1. Everyone In Fort Worth Has A Bit Of A Dallas Inferiority Complex
The people of Fort Worth might play it cool on the outside. But inside, they’re in a serious competition to prove how much better they are than their counterpart, the city of Dallas.
Unfortunately, Dallas is the bigger city so competing with them can often be like trying to punch your Siamese twin in the face. But people in Fort Worth are determined to break free of Dallas’s shadow, often competing for sporting events, festivals, and conventions. Fort Worth prides itself on being distinctly different from Dallas, from their heritage down to their current cultural scene.
2. Nobody Better Lay A Finger On A Fort Worthian's Butterfinger… Brisket?
You read that right. Butterfinger brisket. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Brisket is already a huge deal in Fort Worth. But everyone also has their favorite recipe for the best brisket rub. And the one that has been making the biggest waves recently is the Butterfinger brisket rub.
Basically, you crush a bunch of Butterfinger candy bars into a fine powder, rub it all over the brisket and then proceed smoking it until it nearly falls apart. The result is not as bizarre as it sounds. Those in favor of a good candy-coated brisket think it’s ingenious. Purists think of it more as barbecue blasphemy.
3. Folks In Fort Worth Either Call It Panther City Or Funkytown
Fort Worth has had quite a few monikers over the years. For over a century it’s been referred to as Panther City—which came from an insult by the author of a story in a Dallas newspaper, which said that Fort Worth was so boring, the author thought he saw a panther sleeping in the street. Now it’s more a badge of pride mostly used among the older crowd.
When it comes to the younger crowd (let’s say 30 and under) they’re all about calling Fort Worth Funkytown. Oddly enough, the origins of this name are also rooted in an insult, as the meat packing plant nearby often left a rather “funky” smell in the air. But it’s more playful, as Fort Worth grows into a wonderfully weird hipster central.
4. But Everyone Calls It Cowtown
Cowtown is yet another moniker of the city, and probably the most popular—although you’ll hear The City of Cowboys. And that’s because, well, they’ve got cowboys. Lots of them. You can watch as they herd longhorn cattle on the street in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
Not everyone loves the name, though. Some feel it’s outdated and counterproductive to the city’s mission of building up as a modern and cultural center for the arts. But the purists love the name to its core and are hell bent on displaying it. Besides, no matter how much progress the city has made, just try going out to a bar without running into a cowboy (or a cowboy wannabe).
5. Even Though Forth Worthians Know It Should Be Called Steaktown
Maybe one of the reasons Fort Worth is still often called Cowtown today is because the city is known for being a premiere destination for finding an amazing cut of steak. It all began when cowboys drove their cattle through Fort Worth while on their way to America’s meat packing center in Chicago. These days, Fort Worth is its own little mecca for some of the best steak ever.
Local chef Tim Love has become a culinary ambassador, known for his expertise in steaks and grilling. His restaurants are highly acclaimed among locals, foodies, and other culinary experts around the country.
6. Thursday Nights Mean Fort Worthians Go For A Float, A Brew And A Band
The people in Fort Worth know better than to ask if you’ve got plans on a Thursday night in the summer because they already know exactly where you’ll be: At the Trinity River, with everyone else.
The city’s Rockin’ the River event takes place Thursdays through the summer, bringing locals from across the city and beyond to enjoy a free concert series. But this event has a twist. You get to listen while floating around the Trinity River with a good brew. Talk about summer memories.
7. Everyone In Fort Worth Knows They Have The Only True Tex-Mex
Being so close to Mexico definitely has its perks. Probably the best thing to come from sharing a border is the advent of Tex-Mex cuisine. This fusion of authentic Mexican food and Texan staples has spread well beyond the borders of Texas and throughout the entire country, but everyone in Fort Worth knows the best is right here.
Here you’ll find enchiladas verdes topped with a white cheese and smothered in a green tomatillo sauce that’s taken years to develop just right. Pair it up with a mariachi band and it’s easy to understand why Fort Worth wants (and deserves) the claim of the true Tex-Mex.
8. Anything You Can Do, Fort Worthian Cowgirls Can Do Better
All this talk about cowboys completely glosses over one of Fort Worth’s coolest features: Cowgirls. And no, these cowgirls have nothing to do with those guys in helmets who throw a football around over in Dallas. These cowgirls are the real deal, and are just as badass as any cowboy out there.
The National Cowgirl Museum is the only one of its kind in the entire country, paying homage to women who broke free of the tired female stereotypes by being true pioneers in helping build up the American West. The museum still honors modern women who are up to snuff with its annual Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. So strut your stuff around Fort Worth, ladies.
9. Everyone In Fort Worth Has A Need For Speed
Do you like cars that go really fast? Do you like watching really fast cars go around the same oval track over and over again? If you live in Fort Worth, the answer is obviously yes.
The Texas Motor Speedway is where NASCAR and other major racing events grace Texas with their presence. It’s second only to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in capacity for a NASCAR track. The people in Fort Worth are serious NASCAR and racing enthusiasts, and it’s pretty hard to find a store that doesn’t sell NASCAR memorabilia or a house that doesn’t have at least one item from the track.
10. Folks In Fort Worth Know Bigfoot’s Got Nothing On The Goatman
You think the Jersey Devil is terrifying? Scared of facing down Bigfoot on your next camping trip? Those guys are child’s play compared to Fort Worth’s Goatman, otherwise known as the Lake Worth Monster. He's got the head of a goat on the body of a man, and haunts Lake Worth. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The legend began in 1969 when someone caught what he claimed to be a swamp monster in a grainy Polaroid just beyond city limits. It quickly circulated around and even ended up in a museum in San Antonio museum exhibit. Multiple sightings of the creature continued, and some sightings include groups up to 40 or 50 people at a time.
Feature Image Source: Panther Island Pavilion Facebook
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Fort Worth in the comments below! 
