special burger-of-the-month announcement. Cutting and grinding their burgers by hand from primal cuts of quality beef is something that has set them apart from other burger-oriented food trucks. Among other awards, Big Kat Burgers won Fort Worth Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Best Burger 2023 and was voted as Fort Worth Weekly’s 2022 Best Food Truck. Crystal Springs Hideaway will be Big Kat Burgers first brick-and-mortar kitchen location.
About Chef Kelly Burton
Kelly started her career as Chef Instructor at the Culinary School of Fort Worth. She followed that with Sous and Exec Chef positions at HG Sply Co. and Winslow’s Cedar Springs where she managed day-to-day operations and designed special menu items. Since 2016 she has been Chef de Cuisine and Kitchen Manager at Nonna Tata, Donatella Trotti’s authentic Northern Italian restaurant on Magnolia in the Near Southside. Kelly will continue her work at Nonna Tata in addition to curating a unique, rotating cheese and charcuterie experience at Crystal Springs Hideaway. With a passion for cheese, charcuterie, and wine, Chef Kelly plans to bring the European cultural philosophy of “dolce far niente” to the River District.
