Riscky's Barbecue
The original Riscky's was on Clinton Avenue, but the first place they served barbecue was at the store on Azle Avenue.
Surveying the economic conditions on Oct. 20, 1927, President Coolidge found them excellent. “As regards business and prosperity, Secretary Melon says there is capital in abundance for all new ventures worthwhile,” a news report said.
In the vicinity of that day, Joe and Mary Riscky, both Polish immigrants, founded the original Riscky’s Grocery and Market on Clinton Avenue on the North Side. They eventually moved it to Azle Avenue.
Today, Riscky’s is an institution, a barbecue staple, in Fort Worth, celebrating its 95th year in business and one of the oldest continuous restaurants in the city.
They’ll celebrate with a deal any inflation-weary disciple will appreciate, 95 cent specials at all six locations. A free, open-to-the-public party will take place from 5-7 p.m. at Riscky’s in the Stockyards at 140 E. Exchange St.
That’s where the Riscky’s family will be, says Eddie Sullivan, fourth-generation co-owner.
“Our 95th-anniversary celebration is a way for us to say, ‘thank you’ to the Fort Worth community, who has kept us barbecuing for almost a century,” says Eddie. “We are proud to have reached this milestone and are thankful to our loyal customers who have entrusted us to feed their families for generations. We invite all of you to join us on for some food, fun, and fellowship.”
At the party, free barbeque samplers will be cooked on-site, craft beer courtesy of Ben E. Keith, and a live radio broadcast from 95.9 The Ranch.
Limited-edition 95th-anniversary T-shirts, glassware, and other prizes will be given to the first 95 attendees, with one lucky winner winning a grand “Overnight in the Fort Worth Stockyards” package, which includes an overnight stay and valet parking at the Hotel Drover, two tickets to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, and gift cards to Billy Bob’s Texas, Sassy Pantz Boutique, Beef Jerky Experience, and Riscky’s BBQ and Riscky’s Steakhouse.
In addition to offering 95-cent specials at all locations, there will be $95 gift card giveaways through Friday on the socials, Facebook and Instagram.
The 95-cent deals will be offered all day Thursday. They include:
- 95¢ chopped beef sandwich
- 95¢ pulled pork sandwich
- 95¢ beef ribs (per rib)
- 95¢ pork ribs (per rib)
- 95¢ brisket tacos (per taco)
- 95¢ fried pickles
- 95¢ Texas fries
- 95¢ soda
- 95¢ tea
- 95¢ single pint of domestic beer (not including at the Benbrook or North Richland Hills locations)
All that food, plus a pint, for $7.60. You can't smell one Chris Rock rib for that price anywhere in the world.
The specials are dine-in only.
Joe and Mary Riscky’s son Pete took over the grocery operation from his parents, but it was Pete’s son, Jim, who turned it into a full-service smoke operation. He built the pits on Azle Avenue that the restaurants still use today. They hold about 1,000 pounds each and smoke more than 1 million pounds a year, Sullivan says.
“You know everybody’s got fried chicken,” Jim Riscky said almost 40 years ago. “But, it all doesn’t taste the same. Some of it is outstanding. That’s what we try to do with our barbecue.”
Sullivan and his wife bought into the restaurant in 2005, he says. He’s been managing partner for most of those years. Jim Riscky died in 2020.
“Jim always had this quote,” Eddie says, “‘If it’s not broke don’t fix it.’ The recipe he’s had on his brisket is the same and cooked in those pits he built. He always taught me to give customers great quality at a great price. That’s what we’re doing.”
Carshon’s Deli is believed to be the oldest restaurant in Fort Worth, with an opening date between 1915 and 1920. The inimitable Bud Kennedy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram believes the Hilton Fort Worth’s Café Texas is the city’s oldest restaurant in the same location with an opening date of Sept. 30, 1921. (It opened with the Hotel Texas.) The grand Paris Café first opened its doors in 1926.
The Riscky’s institution includes a total of eight restaurants, including Riscky’s Steakhouse and the Trail Boss, a hamburger place, both in the Stockyards.
The steakhouse was originally opened by the Yordanoff family, also Polish immigrants, in 1920. Theo Yordanoff was credited for inventing the term “calf fries,” one of the restaurant’s specialties. The steakhouse was closed for the better part of 10 years when the Risckys reopened it in 1994.
In addition to Riscky’s Barbecue in the Stockyards, other locations include:
- Riscky’s Barbeque (Sundance Square): 300 Main Street
- Riscky’s Barbeque (Westside): 6701 Camp Bowie Blvd.
- Riscky’s BBQ & Deli (original): 2314 Azle Avenue
- Riscky’s BBQ & Deli (Benbrook): 9000 Benbrook Blvd.
- Riscky’s BBQ & Deli (North Richland Hills): 8100 Boulevard 26
Without the Old Testament genes of Abraham, no one here will be around to see it, but here’s to another very tasty 95 years, Riscky’s.