Panther City BBQ was one of three restaurants in Fort Worth recognized by the new Michelin Guide Texas.
Diana Menchaca couldn’t keep back her tears when she saw that her son Ernest Morales’ Panther City BBQ restaurant in Fort Worth had been recognized at the Michelin awards ceremony.
“I’m very emotional right now. I’m trying to hold back my tears, but it’s hard to do that,” said Menchaca. “We are all so proud.”
Minutes earlier, Panther City was named one of the Recommended restaurants in Texas by Michelin. Only 57 restaurants in Texas were named to the Recommended list, and 117 restaurants received awards overall.
Panther City is owned by Christian Magallanes and Ernest Morales. In 2014, they started with a catering service and later opened a food truck. From there, they grew nonstop until they added a restaurant with a patio at 201 Pennsylvania Ave. in Fort Worth.
On Monday, the restaurant opened its doors to its staff, family, and friends for a viewing party to follow the Michelin Awards ceremony. About 50 people attended and celebrated with snacks, drinks and champagne.
“It’s unreal to have our families and friends here to celebrate something we always dreamed of,” said Christian Magallanes, pitmaster and Magallanes’ son. “These are the people that had been here since day one.”
The anticipation grew as the ceremony progressed. The nine screens in the restaurant broadcast the ceremony, and guests followed along with anticipation. Everyone watched the awards announcement as a buzz grew throughout the entire gathering. Several bottles of champagne were popped and poured ahead of the announcement.
No one knew what Panther City would earn, but everyone knew that receiving any Michelin recognition would make them a world-class restaurant.
“We want to make Fort Worth proud,” said Eric Rodriguez, head pit master. “Ernie always tells me, if we want to be the best, we gotta be the best.”
Panther City’s name finally appeared in gold letters among the Recommended restaurants for the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas. That’s when the cheers exploded. The applause spread as Morales appeared on screen alongside other honorees.
“If his grandfather saw him right now, he would be so proud of him,” Menchaca said of Morales.
His grandfather, Marcos Castillo, is commemorated on one of Panther City’s barbecue pits, his name displayed on its side. He taught Morales about hard work, service and honesty, Menchaca said.
“I can’t even think how happy he would be seeing him making history,” she said.
Menchaca and Melissa Vargas, a bartender, melted into an embrace as they wiped away tears of happiness.
“I’m so happy right now. I think this is going to be awesome for the restaurant and for all of us,” said Vargas.
Panther City was one of three Fort Worth restaurants recognized by Michelin. One was Goldee’s, also a barbecue restaurant, which received a Bib Gourmand Award. The other was Birriería y Taquería Cortez, a Mexican food spot, named to the Recommended list.
“I hope more people come and try our food,” Magallanes said. “We want more people to come and try what we think is a very good barbecue.”