8 Restaurants In Emory (TX) That Locals Love For Food & Vibes!

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Last updated on January 16, 2023 by Wandering our World

Texas may have only been known for BBQ once upon a time, but now it’s upped the culinary and dining scene in recent years and the state is definitely home to some of the best restaurants in the country – and Emory is as good a spot as any to enjoy great food.

Whether you enjoy Greek, Mexican, BBQ, American comfort food, or Asian classics, Emory has it all. So, to help you out when you’re next in town, here’s some of our favorite restaurants in Emory.

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

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

1. Stefanos Greek Kouzina

Scrumptious and fresh Greek food served in a themed restaurant with professional service! Outdoor seating is available too.

Greek food is a special treat, especially when you’re on vacation. So we’re happy to say that Emory has one of the best Greek restaurants in the region: Stefanos Greek Kouzina.

Not only does this place have some truly amazing and unique food but they also make everything from scratch daily, which ensures that their quality and standards are always up to the mark, no matter what.

The eatery has an amazing interior too, from murals depicting the most picturesque spots in Greece to other amazing Greek decorations and elements – everything about this place just seems to pay homage to the owner’s heritage and it makes the place very special and warm.

They also have the cutest outdoor patio area, that’s covered and has lights to make it festive and inviting especially in the evening. Whether you have your meal inside or out, it’s going to be one place you won’t forget!

Their Gyros, Pastitsio, and burgers are some of their most popular and famous items, so make sure you order some of those. Apart from that, they also have some amazing Baklava, Koulouraki’s, and Kourabiede’s, both of which are special cookies that you’ll instantly fall in love with. So don’t leave without trying their heavenly desserts!

Stefanos is closed Sunday through Wednesday but open from Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, so make sure you catch them then.

Address: 234 Quitman St, Emory, TX

Mediterranean dishes
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/los_angela

2. Don’s Restaurant

Classic American and traditional Mexican wares both under one roof? Sounds like a heck of a deal!

Can’t agree on what to have for dinner? Then Don’s Restaurant is the perfect place to wind up at because they sell some classic American food as well as some authentic Mexican food.

Plus, they also have numerous sandwiches, sides, and desserts to choose from, so there’s surely something at Don’s for everyone – which explains the popularity and reputation that this place has!

Don’s is one of those restaurants that has been around Emory forever, so it’s usually packed full of locals. Once you enter, you’ll likely be treated like family and wooed over with that well-known Southern hospitality!

As well as being friendly, Don’s is perfect for lunch or dinner when you want fuss-free food that tastes delicious and doesn’t blow a hole through your wallet.

From their American menu, we recommend trying their Hamburger Steak, Pork Chop and Fried Catfish, all of which are supremely popular.

Apart from these, from their Mexican menu you can try their Burrito, Quesadilla or tacos all of which are highly recommended by locals. If you have room left after all this, then try one of their handmade, homestyle pies, and you’ll be on seventh heaven!

Don’s is open seven days a week, so no matter when you go, they’ll always be there for you! Catch them between the hours of 7 am to 8 pm every day.

Address: 899 E Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

3. Dos Charros

Delicious Mexican food served in a classic environment with exceptional service!

You’ll find plenty of Mexican restaurants in Emory, but one of the most popular ones is Dos Chorros. It’s been around for more than 30 years and has a cult following full of loyal locals who keep it in business. It’s the perfect place to go to if you want a real taste of the town.

Dos Chorros’ secret to success has been keeping things simple when it comes to their restaurant, so you might not find the atmosphere anything special, but that’s because they focus all their attention on making the best food possible.

The place is clean and classic though, with plenty of seating options and some thematic wall art around the place.

As far as their food is concerned, their Quesadillas, Fajitas, Burritos, and Seafood are all highly recommended, so we’d suggest trying those out.

On the other hand, if you usually have those and want to try something different, then we’d encourage you to experiment because Dos Chorros have a very comprehensive menu and everything they make is known for being tasty and of high quality. You can even ask your server to make some suggestions if you’re looking for something different.

Dos Charros is closed on Mondays but is open all other days of the week from 11 am to 9 pm, so there’s plenty of time to try them out!

Address: 400 W Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

Mexican food, many dishes of the cuisine of Mexico, flat lay, shot from the top on a vibrant blue background, forming a frame with a place for text. Nachos, quesadillas, guacamole, burritos etc
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Plateresca

4. Wild West BBQ & Restaurant

Mouthwatering BBQ served at a Western-themed restaurant, perfect for the entire family or date night!

If you were wondering where all the BBQ recommendations were at, then here you go! One of Emory’s best restaurants is, of course, a BBQ place called Wild West BBQ and Restaurant.

It’s a family-owned place that’s full of community spirit and a regular hangout for many loyal patrons, so if you want to act like a local for the day, this is the place to be.

The interior of the restaurant has an old-fashioned vibe and charm that makes it very endearing. From wooden walls and floors to traditional-style booths, everything about the place is reminiscent of the saloons you see in classic Western movies. So, if that sounds intriguing, we’d definitely recommend checking it out and grabbing a few photos.

Their menu is simple and to the point. They offer some BBQ plates that you can order 2 sides with, or you can try the same meat in sandwich and burger form – it just depends on your personal preference.

Apart from that, they also have a dedicated children’s menu which is great if you have little ones that have certain favorites.

Wild West BBQ & Restaurant is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays but open all other days from 11 am to 8 pm, making it a great lunch or dinner place!

Address: 500 E Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

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

5. CK Kitchen

Authentic Asian food in a relaxing environment with superb service and friendly staff!

Another international delicacy that is very popular in Emory is Asian food. So, if you’ve been wanting your fix of Kung Pao chicken or Lo Mein then CK Kitchen has your back. Make a stop for lunch or dinner and experience the amazing flavors and spices that Asian cuisine is known for!

The atmosphere of CK itself is great – it’s a bright and clean place with many tables and booths to choose from. With some pictures and photographs lining the wall, this eatery has a serene and calming environment that gets you in a relaxed mood for some amazing food.

Their menu is full of all kinds of Asian food, ranging from Chinese to Japanese, so not only do they have all the regular dishes like Orange Chicken or Sweet & Sour Chicken, but they also have Sushi, noodle bowls, and desserts to choose from.

If you’re wanting to keep things light and healthy then they also have some Asian-inspired Salad options that are known to be tasty and filling, so give those a try too!

CK Kitchen is closed on Sunday but open all other days apart from that from 11 am to 8 pm, so make sure you try them!

Address: 118 N Texas St, Emory, TX

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

6. Y’all Come Back Café

Quirky local diner selling homestyle American food in a lively environment with proficient staff.

Sometimes being on vacation means a lot of fried and heavy food, but Y’all Come Back Café is a great alternative to that. With their homestyle food, everything tastes like it was made fresh just for you in your grandmas’ kitchen, so it’s the perfect place to go to if you’re craving some homemade, healthy food.

The vibe of this restaurant is inviting and warm and made in the style of a diner, so there are stools at the bar if you want to be in the middle of all the action. If not, they also have booths and table style seating so you can wait comfortably while your food is prepared.

The atmosphere is also very friendly because all the owners and servers know all the local patrons who come in regularly, so if you visit a few time you may end up feeling like you are a part of a great big family!

It’s mostly a breakfast or brunch place, so they have a menu that reflects that full of eggs, pancakes, sausages, biscuits and gravy, and all other yummy breakfast delights. It’s definitely worth checking out especially if you like waking up early and indulging in some breakfast treats.

If not, they also have lunch specials which they announce daily on their Facebook group if you want to go a bit later on during the day.

Y’all Come Back Café is closed on Sundays. They reopen Monday all the way through Saturday from 6 am to 2 pm.

Address: 659 W Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

Pancakes with banana, walnut and caramel.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Lilechka75

7. Leeo’s Fried Chicken

A unique restaurant serving American-styled Fried Chicken and Chinese food! All under the same roof. Outdoor seating is available too!

Much like BBQ, another popular food that has a cult following is fried chicken – and no wonder! So if you enjoy fried chicken with some delicious coleslaw then Leeo’s Fried Chicken is the place to go to in Emery.

They also serve some amazing Chinese food, which weirdly enough works very well with fried chicken! So, make your way to Leeo’s for a unique culinary experience.

Leeo’s is a simple and understated local restaurant that’s big on flavors. The interior of the place might not be anything to write home about, but the place is clean and tidy with plenty of comfortable chairs to relax on. They also have some outdoor seating, which can be a nice spot to catch some sun.

We recommend ordering the fried chicken with all the sides you want, but also order some Chinese food to go with it. Go for their Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg rolls, or Lo Mein – three of their standout dishes that will complement the fried chicken delightfully.

They also brew some amazing sweet tea, so make sure you order that to wash everything down with.

Leeo’s is closed during the weekend, so on Saturday and Sunday but they are open all other days and you can go anytime between 10 am to 8 pm.

Address: 407 E Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

almond crusted chicken tenders with ketchup on a wood background. toning. selective Focus
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/nata_vkusidey

8. Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery

Popular family-owned local bakery selling some tasty baked goods that are usually fresh out of the oven! Outdoor seating is available too.

What’s better than a small-town bakery? Absolutely nothing. That’s why we made it a point to include the town’s best-kept secret: Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery.

This place sells some of the best baked goods you’ll ever try in your life, so take our advice and go on an empty stomach so you have plenty of room to fill up on their delicious goodies.

Their interior is like a dream pantry! For real, the minute you step inside you get to see numerous shelves fully stocked with all kinds of bread, pies, pastries, cupcakes, cakes and so much more.

Not only this, but they also have jams, jellies, jars of honey, and other goodies that you can purchase to take home with you, all made with local ingredients.

Their cinnamon rolls, pastries, pies and cookies are some of their most popular items, so make sure you order enough to take home with you because you’ll definitely be craving more real soon.

They’ve also started serving warm sandwiches recently, so you can even stop by for a light lunch if you want. You can also get an assortment of their goodies to take on a picnic around one of the parks around Emory.

Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery is closed on Sundays and Mondays. They are open on all other days, usually from 7 am to 5 pm.

Address: 589 E Lennon Dr, Emory, TX

That’s it, guys! All our favorite restaurants in Emory to stop by for some truly unique and memorable meals.

We hope you have fun experiencing them and recommend them to family and friends heading this way.

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  • 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.