| photography by Alex Lepe |
Hooch gets haute at a moonshine-focused eatery in the West Seventh area offering fruit-infused cocktails and a from-scratch kitchen serving bar-friendly fare.
Moonshine. White lightning. It feels a little dangerous, a little backwoods-a lot rebellious. Since Mash"d opened its doors last summer, moonshine libations have become a more approachable addition to the Fort Worth dining scene.
The self-titled "hillbilly mixologists" create eclectic concoctions, made with moonshines infused in-house with fresh fruits and syrups. However, it's not just their irreverent cocktails-such as the "fire water martini" and the "bootleg mule"-that have drawn the attention of spirits enthusiasts. It's the creative take on classic comfort foods, many of which include moonshine as well.
We took our server's advice to start with the Moonshine Mussels ($12.95), served up with smoky chorizo, a slightly sweet tomato-pepper jam and broth infused with garlic and jalapeño moonshine. Although we were given a few unopened mussels, the serving was large enough that we didn't feel cheated. Plus, the broth was so delicious, we requested more bread for dipping.
For a lighter option, the Avocado Bomb salad ($8.95) is large enough to share and as the name suggests, doesn't skimp on the avocado. The creamy avocado contrasted nicely with the peppery arugula, salty crumbled feta and tart lime vinaigrette.
The menu includes a selection of sandwiches and burgers, but we opted for knife-and-fork dishes. The spicy jalapeño Mash"d Meatloaf ($19.95 lb./$13.95 ½ lb.), made with Akaushi beef (a breed of Japanese Wagyu cattle) and two types of cheese, was a tasty twist on a classic, though included more filler than we expected. The two-piece fried chicken ($14.95) is crispy and flavorful; however, the menu didn't mention that it's served boneless.
One standout was the flame-broiled Shepherd's Pie ($13.95), which has a spiced meat filling, is topped with garlic mashed potatoes and includes a base of decadent puff pastry. Seafood lovers may enjoy the boiled shrimp or crab legs-as long as you don't mind getting a little messy. They're cooked in a moonshine-infused seafood stock and served with red potatoes, corn on the cob and your choice of butter sauce.
For dessert, the Frozen Dreamsicle ($9.25), made with orange cream, moonshine and vanilla bean syrup, was tempting, but we opted to try the house favorite and weren't disappointed. Big enough to share, the Scotch Cake ($7.95) is a slab of moist olive oil cake made fresh, layered with a rich butterscotch filling and topped with a mixed berry compote.
The evening crowd is lively-even during the week-perhaps due to the "reverse happy hour" from 9 p.m. until close daily. Plus, the bar has prime patio real estate on Crockett Square, for West 7th socializing and people-watching. Whether you prefer to eat or drink your moonshine, there's something spirited for everyone at Mash"d.
Location: Mash'd,2948 Crockett St. (Plus locations in Frisco and San Antonio.)
For Info Call: 817.882.6723
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What We Like: Mash"d offers moonshine "flights," which include four samples for $14, perfect for the uninitiated, and a special Sunday brunch menu with extended hours until 3 p.m.
What We Don't: It may seem like the perfect late night dining spot, but Mash"d is only open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Our Recommendation: The menu allows for customization, and several dishes come in small or large sizes, so don't be afraid to ask the staff for suggestions to match your appetite.
