The Best Local Mediterranean Restaurants that Are Not a Chain

I had tried Egyptian/Mediterranean food when I lived in Jacksonville, FL and got to continue the delectable journey after I moved to Tarrant County at the end of 1995.

My best friend at the time, Stephanie took me to a place on Magnolia Street, which is still there called King Tut which had a fabulous lasagna, only it was not the American-style, but an incredible blend of macaroni, salsa, canola oil, meat, and egg, among other ingredients.

It was heaven!

I later went there with co-workers on occasion and other times again with Stephanie for lunches and dinners and later dates with a friend and her mom as well as took my mom and sister there when they came to visit. At lunch time during the week you'll see a lot of nine-to-five-ers enjoying a meal there.

Located at 1512 W. Magnolia (817-335-3051), King Tut is considered a Middle Eastern restaurant and is located on the corner of a thriving urban district that has taken off since the 90s. Their website is kingtutegyptian.com and the food may conjure up ancient images for some. Entrees are under $20 apiece.

At Byblos Lebanese Restaurant, enjoy belly dancers on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights while you eat and you might just get pulled up on stage if you're sitting close. Located at 1406 N. Main Street near the Fort Worth Stockyards, this restaurant is a popular spot for date night. Byblos lays out a delicious spread of Lebanese and Middle Eastern specialties and has sumptuous desserts. If you want to impress your date, order a Hookah at the table. The Hookah Lounge is part of the restaurant, too, just off the bar. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and the Hookah Lounge is open till 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday only. All major credit cards and cash are accepted. They serve late night, dinner, and lunch and reservations are accepted. There is also handicapped access. The phone number is 817-625-9667.

My best friend also took me to the above mentioned establishment many times for dinner and once we entertained a shy out-of-the-country guest who got embarrassed by the dancers but it was all in good fun. We got great pictures.

I went to Bistro Louise back when I was working for a non-profit with my boss and a group of co-workers for my supervisor's birthday for lunch and it was fantastic. Located at 2900 S. Hulen, it's an upscale place, open since 1996 and is open for lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. The phone number is 817-922-9244 and website is bistrolouise.com.

Entrees range from $15-$25 apiece and the restaurant is known also for its cheery patio. Dress is casual.

Chadra Mezza & Grill is a place I recently got to check out a month or so ago with my boss and a friend of his at 1622 Park Place Avenue (817-924-2372). Oh yeah, I blew my diet that day on the lunch time vegetarian buffet. Delicious! The vegetarian pizza, along with so many other dishes were so fantastically fabulous it is hard to adequately do them justice in words. The atmosphere is soothing and the patio was a welcome retreat from the heat with a giant fan blowing on us.

The restaurant serves Italian and Lebanese, is vegan-friendly, kid-friendly, romantic, and they deliver. The price is reasonable (between $15-$20 per plate) and their Italian dishes include an assortment of pastas and hand-tossed pizzas. It's a great romantic place with flair, according to one reviewer.

The website is chadramezza.com.