5 of the Most Popular Cocktails of 2020

This North Texas weather has us in the mood for a good cocktail and that got us wondering….what were the most popular cocktails last year? Which drinks are “on trend?” What should I try this year that maybe I have been missing out on?

Based on our orders here at Tricky Fish and a little unscientific research, here are a few of 5 of the most popular cocktails of 2020: 

The Old Fashioned

This classic drink has been on everyone’s list this past year! Originally invented at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, this signature cocktail has made a huge comeback! Here at Tricky Fish, we’ve certainly seen a lot of orders for this drink, particularly our maple smoked variety! Lots of guests enjoy them for happy hour near me in Richardson or Fort Worth.

Negroni

Raise your hand if you haven’t tried this one yet! If that’s you, come in and order one pronto. It’s been around for about a century after being invented by Count Camillo Negroni in Italy in 1919, but just came back on the scene with vengeance in the last couple of years. This cocktail is the perfect cocktail to enjoy before or after a meal, harnessing all the savory notes and is anything but sugary. 

Paloma

According to thekitchn.com, the Paloma was the most searched cocktail recipe in Texas in 2020! Palomas are a mixture of grapefruit juice and tequila, so that’s not super surprising since Texans love our margaritas and Tex-Mex! At Tricky Fish, we serve La Paloma at brunch, featuring grapefruit-infused tequila, grapefruit juice, lime, agave, and a champagne topper.

Manhattan

Bourbon-based drinks have steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, riding on the heels of the Old Fashioned’s popularity. The Manhattan is one of those drinks that we’re seeing guests order again and again. What’s old is new, as the saying goes. 

Moscow Mule

While not quite as popular as they have been in recent years, mules are still an extremely popular drink order in 2020, particularly for happy hour near me! At Tricky Fish, we give you many mule options to choose from! Sure, you can order a classic Moscow Mule, but you can also change it up a bit by getting the Hill Country Mule, Filthy Pineapple Mule, Hola Peno Mango Mule, Lime in the Coco Mule, or the Fire & Ice Mule. 

What Cocktail Are You Currently Loving?!

What has been your favorite cocktail over the last year? We’d love to hear from you! 

And when you are in the mood for happy hour near me, come see us at Tricky Fish! With convenient locations in Richardson and Fort Worth, no part of the Metroplex is too far from the charms of our Southern-style restaurant. Can’t wait to see you soon at Tricky Fish. 

Seafood at Tricky Fish: 5 Dishes You Will Love

Did you know seafood is in our roots?

When our restaurant started, we wanted to infuse the best of casual, simple dishes and incredible Gulf Coast seafood. The result was incredible food near me that leaves you wanting more. 

The next time you’re in Richardson or Fort Worth, be sure to come see us at Tricky Fish for incredible seafood. Not sure what to try? Here are 5 dishes you are sure to love:

The Tricky Fish

This is a signature seafood fish and one of our customer favorites! The Tricky Fish can be made with salmon, redfish, or tilapia. What makes it special is the Cajun twist. It is served with dirty rice and smothered in tasty crawfish etouffee! The best Cajun food in Texas is truly right here in the Tricky Fish.

Fresh Redfish with Vegetables

Okay – so maybe you aren’t feeling the Tricky Fish, and that’s ok! We are other signature fish dishes you will love. Redfish is one of our favorite cuts of fish due to its flaky texture and incredible flavor. You can choose to have this fish served with loaded mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies, and an herb butter sauce, wilted spinach salad with mae ploy vinaigrette and fried onions, or with a simple (yet delicious!) lemon butter sauce with veggies and orzo pilaf.

Shrimp Linguine

Here is one our guests simply love – the shrimp linguine! It’s creamy and perfect for a cold winter evening. Yes, it has tender shrimp and roasted tomatoes, but the real star of the show is the Bourbon sherry cream sauce drizzled over everything. Oh so good! Perfectly pair it with a glass of white wine and you are set.

Fried Catfish Platter

Another of our favorite ways to serve seafood: fried! You really can’t go wrong with any of our fried seafood baskets, served with your choice of shrimp, oysters, or catfish. We particularly love the catfish, served with fries, slaw, tartar sauce, and cocktail sauce. It’s simply great food near me in Richardson or Fort Worth.

Kitchen Sink Gumbo

This dish is listed as a starter, but can easily be a whole meal! If you feel like the portion size is a little small, pair it with a salad, a fried shrimp platter, or a fish po’boy! The Kitchen Sink Gumbo has all the good stuff – shrimp, fish, chicken, and andouille sausage all mixed in one irresistible bowl of Southern goodness. Try it and you won’t be disappointed. 

Who’s Ready for Seafood?!

The next time you get a craving for the best seafood food near me, then look no further than Tricky Fish! We serve these great dishes and more. Plus – handcrafted cocktails, great beer selection, extensive wine menu, and more. 

Make Valentine’s Day Memorable with Tricky Fish

Whether you love Valentine’s Day to celebrate with the one you love or you think Valentine’s Day is a silly, commercial holiday, can we all agree we could all use a little more celebrating in our life these days?!

Tricky Fish is one of those restaurants near me in Richardson and Fort that is here to help make your Valentine’s Day memorable.

With delicious food, various options for ordering, and amazing drinks, Tricky Fish has you covered. Read on to learn more –

Delicious Scratch Cooking

At Tricky Fish, scratch cooking is the name of the game. We pride ourselves on Southern style comfort food with a foodie twist, delivery impeccable dishes that are perfect for a special night out or relaxed evening at home. For Valentine’s Day, Tricky Fish’s vast menu of seafood, starters, sandwiches, salads, pasta, and more is sure to have something for everyone. Here are a few dishes we recommend for a special Valentine’s Day:

• Shrimp Linguine: This has been a hit since we opened! Delicate shrimp are tossed in linguine with a bourbon sherry cream sauce, then topped with roasted tomatoes. Perfect for making any day a special occasion!  

• Redfish Tricky Fish Style: When you want fresh fish, Tricky Fish has you covered! We offer some of your favorites – salmon, redfish, and tilapia – all served with various sides and cooking styles. One of our favorites is our namesake, the Tricky Fish. We recommend getting the Redfish Tricky Fish-style, served with crawfish etouffee and dirty rice. So filling and so good. You’ll feel like you’re at mama’s house. If something lighter is more your style, we also offer sides like the orzo pilaf, veggies, and wilted spinach salad. 

• Seafood Tacos: We’re in DFW, which means we love Tex-Mex. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with blackened shrimp or fish in a taco, topped with avocado cilantro sauce. Fries or slaw are served on the side; it’s your choice! 

Handcrafted Cocktails

Have we mentioned that our bartenders are simply the best of the restaurants near me? This team knows what they are doing! They craft everything from handcrafted, original cocktails to your favorite Old Fashioned. (Be sure to try that Old Fashioned smoked if that’s your jam!) Some other favorites on the menu include the Smooth Talker, Tipsy Hippy, Peaches & Cream, and more.

Dine-in or Carryout 

Ready to make Tricky Fish a part of your Valentine’s Day? One of the great things is that you can dine with us at our Richardson or Fort Worth locations, order for carryout, or simply ask to have it delivered through DoorDash. It’s so easy to make Tricky Fish a part of your celebrations and enjoy it the way you want. 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Tricky Fish

Make your Valentine’s Day extra special by spending it with us at Tricky Fish, one of the best restaurants near me! Enjoy great food and drinks via dine-in, carryout, or delivery. 

Foodie Friday: 4 Oysters Facts To Impress Your Friends

Do you love oysters? Do you love random trivia? Then today’s post is for you!

At Tricky Fish, we absolutely love oysters. We love them on the half shell, fried, grilled… you name it! So for a little Foodie Friday trivia, we thought it would be fun to share a few oyster facts you may not know about. Enjoy!

Oysters Can Filter Up to 50 Gallons of Water A Day!

Naturally, oysters get their nutrients from the water. Each oyster has gills that filter the water in, pull necessary nutrients from the water, then pass it back out. Research shows that one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in a single day! In fact, some bodies of water rely on oysters, clams, and other shellfish to maintain the delicate ecosystem in the water, establishing steady nitrogen and oxygen levels. It is said that oysters in the Chesapeake Bay once were so plentiful that they would filter the entire body of water in 3 days! 

American Oysters are All the Same Species

Whether your oysters at local restaurants and bars near me are sourced from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, or somewhere else in the US, chances are they are all the same species of oyster: Crassostrea virginica. It is also referred to as the American oyster, Eastern oyster, Atlantic oyster, or East Coast Oyster. You may have also heard some other names over time (like the Blue Point oyster) because oysters were once categorized with regional names as well, but most suppliers have moved away from this. 

Then why do different oysters taste differently? As you can imagine, the water the oyster lives in affects the final flavor. You may notice some water makes the oyster saltier – while some make it taste more metallic. We love the various flavor profiles in each batch of oysters! 

Oysters are Nutrient Rich

Worried oysters are unhealthy? Think again! Oysters served at restaurants and bars near me actually supply a decent amount of healthy fats, vitamin B12, and iron. They are also rich in zinc, Vitamin A, magnesium, and calcium – just to name a few. So eat your next batch of oysters on the half shell guilt-free!

American Oysters Don’t Make Pearls

Well – they can make pearls, but not the beautiful ones of value. Pearls are harvested from an entirely different species of oyster – the pearl oyster. The ones we eat don’t produce any sizeable pearls. 

So there you have it! Few facts to impress your friends over your next order of oysters at Tricky Fish, one of the best restaurants and bars near me. Take time to savor each bite (or slurp!) and see if you can identify different flavors in the oyster.

See you this week at Tricky Fish! 

New Year’s Eve at Home: 5 Ways to Make it Awesome.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Tricky Fish!

For many, New Year’s Eve will look a little different this year. Maybe you traditionally go out, but this year you are planning to stay-in and enjoy the evening with those closest to you. Even if you are spending the holiday at home, there are ways you can make it memorable and fun! Tricky Fish – your source for the best seafood in Richardson – offers these 5 ideas on how you can make it awesome:

1.  Get Dressed Up

So what if you are staying home? There is no better way to make the holiday feel special than to get dressed up in something fancy! There is absolutely nothing wrong with sweats or PJs on the couch, but a sparkly top or festive party attire can make any regular evening even more exciting. 

2.  Decorate

Nothing says “I’m having a party!” like a few décor pieces. Grab some inexpensive party balloons and other New Year’s themed props at your local party store. Bonus points if you set up a photo backdrop and buy a few photo props too for Insta-worthy photos! You’ll be surprised how great you feel about staying in when surrounded by such fun décor.

3.  Take Time to Reflect

If you’re spending the evening in, then it might be a great time to reflect on the best (and worst!) memories of 2020 and then plan for those 2021 resolutions. We suggest creating a memory jar and dropping your memories into the jar as they come to you. Then sometime during the evening, take them all out and read them aloud! If you want to get a jump start on your New Year’s Resolutions, be sure to cover all your bases. Focus on your goals professionally, financially, and personally. 

4.  Make a Signature Cocktail

Signature cocktails make any night more fun! Scour the interwebs and find one that you’ve never tried before. Buy the ingredients and get it going for New Year’s Eve. You may even find your new favorite cocktail! All we know is those signature cocktails are a great way to elevate your New Year’s Eve at home. 

5.  Order from Tricky Fish

You saw this one coming, right?! A great way to make your evening special is to order a meal from Tricky Fish! Serving up the best seafood in Richardson and Fort Worth, we have a plethora of menu options perfect for whatever you are looking for. Comfort food, gourmet seafood, fried food, po’boys, starters, and more – Tricky Fish has you covered. 

Happy Holidays from all your friends here at Tricky Fish, home of the best seafood in Richardson! We hope you have a wonderful New Year’s celebration and a fabulous 2021! Thanks for your continued support through this crazy year. 

Pop in for Brunch: 5 Menu Items You Must Try

Have you tried brunch at Tricky Fish yet?

If not, you are really missing out! Brunch is one of our favorite meals of the week and if you aren’t brunchin’, then what are you really doing with your life?!

The holiday season is a stressful time. Gifts to buy (then wrap), celebrations to attend, etc. Why don’t you give yourself a treat and take a holiday brunch break at Tricky Fish, serving brunch and fish dinners near me in Richardson and Fort Worth, TX. Not sure what to order? Here are 5 brunch items you must try:

The American Standard

It’s tried and true and always hits the spot when you’re looking for a great brunch option. This entrée includes 2 eggs cooked the way you like, delicious crispy bacon, seasoned breakfast potatoes, and grilled ciabatta toast. Pair it with a mimosa, and you have a traditional brunch that is hard to beat. 

Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

Buyer beware: this is incredibly delicious! When is the last time you had cheesecake stuffed French toast topped with delicate macerated berries and orange cream? Never? Yep, it’s time to run to Tricky Fish and give this a shot! We know you will be hooked.

NOLA Benedict

One thing we love to do at Tricky Fish – both with our fish dinners near me in Richardson and our brunch items – is to create bring a Southern, coastal-style flair to each dish. The NOLA Benedict is no exception, taking the traditional eggs benedict and making it something entirely our own. The base is a crispy grilled ciabatta, stacked with Andouille sausage, peppers, onions, and poached eggs. Lastly, we drizzle it in a Creole mustard hollandaise to give it the perfect zing. Try it and see what you think!

Banana’s Foster Monkey Bread

We’ve had this on our brunch menu forever because guests simply can’t get enough! First of all, the portions are huge, making this a great dish to share. Secondly, the flavors of dark rum, bananas, and cinnamon make this monkey bread simply heavenly. You can also get this as part of our Couple’s Brunch, where you get 2 entrees and this Banana’s Foster Monkey Bread for dessert!

Fried Shrimp & Oyster Grits

Shrimp and grits – breakfast style! If you enjoy fish dinners near me and fried seafood, then you will love this! Fried Gulf oysters and shrimp with Shiner Bock BBQ sauce, a fried egg, and creamy Parmesan grits you will be craving for days. 

Take a Break from the Holiday Hustle with Tricky Fish Brunch!

Now is the time. Join us this weekend and treat yourself to a delicious brunch with Tricky Fish. Open for dine-in, carryout, or delivery via DoorDash. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, with amazing brunch entrees and brunch cocktails you will love.

4 Ingredients for the Perfect Salad

Thanksgiving Day is approaching, and the holiday season is looming. Get ready for the foooood! 

If you’re anything like us, you’ll find your intake of sweets and unhealthy comfort food skyrockets this time of year. Want something to balance the extra calories? How about a salad! Here at Tricky Fish near me, we have some incredible salads on the menu, perfect for a healthy meal to balance those not-so-healthy meals this time of year. What makes our salads so great? Here are 4 ingredients for the perfect salad: 

1.  Leafy Greens

Of course – every salad starts with the freshest greens. We source ours from the best suppliers, meaning we’ve got a fresh bed of lettuce to start every salad. Whether it’s mixed greens or crunchy Romaine, you know it’s fresh – which means it has even more vitamins and minerals to support a healthy diet. 

2.  Unique Toppings

Okay – here’s where it gets interesting. Anyone can make a salad, but at Tricky Fish, we pride ourselves on offering a unique variety of toppings that balance the senses. For example, let’s talk about the D.G.S. – or Darn Good Salad. This is one of our most popular salads, and it’s truly the toppings that make it so great. Enjoy spiced pecans, onion, blue cheese, dried cranberries, and crunchy croutons, all perfectly blended for a variety of texture, sweet and savory, and more. Another favorite that is loved for its toppings is the Low Country Cobb. We take a traditional Cobb Salad and mix it up a bit. Sure, it has egg and bacon, but we also mix in okra, banana peppers, tomato, and blue cheese for an exceptional flavor combo. 

3.  Perfect Proteins

Any salad can go from side salad to the main entrée if you add in the perfect protein to finish it off! All of our salads here at Tricky Fish near me can be served without a protein, or you can add in your choice of grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or grilled salmon. Each grilled option is healthy and lean, providing a guilt-free protein to help get you through your day. 

4.  House Dressings

 No salad is complete without a mouthwatering dressing to top it off. Each of our house dressings balances the flavor profile of our salads, giving just the right “zing” to finish it off. Whether you are enjoying our Caesar Salad with the Caesar dressing, our Balsamic Vinaigrette on the D.G.S. salad, or the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette on the Low Country Cobb, you can ensure the dressing is a perfect match for your salad. 

Enjoy a Salad Today at Tricky Fish!

Mix it up this week and join us at Tricky Fish near me in Richardson or Fort Worth for a salad! We are open for lunch or dinner, with 3 ways to enjoy your meal: dine-in, carryout, or delivery through DoorDash. You can even start your online order here at any time.

We want to know: which Tricky Fish salad is your favorite?    

Celebrate Life’s Milestones at Tricky Fish

This year has been one for the record books, has it not?

And even amidst the crazy this year has brought, we still have birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, graduations, and so forth to celebrate! For celebrations big and small, don’t forget that Tricky Fish is here to help make each occasion a memorable one.  

Casual and Warm Atmosphere 

Our simple, laid back atmosphere is perfect for letting your hair down and enjoying the evening. We aren’t fussy about much around here – except the food! – so you can relax and celebrate the moment. Join us outdoors on the patio where you can watch the hustle and bustle around you, or opt to dine-in where the sights and sounds tell the story that a good time is being had by all. We are more than just a fish restaurant in Richardson; we are truly a place to celebrate the milestones big and small.

Food Worth Celebrating

When you are celebrating a special occasion, you certainly want the food to be memorable! Tricky Fish has you covered. Everything on our menu is prepared with a Southern coastal vibe, whether it’s fresh seafood, Cajun comfort food, pasta, or handheld favorites. Here are a few dishes worthy of enjoying on your special evening:

·     Shrimp Linguine: The decadent bourbon sherry cream sauce is what makes this dish so irresistible. The sauce is tossed with pasta, tender shrimp, and roasted tomatoes for a pasta that makes any meal a special occasion.

·     The Tricky Fish: Our namesake entrée, the Tricky Fish showcases the best of our Cajun, coastal menu. The Tricky Fish features your choice of fish– redfish, salmon, or tilapia – smothered in crawfish etouffee and perfectly seasoned dirty rice. As the top fish restaurant in Richardson, we also serve these fish with other sides like loaded mashed potatoes and wilted spinach salad for a more traditional approach. It’s hard to go wrong no matter how you order it!

·     Darn Good Salad: The name says it all: when you want a salad, this one is darn good! This salad is hearty enough to be an entire meal, but it is also perfect for sharing when ordering alongside another entrée. So what makes this salad so good? We’d say it’s the mixture of sweet and salty, with flavors like dried cranberry perfectly balanced with the bite of blue cheese and Balsamic vinegar.

·     Fried Platter: Go big or go home! Our fried platter is one of our most popular menu offerings and can be served with any mixture of fried seafood you like: shrimp, oysters, or catfish. 

Celebrate this week at Tricky Fish

For celebrations big and small, you can count on Tricky Fish to come through and make it memorable! Join us at the top fish restaurant in Richardson or Fort Worth to celebrate your next birthday, anniversary, promotion, or special event.