The video above takes you on a walking tour of Roanoke, Texas — a small town of around 10,000 people sitting right in the heart of the DFW Metroplex. Roanoke is about 22 miles north of Fort Worth and 33 miles from Dallas, making it roughly a 30-minute drive from either city. It's also midway between Fort Worth and Denton. Despite its size, the town has been growing fast — its population nearly doubled since 2010. Roanoke is officially known as the "Unique Dining Capital of Texas," and a stroll down Oak Street makes it clear why that title fits. The street is lined with trees and an eclectic mix of restaurants, and it ends right at the Roanoke City Hall building, where they host a farmers market out back. The town also holds onto its history well, including a water tower dating back to the Great Depression that originally served the city's water supply and still stands as a historical landmark.
What Live Music Venues Are in Roanoke, Texas?
Roanoke may be a dining town first, but there's real live music happening here too — especially along Oak Street. Here are the spots worth knowing about:
- Soul Fire Brewing Company — A brewpub on the Oak Street strip that regularly features live music acts alongside their craft beer lineup.
- Chop Shop Splice — Co-owned by Randy Rogers, this venue hosts major musical events on a big stage in the back of the space. On a quieter weeknight, you might catch an open mic night hosted by the Texas Music Network, run by Jason Custer and Andrew Plank. On bigger nights, the stage draws serious talent.
David Bridwell stopped through Roanoke on his way to a gig at TF Vineyard up in Boyd, where they were hosting a "Vendors in the Vineyard" event — folks selling their goods while others hung out drinking award-winning wine on a Saturday afternoon. TF Vineyard is a solid side trip if you're already in the Roanoke area and want to pair some Texas wine with live music in a laid-back outdoor setting.
Dining Along Oak Street
The dining scene on Oak Street is the main draw for most visitors, and there's genuine variety packed into a short walk. Here are some of the restaurants you'll find:
- Bayou Jack's Cajun Grill — Cajun-style cooking bringing a taste of Louisiana to North Texas.
- Babes Chicken Dinner House — A Texas chain known for family-style fried chicken dinners with all the fixings.
- Oak Street Pie Company — A local pie shop perfect for dessert or a quick stop after walking the strip.
- Dizzy Lizzy's — A casual spot adding to the eclectic mix along Oak Street.
- Hard Eight BBQ — A well-known Texas barbecue joint where meat is smoked over wood-burning pits.
- Enzo Kitchen — An Italian restaurant rounding out the international options on the street.
- Las Molcajetes — A Mexican restaurant that serves up huge dishes loaded with food — a good pick if you're hungry after exploring town.
The whole stretch is easy to walk, peaceful on a weekend afternoon, and worth the stop whether you're coming for the food, the music, or both. Roanoke sits close enough to Fort Worth and Denton that you can easily pair it with other stops on a North Texas music run.