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Last updated on January 14, 2023 by Wandering our World

Cuero, Texas might not be known for its food or culinary delights, but it definitely should be.

Not only does this small town have a great variety of international cuisines but Cuero also has some amazing local restaurants, serving some awesome BBQ and burgers in particular.

However, knowing the best places to go can be a bit tricky in small towns, which is why we went through the trouble of listing our favorite eight places to check out when in Cuero, TX.

Enjoy!

Selection of bbq items
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/YuraWhite).

The Best Restaurants In Cuero, TX: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. La Bella Tavola of Cuero

The flavors of Italy in the heart of Texas, served in a great ambiance with professional service. Outdoor seating is available too!

There’s just something about homestyle Italian food that makes everyone’s stomach rumble. If you fit in that category then Cuero has one of the best Italian restaurants to try in the entire region, La Bella Tavola of Cuero. It’s a great place for the entire family, so make it a get-together or go with some friends – you won’t regret it!

The décor is simple and understated but has a modern and chic look to it, with some exposed ceilings and walls, plenty of seating options, and lovely thematic pictures on the wall. They also have a really pretty outdoor patio area that’s absolutely amazing when the weather’s nice outside.

Their specialties are their Chicken Parmigiana, their Chicken Alfredo as well as their Chicken Caesar Salad, so if those three things sound like something you’d enjoy, then you’re sorted.

However, they also have a bunch of other Italian favorites to try and experiment with as well, so whatever tickles your fancy when you’re going through the menu, order it because all of their food is made fresh from scratch, so it’s known locally as being absolutely delicious.

La Bella is open seven days a week, isn’t that fantastic? Catch them between 11 am to 9 pm any day you want.

Address: 213 N Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

Italian pastas with different kinds of sauce
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Roxiller

2. Monster Burger Grill

A sports bar unlike any other! Enjoy the entertaining atmosphere while you much on the best burgers in Cuero. Outdoor seating is available.

This locally owned bar is one of the most popular restaurants in Cuero, and a great spot to witness the nightlife of town, have a drink or two, or just to make new friends if you’re planning on staying a while or thinking of moving.

Monster Burger Grill also has a comprehensive menu and some great food, so even if you’re not a big drinker, we’d still encourage you to make a trip just to try what are arguably the best burgers in town!

It’s a horror-themed bar with lots of spooky elements being used as decoration, making it a great place to take some pictures to send to friends.

Horror movie posters line the walls, and many known characters are propped up on the bar or just standing in the corner ready to give newcomers a scare! So, beware!

Apart from that, the bar also has some arcade-style games that are a lot of fun to play while you wait for your order, so check out those.

As for the food, they are mostly known for their burgers, however, their seafood is quite good too. Plus, if you want to keep things light and healthy, they also have salads, wraps and wings which you can try. Their Monster steak plates and Nachos are also quite popular, so if you’re extra hungry, we’d get some of those too!

Monster Burger Grill is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but is open on all other days from 11 am to 10 pm. On Saturday, they are open till 1 am, so if you want to go out late, that’s the day to do it.

Address: 901 N Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

3. Maya Mexican Restaurant

A lively and traditional atmosphere that has some tasty authentic Mexican goodies!

A multicolored extravaganza of color awaits you at Maya Mexican Restaurant. We love how the culture just celebrates food, and that’s what you’ll get here too.

With the walls and chairs all colors of the rainbow, and a pool table that’s pink too, this restaurant takes its décor and food super seriously and we’re here for it.

Catch the game on one of their many television sets or play a game of pool while you wait, but regardless you’ll be happy spending time here making the most of being in this awesome atmosphere.

As for the food, they have a very comprehensive menu that’s full of every Mexican dish you can think of! Their Enchiladas, Fajitas, and Tacos have a fan following of their own, and they each come highly recommended by locals, so we’d look into those when deciding on what to have.

Apart from that, they also have a wholesome kid’s menu that you can look over if you have little ones accompanying you.

Plus, their Margaritas are exceptional as well and you can even make your own Margaritas as well, so if you’re looking to have the perfect drink with your meal – order one!

Maya’s is open every day, too! From 11 am to 10 pm, making it the perfect place for lunch or dinner.

Address: 1909 N Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

Many types of tacos on the table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Gulcin Ragiboglu

4. Bahnhof Cafe

Quiet and unassuming little place that sells some of the best sandwiches and burgers in the entire town! Perfect for date night.

Hidden gems are the best kind of places to visit when you’re on vacation and looking for a not-so-touristy place to eat.

Bahnhof Café in Cuero fits this description perfectly because it’s a local hangout that sells some amazing burgers and sandwiches, all in a cute, timeless interior that just feels like home.

One of the best things about this eatery is the service. Everyone seems to know each other and the staff make sure to go the extra mile when they find out it is your first time in town or at the café. They also make some great suggestions and recommendations, so if you’re unsure of what to order, just ask them and they’ll be more than happy to help!

Food-wise, their burgers and sandwiches steal the show, so make sure to order those if we were you. Apart from that if you want something lighter, their soups and salads are known for being very good too, and definitely worth trying. They also have baskets of chicken strips and steak fingers that you can order for the table if you like!

Bahnhof Café is closed for business on Saturday and Sunday, making it a midweek kinda place. They are open from 7 am to 2 pm every day apart from the weekend, so make sure you drop by then.

Address: 213 W Main St, Cuero, TX

Top view of home made tasty burgers on wooden table.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Kesu01

5. Smolik’s BBQ

Czech-style BBQ brisket, ribs and sausage that’s been part of the town’s history since 1928!

It’s not Texas if you don’t have some awesome BBQ, so we decided to feature one of Cuero’s best BBQ restaurants: Smolik’s BBQ.

This is a family-owned eatery that’s been in the family for generations! So, not only do you get some authentic barbecue, you get the most experienced hands in Texas preparing it for you. What’s not to love?

Not only do Smolik’s make their own food, they sell meat that’s handcut too. So, if you’re staying in a place where you can cook your own meals, or just visiting on day trip , then getting some unique cuts from them to try at home would be a great idea too.

The restaurant itself is clean and simple in its décor, with lots of seating options to choose from. And whilst the interior might not be much to write home about, the food certainly is!

Choose from their plates or have their BBQ sandwich, taco, or pie. Each is full to the brim with some juicy and well-seasoned meat, so you’re bound to enjoy them.

They also have some amazing sides to pair with the meat, and their potato salad and coleslaw are some of the local’s most favorite sides.

Plus, they brew their own tea, which pairs perfectly with their food, so make sure to get a glass or two to help wash the good food down!

Smolik’s is open every day from 10:30 pm to 4 pm, apart from Sunday, when they are closed! So, keep that in mind when making plans.

Address: 523 S Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

Full rack of BBQ grilled pork spare ribs on a marble board
Photo for illustrative purposes only (iStock.com/Vladimir Mironov)

6. Cuero Pecan House Café

Neighborhood coffee house and bakery selling the most delicious baked goodies and the best cup of coffee in town!

A local coffee house that can get your coffee order just right, Cuero Pecan House Café is an eatery where you can truly relax and unwind. Grab a cup of coffee and some baked goods or stop by for a quick lunch – this place is an ideal spot for both. It’s a mini vacation from your vacation!

With green walls and wooden floors, the interior of the café is rustic yet chic. There are also plenty of seating options to choose from and a whole bunch of wall art to enjoy while you relish your early morning cup of coffee.

Apart from this, they have sandwiches, wraps, and other specialty items that you can check out at their counters before finalizing your order, so it’s a good idea to browse beforehand.

Their signature and specialty salads, and grilled sandwiches, are some of the items that you should think about ordering from the menu. They also have a bunch of fresh sides that you can add to your order as well in order to have a fresh, locally sourced, and balanced meal.

All in all, this is a great alternative to some of the other restaurants in Cuero if you’re looking for something light and nutritious without feeling super heavy afterward.

Cuero Pecan House Café is closed on Saturday and Sunday and opens Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 3 pm.

Address: 114 S Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

coffee on a table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

7. Hunan Garden

Conventional Chinese cuisine served in a themed restaurant with professional service.

Sometimes Chinese food can be the perfect treat, especially while on vacation – and for days like those there is Hunan Garden in Cuero which is a fantastic Chinese restaurant in town.

So, if you have a special occasion coming up, want to celebrate some downtime with your loved ones, or just love Chinese food, then this is the place to go to in town.

The restaurant has a cozy vibe with many themed elements like Chinese paintings and calligraphies on the wall. The green pops of color on the walls and chairs also add a great feel to the place and make it appear chic and modern. They also have a television so you won’t miss all the action if a game’s on.

Their dumplings, Beef with Broccoli, Hunan Pork and Shrimp Lo Mein are amongst the most famous dishes, so keep those in mind. But they also have many other specialties and their menu is very comprehensive, so there’s plenty to choose from.

You can also discuss your order with your server as the staff are happy to help.

Hunan Garden is closed on Saturday and Sunday. But they are open all other days of the week from 11 am to 3 pm for lunch and from 5 pm to 9 pm for dinner.

Address: 2119 N Esplanade St, Cuero, TX

assortment of asian dishes on a table
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/thesomegirl

8. KN Drive-In

One of the most popular restaurants in Cuero that’s now been open since 1960! Serving some amazing fast food with a local Texan twist.

It’s not every day that you can get to experience a part of town that’s been around since the 60s, and so a visit to KN Drive-In should be on the to-do list of everyone who passes through town. It’s a right of passage!

So, make your way to this diner that sells some of the town’s favorite fast food and be blown away by the flavor they pack in all their food.

The décor inside is simple with lots of seating options to pick from, but they also have a great outdoor area that gets plenty of sun and can be an ideal place to enjoy their treats, especially if you enjoy having your food al fresco.

Speaking of food, they truly have a great selection of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, floats, and shakes, making it a great family-friendly place to wind up at.

Plus, they are only closed one day a week, on Sunday, making them a great place to check out when other places on our list are closed. Catch them from 10:30 pm to 7 pm every day.

Address: 514 E Broadway St, Cuero, TX

hot dog and hamburger buffet.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Jenifoto

That’s it guys, our favorite restaurants to eat at when in Cuero, TX. We hope you have a great time visiting them!

Author

  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.