By Natalie Lozano Trimble
Photography by Brooks Burris
Pandemic boredom gave birth to plenty of short-lived hobbies, but for husband-and-wife team Vik and Lina Khasat, a few casual rounds of backyard mini-golf sparked something bigger. What started as date-night side bets — loser cooks breakfast — has evolved into Dirdie Birdie, an ambitious fusion of upscale dining, craft cocktails, and high-design indoor mini-golf that recently landed in Fort Worth’s West 7th district. The couple opened their first location in Austin in 2022 and expanded north to Cowtown in early July.
The 12-hole course offers easter eggs with local and personal homages throughout a handful of themed rooms. “Part of the fun is you go there for the first time and you’re trying to figure it all out,” Vik says.
Ms. Millie, the proprietor of Hole 5’s western saloon, is a nod to the couple’s toddler, and the wanted posters on the wall feature their family dogs. Lina says she might be biased, but it’s her favorite. The Fort Worth location’s standout addition is PuttView, a high-tech ball-tracking system originally designed to improve professional play that now includes competitive, arcade-style games like putt pong for amateurs.
Dirdie Birdie’s “caddies” are servers who walk the course to take and deliver drink orders directly to players. The biggest compliment they’ve received, Vik says, was a couple who finished the course and went right back through for another round.
Whether you eat before or after you play, the menu balances fun and approachable with elevated, says Chef Mike Warnock, who consulted on the first location and returned to work with the Khasats on the Fort Worth menu. They were able to build off what worked and what didn’t in Austin, Warnock says.
With similar concepts, the menu plays second or third fiddle to the entertainment draw, Vik says. Instead, they want each aspect of their business to stand out in its own right.
Steak frites, 24-hour coffee-braised short rib, and yellowfin tuna tostadas are among the more elevated options. The white bean hummus, served with chips and a rainbow of vegetables and pita chips, offers a lighter choice in addition to the menu’s salads. The beef they’re using for their burgers — a 7th Street Smashburger and a Double Dirdie Wagyu — is sourced from Rosewood Ranches, located in Ennis.
In keeping with the interactive atmosphere, the dip ’n doughnuts, Lina’s favorite, are served ready-to-assemble: unglazed doughnut holes, two frosting options, and sprinkles.
Dirdie Birdie’s Clubhouse is set up for big groups — birthdays, bachelorette parties, and watching sporting events with friends. Vik, who shares a background in finance with Lina and experienced his share of uninspiring work dinners, says he hopes it’s also used for corporate networking events.
The Khasats spent time in several Texas cities before deciding to build on what they’ve learned with a second location in Fort Worth. Vik says they met a lot of friendly, genuine, warm people right off the bat.
For the expected reasons, the distance between Austin and Fort Worth has been the biggest challenge, Vik says. But they’ve enjoyed seeing how guests in this new community take to the space, menu, and feel of what they’ve built. Already they’ve observed things they’ve aced and things they haven’t, he says. “It’s all incredibly interesting and humbling.”
Vik says they put a lot of intentionality into offering something for everyone, including those who say they aren’t into golf or think mini-golf is just for their kids. The couple knows firsthand how enjoyable the pastime can be, and their experience gave them confidence that Dirdie Birdie would work. The side bets from their play made it memorable, Lina says. Her favorite bet was who had to make breakfast the next morning. “It started as date night. Now we picture playing as a family as ours grows,” she says.
Dirdie Birdie is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Get the recipe for Dirdie Birdie’s White Bean Hummus here.