Shortlisted: 8 Best Restaurants In Huntsville, TX That Locals Love!

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Huntsville, in Walker County, Texas, is a small town, with a deep-rooted sense of history, thanks to the part it played in the Texas Revolution. It is home to the Sam Houston State University and the Huntsville State Park making it both a college town and an idyllic setting for outdoorsmen. And luckily there’s plenty of fantastic restaurants in Huntsville, TX to enjoy too.

The dining scene in Huntsville has Latin American influences along with plenty of good ol’ Southern cooking as is evidenced by the number of restaurants in the area that celebrate both cuisines.

So to help you decide your next dinner out, here are some of our favorite restaurants in Huntsville, TX for that next great meal!

The 8 Best Restaurants In Huntsville, TX: Food Worth Waiting For!

1. 1836 Steakhouse

Hearty steaks and classy entrees served in historic surroundings with occasional live music.

1836 Steakhouse commemorates the Texas Revolution and the rebellion of the colonists from the United States and Tejanos. Numerous flags from that era deck the walls along with originally commissioned art from local Texas artists.

The décor is very rustic and features wooden interiors with floor to ceiling windows and muted lighting. Seating is classy and upholstered and you have a choice of dining at a table, by the bar or on the patio outside. The central display bar is a special highlight too. The fine-dine nature of this place and the classic menu make this a great place to celebrate special occasions with friends or family.

The fried goat cheese is a local favorite and a great way to begin your meal here. For a true fine-dining experience though, order the charcuterie & cheese board for sharing – it comes with cold cured meats, cheeses, jams, assorted nuts and fruit.

However you can’t visit a steakhouse and not order the steak. 1836’s menu features all the prime cuts from filets to rib-eyes along with a special chef’s cut which is cooked to your liking. You can further customize the steak with your choice of topping – we recommend the au poivre, which comes encrusted with cracked pepper and a cognac sauce.

The mashed potatoes are a great choice for a side, being rich and creamy and a great accompaniment to the juiciness of the steak. Then round off your meal with a bananas foster that’s flambeed tableside!

The service here is excellent and reflects the classy nature of the establishment. The place does fill up, so it’s best to call ahead and make a reservation.

Don’t forget to check out their extensive list of wines and beers, either – you won’t be disappointed!

Easily one of the best restaurants in Huntsville, TX, 1836 Steakhouse is open from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday with closing hours extended to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They’re open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday and are closed on Monday.

Address: 2641 11th St, Huntsville, TX 77340

2. Farmhouse Café

Family-owned Texas themed restaurant that specializes in Southern fare.

You’ll love the bright, fresh and airy interiors of Farmhouse Café with its large windows and plenty of overhead lighting which ensures the place is always well lit and welcoming.

The café also stays true to its name with all the bits of foliage that dot the restaurant, adding a splash of verdancy to its humble interiors. Furniture is all in the form of simple wooden tables and chairs which are well spaced apart so you won’t feel like you’re being crowded. Overall, its casual vibe makes it a great place to visit with family or with a large group.

The portions served up here are quite substantial, so make sure you bring your appetite.

The café starts you off with a breadbasket and let us tell you, the cornbread served here (especially the broccoli cornbread), is itself worth coming back for.

We’ve also heard nothing but good things about the chicken fried steak which comes with tenderized Angus sirloin, hand breaded and fried topped with homemade creamy gravy. It’s perfectly seasoned and the gravy is lovely. Each entrée comes with a choice of two sides which are all fresh and made in house – we recommend the coleslaw and sweet potato.

The rest of the menu has Southern dishes, along with soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers. They even do blue plate specials for the day.

Farmhouse is famous for its homemade pies, which they proudly display in a counter, so make sure you complete your meal with a slice of strawberry or key lime! In fact we think this is easily one of the best restaurants in Huntsville, TX for pies!

Service here is attentive and they do a good job of keeping things topped up even during rush hour.

Café timings are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday with closing hours extending to 9:00 p.m. on Friday. They are open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Address: 1004 14th St, Huntsville, TX 77340

3. Arnaud’s Cajun Kitchen

Food truck with occasional live music that serves up seafood boils and Creole staples.

Located in a food park, Arnaud’s Cajun Kitchen is a little food truck with a massive following.

Being a food truck, it is counter-serve and they’ve set up several picnic tables with umbrellas for you to park yourself and devour their fantastic Cajun offerings. There’s even a flat screen TV if you want to catch your favorite sport!

If you’re in a rush, you can even call ahead and pick up your order at their drive thru. It’s a great place to come with your mates, order a few daiquiris and beers and enjoy some fantastic seafood.

You have to try the boiled seafood here at Arnaud’s. To get a good sample, spring for the boil bag that comes in three sizes and contains shrimp, crab clusters, potatoes and corn which have all been soaked in Arnaud’s spicy butter sauce. Add a side of boudin balls and that’s a complete meal!

The other seafood options here are available by the half pound, so you can mix and match to your liking. The menu also features a lengthy list of po boy sandwiches with fillings that range from buffalo shrimp to crab cakes and even alligator. Wash it all down with one of their famous lemonades!

The service here is great with everyone from the servers to the owner being very friendly and welcoming. The place does get busy, so be prepared for a little wait.

They have live music here on occasion as well, which really adds to the experience and makes it the perfect environment to spend a nice evening. This may be a food truck, but with the vibe, fantastic food, and music, Arnaud’s was an easy addition to our list of the best restaurants in Huntsville, TX.

Arnaud’s is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday. They are closed on all other days, so make sure you get your seafood fix before the weekend!

Address: 2615 Montgomery Rd, Huntsville, TX 77340

4. Los Pericos

Warm and bright restaurant with an extensive Mexican menu and occasional live mariachi band.

Los Pericos is a really cozy Mexican restaurant and is perfect to visit with your family. Decorative vases and landscape paintings work with potted plants and wrought-iron frames to give the interiors a beautiful homey feel.

The menu here at Los Pericos is huge, so you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.

We think You can always tell the quality of a Mexican establishment by its chips and salsa and Los Pericos has this covered – the chips are crisp and the salsa is absolutely fresh.

Their fajitas are really popular and we recommend you try the Montgomery plate, which comes with a chicken breast topped with sautéed mushrooms, poblano peppers and Monterey Jack cheese, two grilled shrimp and two bacon wrapped shrimp, served with all the fixings, rice, beans and three flour tortillas. It’s a proper meal and one you can easily share with someone.

The rest of the menu features chalupas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, chefs’ specials and lunch and dinner plates – like we said, huge! They are accommodative of dietary choices and restrictions here, just talk to your server.

The staff here are very friendly and pay good attention to you. A mariachi band plays here on certain nights too, which really adds to the festive atmosphere.

Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. all days with closing hours extending up to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They also have another outlet in Willis, Texas. For one of the best Mexican restaurants in Huntsville, TX, check out Los Pericos!

Address: 1548 11th St, Huntsville, TX 77340

5. Potato Shack

Funky family-owned eatery with activities and an eclectic menu that celebrates the baked potato.

The décor of Potato Shack is buzzing and lively with plenty of neon signs and tin sheeting used as accents. Posters and signs dot the walls along with memorabilia celebrating the Lone Star State.

There’s a separate section with pool tables, so you can enjoy a game or two while sampling some of their in-house brewed beers. They also have a separate outdoor patio that is dog friendly! The Potato Shack is a great place to visit with family because of its atmosphere and kid-friendly environment.

As the name suggests, this place does everything baked potato. If you thought a loaded baked potato was the most that could be done with this humble vegetable, then this place goes out of its way to prove you wrong with several delicious fillings and toppings.

The chicken fried potato is a perennial favorite and comes with butter, your choice of crispy fried chicken or chicken fried steak, cream gravy and Texas toast. There are several other fillings to choose from too, from shepherd’s pie to fajitas, chicken & waffle to Teriyaki. If that’s not enough you can even build your own potato from all the options available!

The rest of the menu features classic American fare with salads, wings, burgers and appetizers with a Southern twist. Another highlight is the gluten and dairy free options available.

You’ll be well taken care of here at the shack as the service is really warm and friendly. The bartenders are also really skilled at their craft, so make sure you order a cocktail or two while you wait for your food.

Potato Shack is easily one of our favorite restaurants in Huntsville, TX. They’re open from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday and from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The most spud-tacular restaurant in Huntsville – Potato Shack!

Address: 1229 Josey St, Huntsville, TX 77340

6. Humphrey’s

Upbeat pub that serves bar bites, American fare and draft beers.

Humphrey’s is your classic American pub. It’s the perfect place to pop in for a quick pint and a bite to eat. You can grab a stool by the bar or at one of their tables. What sets it apart, though, is its outside seating area which is perfect for good weather. There are plenty of flat screen TVs available too, so you can catch your favorite sports along with all your friends or colleagues.

Humphrey’s is the place for a pub crawl and has an interesting mix of crowd, from local college students to established seniors.

Food wise, the burgers here steal the show and come with a choice of jalapeno cheddar, brioche or sourdough bun and hand cut fries or hand battered onion rings as a side. The Chiva, in particular, is a favorite and comes with avocado ranch, pico de gallo, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese.

The wings are also great to nibble on and are the perfect accompaniment to that crisp draft beer. They come in baskets of six, twelve or eighteen with nine different options for sauce. The rest of the menu features pizzas, salads, quesadillas, pastas and sandwiches, so you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Service is quick and you won’t have to wait too long for your grub or drink. This place is one of the most popular pubs and restaurants in Huntsville, TX, so it does get crowded – just make sure you get there on time! Humphrey’s is open from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, all days.

Address: 1930 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340

7. Bennie J’s Smoke Pit

Simple, no-nonsense Southern BBQ joint.

You can’t talk about Texas and not cover barbecue. It’s easy to miss this little hole in the wall joint just north of downtown Huntsville but if you do, you’d be missing out on some of the best barbecue in the city.

A small and unassuming place, Bennie J’s features just a handful of tables around a counter where you place your order. There is ample seating in the covered outdoor area, however, so you don’t have to worry too much about space.

This is a nice place to bring the family for a nice day in the sun, sharing plates of smoked meat and getting a good taste of everything they have to offer.

Barbecue at Bennie J’s is sold by the plate and the pound with the plates coming with options of one to four meats. We’d suggest going for the two-meat with the brisket and sausage as they’ve both earned multiple plaudits from locals and visitors alike. The brisket is tender enough to cut with a fork! Add a side of potato salad and you’ve got the perfect plate.

There are two different sauces available to jazz up your meal but there is already plenty of flavor in the brisket and ribs. The rest of the menu has sandwiches and they even do specials of fried fish and fried shrimp. Round off your meal with a slice of their pecan pie, which is absolutely delicious!

All the staff are caring and friendly and will make you feel right at home. As one of the most popular restaurants in Huntsville, TX, they do sometimes run out of items, so its best to get there early or call ahead and check.

Bennie J’s is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.

Address: 621 9th St, Huntsville, TX 77320

8. Carbonero Rotisserie Charbroiled Chicken & Steaks

Simple bustling joint that serves Latin American food and specializes in rotisserie chicken.

Carbonero is a family-owned joint that has been serving authentic staples from Puerto Rico and El Salvador to the locals of Huntsville since 2009.

The restaurant really lets its food do the talking. And while the interiors are rather spartan, there is an old school charm about the place which will really draw you in. It’s a great place to visit with family and share one of their platters.

Carbonero is known for its rotisserie chicken and you have to give it a try when you dine here – it’s been a hit with the locals for years!

The whole chicken family special is a must have, especially if you’re here with, well, your family. It features a whole roast chicken with a choice of two sides, two pupusas (a handmade masa tortilla filled with cheese & choice of filling) and two drinks. For the sides, we recommend the chaufa rice, which is rice tossed with cilantro, scrambled eggs, soy sauce and green onions and the fried yucca. All together it’s a wholesome, hearty meal, full of exciting flavors.

You can also mix and match and choose a combo plate that features their famous chicken along with steak, shrimp and a variety of other options. The rest of the menu features fajitas, seafood, sandwiches, soups and salads – the menu is extensive and you’ll have a lot to choose from! Make sure you order one of their margaritas as well, they’re some of the strongest in town.

Service here is exceptional and Mario, the owner, and his team go out of the way to make sure you are having a great dining experience.

The restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday with hours of operation extending to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Address: 1524 11th St A, Huntsville, TX 77340