The Original Mexican Eats Cafe

Last updated
The Original Mexican Eats Cafe
Restaurant information
Established1930 (1930)
OwnerRobert Self
Food type Tex-Mex
Location Fort Worth, Texas

The Original Mexican Eats Cafe is a Tex-Mex restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas.

History

The restaurant was located in a building owned by the Muzquiz family. In 1928, they leased the building to Lola San Miguel and her husband Geronimo Pineda, who opened the Original Mexican Eats Cafe in 1930. [1] Pineda was originally from Barcelona and served in the Spanish military during the Spanish–American War. San Miguel was born in Laredo, Texas to immigrants from northern Mexico. [2]

The Original Mexican Eats Cafe was one of the oldest Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas. [3] It is known for serving traditional Tex-Mex, especially chili con carne and margaritas. [4] [5] The restaurant opened during a period in which west Fort Worth was rapidly being built up. It was located in the 4700 block on Camp Bowie Boulevard. [6]

The restaurant was frequented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his son Elliott Roosevelt. In 1936, the restaurant added a dish called "the Roosevelt" to their menu, based off of Elliott's favorite order. [7] [8] It includes a fried chalupa covered in beans and cheese, a beef taco, and a cheese enchilada topped with chili con carne and two fried eggs. [9] Actor James Stewart and his wife Gloria Stewart also patronized the restaurant. [10]

A second location was opened at 1400 N. Main Street. [3]

In 1998, Robert "Butch" Self became owner of the restaurant, which was still owned by the Muzquiz family. [1] A lease dispute between Self and the Muzquiz family began in 2011, and ended with the lease being declared void. Afterwards, the original location closed and the building reverted to the Muzquiz family who turned it into retail space. [1]

Self retained ownership of the parking lot surrounding the former restaurant, and in 2024 applied for permits to build a new restaurant on that property. [11]

The restaurant's second location on Main Street also continued to operate. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Montoya, Stephen (2023-11-02). "The Building That Housed the Original Mexican Eats Restaurant Moves On". Fort Worth Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  2. ↑ George, Juliet (2013-09-16). Camp Bowie Boulevard. Arcadia Publishing. p. 57. ISBN   978-1-4396-4399-0.
  3. 1 2 Kennedy, Bud (March 29, 2023). "Save the nachos! The Original Mexican Restaurant in Fort Worth wins 3-month reprieve". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  4. ↑ Gleaves, Spray (2014-02-20). "20 Oldest". Fort Worth Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  5. ↑ Montoya, Stephen (2023-02-22). "Holes in the Fort: The Oldest Eatery in Town Lives on in Legend". Fort Worth Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
  6. ↑ McGown, Quentin (2003). Fort Worth in Vintage Postcards. Arcadia Publishing. p. 98. ISBN   978-0-7385-2864-9.
  7. ↑ Cuéllar, Carlos Eliseo (2003). Stories from the Barrio: A History of Mexican Fort Worth. TCU Press. p. 51. ISBN   978-0-87565-275-7.
  8. ↑ Sherrod, Katie (2007). Grace & Gumption: Stories of Fort Worth Women. TCU Press. p. 136. ISBN   978-0-87565-352-5.
  9. ↑ Youree, Emily White; Kurkowski-Gillen, Joan (2025-01-22). Legendary Locals of Fort Worth. Arcadia Publishing. p. 98. ISBN   978-1-4396-4525-3.
  10. ↑ George, Juliet (2013-09-16). Camp Bowie Boulevard. Arcadia Publishing. p. 58. ISBN   978-1-4396-4399-0.
  11. ↑ Kennedy, Bud (August 21, 2024). "Now we know more: Plans filed for Tex-Mex icon to return to west Fort Worth". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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