HOW THE LEGENDARY JOE T. GARCIA’S IN FORT WORTH KEEPS THE LINE TO GET IN SO LONG

If you have ever visited, lived in, or know of Fort Worth, Texas, odds are, you’ve heard of Joe T. Garcia’s. It is legendary in Texas and beyond for being around since 1935 (coming up on a century), but also for its massive outdoor patio. These days, Lanny and Joe Lancarte, the eldest grandchildren of founders Joe T. and Jessie “Mamasuez” Garcia, run it. And all these years later, it is still jammed with customers.

The vibe

Sunday afternoon was a brazen (and ill-timed) choice for a first visit. The amount of available parking was impressive, and a short walk around the corner made it clear why it was necessary. The line to sit on the patio, which has the atmosphere of a Mexican resort with beautiful stone work, fountains, and tropical gardens, was about a mile long. Granted, it was an absolutely perfect patio day, and many folks sipped on margaritas while they waited around an hour to be seated.

The wait to sit inside was much shorter, so we opted for that. The indoor decor is based on the medium to dark wood combinations and amber-ish tile throughout. The energy was memorable — it’s lively with many multi-generational tables, and the odd casual wealthy urban cowboy splashed with Kendra Scott vibe. It is all a lot more Fort Worth leaning than Dallas. There are more boots, more hats, and more of a laid-back feel. Autographed pictures filled the front room, including Texas royalty Nolan Ryan and George Strait, all the presidents from Reagan to Clinton, and household names including Bing Crosby and Tiger Woods. It’s a who’s who spanning multiple decades.

On the menu

Once we were seated, a large bowl of warm tortilla chips and salsa appeared almost immediately. The salsa was heavy on tomatoes, light on cilantro, and flavorful without being too spicy. Our waiter was an energetic student who seemed every bit as genuine as he was efficient.

Joe T.’s is known for its family-style enchilada dinner and beef fajitas, so we ordered enchiladas for lunch and beef fajitas to go. The nacho appetizer, which is absolutely not nachos but don’t tell Joe T. ‘s that, was made of a tostada shell, melted cheese, and what appeared to be a green chile-based salsa. The tangy flavor worked well with the warm cheddar cheese and crunch of the corn tostada.

The main event arrived shortly after and wow, so much food. Two enchiladas, rice, beans, a pile of soft corn tortillas with butter on the side — which is a pretty standard offering in Texas — guacamole, and two beef tacos. The Mexican rice, white short grain with a very mild tomato flavor and without actual veggies or tomatoes, was fluffy and a bit tangy, while the refried beans were mild, creamy, smooth, and had no trace of pork or smoke flavor — which is how I prefer them. We loved the beef tacos, which were street taco size on a soft corn tortilla t, making them a little greasy with great flavor.

The cheese enchiladas were serviceable in that they were warm, gooey, and a good sized portion. Cheese enchiladas in general are rather bland, so it is a challenge to be impressed by them. Several desserts tempted us, including the flan, but alas, the pre-meal gluttony of chips and salsa made it a no-go. Our bonus round with the beef fajitas at home the next day was a success. The dish typically is not as good as in the restaurant, but the beef flavor was rich, not over-spiced, and didn’t get chewy overnight in the fridge.

What to drink

Order the house margarita on the rocks with salt. Not too sweet, a little boozy, and very refreshing.

Best seat in the house

Clearly the patio. But if you, like us, don’t want to wait, inside dining works perfectly fine.

Go here for

The tradition, patio, margs, beef tacos, and the portions — even if it’s just once. And bring cash or use the ATM on site because Joe T.’s does not take cards or checks.

2024-04-29T14:01:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd