In between hot air ballooning and touring the Azalea Trail in East Texas this spring, I had the chance to eat at some absolutely delicious East Texas restaurants.
If you like Tex-Mex, burgers, BBQ, and brunch, I have suggestions for you. Longview and Tyler are home to some fabulous dining, so grab a fork and knife, and let’s dig in!
Restaurants in Longview TX
The Butcher Shop & Bakery
An East Texas tradition and favorite, the Butcher Shop began as a bakery and has since expanded to include burgers, steaks, and sandwiches. Guests take their burgers and fries (which come plain) to the fixings bar, where they can pile on everything from ketchup and mustard to the very popular fresh-daily chili.
In fact, many people enjoy a bowl of chili while waiting for their meals! You’ll also be hard-pressed to leave without trying one of their famous desserts. I can personally vouch for the strawberry cream pie and Russian rock cookies.
Tip: It’s still the most inexpensive place to get coffee and dessert in town.
Mi Casita
So it seems breakfast tacos are a big thing in Texas, and after trying my very first one, I see why. Holy moly, they hit the spot. We also ordered the chips and hot sauce, and if you like a little Texas heat, you have to try the pineapple habanero salsa. It was beyond phenomenal. Mi Casita is one of those “hole in the wall” places you learn about through word of mouth. Orders are placed and paid for at the counter, and food is served on disposable plates, but they sure do a Texas breakfast right.
Cafe Barrons
It originally opened as a bookstore with a small cafe but has grown into an upscale casual restaurant where I enjoyed a delicious Maple Pecan Salad for lunch. After you eat, wander into the adjoining department store-style gift shop for everything you could want and more.
Visit the website
Restaurants in Tyler TX
Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q
Stanley’s is the oldest BBQ joint in Tyler, Texas. Even though it has long since outgrown its current location, customers love it right where it is. Stanley’s consistently ranks among the top ten BBQ restaurants in America, and based on how I felt about my pulled pork sandwich, it more than deserves that ranking.
It was incredibly delicious, and I washed it down with a Texas Summer Beer made with Deep Eddy ruby red vodka, lemonade, and Shiner’s seasonal ruby redbird beer. So good! You can also enjoy live music Monday – Saturday.
Rick’s on the Square
We popped into Rick’s one evening for some white chocolate bread pudding, and oh my gosh, was it ever delicious! We sat in the casual, relaxed indoor space, but they also have a really cool patio with live music playing Thursday – Saturday.
Check out VisitLongviewTexas.com for more info on activities and restaurants in Longview TX.
Check out VisitTyler.com for more info on activities and restaurants in Tyler TX.
Which one of these East Texas restaurants would you like to try first?
Comments & Reviews
I love trying new foods like these. I guess Texas is where it is at for great food!
All of that food looks amazing. If I’m ever in the area I want to try it all out! I’ve never been to Texas, but I sure would love to go just to try this food!
The Butcher Shop & Bakery really caught my eye with all those luscious desserts. I love trying out new restaurants when I travel.
I should not have read this while hungry! Now I’m drooling! That bbq looks absolutely divine. I wouldn’t mind one of those chocolate chip cookies either!
I am drooling just looking at these photos! The buy one burger and got one for $1 is the best deal ever! WOW!
Oh my goodness you have me drooling! I need to come to East Texas just for pie and taco salad.
The food looks amazing!!! I’ve never stayed in Texas, only passed through, but I would love to go and try the amazing food you’ve shared!
All your pictures of yummy food is making my stomach growl a bit 😉 Looks like east Texas has a lot to offer when it comes to food! All those deserts look so good!!!
I’d start at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q and work my way through the others.
Looks like a great restaurant scene! I would love to visit one day!
I would love to go to Stanley’s! Good food, good company and a live band to beat! Awesome.
I am HUNGRY! This all looks so good! I know where I need to go on my next foodie trip!
I would imagine that if you are in Texas that a good barbecue joint would be on the list. Lo and behold, there it is, Stan’s. All of these look great to me though.
Mi Casita looks divine! So many tasty places to eat!
I swear Texas has some of the best food in the United States!! All of the places look and sound amazing!!!
What a great culinary adventure. The food shots are lovely, they are making my mouth water.
http://ivankhristravels.com
It’s not a good Ideas to read your post when I’m on a diet, it’s making me very hungry, I loved the photos, you have amazing skills.
Everything seems delicious and look good.
Thanks for sharing.
Lol I was just thinking the same thing. I came back to send the link to my mom and sisters who are going to Texas this weekend for an extended vacation. I think they’ll enjoy these restaurants. It’s after midnight but I’d still eat some of these if I could.
East Texas is a place I have a blog post last month. I learnt a bit about the city. I hope you have a nice experience there. Thanks for sharing
Oh goodness, I have decided not to take my yearly trip to Texas this year and after reading your post, I’m kicking myself about that decision. The food looks incredible and I bet it taste just as amazing as it looks.
Oh my God. This looks soooooo delicious I’m almost drooling on my phone right now *-*
Sounds like you had a great time eating your way around East Texas! I love the sound of Juls – Asian fusion cuisine is one of my favourites.
Rosie | http://www.rosieromance.com
When I hear of Texas I think of BBQ – and maybe Tex Mex? Everything looks so tasty!
Dang thats a lot of amazing looking food. I am starving now
Dang thats a lot of amazing looking food. I am starving now
YUMMMMI THANKS ADMIN I WILL TRY TO MADE IT
Okay I decided that my next US trip will be to Texas. This food is too incredible to be real, I need to experience it for myself! I’m drooling.
My brother lives in Texas and the food is a big part of my visits there! I’m going to share this with hima nd see if he’s visited any of these!
WOW! THey ALL Look Like They Have Such Great Food Stanley’s Sandwhich Looks Amazing Like Melt In Your Mouth Kind Of Sandwhich. Thank YOu For Sharing!
I would have to do some hiking and hot air balloons after eating all that great looking food.
Holy moly! They really DO do everything bigger in Texas. I have never thought about taking the family to see Texas until now. I need those nom noms.
And THAT is why I lllooovvveee going to Texas. I seriously gained 10 pounds the last time we took a vacation there.
The food is reason enough to visit Texas! Oh my goodness, I was practically drooling just looking at your pictures. 2016’s travel plans should include Texas!
All of these foods look amazing. They make me want to go back to Texas just to eat! Great places to check out.
The food all looks amazing, I am needing some of these right now, I think I need to add Texas onto my list of places I want to visit x
I have a friend that moved here from Texas 3 years ago and she keeps saying how she misses the food there – nothing else – just the food. I can see why! Now I am super hungry and ready to hop on a plane to Texas!!
I think Mi Casita is the place I’d like to check out! Everything looks great though!
I agree! I love trying out little hole in the wall places like Mi Casita. They have the best food.
Mind blowing pictures! WOW! Why I am reading this when I am hungry? Who knows. Now I want to eat my keyboard, I think is time to stop here and make some food right now. The pictures are super amazing! Thanks for sharing I love to know food from all over the world.
Oh my word, your photos are killing me, they look good enough to eat. If i could get in my car and go to Juls i would be on my way!
My step mum lived there before she died, and I remember sweet tales of good food they have their.
I doubt I’ll ever visit Texas but it looks amazing and 25 cents for coffee, how is that possible?
So much delicious food. Those pies look amazing
All this food looks amazong I keep eyeing up the cake.
I like the sound of the Asian Fusion restaurant but I do like Tex-Mex food too. There is a great selection of food here.
The salad from Cafe Barrons looks so good! I would love to take a foodie tour through East Texas!
I love trying new food and stuff. I am really keen to visit Texas, but I’m scared to tbh.
Tara xo
Cattitude & Co. – a feminist lifestyle blog
I like that grilled chicken salad a lot, it looks delicious! But the live entertainment also seems like a really cool experience too.
I’m so glad you had BBQ listed, but the pies were a surprise. I want to try a slice of each of them!
Me too, Lindsey! The pies look so delicious. I try to avoid sweets but if these pies were right in front of me, who am I to say no to them?
Everything looks so delicious and those desserts omg I have not eaten any sweets in 2 years but those would surely tempt me!
Oh man they all look too good to eat. i love Texas restaurants. xx
All of this food looks so good. I think I would like to visit Mi Casita. Hole in the wall places like that always seem to have the best food.
Right, I am with you! let’s go! I agree that hole in the wall places seem to always have great food selections. They also seem to have great prices!
I love a good desert. I’d love to visit Texas, I don’t see many people heading there for holiday. This place looks nice, wonder if there’s vegetarian options xo
This place def looks like it’s in Texas and looks like a great place to eat. That chips and salsa would be something I would have to try!
The delicious food pictured makes me wish I could take a trip to Texas and eat at all these restaurants!
So many amazing looking dishes! Each one more appetizing than the next. How could you pick anything?!?!
It all looks so good! Texas just has the best food!
Those chips and salsa look so good right now.
So many delicious looking dishes! I personally LOVE mexican & tex mex so I would go straight for that option.
La Belle Sirene
My mouth is watering with all the delicious dishes in your photos. I do love me some tacos and salad any day.
I want to eat ALL the food in Texas now. I would head for 25 cent coffee…..and stay there all day 😀
Those pies look sooo good!! If I’m ever in Texas I’ll have to try one!
Oh my god these burgers and bbq stuff looks so yummy x
These all look like great places to eat. I would want to try them all and especially the The Butcher Shop & Bakery.
Oh all this food… it just looks so GOOD!! H x
Love everything about every place you mentioned, they are just great to explore new food and taste xxoo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness. I don’t know where I would start first. The Butcher Shop and Bakery looks amazing, but then there’s BBQ, Asian, and Mexican. I have got to visit East Texas.
Oh my goodness! Everything sounds and looks so delicious. I have a strong feeling David and I might be in big trouble trying to eat vegan in Texas. Ha!
Now I’m craving a burger and some Texas bbq. I love finding great new restaurants to try whenever I’m traveling.
I have traveled to Texas on more than one occasion and always loved my food experiences. Everything you shared here looks insanely delicious, but I can never pass up a piece of pie.
We’ve only been to Texas for a day (while changing flights), but would love to go back and perhaps visit those restaurants!
http://lilinhaangel.com/
I haven’t visited Texas in many years but want to again after reading this post. All of these restaurants look wonderful. I would really like to visit Juls and try that cake that is making my mouth water.
I have heard that Texas has the best barbecue and music joints our of anywhere. I totally believe it.
Wow the pictures are all mouth watering, this place seems awesome
Texas is a great place to try new foods. There food scene is one of the best that I have ever experienced for sure.
Thank you all the great reviews and restaurant ideas. I like to look up good but inexpensive places to eat when we are running the roads. Articles like this really helps!
Those pies and cookies have me ready to hop on a flight. My gosh. Texas is where it’s at. I can’t wait for BlogHer Food this year. I hope you’ll be there too!
I am so interested in traveling to Texas, my hubby and I were just talking about and the only thing we love more than travel is eating-so perfect timing of your blog post! thanks
What a great list! I have been wanting to try Stanley’s BarBQ, now I have a few more to add to my list 🙂
You really can’t go wrong with these choices! There are so many food to enjoy in Texas and it would be nice to try these restaurants should I find myself there! Thanks for sharing your reviews of each one.
I cant read this late at night! Everything looks so good. I lived in El Paso for a while so the Tex Mex food was on another level!
I lived in Texas, but it was when I was a toddler, so I don’t remember the cuisine much. I’d love to go back with my family and really dig in at every one of these restaurants! I’d have to try the Butcher Shop and Bakery first though, simply because I really want some of that pie!
Wow these are great options, I am loving all of those food choices. I will have to look into this when I travel!
OMG all this looks delicious! I would love to travel and just eat at various restaurants and try all kinds of foods! I lived in Texas when I was very little but need to go for a visit!
I love some good Tex-Mex and east Texas looks like it is killing it!! great roundup!!
Wow, I like to go to Texas! There are many good restaurants out there.
Oh man this post has made me hungry! Those burgers look to die for. I like the sound of Juls. Asian fused – winner with me! Looks delicious too. Texas looks pretty awesome food wise to me!
Trying new foods is one of my favorite things in life! I have to go to Texas really soon.
You make me hungry dear 😛
Oh my gosh look at all those cream pies! Dies! I would love to visit Texas one day. Of all the American states that one is the one that appeals to me the most.
I need at least one of everything! I adore Texan food and was gutted when my local resturant closed 🙁 x
Oh my goodness! This post has made me so hungry. Both the food and the ambiance of every place looks amazing. I’ve pinned in hopes that one day I will travel to East Texas. I haven’t been to TX since my early 20s. It’s time to go back!
All of this food is making me so hungry this morning! I love a good sandwich and they look like they have some amazing ones to choose from.
Wow, great restaurants and the foods are all tempting. I would like to try them all!
Okay its official – I need to come to Texas!!
I think I’m definitely getting hungry! All the foods look delicious, but my favorite place is probably Cafe Barrons.
I am drooling over all the desserts , they look so very delicious and mouthwatering.
Why do I come to your blog when I’m trying to cut carbs and subject myself to these wonderful photos of cookies and cakes?
I’d gain about 20 lbs in East Texas in a day if I ate at these places!
You simply can’t go wrong when it comes to dining in Texas! They have so many amazing restaurants for us to try! I love this list and I’ll definitely take note of each and every restaurant you featured.
What great list you have! I always wanted to have a food trip and these restaurants are must-see for me.
Goodness gracious look at all that yummy food! I love the pies lol
Love,
Ivelisse | CarnationDreams.com
This post made me really hungry ! Oh my! so love this!
Oh man! I haven’t eaten lunch yet and this is all making me so hungry. Wow, this food all looks amazing.
This all looks so delicious. I will be in East Texas next year. I will have to try a few of these places out.
Everything looks delicious. I would love to try a big ole Texas burger. YUM
Those burgers look amazing, but of course I am drooling over the tacos. Texas has the best Mexican food.
Fun fact: there’s an EAST TEXAS in Pennsylvania. Time needed to experience it: less than 5 minutes!
Each place looks so welcoming! Those cakes and cookies caught my eye immedeately!
When I saw that marshmallow thing, I almost died. It looks SO good. Glad you enjoyed yourself!
If I ever get there I will be stopping in Store#1–and possibly never leave!! Those bakery goods-OH MY!!!
Excuse me while I hop on a plane to Texas and eat some food! It all looks so incredibly delicious!
My goodness, almost everything looks delicious here & I could not resist much if I get a chance to visit Texas sometime soon! I always love trying such yummy foods during travel & I am going to keep these on mind!
It’s hard to pick which one I’d want to try first! I think Juls would have to be it because they have the pan of campfire s’mores!! Then after that I’d try Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
SO many amazing food in this post and I will surely enjoy every plate. I love how variety the food are in Texas restaurant!
I can’t wait to visit these places! I love trying new foods! I have never been to Texas..
I’ve always wanted to visit Texas! Always hearing about how amazing the food is and such a unique place to visit!
All of this food looks so tasty, I can’t decide which I want the most; the burger looks so good though!
This post makes me want to jump on a plane and come over right away! That pulled pork sandwich at Stanley’s looks amazing
Oh gosh now I’m hungry! This looks amazing, I’m dying to go to Texas!
I have not been to Texas, but now I really wanna go because of your post!! Those desserts look really delicious
oh wow. All those foods look and sound so amazing!
Those are some good looking eats right there. And excuse me, did you say .25 for coffee? I’m thinking you forgot a zero or a decimal place is off??? 🙂 I’d go there just for that quarter coffee, mm hmm!! I’d love to visit Texas. It’s on my short list, and you know we do love to travel. 🙂
Looks like Texas has some really yummy food! I’m hungry!
Just the title made me hungry! I need to make a trip down from Arkansas to my birth state for some good food!
OMG the food looks soooooo good there I would love to go there a few times and try everything!!!!!
I really love food! That photo was make me hungry
Lovely and yummy foods. Would love to try all of them soon!
OMG i could eat all the foods! One of my favourite things about visiting america was trying the huge array of restaurants in each State!
omg these all look so amazing and delicious! i want to try them all especially the pit burger.
Such a culinary treat.
OMG those cream pies looks absolutely deliciously amazing!!! Really want to eat one right now!!
Oh my gosh! I already ate dinner but looking at these food photos has me wanting to eat everything!