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Local Chef Combines Love of Food & Cars By VALERIE MARKERT Jennifer Lilleker, the chef and owner of T Garden Café, knew she wanted to be a chef since she was a sophomore at Bryan High School. After attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York and also University of Texas in Austin for a business degree, Lilleker decided to come back to the Brazos Valley and start her own business.

“We have many regulars we know by name, and some days it seems like everyone who comes here knows everyone else. It’s really a great environment and helps to keep the small town feel of Bryan.” - Jennifer Lilleker

Nestled in the heart of the Garden District of Bryan, T Garden Café boasts a menu that includes made-from-scratch desserts, soups, salads, quiche, baked potatoes, and sandwiches.

“I am an avid gardener and when it’s possible I bring in some of my homegrown produce, flowers, and eggs from my chickens to serve at the restaurant. I love knowing that the food is safely grown and prepared because I eat lunch at the T Garden everyday,” said Lilleker.

The name of her restaurant is very unique to her family. The name T Garden Café has a significance that includes both Model T cars and a tea garden.
“My family has always been into Model T’s. That’s actually how I met my husband. It’s kind of a play on words with “tea” garden. It all fits because we have Model T’s, gourmet teas and a garden dining area,” said Lilleker.

The T Garden Café has many new customers everyday, but most of the customers are regulars who enjoy the restaurant and also the service.
“I take pride in the fact that everyone that works for me enjoys their job and stays with me for long periods of time. In the restaurant business, you see a lot of turnover, especially with students’ schedules changing every semester, but some of my workers have been here for years. Part of the reason they enjoy it is because of our wonderful customers. We have many regulars we know by name, and some days it seems like everyone who comes here knows everyone else. It’s really a great environment and helps to keep the small town feel of Bryan,” Lilleker said.

The T Garden Café is not only open for lunch and tea on the garden patio. They also cater events such as bridal and baby showers, special teas, and luncheons.

“We have catered for office lunch orders, events at Texas A&M, and dinner parties for regular customers and friends. The most high profile thing we’ve done so far was for Becky Gates. She was hosting a luncheon for Doro Bush Koch and Barbara Bush when they were here for Doro’s book signing,” said Lilleker.

The T Garden Café is located approximately three quarters of a mile West of Texas Ave S on North Street. If you are looking for a restaurant that is laid back and where you can actually visit with the person you are dining with, take a drive out to the Garden District.

The T Garden Cafe
108 North Ave, Bryan
Hours: Lunch 11 am – 2 pm Mon-Sat
Tea Fri-Sat 2-5 pm
Call (979) 268-4171 for reservations