1845 Taste Texas adds sizzle to Lakeside menu

1845 Taste Texas opened in The Shops at Lakeside in late June, adding a modern Texas steakhouse to the community’s restaurant scene.

Marty Bryan, well-known for his wildly successful Marty B’s in Bartonville, specializes in a Texas-infused recipe of music, food, and hospitality that keeps guests returning time and again.

The 6,000-plus-square-foot location at Lakeside Parkway and FM 2499 also features an outdoor courtyard that seats up to 70 guests. Drinks and appetizers are served in the courtyard and live music plays on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Inside, more music amidst the stylized Texas-themed decor. The 1845 website declares, “Designed like Dallas, tastes like Fort Worth.”

“We keep the lights low and the music loud,” Bryan laughed as he and 1845 partner Alan Mann sampled margarita recipes (all featuring pure lime juice) on the Thursday afternoon before opening.

“I like all kinds of music,” says Bryan, “from rock to heavy metal to Texas country, and everything in between.”

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In January 2016, Marty Bryan left the Cotton Patch Cafe chain determined to put his own mark on the restaurant business.

In February 2017, he and wife Roxanne closed on a 5-acre parcel in Bartonville on FM 407, across the street from Lantana. The vision: an upscale restaurant serving steak, Tex-Mex, and barbecue full of music and good times for groups of all sizes (up to 200).

In November 2017, Marty B’s opened, seating 550. “Then we expanded the rooftop,” Bryan explained, “put in suites, and added tables on the patio.”

Within eighteen months of opening, Marty B’s sat 1,100. All the growth was generated from cash flow.

“We are all about a culture of fun. We want people to feel like they’re on vacation.”

Live music at Marty B’s plays on Friday and Saturday nights, as it as has since the restaurant first opened.

In November 2019, Bryan teamed up with Alan Mann, also a former executive at Cotton Patch, to open Rustico Grill in The Highlands of Flower Mound with the aim of providing a more intimate, date-night atmosphere.

“Rustico offers a clean, upscale experience and has done incredibly well,” Bryan said. “We source great produce, all natural and hormone-free meats plus organic produce, sugar-free dressing and cauliflower pizza.”

“It’s more sophisticated,” he laughed, “which is weird because I’m not sophisticated.”

In late 2019, Bryan and Mann heard that a restaurant space might become available in Lakeside.

“We love how Lakeside has evolved and grown into a destination,” Bryan said. “You can see the effort that goes into taking care of the buildings, parks, and landscaping.

“And we were impressed with how they work to help their businesses succeed.”

The Lakeside location, while still firmly within the Flower Mound orbit, would give Bryan and Mann the opportunity to attract customers from the populous markets to the east, south, and southwest.

So, in January they began tailoring the space previously occupied by Carvao Prime Brazilian Steak House into 1845 Taste Texas.

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Leaving the bar area at 1845, the music softens. High-backed booths offer privacy and separation from other parties. Texas-themed artifacts dot the walls.

The menu — described as “Texas favorites, with a modern, eclectic flair” — becomes the focal point.

Assemble some of the choice appetizers and you’d have a pretty good meal.

The poblano smoked meatballs and smoked wings hail from Marty B’s — tried and true. The Compart pork belly and truffle fries that arrive sprinkled with parmesan and parsley call 1845 home. Very tasty.

The menu also features an array of delectable salads, burgers, sandwiches, and “Texas comfort food” (e.g., fried quail, chicken fried steak).

Now, for the steaks. First, you should know that 1845 promises their meats contain zero antibiotics and are hormone-free. The animals are raised humanely and the meat is all natural.

Second, your choices are fairly simple: ribeyes and filets from 44 Farms, a 14-oz. New York Strip, or smoked prime rib.

Bryan is particularly proud of the Tomahawk ribeye (all 36 ounces of it) and, among the several non-steak entrées, the 30-ounce smoked pork chop that is finished over an open flame and glazed with spicy plum sauce.

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The 1845 experience starts with their people — nearly 100 in all, 35 on the job at a time — all proud and eager to make your experience fun and enjoyable.

“Hospitality starts with ‘hospital,’” Bryan likes to say. “Hospitality offers healing, and all our employees want to be part of that — making people feel great.”