Some people value a restaurant’s atmosphere over the quality of its food, but we’re the exact opposite here in the Lone Star State. We couldn’t care less what the outside looks like as long as the cookin’ is done just right – and it definitely is at these 8 unassuming restaurants in Texas.

1. Five D Cattle Company (Avinger)
Yelp/Billy Joe J.
Yelp/Harold G.
Not many people know about this hole-in-the-wall steakhouse in the tiny town of Avinger, but that needs to change. Locals say it's the best steak they've ever had - fall-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and flavorful. They also have an extensive drink selection at the bar and delectable desserts like apple, peach or blackberry cobbler served in a goblet with vanilla ice cream. Plus, the restaurant doubles as a meat market, so your heavenly dining experience doesn't have to end when you walk out the door. To learn more, visit their website here.
2. 4T's BBQ (Forney)
Yelp/Franklin D.
Yelp/Smokinronnie H.
4T's definitely doesn't look like anything special on the outside, but one look at the food will have you thinking otherwise. The meat is flavored just right, the sides are perfect, and the portions are HUGE for a reasonable price. You'll be leaving the table with happy taste buds and a full stomach here, y'all. To learn more about this hidden gem restaurant in Texas, visit 4T's website here.
3. Butter Churn (Aransas Pass)
Yelp/Pete S.
Yelp/Pete S.
Tons of our readers recommended this place, so we had to see what all the hype was about. It is a buffet, but hear us out before you shy away. The cooks start at 7AM every morning to get lunch ready, meaning everything is homemade and not microwaved like most buffets. Yeast rolls from scratch, roast turkey, cornbread dressing...the list goes on and on, and nothing is frozen or from a can. The only drawback is that you might need a wheelbarrow to get back to your car because you'll be so full. To learn more, visit their website here.
4. The Little Shack (El Paso)
Yelp/Vuong D.
Yelp/David T.
Everyone knows the tiniest Mexican joints are the best. This little shack serves up some of the best tacos you'll ever eat. Choose from fish, shrimp, chicken, or steak and top 'em with cheese, all the fresh veggies your heart desires, and some phenomenal dipping sauces. To learn more, visit their website here.

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5. Lowake Steak House (Rowena)
Yelp/Chris H.
Yelp/Randy C.
This tiny gem in the middle of nowhere need not be hidden any longer because it serves some of the best steak to ever pass your lips. The atmosphere is homey, the portions are enormous, and the staff are sweet as a button. So if you ever find yourself in the San Angelo area with a hankering for some old fashioned meat 'n potatoes, look no further than Lowake Steak House. To learn more, visit their website here.
6. Koffee Kup Kafe (Hico)
Yelp/Carolyn W.
Yelp/Nicole M.
Koffee Kup is known for its legendary pies by locals, but every Texan needs to make their way here in the very near future. Click here to learn more about their magnificent desserts and delicious lunch specials.
7. Bill & Rosa's KK Steakhouse (D'Hanis)
Yelp/Linda A.
Brandon DeHay/Google Images
This saloon-themed restaurant will take you back in time to the Old West. Between the fun atmosphere and delicious home cooking, your dining experience at Bill & Rosa's will be one to remember for sure. Click here to learn more about their scrumptious chicken fried steak dinners.
8. City Limits (Sherman)
Yelp/Jessica G.
Yelp/Tara N.
City Limits is exactly what it looks like - an old-fashioned diner. The menu is extremely vast, with options ranging from salads to burgers to chicken fried steak. You'll feel like you're back in the 1950s, and what's better than a nice hit of nostalgia? To learn more, visit their Facebook page here.

Have you ever been to any of these restaurants? What are your favorite unassuming restaurants in Texas? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

If you’re looking for more small town Texas restaurants, visit these 11 delicious steakhouses in the Lone Star State!

Know another local restaurant in Texas we should feature? Nominate them in our online form here!

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

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unassuming restaurants in Texas

Elisa Regulski | April 18, 2020

What are the best places to get home cooking in Texas?

Hoover’s, located in Austin, is one of the best places to get home cooking in Texas. Their delicious meals are soul-satisfying. Whether you order a heaping plate of BBQ or a classic chicken fried steak dinner, you won’t leave feeling disappointed. This exceptional eatery makes food that’s even better than what Grandma used to make. Mel’s Country Cafe, located in Tomball, is another delicious place to get comfort food in Texas. They’re most known for their epic catfish sandwiches. These dishes are so big, fried fish nearly dangles off the plate! You’ll definitely want to bring your appetite to this beloved Texas restaurant.

What are the best small town restaurants in Texas?

Perini Ranch Steakhouse, located in Buffalo Gap, is one of the best small town Texas restaurants. If you’re looking for a classic steak dinner with scrumptious sides, this is the place to go. We Texans know good steak, and this place always delivers the flavor. Cypress Creek Inn, located in the town of Comfort, also whips up mouthwatering eats. Believe us, these dishes are worth going out of your way for.

Who makes the best chicken fried steak in Texas?

Texans definitely love chicken fried steak. While it’s impossible to definitively state the best dish in the state, there’s no denying the delicious meals served at Mary’s Cafe in Strawn. This no-frills eatery serves some of the most scrumptious chicken fried steak dinners around. After one bite, you’ll understand what the hype is all about.

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Featured Addresses
8 N Main St, Avinger, TX 75630, USA
205 W Broad St, Forney, TX 75126, USA
1275 TX-35, Aransas Pass, TX 78336, USA
1355 George Dieter Dr, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
12143 US-67, Rowena, TX 76875, USA
300 2nd St, Hico, TX 76457, USA
7400 Co Rd 525, D'Hanis, TX 78850, USA
4521 Texoma Pkwy, Sherman, TX 75090, USA