Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tex-Mex
248
Joe T. Garcia's
Keeping the Tex in Tex-Mex
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is indeed the western half of
the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with its
historic stockyards and cowboy vibe. Let
Dallas dabble in fancy fusion cuisines: Just
south of the Stockyards Hotel, you'll find a
pioneer in the only kind of fusion Fort
Worth cares about—that Texas take on
Mexican cooking known as Tex-Mex,
which was practically invented at Joe T.
Garcia's Mexican Restaurant.
Joe T. Garcia's has been around since
1935, and by now all the locals know the
drill here. The place doesn't have menus,
only two dinner dishes are offered, and
they only take cash or checks. It's a simple
template that allows Joe T.'s (which is
still run by the Garcia family) to turn out a
lot of meals efficiently and focus on the
fresh, handmade quality of its few menu
items. Over the past 60-odd years, this
green-trimmed white house, which from
the front looks like a pretty Mexican haci-
enda, has been added to time and again
until today it's large enough to seat 1,000
hungry guests. Yet it never feels over-
whelming—it's more like a series of com-
fortable and relaxed little nooks and
courtyards. The place to be, if you can
swing it, is on the lush outdoor patio set
around a stone pool.
Ordering couldn't be simpler: Choose
between a heaping plate of succulently
grilled chicken or beef fajitas or a big fam-
ily-style dinner with tacos and enchiladas.
At lunch your choices are chiles rellenos,
tamales, and chicken flautas . The Mexi-
can-style brunch served on Saturdays and
Sundays includes migas (eggs scrambled
with shredded tortillas), menudo (tripe
stew), and huevos rancheros. These are
full meals, the food sticks to your ribs, and
the accompaniments are especially entic-
ing—homemade guacamole, lively pico de
gallo sauce, and fresh tortillas. Service can
be a little erratic, though it's frequently
lightning fast, and portions are gigantic, so
come with an appetite. Joe T.'s is also a
virtual margarita factory, spitting out thou-
sands of margaritas on the rocks and fro-
zen. Order a pitcher and kick back your
cowboy boots.
2201 N Commerce St. ( & 817/626-
4356 ).
( Dallas-Fort Worth International (85
miles/137km).
L $$$ Stockyards Hotel, 109 W.
Exchange Ave., Fort Worth ( & 800/423-
8471 or 817/625-6427; www.stockyards
hotel.com). $$ Etta's Place, 200 W. 3rd
St., Fort Worth ( & 866/355-5760 or
817/255-5760; www.ettas-place.com).
 
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