His skill and desire to share the legacy of Garcia-Lancarte recipes across Fort Worth was paramount, and this proved to be essential during the outbreak of COVID-19. With a vision to bring Joe T.’s food back to the guests who so often would frequent his family’s establishment, Jesse took the initiative to share what he knew best with the community he loved. Thanks to his dedication, thousands of home-cooked meals were safely and personally delivered to hungry families across the DFW metroplex during the dark days of the pandemic.
Jesse married June Norman, and God blessed their family with children Will, Logan, Bryce, and JP, as well as Neal and his wife Katie Lancarte and their son Henry; and an extended family with step-daughters Kara Norman, Kate Lyon, son-in-law Hunter Lyon and granddaughter Charlotte. Today, Jesse runs a thriving catering branch, proudly crafting Joe T’s timeless recipes on-site for DFW events. When he’s not bringing the iconic taste of Fort Worth to local celebrations, you can find Jesse enjoying a weekend on his ranch with his wife and seven grown children. A devoted father and grandfather, Jesse continues to embody Hope’s legacy of love and care through his family, their legacy, and their craft.
Jesse Rene
Lancarte
Jesse Lancarte’s earliest memories are at Joe T’s. His childhood is filled with fond, yet busy, memories of rolling silverware and bussing tables; the nostalgia of learning to make beans alongside his mom, Hope. Jesse is, and always has been, a powerful force for good among the Lancarte siblings, one with big dreams for the future--of aspirations for greatness. Forever with a light heart and quick wit, he knows when to crack the right joke to make others smile.
Raised in a world of culinary family tradition, Jesse first vied to forge his own path. After declaring his intention to join military school, the wise words of his mother predicted his true course.
“You’ll always come back,” she said.
And she was right.
After graduating from TCU with a major in Photojournalism, Jesse realized his heart did indeed call back to Joe T’s, alongside his family.
With Hope, her recipes, and her trade secrets by his side, Jesse helped run Esperanza’s--formerly known as Joe T. Garcia’s Bakery. Esperanza’s Bakery, aptly renamed in honorof Hope’s traditional Spanish name, opened new locations through the years, with Jesseplaying an integral part in its success story.
“It turns out, Joe T’s was a bigger part of me than I thought. This restaurant and family had a way of bringing me back.”
— Jesse Rene Lancarte
What is your favorite Joe T’s meal? The Pollo Soup at Esperanzas and a Miller Lite. If you put a cold beer in a Joe T’s cup, and then put that cup in a styrofoam cup, you have instant insulation. I’m going to patent it someday.
What is your favorite space in the restaurant? The table up front with the big longhorn on the wall. When the restaurant was small enough, we named all the tables for service, and we called that one “Horn’s Table”!
What is your superpower? I am an out of the box thinker. I can envision an idea for a new project and I can make it happen. I’m also a hell of a mediator and a people-person.
What are you most proud of? My mother, Hope, who did so much with so little.