Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Lancarte.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My story starts with a powerful woman and the iconic kitchen at Joe T. Garcia’s- a legendary Fort Worth restaurant and my family home. Joe Ts was founded by my great-grandmother, Mamasuez, who immigrated to Fort Worth with no more than a 6th-grade education, unable to speak English, and without any resources or support.
Alongside my great-grandfather Joe T., Mamasuez set out to support her family by serving food out of her own kitchen. As the family grew, so did the restaurant, and when Joe passed away, Mamasuez kept Joe T.’s afloat with the help of her daughter and my grandmother, Hope Lancarte. Today, Hope’s seven children run the restaurant: a timeless slice of paradise built around Mamasuez’s original kitchen. My father, Hope’s oldest son, dedicated his life to keeping the legacy of this restaurant alive and my earliest memories are of watching my parents serve the ever-growing dinner rush.
In the midst of it all, Mamasuez’s inimitable spirit, Hope’s unwavering strength, and my mother’s gracious presence profoundly shaped my character. There in the kitchen, while I helped them roll silverware and cook beans, these women taught me to face life with purpose and grit.
Over years of hostessing, waitressing, managing, and marketing for Joe T.’s, I got married at an early age and became a stay-at-home mom to my three beautiful children. But as time went on, I took a backseat and tabled my dreams to support my family. While others threw doubt on my capability, I began to second-guess my own potential.
After a stroke and a life-changing divorce in 2018, I knew it was time to reclaim my power and the heritage passed on to me through three generations of strong Latina women: resilience, determination, and a seat at the head of the table.
I re-entered the workforce after a 25-year absence and changed the tempo of my life. It was a massive change and challenge, but I had a fire for more, and I was determined to embrace my power and purpose. I took a new role at Joe T. ‘s and began to pursue my vision for empowering the women of Fort Worth.
Today, I can confidently say that I am living an authentic life that my great-grandmother would be proud of. I spend my days as the marketing and PR director for Joe T’s, telling the story of our family and restaurant for the next generation of Fort Worthians and inspiring other women to achieve their dreams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my favorite quotes comes from Victor Frankle: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
After 25 years of marriage, I was faced with divorce and a seismic life change. The world had shifted while I was raising my children, and I felt disoriented and displaced.
But as I began healing, I uncovered the tenacity I’d forged in the Joe T.’s kitchens alongside the Garcia-Lancarte women. It was their hard-won courage that reminded me that the best way to build endurance is to endure!
While I re-entered the workforce, I reconnected with my love for reading, writing, and painting. I began pursuing the people and things that increase my momentum. I embraced my power and began to remove the limits on my thinking and dreaming.
Through subtle shifts and changes, I regained my freedom and agency. Today, I’ve taken my place as the Marketing and PR Director at Joe T’s and continue to mentor other women who are ready to embrace their future and build meaningful lives.
As a light-skinned Latina woman, I know what it’s like to encounter people who don’t believe
in my identity. I understand navigating closed doors, self-doubt, and the people who don’t think there’s room for me. But Mamasuez taught me that women do not just deserve a seat at the table; we deserve a seat at the head of the table, and I’m committed to showing up every day as my authentic, true self.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Joe T.’s, we offer more than a table, food, and ambiance. We provide an escape to our longtime family table– a place where you can savor the moments that matter most. For almost 100 years, visitors, celebrities, and locals have returned to our home time and time again for Mamasuez’s original recipes and our famous margaritas!
Over the years, we’ve gradually expanded the dining room and the fiesta gardens,
making our home one of the most popular go-to experiences in Fort Worth. Still, we’ve never wavered from our commitment to simplicity, authenticity, and an unmatched experience. Our
family’s original recipes are the heart and soul of our menu, and my dad and uncles still open the restaurant every day to make Mamasuez’s secret enchilada gravy before the rest of the staff arrives.
The real unsung heroes of the Garcia-Lanacarte family are the women who shaped this restaurant from the time of its inception. Each member of our immediate family was profoundly influenced by Mamasuez and Hope, and we openly attribute our dedication and unwavering work ethic to their example. But most of Fort Worth and our surrounding community have no idea that Joe T. Garcia’s was truly the work of Joe’s wife and daughter! It’s part of my mission to tell their story and remind the world that behind every successful family, business, or entity, there are sure to be strong women.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Come visit our family table! We would love to have you join us at Joe T.’s. Our little restaurant has come a long way since we first opened our doors, and we are honored that our community loves our legacy as much as we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joetgarcias.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellylancarte/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-lancarte-0540b517b/
Image Credits
Sydnie Liska Photography
