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Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant

STOCKYARDS
Mexican
(817) 626-4356
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4.2
Based on 11976 reviews
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Chris Danger
05:37 29 Jun 25
Visited Joe T. Garcia’s with a group of 6 and had a mixed experience. First off, the check-in process was confusing. We were told in line to notify the hostess, but when we tried, we got scolded and sent back to wait. Not the warmest welcome, but the line did move fast, and they handed out cold water bottles, which helped in the heat.

Once seated, the atmosphere is beautiful—lush plants, stone walkways, and a real Mexican hacienda feel. It’s like dining in a garden. Definitely Instagram-worthy.

Heads up: They are CASH ONLY. Yes, in 2025. In Fort Worth. There’s an ATM on-site, but it’s frustrating not being able to use a card in a place this popular.

As for the food: we ordered the cheese quesadilla appetizer, beef fajitas, and combo fajitas. Everything came out fast and hot. The fajitas were flavorful with generous portions, and the tortillas were fresh. The food was solid—not mind-blowing—but good enough that we cleared our plates. We also had margaritas, which didn’t taste like fresh juice, but were cold, decent, and easy to sip on.

Biggest downside? The heat. Most of the seating is outdoors, and there’s no air conditioning—just a few fans. It was over 90°F when we went, and by the end of the meal we looked like we just finished a hot yoga session. Definitely recommend going later in the evening or during cooler weather, or bring a portable fan if you can.

Service was great though—super friendly, helpful, and kept things moving smoothly.

Bottom line: Worth a visit for the atmosphere and experience, but it’s not the most comfortable in summer heat. Don’t forget cash (for both food and tip), and be prepared to sweat a little.
Todd J
03:34 24 Jun 25
Joe T. Garcia’s is a Fort Worth staple, and there’s no denying the charm that hits you the moment you step through the gates. The atmosphere is truly top notch—lush patios shaded by trees and cooled by fans offer a welcome escape from the Texas heat. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger and soak in the vibe, especially on a warm day.

Service-wise, they don’t miss a beat. Patty, our server, was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and had our drinks refilled before we even had to ask. Speaking of drinks, the margaritas were ice-cold and absolutely hit the spot. If you’ve got two or more people drinking, go ahead and order a pitcher—it’s worth it.

Now, for the downside: the food. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t live up to the same standard. The flavors are underwhelming, the menu lacks variety, and while the portions are generous, there’s nothing that really stands out or leaves a lasting impression. It’s all very… meh.

In short, Joe T’s is all about the experience—beautiful setting, excellent service, and drinks that go down easy. But if you’re a foodie looking for bold flavors or creative dishes, this probably isn’t the place for you. If it’s on your Fort Worth bucket list, you won’t regret the visit—but you might leave wishing the food had as much personality as the patio.

**Rating: 3.5/5 – Come for the vibes, not the fajitas**
Jill Smith
13:08 08 Jun 25
This review is based on two different experiences when eating at Joe T’s two nights in a row while visiting the Stockyards. The first night (Wednesday) was phenomenal. We had amazing service, delicious drinks and food. We loved it so much we back for a 2nd dinner on night two. Had we had the same service and experience on night one we wouldn’t have returned.
The salsa and chips are so good! Night one, we shared cheese enchilada dinner and it was plenty for two of us! I loved the cheese nacho app, reminded me of my childhood. Night two, our server never took our order, we were there over two hours and only received our appetizer. I was extremely disappointed. I think sometimes bad service can ruin it for people.
We sat outside both times and it’s so beautiful ♥️
Not sure if we will ever go back, but I’d hate to say never.
The wait can be long at times, but Wednesday was a great night to go!
Christine Titera
11:35 06 May 25
First time visiting. What a beautiful restaurant. It is not just a great restaurant to eat at but the outdoor garden/patio area is like a botanical garden. What an experience. I had the chimichangas. They were delicious. A couple of things to note. The line for the gardens is long but moves pretty quickly. You can go inside and get a drink from the bar to enjoy while you are waiting. They only accept cash. There are two ATM"s on the premises. Don't miss visiting this restaurant.
Rob Tomlinson
13:50 25 Apr 25
This restaurant is an experience - highly recommend, if you visit Ft Worth (Stockyards) this is a must visit. Best time is late afternoon into the evening to enjoy the spectacular ambiance! Indoor and outdoors seating, lots of parking - be prepared for long lines during busy times but well with it! Staff friendly and food AMAZING!
Sunshine
23:18 12 Apr 25
Yes, it's an experience and the food is just okay. But it's a Fort Worth tradition, so we had to go. The margaritas are good. The chips and salsa are good. You get a ton of food. I enjoyed the guacamole. You have to ask for chicken if you want it, it's not on the menu anymore. The menu is very pared down. Our server was fantastic. And even though there was a line, we were in and snacking on chips in 20 minutes. They run that place with precision. They had the mariachi band, so you really do get the full experience. Love their patio area.
prashant agarwal
03:01 29 Mar 25
Joe T. Garcia’s is not just a restaurant—it’s a Fort Worth institution. Operating long before the term "Tex-Mex" was even coined, this legendary spot has been serving up authentic flavors for decades.

As a vegetarian, I wasn’t there for the full Tex-Mex experience, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to soak in the vibrant atmosphere. If you're planning a visit, be prepared for a wait (totally worth it!) and remember to bring cash—this is a cash-only establishment. The menu is intentionally limited, making ordering a breeze, but vegetarians, take note: you have just one option!

One of the most fascinating things about Joe T. Garcia’s? The sheer size! This place can seat up to 1,600 guests at once, making it one of the largest dining spots around.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely—for both the food and the incredible ambiance.

🔥 Pro tip: No matter where you’re seated, take a walk around the restaurant. The beautiful patios and historic charm are part of what makes this place so special!
My boyfriend wanted me to try Joe’s.
First off, it was a super long line outside of the restaurant. We stood outside for more than 30 mins and it would’ve been longer, but since there were only two of us, they came to seat us before some other groups.

The place is so big and there’s so much seating. The decor is really nice and there’s a fountain in the middle. Our waitress was really nice and accommodating.

My boyfriend ordered the combo fajita with chicken and beef which was really yummy and flavorful. I got the cheesy enchilada dinner which was very very cheesy. The rice and beans were good and the tacos were too, I just wish it had more beef. Overall, it was a great experience despite the long wait, but then again, that shows how good the place is.

It’s also cash only, but they have an ATM.

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