Beyond the BLUU
Where alumni can eat, drink and celebrate homecoming around TCU and Fort Worth
TCU will celebrate Homecoming from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18 this year. This annual celebration brings together past and present Horned Frogs to participate in numerous activities, including a weekend football game.
As TCU grows, so do many restaurants surrounding it.
Here are some of Fort Worth’s classic, revamped and newly opened restaurants available to alumni.
Joe T. Garcia's, located at 2201 N. Commerce St. in the Fort Worth Stockyards, has been serving Tex-Mex cuisine since 1935, making it a traditional destination for family gatherings and celebrations.
This restaurant came to be when Mamasuez immigrated from Mexico alongside her husband and the restaurant's namesake, Joe T., in hopes of starting a fresh life for herself. Her grandchildren continue to run this special space, curating their grandmother's recipes, in hopes of providing Fort Worth with the same incredible experience that their family has been offering for nearly a century.
The restaurant has indoor seating, with the outdoor patio seating accompanied by gardens and fountains.
“I think Joe T. 's really fosters the culture of Fort Worth and gives everyone a true Texas feel because it is so lively and cultivating,” Ava Chambers, a junior fashion merchandising major, said. “It represents a fun, family-filled environment.”
Woodshed Smokehouse has been situated on the banks of the Trinity River since February 1, 2012, located at 3201 Riverfront Dr. The Woodshed has become a renowned and unique restaurant in Fort Worth, featuring three smokers, two rotisseries, two wood grills and a rotating selection of woods for cooking.
Aside from its cuisine, Woodshed Smokehouse offers outdoor seating and live music, creating an environment for socializing with friends.
It is just up the street from campus, making it a frequent hangout spot before game days with their TCU flags waving on the outside deck.
Quince Riverside, located in Westbend Plaza on River Run, is a new addition to the Fort Worth area, opening its doors on March 27, 2023. This restaurant is an upscale casual spot perfect for a night out with friends or for finishing up a run on the Trinity Trail. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, with cooling fans on the patio for warmer Texas days.
Quince serves dinner only on Mondays and Tuesdays, offers lunch from Wednesday to Friday and provides brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. It caters to students, with its intentional location near campus and loyalty program with several discounts tailored to college students.
“I’ve been going to Quince Riverside ever since my freshman year move-in when it just opened,” Paige Phillips, a junior strategic communications major, said. “No matter the occasion, Quince always feels special, whether it’s the music, the energy of the crowd, or just the way the space feels when you walk in. It’s the type of restaurant that always gives you a reason to come back.”
Ampersand coffee, located on South University Drive, is a popular coffee shop near TCU’s campus. It closed in May 2023 for major renovations and reopened in Aug. 2024. The renovation included leasing the space next door, doubling the coffee shop in size and providing students with more seating options for studying and working.
The coffee shop’s menu did not change and still offers its signature drinks and toasts. Other recent changes include the introduction of a self-order kiosk, making it convenient for busy students to bypass the line. In the evening, it turns into a lively bar, serving espresso martinis.
“The location has changed quite a bit since my freshman year to now, senior year,” Kiley Gugassian, a communications major, said. “The tables were really close together, which made it feel cramped and even a little claustrophobic. Now, the new Ampersand is much bigger and has a nicer, more upscale feel, making it a cozy place to study.”
Balancing taste, location and budget, some TCU students shared a few of their favorite places to eat off campus and their go-to meals.
Starting right next to campus, students highlighted a few of their top choices along University Drive and West Berry Street.
Potbelly Sandwich Shop is located off of University Drive, and offers toasted sandwiches, soups, salads, shakes and cookies.
"Potbelly is my favorite around campus,” Juliana Jordan, a sophomore finance and marketing double-major said. “I have one near home and grew up going there a lot for lunch with family and friends, so I already knew what to order and that I would like it.”
When it comes to ordering, Jordan recommended the chicken club sandwich or mac and cheese.
Jersey Mike’s is another popular spot near the outskirts of campus known for its sandwiches and quick, convenient service.
“The #7 is my go-to,” Catherine Begun, a senior supply chain major, said when praising the chain.
Dutch’s is well-known for its unique dual setup. One side of the restaurant offers burritos and bowls, and the other side serves hamburgers and classic American dishes.
“My favorite things from Dutch’s are their burgers or chicken tenders,” Delaney Killeen, a junior finance major, said.
As for restaurants beyond campus but still within Fort Worth, students mentioned a variety of local spots they frequent for different occasions when willing to splurge, including HG Sply Co. and Teddy Wongs.
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