Big Taste On A Budget At These 15 Classic Texas Restaurants
Texas knows how to serve up mouthwatering meals without emptying your wallet.
Great cuisines that are affordable may be found in the Lone Star State, from authentic Tex-Mex cooks to smoky BBQ establishments.
Settle in and discover these storied restaurants where generations of Texans have savored delicious food at affordable costs.
1. Cattlemen’s Steak House (Fort Worth)
Cowboy culture meets carnivore heaven at this Fort Worth institution dating back to 1947. The no-frills atmosphere keeps prices down while the quality remains sky-high.
Regulars swear by the chicken fried steak – crispy, peppery, and big as a dinner plate. Surrounded by the historic Stockyards, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
2. Joe T. Garcia’s (Fort Worth)
Family recipes handed down for generations make this cash-only Fort Worth landmark worth every penny. What started as a 16-seat restaurant in 1935 now spans an entire block!
The menu is refreshingly simple: fajitas or enchiladas, both served family-style.
The sprawling garden patio, complete with fountains, transforms ordinary Tuesday dinners into special occasions without the special occasion prices.
3. Riscky’s BBQ (Fort Worth)
Serving up smoky goodness since 1927, Riscky’s proves great barbecue doesn’t need a fancy price tag. Their beef ribs have achieved legendary status among locals who appreciate value.
Monday through Wednesday brings the all-you-can-eat beef rib special that’ll make your wallet as happy as your stomach.
The beans and potato salad sides aren’t afterthoughts – they’re destinations in themselves!
4. Angelo’s Barbecue (Fort Worth)
Taxidermied wildlife watches over diners at this Fort Worth smoke shack established in 1958. The rough-and-ready atmosphere is part of the charm – and why prices stay reasonable.
Brisket comes sliced thick, with perfect bark and a smoke ring that’ll make BBQ enthusiasts weak at the knees.
Cold beer served in frosty mugs completes the experience. Cash only, but ATM on site for the unprepared.
5. Gaido’s (Galveston)
Perched on Galveston’s seawall since 1911, Gaido’s offers Gulf-fresh seafood without the tourist trap prices during lunch hours.
Their famous pecan pie – worth saving room for – costs less than fancy coffee shop desserts.
Pro tip: weekday lunch specials deliver the Gaido’s experience at nearly half the dinner prices!
6. Fossati’s Delicatessen (Victoria)
Step through the doors of Texas’ oldest deli (established 1882!) and instantly travel back in time. The wooden floors creak with history beneath your feet while ceiling fans spin lazily overhead.
Sandwiches piled high with quality meats cost what you’d pay at chain sub shops, but the flavor and experience can’t be matched.
Ghost stories come free of charge – staff happily share tales of the deli’s resident spirits while you enjoy your affordable feast.
7. Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse (Dallas)
BBQ royalty doesn’t have to come with a royal price tag. Sonny Bryan’s original location on Inwood Road has been serving affordable smoked meats since 1958 in school desk seating that’s delightfully quirky.
Their breakfast barbecue sandwich makes an unbeatable $5 meal. The sauce – tangy, not too sweet – complements rather than covers the meat’s natural flavors.
8. Scholz Garten (Austin)
Politicians, professors, and everyday folks have rubbed elbows at this Austin institution since 1866, making it Texas’ oldest continuously operating business.
German-inspired comfort food comes with history baked right in.
Sports fans pack the place on game days, creating an electric atmosphere that’s worth more than the reasonable tab you’ll pay for schnitzel and local brews.
9. El Fenix (Dallas)
Wednesday enchilada special? $5.99 for cheese enchiladas with rice and beans that’ll transport you to comfort food nirvana.
This Dallas Tex-Mex pioneer (founded 1918) keeps tradition alive without inflating prices.
The complimentary chips come with salsa that strikes the perfect balance between heat and flavor.
10. Black’s Barbecue (Lockhart)
Eight decades of smoke expertise makes Black’s a barbecue pilgrimage site where prices haven’t followed inflation trends. The giant beef ribs might seem splurgy at first glance, but they’re practically meals for two.
Ordering by the pound lets you sample multiple meats without overspending.
The walls covered with taxidermy and photos tell the story of this family-owned legend where smoking techniques haven’t changed since 1932 – because perfection doesn’t need updating.
11. Southside Market & Barbecue (Elgin)
Birthplace of the legendary “hot guts” sausage, this 1882 meat market turned BBQ joint keeps prices reasonable by focusing on what they do best.
A single link costs less than a fancy coffee but delivers satisfaction that lasts all day.
Meat market roots mean you can also take home uncooked sausages at prices that beat grocery stores, extending your Southside experience to your own backyard.
12. Louie Mueller Barbecue (Taylor)
Smoke-blackened walls testify to decades of barbecue mastery at this Taylor institution where prices respect working folks’ budgets. The free brisket samples while you’re in line give a taste of what’s to come.
Their dinosaur-sized beef ribs might seem pricey until you realize one feeds two hungry adults.
The butcher paper “plates” and plastic utensils aren’t about cutting corners – they’re tradition that keeps overhead low and quality high since 1949.
13. Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar (Gruene)
Housed in an 1878 cotton gin overlooking the Guadalupe River, this rustic gem serves up atmosphere you can’t price tag. The multi-level wooden decks offer million-dollar views with ten-dollar lunch specials.
Chicken fried steak here is bigger than your face but gentler on your wallet than most tourist destinations.
Happy hour turns this historic spot into an even better bargain. Arrive before the dinner rush to score the coveted riverside tables without a wait.
14. Taste of Texas (Houston)
Don’t let the upscale appearance fool you – lunchtime brings executive-quality steaks at working-folk prices.
The complimentary salad bar alone could make a meal, loaded with premium toppings most places charge extra for.
History buffs get free Texas education browsing the museum-quality artifacts throughout the restaurant.
15. Kreuz Market (Lockhart)
No forks, no sauce, no plates – just phenomenal meat at honest prices.
This Lockhart legend (established 1900) keeps it simple: meat by the pound wrapped in butcher paper, eaten with your hands as God and Texans intended.
The lack of frills means your dollars go toward prime post oak-smoked brisket rather than fancy fixings.
Shoulder clod (lean brisket’s affordable cousin) delivers spectacular flavor at a lower price point. Brown paper towel rolls replace napkins – practical, not pretentious.
