Good cooking doesn’t have to hide behind the facade of fancy decor, nice atmosphere, and impressive architecture. It’s all about the skill that goes into making food taste great. Sometimes the best restaurants are the most unassuming places imaginable – they focus their energy on preparing quality meals rather than wowing customers with aesthetics. We have quite a few places like this here in Texas, but by using reader comments and critic reviews, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best. Here are 11 more delicious hidden gem restaurants in Texas that will please your taste buds if not your eyes.

1. DeWese's Tip Top Cafe (San Antonio)
Yelp/DeWese's Tip Top
Yelp/DeWese's Tip Top
This little cafe may not look like much, but if you're looking for some good old fashioned country cookin' in the heart of San Antonio, this is your place. The chicken fried steak is bigger than your head, the onion rings are huge and crispy, and the pie is stacked sky-high with meringue. To learn more, visit the official website for DeWese's Tip Top Cafe in San Antonio.
2. King's Inn (Riviera)
Yelp/King's Inn
Yelp/King's Inn
Upon looking at the storefront, you would never know that a fancy, high-class seafood restaurant awaits you. It's a little on the pricey side, so maybe wait and treat yourself to a meal on payday. It's definitely worth the chunk of change - there's no menu, it's a HUGE set meal that gets delivered to your table. Hush puppies, shrimp, drum, catfish, oysters, fries, onion rings, guacamole salad, avocado salad, and a tartar sauce that's to die for. You may leave with an empty wallet, but your belly will be full and satisfied. Visit King's Inn's website to learn more.
3. Blue Bonnet Cafe (Marble Falls)
Yelp/Bluebonnet Cafe
Yelp/Blue Bonnet Cafe
Yelp/Blue Bonnet
This little cafe in the quaint suburb of Marble Falls serves up some of the most delicious country eats in Texas. From mammoth portions of chicken fried steak to meatloaf, you can't go wrong here. And it would be a crime to leave without an indulgent slice of homemade pie. Visit Blue Bonnet Cafe's website for more information.
4. Fatboy's BBQ (Cooper)
Facebook/Fatboys BBQ
Facebook/Fatboys BBQ
Inside this trailer is some of the most succulent BBQ in Texas. From perfectly smoked meats to creamy potato salad to grilled corn-on-the-cob that melts in your mouth, Fatboy's menu is always a winner. It's easy to see why it's one of the best hidden gem restaurants in Texas! To learn more, visit Fatboy's BBQ's Facebook page.
5. Taqueria El Lugar (Tyler)
Yelp/Taqueria El Lugar
Facebook/TaqueriaElLugar
All the delicious traditional Hispanic fare can be found here for an affordable price. The #7 is a must-try! Visit Taqueria El Lugar's Facebook page to learn more.
6. Ranch Hand Cafe (Cleveland)
Yelp/Ranch Hand Cafe
Yelp/Ranch Hand Cafe
This rustic cafe has all your favorite southern delicacies like chicken fried steak hand-breaded to perfection with all the obligatory sides such as fried okra, Texas toast, french fries or onion rings and more. Come hungry - we can guarantee you won't leave that way! To learn more, visit the official website for Ranch Hand Cafe.

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7. Poor Richard's Cafe (Plano)
Yelp/Poor Richard's
Yelp/Poor Richard's Cafe
Poor Richard's Cafe is the oldest restaurant in Plano, and they sure haven't slipped up in quality over the years. Known for their nearly 100 breakfast options like scrumptious eggs benedict, the line is usually around the block in the mornings with patrons waiting to get their country breakfast fix.
8. Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ (Tyler)
Yelp/Stanley's
Yelp/Stanley's
Yelp/Stanley's
They don't call it Stanley's "Famous" BBQ for nothin'. Voted the best ribs in Texas twice in a row by Texas Monthly, you won't be disappointed by the fall-off-the-bone tender meat. And just look at that spread...a little bit of everything is the way to go. Visit the website for Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ to learn more.
9. Herd's Hamburgers (Jacksboro)
Yelp/Herd's Hamburgers
Yelp/Herd's
Countless readers have raved about Herd's, and we can see why. Between the soft, buttery bun, juicy patty, crisp vegetables, and creamy condiments, there are few burgers like these in Texas despite all the more well-known, fancy burger joints. Visit Herd's Hamburgers's Facebook page to learn more.
10. Chef Point (Watauga)
Yelp/Chef's Point
Yelp/Chef's Point
Yelp/Chef's Point
This may be the most unexpected place on the list...because it's a 5 star restaurant in a gas station! Chef Franson has a passion for serving up gourmet food at an affordable price - from sea bass to ribeye steak, crab cake pasta to chicken scampi, your taste buds will be blown away. Don't worry, they also have all your southern favorites like shrimp & grits and chicken fried steak. Visit Chef Point Restaurant and Bar's website for more information.
11. Mary's Cafe (Strawn)
Yelp/Mary's Cafe
Yelp/Mary's Cafe
Yelp/Mary's Cafe
We've mentioned this place several times throughout the years, and that's because it's just that good. This little cafe is known for chicken fried steak the size of Texas and..Tex-Mex? Weird mixture, we know, but you won't be disappointed either way. Visit the Facebook page for Mary's Cafe to learn more.

Have you been to any of these hidden gem restaurants in Texas? Were they better than their looks would lead you to believe? What other hole-in-the-wall places are worth a mention? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you’re looking for more scrumptious meals, check out these fantastic neighborhood restaurants in Texas.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

hidden gem restaurants in Texas

Elisa Regulski | August 28, 2020

What are the best small town restaurants in Texas?

There are so many incredible small town restaurants in Texas. If you head over to the town of Wichita Falls, you’ll find Casa Mañana Restaurant. This tasty Mexican food joint serves mouthwatering burritos, tacos, and more. Bring your appetite and chow down! If it’s a hearty steak you’re after, visit Murphy’s Steakhouse in Winchester. Believe us, this remote restaurant is worth the time it takes to get there.

What are the best hole in the wall restaurants in Texas?

We love a good greasy spoon restaurant here in Texas. Sure, a fancy atmosphere is nice, but it’s the quality of food that really determines an eatery’s appeal. If you need more dining ideas, check out our list of the best hole in the wall restaurants in Texas.

What kind of food is Texas known for? 

Texas is known for a wide variety of cuisine -- most notable Tex Mex and BBQ. If you love things spicy, you have loads of options for tasty tacos and enchiladas. If you like things smoky, you’ll have no trouble finding some tender brisket and ribs.

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Featured Addresses
2814 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201, USA
King's Inn, 1116 S County Rd 2270, Riviera, TX 78379, USA
Blue Bonnet Cafe, 211 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA
15 TX-24, Cooper, TX 75432, USA
1716 E Gentry Pkwy, Tyler, TX 75702, USA
Ranch Hand Cafe, 24626 TX-321, Cleveland, TX 77327, USA
Poor Richard's Cafe, 2442 K Ave, Plano, TX 75074, USA
525 S Beckham Ave, Tyler, TX 75702, USA
401 N Main St, Jacksboro, TX 76458, USA
Chef Point Bar & Restaurant, 5901 Watauga Rd, Watauga, TX 76148, USA
Mary's Cafe, 119 Grant Ave, Strawn, TX 76475, USA