It’s a labor of love inside Drew’s Place in Fort Worth. The owners, Andrew and Stephanie Thomas, serve food that comes from the soul.
“What we serve is everyday cooking, but when our soul meets your soul, it really is a nice experience,” Stephanie Thomas said.
“It’s just like family. Like you are having a meal with your family,” Andrew Thomas said.
Their family, as well as customers, appreciate what Drew’s Place has been cooking for 27 years.
“The food was fantastic,” customer Greven Jordan said. “I’d give it a 12. Out of one to 10, I’d give it a 12.”
The Thomas family is proud of what they do and now they have another reason to be proud. They are one of the winners of the American Express and National Trust for Historic Preservation Grant.
“Proud as a peacock,” Stephanie Thomas said, describing how they feel about the announcement.
The program awards 50 restaurants nationwide $50,000 to help renovate and grow their business and they already have plans for the upgrades.
“We intend to expand the outdoor patio,” Stephanie Thomas said. “We intend to cover the area where the patrons pick up their to-go orders, so they are not out in the elements.”
They also want to add a mural outside to add beauty and for the neighborhood to enjoy.
Customers are glad to see a small local business getting this recognition.
“I think it will bring a lot to the community and bring notice to the business and bring them extra business,” customer Ignatius Jordan said.
“I believe it’s good for the community,” Greven said. “Sometimes you have to drive far out, Plano, downtown Dallas and it’s right here in the community.”
The renovations planned for Drew’s Place are intended to be long-lasting. They want to pass this down, creating generational wealth.
“We would like for it to just be a generational thing,” Stephanie Thomas said.
“Just get everything situated [for] my daughter. She’s hopefully going to take over and run the business,” said Andrew Thomas.
One other Texas restaurant, The Vasquez 1935 in Uvalde, also received the honor.