Joe T. Garcia's, a family restaurant

The Miracle on Commerce Street...

Fort Worth:  Meet Hope Lancarte; she is a first-generation American and the matriarch of a family business. Within three generations, Joe T. Garcia's restaurant  has become a celebrated landmark, paradise on earth, "The Miracle on Commerce Street."  Hope's father came from Mexico with nothing. And today, this family has everything. 
 
Recognized by the James Beard Foundation in 1998 for their outstanding regional cuisine, this family restaurant, is truly a celebrated landmark in the USA.

What happens when a family works together, pulls together, and stays together for three generations? Impossible? In this episode of the show we find proof positive that it is possible. When a family coheres and works toward a common goal, miracles happen. This family has created a little paradise on earth; their Fiesta Gardens make up one square city block and are among the most beautiful outdoor seating in the country.

At its outset, their restaurant was busy. When they opened on July 4, 1935, they could seat just 16 people; today they seat over 1000. Those old country recipes from Mexico attracted crowds in the beginning. And now three generations later, the lines are always out the door.

The physical properties have been constantly improved, and the roots of this family are growing deeper and deeper into the community they love.

This is an old world recipe for success.

There are no short cuts, just hard work and long hours. Though there are many hands in the pot, in no way is this multi-level marketing. Nobody expects to get rich quick.

Here is the real heart and soul of America. Honest, hard-working, decent people. And this story can be told over and over and over again throughout America. This is the quiet revolution of small business that works.

Let us introduce you to the Joe T. Garcia family.   Joe T.'s daughter, Hope, had seven children who are all involved in sustaining the Joe T. tradition. Her oldest son, Lanny, is the CEO. And his brothers and sisters each have a role. And now all their children are starting to pick up the reins.

We have seen this time and time again; the second generation expands the locations, the product lines, and perfects the products and processes. First, we visit Hope's wholesale bakery and catering. And then, we visit with the third generation as they expand by developing new products and through distribution which, of course, now renders worldwide sales through the web.