Buttons: Defining Fort Worth’s Cool Comfort Food
It wasn’t that long ago that throwback jerseys became all the rage in the fashion world, and judging from the fact that they still exists today, it is apparent that the throwback concept works.
But what about a throwback restaurant? An establishment with a décor that appears to belong in decades past as opposed to 2010. Would it catch on? Would it be received? Would it have enough flavor?
Herbert Hughes, President of Button’s Restaurant located on Hulen off of I-30, thinks that his restaurant has accomplished all those things.
“We’ve been open for a little over a year now,” Hughes said. “And we’ve been very lucky because we’ve developed a fairly regular following.”
Hughes claims that the restaurant’s success thus far can be attributed to 3 things: the live music, the professionalism of the restaurant’s staff, and the creative cuisine of well-known chef Keith Hicks.
“You really can get a good meal at a number of different places, but we’re providing an experience,” Hughes said. “And this experience is really built around Keith.”
In fact, the name of the restaurant was a former nickname for Hicks.
“When Keith was young he was a child model, and according to him, his grandmother called him Button’s because he was as cute as a button,” Hughes said.
It was also from his grandmother where Hicks developed his remarkable skill in the kitchen.
However, Hicks’ cuisine today is so eclectic that it goes well beyond the culinary creations of his grandmother.
When asked to classify his genre of cooking, Hicks responds, “I’d say it’s cool, comfort food.”
That description fits Hicks perfectly, going against the traditional culinary classifications and truly existing in a world of its own.
Menu items include the likes of: Button’s Chicken and Waffles, Gran-Mamafried Smothered Pork Chop, and Yo Mama’s Meatloaf.
But for Hicks and Hughes, the best part of the restaurant is the virtual smorgasbord of people that come through Button’s doors every afternoon and evening.
“It’s like a Baskin Robbins in here. We have so many different flavors of people,” Hicks said.
And Hughes said that Button’s atmosphere is a melting pot of sorts.
“By using universal things, such as food and music, people can really get to know each other,” Hughes said. “It’s become a real passion for me.”
A passion that, according to Hughes, is going to be expanding.
Hughes said the company is in the final stages of planning to open another Button’s in Addison. But that’s just the beginning.
“We have a desire to take this concept to other cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.,” Hughes said. “We really feel like this concept has universal qualities to it and would like to share it with more people around the United States.”
