We’ve written plenty of articles about mom and pop restaurants in Texas, but we’ll never be able to cover all of them. There are simply too many small towns with too many family-owned, tiny restaurants to even begin to write about every single one. But that doesn’t mean we won’t try. Here are 6 more of the best little-known restaurants in Texas. Keep your eyes peeled — these hole-in-the-wall joints are difficult to find but so worth the search.
- Noonday Country Store (Noonday)
noondaytexas.com Noonday, near Tyler, is home to only 777 people - but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for good eatin’. Not many people know about this little store, but that needs to change. The owners really know what they’re doing when it comes to breakfast and hamburgers. If you find yourself passing through the Tyler area with a hankering for country cooking, look no further than the Noonday Country Store. Address: 16822 TX-155, Tyler, TX 75703. To learn more, call (903) 534-9498.
- Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish (Conroe)
Yelp/Joseph M.
Yelp/Jackie R. We East Texans love our catfish. That being said, we’re also really picky about it. There has to be just the right amount of crispiness and tenderness or else it’s almost inedible. Vernon’s definitely gets it just perfect - not only the fish itself, but all of the usual sides as well. Address: 5901 W Davis St, Conroe, TX 77304. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Allen’s Family Style Meals (Sweetwater)
Yelp/Allison E.
Yelp/Emily P. If you’ve ever been to The Pickett House in Woodville, this place is similar. You’ll get huge, sharing-size portions of fried chicken, creamed corn, green beans, yams, sausage, and dessert that the entire family can enjoy. But be careful! You’ll drive right by the restaurant if you aren’t looking for it. Address: 1301 E Broadway Ave, Sweetwater, TX 79556. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
- Boondocks (Brady)
Yelp/Pete S.
Yelp/Dina L. Besides being named one of the best places to retire in Texas, Brady is also home to arguably one of the best seafood restaurants in the state. Boondocks serves up fresh crawfish, fried catfish, Cajun dishes, and everything else that lives under the sea. This is a must-try for sure, y’all. Address: 2027 S Bridge St, Brady, TX 76825. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
- Buttermilk’s (Canton)
Yelp/Jon K.
Yelp/Leanne R. Editor’s note: Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed.I can’t believe I just now discovered this place! I think it’s some of the best Southern food in Texas, and the atmosphere of the quaint town square it’s located in just adds to the experience. Enjoy some scratch-made chicken fried steak with fried green beans on the side, or a big, juicy burger with all the fixin’s. And you can’t leave without a bowl of hot apple or peach cobbler. Address: 100 W Dallas St, Canton, TX 75103. To learn more, visit their website here.
- Royers Round Top Cafe (Round Top)
Yelp/Scott L.
Yelp/Tessa B. Many of my readers have mentioned how this place serves food that tastes just like their grandma used to make. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn is one of the most popular dishes, and the enormous variety of house-made pies are to die for. Address: 105 Main St, Round Top, TX 78954. To learn more, visit their website here.
Have you been to any of these hidden gem restaurants in Texas? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more tasty Texas eateries, visit these 10 unsuspecting restaurants.
noondaytexas.com
Noonday, near Tyler, is home to only 777 people - but that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for good eatin’. Not many people know about this little store, but that needs to change. The owners really know what they’re doing when it comes to breakfast and hamburgers. If you find yourself passing through the Tyler area with a hankering for country cooking, look no further than the Noonday Country Store. Address: 16822 TX-155, Tyler, TX 75703. To learn more, call (903) 534-9498.
Yelp/Joseph M.
Yelp/Jackie R.
We East Texans love our catfish. That being said, we’re also really picky about it. There has to be just the right amount of crispiness and tenderness or else it’s almost inedible. Vernon’s definitely gets it just perfect - not only the fish itself, but all of the usual sides as well. Address: 5901 W Davis St, Conroe, TX 77304. To learn more, visit their website here.
Yelp/Allison E.
Yelp/Emily P.
If you’ve ever been to The Pickett House in Woodville, this place is similar. You’ll get huge, sharing-size portions of fried chicken, creamed corn, green beans, yams, sausage, and dessert that the entire family can enjoy. But be careful! You’ll drive right by the restaurant if you aren’t looking for it. Address: 1301 E Broadway Ave, Sweetwater, TX 79556. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
Yelp/Pete S.
Yelp/Dina L.
Besides being named one of the best places to retire in Texas, Brady is also home to arguably one of the best seafood restaurants in the state. Boondocks serves up fresh crawfish, fried catfish, Cajun dishes, and everything else that lives under the sea. This is a must-try for sure, y’all. Address: 2027 S Bridge St, Brady, TX 76825. To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.
Yelp/Jon K.
Yelp/Leanne R.
Editor’s note: Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed.I can’t believe I just now discovered this place! I think it’s some of the best Southern food in Texas, and the atmosphere of the quaint town square it’s located in just adds to the experience. Enjoy some scratch-made chicken fried steak with fried green beans on the side, or a big, juicy burger with all the fixin’s. And you can’t leave without a bowl of hot apple or peach cobbler. Address: 100 W Dallas St, Canton, TX 75103. To learn more, visit their website here.
Yelp/Scott L.
Yelp/Tessa B.
Many of my readers have mentioned how this place serves food that tastes just like their grandma used to make. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and creamed corn is one of the most popular dishes, and the enormous variety of house-made pies are to die for. Address: 105 Main St, Round Top, TX 78954. To learn more, visit their website here.
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Address: 16822 TX-155, Tyler, TX 75703, USAAddress: 5901 W Davis St, Conroe, TX 77304, USAAddress: 1301 E Broadway Ave, Sweetwater, TX 79556, USAAddress: 100 W Dallas St, Canton, TX 75103, USAAddress: 2027 S Bridge St, Brady, TX 76825, USAAddress: Royers Round Top Café, 105 Main St, Round Top, TX 78954, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best little-known restaurants in Texas May 15, 2020 Elisa Regulski What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Texas? There are so many wonderful hidden gem restaurants in Texas. Good Luck Grill, located in Manor, should be at the top of your list. This down-home eatery specializes in crispy fried catfish. After the first bite, you’ll be hooked. Plus, they often have live music on weekends! This place is fun for the whole family. If you loved this place, you should also visit King’s Inn in Riviera. This eatery serves some of the most wonderful fresh fish you’ve ever tasted. Go ahead and dunk some of that fried catfish into their homemade tartar sauce. It doesn’t get much better than this. What are the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas? Mary’s Cafe, located in Strawn, is one of the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas. This no-frills diner is known for their exceptional chicken fried steak, and people come from all around just to try it. Some even say it’s the best comfort food in the Lone Star State! If you have a sweet tooth, you should pay a visit to Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. While everything on their menu is exceptional, nothing beats their handmade pies. Order a slice of lemon meringue and feel your mood lift instantly. What are the best foodie towns in Texas? Lockhart is the most famous food city in Texas. This small town doesn’t have many permanent residents, but people flock here for the epic BBQ restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for brisket, sausage, or ribs, you’ll be able to eat to your heart’s content in this small Texas town. If it’s Asian food you’re after, Houston is the place to go. This giant city is home to some of the most authentic and delicious Chinese and Korean eateries in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best little-known restaurants in Texas
May 15, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Texas? There are so many wonderful hidden gem restaurants in Texas. Good Luck Grill, located in Manor, should be at the top of your list. This down-home eatery specializes in crispy fried catfish. After the first bite, you’ll be hooked. Plus, they often have live music on weekends! This place is fun for the whole family. If you loved this place, you should also visit King’s Inn in Riviera. This eatery serves some of the most wonderful fresh fish you’ve ever tasted. Go ahead and dunk some of that fried catfish into their homemade tartar sauce. It doesn’t get much better than this. What are the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas? Mary’s Cafe, located in Strawn, is one of the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas. This no-frills diner is known for their exceptional chicken fried steak, and people come from all around just to try it. Some even say it’s the best comfort food in the Lone Star State! If you have a sweet tooth, you should pay a visit to Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. While everything on their menu is exceptional, nothing beats their handmade pies. Order a slice of lemon meringue and feel your mood lift instantly. What are the best foodie towns in Texas? Lockhart is the most famous food city in Texas. This small town doesn’t have many permanent residents, but people flock here for the epic BBQ restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for brisket, sausage, or ribs, you’ll be able to eat to your heart’s content in this small Texas town. If it’s Asian food you’re after, Houston is the place to go. This giant city is home to some of the most authentic and delicious Chinese and Korean eateries in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many wonderful hidden gem restaurants in Texas. Good Luck Grill, located in Manor, should be at the top of your list. This down-home eatery specializes in crispy fried catfish. After the first bite, you’ll be hooked. Plus, they often have live music on weekends! This place is fun for the whole family. If you loved this place, you should also visit King’s Inn in Riviera. This eatery serves some of the most wonderful fresh fish you’ve ever tasted. Go ahead and dunk some of that fried catfish into their homemade tartar sauce. It doesn’t get much better than this.
What are the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas?
Mary’s Cafe, located in Strawn, is one of the best mom and pop restaurants in Texas. This no-frills diner is known for their exceptional chicken fried steak, and people come from all around just to try it. Some even say it’s the best comfort food in the Lone Star State! If you have a sweet tooth, you should pay a visit to Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. While everything on their menu is exceptional, nothing beats their handmade pies. Order a slice of lemon meringue and feel your mood lift instantly.
What are the best foodie towns in Texas?
Lockhart is the most famous food city in Texas. This small town doesn’t have many permanent residents, but people flock here for the epic BBQ restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for brisket, sausage, or ribs, you’ll be able to eat to your heart’s content in this small Texas town. If it’s Asian food you’re after, Houston is the place to go. This giant city is home to some of the most authentic and delicious Chinese and Korean eateries in the state.
