These restaurants are so amazing, there isn't a word in the English language that accurately describes how good they are...so, we used a made-up word instead. We went through the comments on previous articles about "mom-and-pop" type restaurants to get some ideas as to where born-and-raised Texans like to eat. I'd say we came up with a pretty solid list, because these 11 restaurants in Texas are absolutely "scrumdiddlyumptious."
1. Blue Noonday Store (Tyler)
Blue Noonday Store is an unassuming country store just south of Tyler on Highway 155. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the burgers are absolutely to die for. All the locals rave about it, and you will too after just one bite.
2. Rib Tickler (Tomball)
There are plenty of places to get good BBQ in Texas, and this is definitely one you don't want to pass up. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, and the sauce is robust and flavorful. And as is customary in Texas, the service is impeccable. Don't leave without a piece of scrumptious coconut cream pie!
3. Old Montgomery Steakhouse (Montgomery)
A visit to the town where the Texas flag was born is sure to take you back to the Old West. Chow down on a delicious meal of breakfast tacos, a juicy steak, or a giant baked potato while delighting in the slow-paced, small-town Texas lifestyle.
4. Sam's Original Restaurant (Fairfield)
Sam's is a buffet-style country restaurant in between Dallas and Houston. Unlike some buffets, all the food is fresh and gets replaced in a timely manner. They have barbecue, fried chicken, a salad bar...and an entire cart full of pies. Make sure to grab a slice of the coconut cream or chocolate before they run out!
5. B&F Diner (Royse City)
"B&F" stands for burgers and fries, which is what this hole-in-the-wall joint is best known for - though not all they serve. You can also get a wide variety of breakfast foods, sandwiches, salads, pork chops, and more. Royse City may be tiny, but they know how to satisfy a Texas-sized appetite.
6. Mrs. Allen's Family Style Meals (Sweetwater)
There's a reason why so many of our readers suggested Allen's in the comments of previous articles. Much like the Pickett House, it's a family-style restaurant where huge, sharing-sized portions of food are brought to your table until you're full. There's fried chicken, okra, greens, creamed corn, yams, sausage...all the classic Southern comfort foods. Everything is homemade with love, and you won't regret eating here (aside from the fact that you'll be too stuffed to leave the table).
7. Willow Creek Cafe (Mason)
Next time you're headed to San Antonio, stop in at this charming cafe in Mason. It's in an old hardware store building, and the dated architecture only adds to its character. The food is simply amazing - I mean, where else can you get a chicken-fried steak the size of your plate?
8. Austin's McCarver Family Restaurant (Kosse)
Lots of people prefer fancy, big-city steakhouses, but we Texans know that small towns do it so much better. Austin's Family Steakhouse is a mom-and-pop type restaurant with fantastic service, delicious food (they're known for their Tex-Mex just as much as their steak), and an atmosphere that brings everything together.
9. Front Street Junction (DeKalb)
Front Street Junction is a cafe in the tiny town of DeKalb. It offers a variety of foods from steak to seafood to sandwiches and everything in between (including dessert.) Plus, the service is heavy on that Southern hospitality that seems to be fleeting these days.
10. Mamie's Kitchen (Pattison)
Restaurants that look like someone's house are the best restaurants in my opinion, especially when the house is as charming as Mamie's Kitchen. The atmosphere and home-cooked Southern food combined will remind you of Sunday supper at grandma's - which is never complete without pie, of course. It would be a crime to leave without a slice of coconut cream.
11. Fish Pond (Willis)
I figured a seafood restaurant was a necessary addition to make this list well-rounded, and it doesn't get much better than Fish Pond. You can get your seafood grilled or fried, but don't pass up on the homemade onion rings even if you're trying to eat healthier - they're just that good.
Have you been to any of these restaurants? Which is your favorite? What other small-town restaurants in Texas are "scrumdiddlyumptious?"
If your mouth is watering after reading this, check out 10 Mom & Pop Restaurants In Texas That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For.
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