Joe T Garcia's Mexican Restaurant

great place, great food, has been for ever. more

I've been going to Joe T's a few times a year for the past 15 years and have always come to the same conclusion. The margarita's are great. The outdoor seating is wonderful. The food is average at best. more

My husband took me here when we started dating. Although the place is beautiful; I had the fajitas. I was not impressed. But then, I started having the enchiladas. Yummy! I noticed that there is a hit or miss aspect to the place. The best time is lunch during the week since Saturday nights are too crowded and service can be less than stellar. We have had just the two of us to large groups of 25. Each time went well and food was great...just order the enchiladas! more

My family had dinner at Joe T's Saturday and it was, without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. I grew up eating in this restaurant and those are some of my fondest memories. I had family visiting from New York & really wanted to introduce my new sister in law to fantastic Mexican food. My husband & I both insisted on Joe T's. Our group was 15 - 7 adults, 6 children. We were seated very quickly and served chips, salsa, and drinks almost immediately. Then it all went downhill. The chips were stale. It tasted like they'd been sitting out overnight and were quickly warmed in the microwave, then served. I hoped it was just my basket of chips, but it was every basket on the table. One end of our table had no plates or silverware and when we asked our server, MORGAN, for more, we were told they were on there way, but they never showed up. Two children ran out of their drinks and we asked for more, but they never showed up. Our meal was served, or thrown onto the table and MORGAN walked away. We had nachos at one end of the table that couldn't be served to everyone because half of our table had no plates! The same happened with our tacos. The enchiladas and fajitas were set out, but those who ordered extra cheese and sour cream didn't get any. There were so many peppers in the fajitas that they tasted candy sweet. The nachos were covered in mounds of grease, so much that my 7 year old got sick from eating them. At this point we were starving and didn't care, so we dug in and ate. Unfortunately, I had no drink. I asked MORGAN, our server, for a refill of water and drinks for the table and she said okay. 10 minutes passed with nothing, so I asked again. Another 10 minutes and nothing. I asked again and she found a spare glass of water on the bar behind our table and slammed it down next to me. I wasn't aware that doing her job was such a chore that it gave her the right to be so rude to me. We had a few questions about how the check was broken down, but Morgan could be bothered with helping us as she was busy leaning against a wall. We paid and left. I realize that eating at this restaurant at 7pm on a Saturday night is going to be busy. I do not think that excuses the service or experience we had. Our service was appalling. I assume since MORGAN knew that a group of 15 would have a gratuity automatically added to the bill, she decided it wasn't worth her time to actually serve us. All we wanted were enough plates, silverware, and filled drinks so we could eat our dinner. But asking for that caused a hissy fit and MORGAN felt it was necessary to slam drinks down to let us know how unreasonable we were. Our server, MORGAN, was awful. Maybe she was having an off night. Maybe something about our group rubbed her the wrong way. I don't know what the problem was, but the way we were treated was inexcusable.I want to say I'll come back to this restaurant again, but at this point, I don't think I can. It's not worth it to me to risk being treated so poorly. more

I've been to Joe T's on several occasions, and it's no wonder it is a Fort Worth icon. The gardens/decor are worth the price. Joe and his staff are warm and friendly, and come by to check on you just often enough, without being a bother. The menu is what it is. Nothing fancy, just fajitas or enchiladas. I normally get the Chicken fajitas, and can share one order with my wife. The portions are generous. One guy here complained the their chairs didn't accommodate his size very well. I had no issues, and assume his situation is rare as this business feeds tons of people every day, and has been for years. more

The sign out front says ""Mexican Dishes"" - but don't assume that means good Mexican food. I always heard of Joe T. Garcia's and was looking forward to some authentic Mexican food when I took my family of 5 to the restaurant. I didn't know the drill - only two dishes served, no menus, no credit cards. But we rolled with it and ordered beef fajitas and enchiladas. The beef was cubed and was not skirt steak. Looked more like stew meat. The enchiladas were very average. If a restaurant only serves two items, they better be darn good. But not here. Somehow this place has built a reputation - but it couldn't have been built on the food. I read where posters say it's a place to hang out and be seen. If so, then reduce the menu by two items and just serve drinks and appetizers. Can't recommend this joint. Uncle Julios and Cantina Laredo are way much better. more

i took a large group to Joe T's since many of them had never been to Texas but several had already heard about this place. We all enjoyed the food and since there are really only 2 menu choices for dinner, it was easy for a large group to make up their minds of what to order. Pros: easy menu and good food Cons: cash and checks only more

There are only two items on the menu and both of them were bad! Taco Bell is better! Pros: 4 STARS for the gardens Cons: -3 STARS for Everything Else more

the fajitas dont have any flavor pretty much taste like onions and bellpeppers boiled together. the meat is not even fajita skirt. i really thought this place was going to be the mother of all fajitas but how wrong i was. you can find MUCH better fajitas at Taco Cabana at least they use real fajita skirts and they do taste like fajitas. the only thing that i liked about this place is the building. they idea that they only serve 3-4 dishes is nice and i even over looked the problem that they dont except credit cards. but once you eat the food you will be disappointed. Pros: Very Nice Restuarant Cons: the food sucks more

Having lived in the DFW area for better part of 25 years, I have heard of Joe T. Garcia's for a very long time. I finally stopped in about 5:30 on Saturday. A minimal waiting line which grow considerably by the time I left. Seated outside in a plastic chair (which did not handle my size at all well). When the waiter finally came by, he was surprised that I asked for a pitcher of tea. Their glasses are small enough, they're good for one good gulp. Better have a pitcher handy than having to wait for him to come refill my glass everytime. If I had known that pitcher was going to cost me $10, I would have ordered water. When I asked to see a menu, I was informed (in a slightly condescending tone) there were none & there were only to things they served. Enchiladas & Fajitas. So I ordered beef fajitas. I have never been into a place that provides quacamole free but charges for cheese ($1) and sour cream ($1). I like chunky pico but this needed to be chopped more. The fajita meat had a strange marinade & wasn't very good. Also needed more onions & peppers. You would think a place that only has 2 items on the menu would do them spectacularly well. Not here. It was only fair. Pros: al fesco atmosphere Cons: price & quality of the food, cash only more

HORRIBLE food ... fajitas were disgusting. The chicken was dry. My kids wouldn't touch it and I forced myself to eat half of the plate. I've had better fajitas at Hacienda Ranch, Luna de Noche, On the Border, just about anywhere. For a place that's been in business so long, you'd think the food would be better. They must rely on tourist traffic because locals would only go for the drinks and atmosphere because the food is not worth any price. Worst fajitas I've ever had and I'd never go back again. Bradley McKinney, Texas Pros: Patio, but it doesn't overcome to bad food!!! Cons: Disgusting food, dry chicken fajitas, cash only, no menu more

I went here for the first time last Sunday night. First, who does not take debit cards in 2009? I mean come on, this is not a shady place to eat, it is a very nice location and was packed late on a Sunday night. The margaritas were $27 a picture (not that great, lacked strong flavor). The onwners need to use some of that money to pay the Debit/CC fee's (Cheapo Bandito). After learning that they do not have menus (Cheapo Bandito numero dos as well as weird and stupid if for know other reason you have to ask the waiter what everything costs even though they only serve two items (weird again), but it was annoying if for no other reason he was a little rude about it acting like ""everyone in the world knows Joe T. Garcia's does not have menus"" (say the last sentence in your snobiest East coast voice, cause that's how I heard it in my internal voice head while he was talking)) we found out they really do not have food for kids of which I have four (10 kids total in our party). Maybe my kids are a little picky on food, but they like what they like. Chip and salsa came (good, but hot for kids). We decided to get them chicken fajitas, same as me and my wife. The food came quickly and was hot. For the most part the food was good, (there are much better fajitas in town; Papasitos, Christina's, Chipotle even. THIS IS THE MAJOR POINT, IF YOUR ONLY GOING TO HAVE A FEW ITEMS, THEY HAD BETTER BE REALLY GOOD, KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF ITEMS) but they were overcooked and none of the kids on my tab (6 of them) would touch them because it looked and tasted more like beef fajitas. They ate beans/cheese and tortillas while the chicken got cold (Nothing is worse than paying for kids food that goes right into the Hefty bag). Finally, we asked for the check to be split (which it wasn't (that's OK, I can add) and we left. Then the fun began. I got really sick and so far have eaten one Turkey sandwich (Jimmy John's, very good) and a bowl of cereal ( Granola with fruit and nuts, also vey good) all week. I am now looking at thier website and they have a kids plate on their lunch menu as well as others items for grown ups. What kind of evil, warped menus is this? Overall, I give a one and will not be returning on my dime. Pros: Nice Atmosphere Cons: Everything Else more

As Rachel Ray would say ""Yuucco""! This place was decent in the 60's and 70's. Now it is just a tourist trap and place to be seen. The food and service are both quite inferior to almost any other Mexican food in FTW. The prices are just ridiculously high for food that tastes like a Patio TV dinner. Margaritas are good. Have to give them that. Guess if you get the sheep drunk enough they won't notice that the cat is no longer around and tamales are ready. Try almost any other Mexican food restaurant or tortillaria . They will all trump this slop. La Playa Miya, Caro's, Uncle Julio's, Taco Bueno, any of them will give you a lot better food and at least act glad to see you. Also located in a very dangerous neighborhood to be Gringo, Latino, or any non gan g banger in after dark. Pros: None what so ever Cons: Bad food, bad service, bad location, exorbitent prices, etc etc etc more

Joe T's is AMAZING! If you go, expect to wait in line, but if your with a group of friends, go get a pitches of margaritas to drink while your in line! You wont regret it! People keep saying their food isnt good, but it IS!!!. Their fajitas are AMAZING! Joe T's is known for their awesome atmosphere and their GREAT MARGARITAS! I cant stress how good the margaritas are. Get it on the rocks! Best margarita of my life!!!!! Pros: Margaritas, atmosphere. traditional Cons: Wait, and the fact that they only accept cash more

ANyone posting on here about the food is a complete moron . . . joe ts is a hangout not a place to put your snobby nose in the air about the food . . . margaritas hottests girls in town great atmosphere . . . most attractive wait staff ever . . . the hostesess are a bit on the slow side but . . . . lets get real, people go to joe ts to hang out not to enjoy the greatest meal of ur life . . . ur complaining about a 12 dollar meal like its a 50 dollar steak ??? Pros: best looking wait staff ever Cons: hosteses are rocket sciences more

OK, I grew up in San Antonio and have lived in Fort Worth for years, come on guys, the people who gave this a good review cant be from Texas! It is the worse mexican food in town. Stick to there sister place Esparanzas, much better. The place does have great ambiance and is good for like a rehersal dinner or something, but if you are hungry for Mexican food I swear Taco Bell is better. Pros: great for a party Cons: Plain bad mexican food more

So before I go to Dallas for a great weekend out I always check the reviews of places to go and things to see. So when I saw the great reviews for the place I just knew it was going to be great. I have a BIG let down. Mexican food it my fav so I do expect alot when it comes to my margaritas and fajitas. The margaritas really were not good at all and the fajitas just did not live up to what I thought they should be. We ate at Uncle Julio's the night before and that was awsome!! Joe T's outside was great I give you that, but the food just wasnt there and when we got our bill ... they dont accept credit cards... who doesnt accept credit cards these days?? Anyways needless to say I will not be going back. Pros: They have a GREAT outside Cons: Food, and drinks, and the wait for the outside seating more

This place is amazing. Their service and food is great. The setting is very nice, and they have an amazing outdoor seating section. Pros: great more

I was excited to have lunch at this place since it's quite popular in the DFW area. I was really disappointed with the food. We ordered their specialties and it was nothing new. Definitely overrated food. The only thing nice about this place was the ambience and the grounds - other than that - don't bother coming here. Pros: Cheap food Cons: overrated and overhyped Mexican food more

Definitely worth a visit. The menu is simple, two choices if memory serves, but they're both delicious. Just be prepared for a long wait! Pros: Tasty food. That's what it's all about. Cons: Noisy. more