We Texans are big on small town restaurants. Unfortunately, unless you’re a local, it’s pretty hard to discover new ones because they don’t usually have a large online presence. Thanks to our amazing readers who live in these tiny towns, we managed to compile a list of towns with little Southern, down-home cafes that you might’ve never known about otherwise. They might not be well known or have fancy atmospheres, but we know those are the best kinds of restaurants anyway.
- Lockhart
Flickr/heatheronhertravels Home to two of Texas’ most famous barbecue joints, Black’s and Kreuz Market, I think it’s safe to say that Lockhart knows what it’s doing food-wise. The good thing about small towns without much else to do is that you can eat until you can barely stand up and not worry about missing out on anything.
- Leona
Yelp/Paul K. This blink-and-you-miss-it Texas town definitely isn’t a place you’d expect to have amazing food. Leona General Store has been serving some of the best steak and CFS in Texas for nearly a century, and it’s more than worthy of being a stopping place on your next road trip.
- Tomball
Yelp/Marchel P. A big thank you to several readers for informing me of Tomball’s existence! Mel’s, a little country cafe, is the main attraction here, but there’s also Goodson’s for amazing chicken-fried steak and the Rib Tickler for authentic Texas BBQ.
- Marble Falls
Yelp/Shayda T. Marble Falls is home to the famous Blue Bonnet Cafe, one of Texas’ most iconic Southern diners. Between the hearty comfort food, pies made fresh daily, and service oozing with Southern hospitality, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for seconds (and thirds!)
- Round Top
Yelp/Scott L. Get ready for a trip back in time when you eat at Round Top’s restaurants, especially Royers Cafe. Retro architecture meets delicious, home-cooked meals like Sunday fried chicken and mashed potatoes for an experience you (or your taste buds) won’t soon forget.
- Canton
Yelp/Jon K. As if this charming town square isn’t enough of a reason to stop in Canton the next time you’re in East Texas, its restaurants will definitely convince you. Buttermilk’s is its pride and joy, boasting country cookin’ made with more passion and love than you thought possible. From tender, juicy, massive burgers to mouthwatering pies and everything in-between, Yelp reviewers couldn’t stress enough how this town isn’t just a stopping point - it’s a destination.
- Stephenville
Yelp/Glenn S. Stephenville is so tiny that it’s hard to even find good pictures of it or its restaurants, but somehow, Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe manages to attract diners from all over the state. It’s been around for over 63 years and only continues to grow as more and more people fall in love with its delicious Southern food.
- Edgewood
Facebook/highway80cafe Most people just drive right through Edgewood as they travel on Highway 80, but it shouldn’t be overlooked so easily. There’s a little unassuming gem called Highway 80 Cafe, and their down-home cooking is some of the best around. Any entree (I recommend the chicken-fried steak) comes with two sides and a trip to the salad bar, all for only $9.99. It’s a steal that every Texan should experience at least once.
- Strawn
Yelp/Spicy M. Every true Texan has been to (or at least heard of) Strawn. It’s home to the best chicken-fried steak in Texas according to nearly everyone who eats there. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside - just like we like it. Since the town is so small, Mary’s also serves as a place for locals to gather and catch up.
- Edom
Yelp/Russ J. In Edom, you’ll find The Shed, a log cabin-esque restaurant with killer CFS, fried catfish, and homemade pies that’ll give your grandma’s a run for their money. You’ll fall in love with the friendly staff and overall atmosphere of this quaint diner and the town in general.
- Comstock
Facebook/The J and P Bar and Grill There aren’t even any pictures of the outside of this restaurant on the Internet, so that should let you know just how tiny Comstock is. Even so, the folks over at J & P know how to hold down the fort. With live entertainment, good drinks, and burgers the size of your head, you’ll forget you’re in a town of about 475 residents.
Have you been to any restaurants in these tiny Texas towns? Which one is your favorite?
Flickr/heatheronhertravels
Home to two of Texas’ most famous barbecue joints, Black’s and Kreuz Market, I think it’s safe to say that Lockhart knows what it’s doing food-wise. The good thing about small towns without much else to do is that you can eat until you can barely stand up and not worry about missing out on anything.
Yelp/Paul K.
This blink-and-you-miss-it Texas town definitely isn’t a place you’d expect to have amazing food. Leona General Store has been serving some of the best steak and CFS in Texas for nearly a century, and it’s more than worthy of being a stopping place on your next road trip.
Yelp/Marchel P.
A big thank you to several readers for informing me of Tomball’s existence! Mel’s, a little country cafe, is the main attraction here, but there’s also Goodson’s for amazing chicken-fried steak and the Rib Tickler for authentic Texas BBQ.
Yelp/Shayda T.
Marble Falls is home to the famous Blue Bonnet Cafe, one of Texas’ most iconic Southern diners. Between the hearty comfort food, pies made fresh daily, and service oozing with Southern hospitality, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for seconds (and thirds!)
Yelp/Scott L.
Get ready for a trip back in time when you eat at Round Top’s restaurants, especially Royers Cafe. Retro architecture meets delicious, home-cooked meals like Sunday fried chicken and mashed potatoes for an experience you (or your taste buds) won’t soon forget.
Yelp/Jon K.
As if this charming town square isn’t enough of a reason to stop in Canton the next time you’re in East Texas, its restaurants will definitely convince you. Buttermilk’s is its pride and joy, boasting country cookin’ made with more passion and love than you thought possible. From tender, juicy, massive burgers to mouthwatering pies and everything in-between, Yelp reviewers couldn’t stress enough how this town isn’t just a stopping point - it’s a destination.
Yelp/Glenn S.
Stephenville is so tiny that it’s hard to even find good pictures of it or its restaurants, but somehow, Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe manages to attract diners from all over the state. It’s been around for over 63 years and only continues to grow as more and more people fall in love with its delicious Southern food.
Facebook/highway80cafe
Most people just drive right through Edgewood as they travel on Highway 80, but it shouldn’t be overlooked so easily. There’s a little unassuming gem called Highway 80 Cafe, and their down-home cooking is some of the best around. Any entree (I recommend the chicken-fried steak) comes with two sides and a trip to the salad bar, all for only $9.99. It’s a steal that every Texan should experience at least once.
Yelp/Spicy M.
Every true Texan has been to (or at least heard of) Strawn. It’s home to the best chicken-fried steak in Texas according to nearly everyone who eats there. It’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside - just like we like it. Since the town is so small, Mary’s also serves as a place for locals to gather and catch up.
Yelp/Russ J.
In Edom, you’ll find The Shed, a log cabin-esque restaurant with killer CFS, fried catfish, and homemade pies that’ll give your grandma’s a run for their money. You’ll fall in love with the friendly staff and overall atmosphere of this quaint diner and the town in general.
Facebook/The J and P Bar and Grill
There aren’t even any pictures of the outside of this restaurant on the Internet, so that should let you know just how tiny Comstock is. Even so, the folks over at J & P know how to hold down the fort. With live entertainment, good drinks, and burgers the size of your head, you’ll forget you’re in a town of about 475 residents.
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