Panther City BBQ intends to establish a second restaurant in the historic North Main Street building previously occupied by La Playa Maya, according to co-owner Chris Magallanes. The announcement came on Friday, confirming that the Tex-Mex landmark will cease operations at that specific address on July 5. La Playa Maya has served coastal seafood in the structure since 1998. Three other branches of the restaurant chain, located in south and west Fort Worth as well as in Hudson Oaks, will remain open.
The two-story red-orange brick building at 1540 N. Main St. has a long history dating back to 1913. Originally constructed as a city police substation, the property later housed government offices, including a Texas Department of Public Safety office and license bureau, as well as a public library branch. Following 1940, the North Side Lions Club utilized the space. The structure sits just three blocks south of the official Fort Worth Stockyards historic district and serves as an entryway for visitors to the area.
Magallanes stated that Panther City BBQ had no prior plans to expand beyond its current location. However, the opportunity to acquire the site prompted an immediate review of how to adapt the space. The new venue will feature a custom-designed smokehouse and smokers. The menu will include the chain’s standard barbecue offerings alongside neighborhood specials such as brisket elote, barbacoa, smoked fajitas, and brisket guisada. Additionally, the restaurant will introduce new Tex-Mex items and coastal seafood dishes.
Panther City BBQ originally opened in 2018 in a trailer on a vacant lot adjacent to its current building at 201 E. Hattie St. The address is also listed on some maps as 201 E. Pennsylvania Ave. The establishment has consistently been ranked as the top barbecue restaurant in central Fort Worth by Texas Monthly magazine and other rating services. While other local establishments like Goldee’s Barbecue and Dayne’s Craft Barbecue receive higher marks from some reviewers, Panther City holds a "recommended" status in the France-based Michelin Guide for Texas classics and Tex-Mex dishes.
Magallanes and Ernest Morales founded Panther City BBQ and have since expanded their business to include catering services and Fort Worth Barbecue Co., a midprice spinoff located at 826 Taylor St. Panther City BBQ operates for lunch and dinner from Wednesday through Sunday. On July 4, the restaurant will open at 10:30 a.m. and serve meals until inventory is depleted.
