Playing in Pantego

Driving through Arlington, Texas not too long ago we spotted a once-favorite restaurant that

Pantego water tower

we thought had gone out of business. A bit of internet research led to the happy discovery that the restaurant was, indeed, one we had previously frequented but it wasn’t really in Arlington; it is located in Pantego. This tiny town is completely surrounded by other cities, with Arlington being the largest. We planned a trip back to enjoy lunch and I began doing some research about Pantego.









As it turns out, Pantego has a very long history; it is thought that members of the De Soto Expedition camped in the area in about 1540. But not much more is known about the

Walkway through the Bicentennial Park

settlement until sometime in 1841 when there was a skirmish between local Indians and General Edward H. Tarrant. But it wasn’t until about the time of the Civil War and the coming of the Texas and Pacific Railway that settlers began arriving in the area in any numbers. Colonel Frederick Foscue, an early settler, donated land for a church and school with the proviso that the school was named after his Indian friend, Pantego.



The little farming community continued to grow slowly, gaining a post office in 1905 and

Sculpture of children crossing log bridge.

finally getting electric service in 1936. As the surrounding Metroplex grew, so did Pantego until it became land-locked by other communities. The city was incorporated in 1952 and still has its own city government. What was surprising to me was the attention to design that has gone into the Pantego Bicentennial Park. There is a water feature, places to have picnics and lots of very well done sculptures. I think my favorite was the children tip-toeing across a log over a small waterfall.

Three and one-half carrots

Angelo's Pizza, Steak, and Spaghetti (2590 W Pioneer Pkwy, Pantego, TX 76013, 817-303-7242) restaurant began back in 1966 in Irving, Texas by Charlie King and we began

Top L to R: Angelo's menu, Garlic bread
Bottom: Spaghetti and steak

eating there in ten years later. I think we went in at least once a week when we lived in Irving. They opened a second restaurant in Arlington which lasted a few years, but closed when the area became crime-ridden. This new place in Pantego has only been open for three years and I’m happy to report that the food is as good as it’s always been. The prices are very reasonable, even if you’re there for dinner instead of lunch. However, since we were there for lunch we all indulged in the Lunch Special #1. That’s a small steak, spaghetti, a side salad, garlic bread and a soft drink for about $8. The sauce is tangy without being overwhelming and the spaghetti was cooked perfectly: neither too soft nor too al dente. We all like our steaks ‘medium’ and that’s exactly what we got. Our waitress was pleasant and did a good job of taking care of the several tables of diners who weren’t part of two large groups that monopolized the rest of the wait-staff. Unlike the original restaurant, this Angelo’s has a full bar. We were glad that we found this restaurant and we now have a new/old place to visit when we want Italian food and we’re in the area.

For information about my rating system, see Reading the Reviews.

Girl and dog sculpture

©2016 NearNormal Design and Production Studio - All rights including copyright of photographs and designs, as well as intellectual rights are reserved.