My Favorite....MEXICAN FOOD

The best type of food found in Fort Worth is Mexican food, hands down. The typical Texan Mexican (Tex-Mex) is served spicy and flavorful with plenty of chips and margaritas. If you know me well, you know I consider chips and queso as a food group and could eat it every day of my life. What could be better than fried tortillas dunked in melted, spicy cheese? And served with a sweet and sour margarita? I can hear the antacids calling my name, but every bite and sip is worth it.

JOE T. GARCIA'S

What began as a small family restaurant with seating availability for sixteen people has now grown into a booming restaurant with patrons willing to wait up to two hours for one of their 1,000 seats. The restaurant started in 1935 by Joe T. Garcia and his wife Jessie, and his legacy lives on in the generations that still own and operate it. For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to dine at Joe T.’s, I am very sorry. For those of you who have, I think you know exactly what I have to say about the restaurant and probably have your own input as well.

It is by far the best Mexican experience in the world. Not only is the food divine, but the margaritas are strong, and the atmosphere is lively. Joe T.’s is the chosen place for special occasions and nights out. However, I have been known to spend three hours on a lazy Saturday there as well. When the weather is nice….there’s always a crowd. Here’s how I do it:

When waiting in line, send one of the members of your party to the bar and get a pitcher of margaritas on the rocks. They will set you up with cups (salted, or unsalted), limes, and straws. This makes the wait more than bearable. Once you are ushered to your table by the pool or on one of the patios surrounded by lush landscaping, order another pitcher (you know your going to drink it anyways, right?) and get a bowl of queso (my life!). Enjoy the atmosphere and start eating chips, followed by an order of their killer nachos. A whole corn tortilla fried into a tosdada topped with melted cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeno relish. If you think you can take some more, ask what’s on the menu. The waiters will tell you only 2 items: the Enchilada Dinner, with two cheese nachos, two cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, guacamole, and corn tortillas; or the Beef or Chicken Fajitas (also available Combo) served with rice, beans, guacamole, pico-de-gallo, and homemade flour tortillas. However, locals know that this “limited menu” is not all they offer. For instance, I get the Childs Plate Chicken Fajitas or 2 nachos with beans, cheese, and chicken fajita meat. These are some alternatives to the large portions and the overindulgence on chips, salsa, queso, and nachos. Saturday and Sunday Joe T.’s offers a brunch menu, which is served until 3:00 including Migas and Huevos Rancheros.

2201 N. Commerce

Fort Worth, TX 76164

T: 817.626.4356

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Joe T. Garcia’s is such a Fort Worth landmark, that I felt it rude to compare another favorite Mexican restaurant. However, a list of my favorites are the Original, Mi Cocina, Chuy’s, and Uncle Julios. Has anyone tried the new San Miguel’s on Crockett? List your favorites and comments on Joe T.’s below.