The Original Mexican Eats Café, affectionately known as “The Original,” has served as a cornerstone of Fort Worth dining since 1926. As the city’s oldest restaurant, it built its reputation on authentic Tex-Mex flavors, comforting family recipes, and a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that welcomes generations of loyal patrons.
Founded by Lola San Miguel Piñeda and her husband Gerónimo Piñeda, the café originally opened in Waco before settling on Camp Bowie Boulevard in 1930. Over the decades, it grew from a modest eatery into a culinary institution, known just as much for its hospitality as its food.
At the heart of The Original’s appeal is its classic menu, rich with heritage. The famed “Roosevelt Special,” created to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s visit in 1936, features a cheese enchilada topped with hearty chili, a crunchy beef taco, and a bean chalupa. It remains a top seller to this day. The enchiladas are rolled by hand, generously filled with cheese or seasoned beef, and bathed in savory red chili sauce—a signature flavor of the house.
Other staples include tamales wrapped in corn husks, stuffed with tender pork or cheese and jalapeños, and topped with a drizzle of chili con carne. The chili rellenos—poblano peppers filled with gooey cheese, lightly battered, and fried until golden—deliver a smoky heat balanced by rich, cheesy comfort…