Locally Owned Restaurants Around Cedar Creek Lake
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Not Just a Meal—It’s a Local Experience.
Around Cedar Creek Lake, the best meals come from places where the cook knows your name. Discover locally owned restaurants with scratch-made menus, pet-friendly patios, and real East Texas flavor.
- 🥞 Brunch
- 🍕 Pizza
- 🥩 Steak
- 🚚 Food Trucks
- 🍷 BYOB
- 🍔 American
- 🍽️ Lakeside Dining
- 🔥 BBQ
- 🌮 Tex-Mex
- 🍝 Italian
American Classics
When you think “American Classics” at Cedar Creek Lake, one name stands out…
Bringing Families Together, The Whistlestop Way.
From hearty weekend brunches and midweek family dinners to Thursday night line dancing & live music weekends, The Whistlestop doesn’t just serve meals — it creates traditions.
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BnR Country
✅ The kind of menu where everything sounds good.
Phone:903-887-5772
Address:502 W Mason St, Mabank, TX 75147
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Chef Cassy's
✅ Southern cooking with State Fair roots and serious flavor.
Phone: 214-405-8846
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Figs Backyard
✅ Relaxed vibe, TVs, virtual golf, and creative plates locals love.
Phone: 903-608-3034
Address: 705 Royal Way, Tool, Texas 75143
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Figs Steakhouse
✅ Local favorite for steak night—or any night.
Address: 1204 N. Tool Dr., Tool TX 75143
Phone: 903-432-0628
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Gab's Sandwich Shop
✅ Stacked sandwiches, quick service, always fresh.
Phone:903-778-8088
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Kocoroko Munchies
Phone: 903-340-0250
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Molly's Catfish Corner
✅ Crispy catfish, homestyle sides, and no rush.
Phone:903-432-3445
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Native Son
✅Bold flavors, local ingredients, and dishes you’ll crave again and again.
Phone: 903-567-6789
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Pit Stop Bar & Grill
✅ Big burgers, seasoned fries, and no one leaves hungry.
Phone:903-432-2233
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Sharkies Smashburgers Cedar Creek (Closed for Renovations)
✅ Warning: these smashburgers may cause serious cravings.
Phone: 903-910-1687
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Tia Juanita's Fishcamp Athens, TX
✅ Fresh seafood, good vibes, and a splash of Texas charm.
Phone: 903-292-0390
Address: 1900 E Tyler St, Athens, TX 75751
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The Dock
✅ Upscale Cajun dishes, enclosed patio, and weekend music.
Phone:903-489-7095
Address:4728 TX-198, Malakoff, TX 75148
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The Roost Cafe
✅ Breakfast favorites, strong coffee, and small-town charm.
Phone:903-425-8008
Address:103 Edgar St, Eustace, TX 75124
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The Whistlestop Restaurant & Bar
✅ Classic comfort food, weekend brunch, and live music nights in a cozy downtown space.
Phone:903-778-5133
Address:104 Front St, Trinidad, TX 75163
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Victorian Lady Tea Room
✅ Quiche, scones, and quiet charm in a historic setting.
Phone:903-887-1837
Lakeside Dining
Pull up a chair and let the lake do the rest.
There’s just something about a meal by the water. Whether you’re digging into fish tacos on the dock, sipping cocktails under a palapa, or watching boats roll in over lunch, these lakeside spots know how to serve up flavor with a view.
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Boathouse Bar and Grill
✅ Famous for their brunch and over-the-top Bloody Marys—stacked with shrimp, bacon, and a little attitude.
Phone:903-675-2628
Address:5401 Marina Dr, Athens, TX 75752
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LouLou's at Cedar Creek Lake
✅ Daiquiris, Sno Cones, espresso, and beer—all from the pier. Walk-up, or drive-thru.
Phone:430-236-6511
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Tiki Hut Bar and Grill (Closed for Summer)
✅ Best breeze on the lake. Upstairs deck. Cold drinks. Watch boats come in and forget what time it is.
Phone: 9032899348
Address: 1937 Island Cir, Tool, TX 75143
Weekend Brunch Spots
The Whistlestop (Trinidad, TX)
When it comes to brunch around Cedar Creek Lake, The Whistlestop sets the bar.
From Chicken & Waffles and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to a Smoked Salmon Benny and even Chicken Fried Ribeye, this menu delivers hearty favorites with a refined twist.
👉 View The Whistlestop Menu ›
Late mornings done right—no rush, just great food.
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6 Forks Farm to Table
✅ A seasonal brunch menu worth dressing up for.
Phone:903-676-7846
Address: 14190 TX-19, Athens, TX 75752
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Athens Cafe
✅ All the staples—and no rush to leave.
Phone:903-675-5504
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Elements By 456
✅ Brunch that makes saying “no” impossible.
Phone: 903-910-7666
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Figs Steakhouse
✅ Southern favorites with a refined twist.
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The Roost Cafe
✅ Cozy setting, hometown feel, and the kind of brunch that never goes out of style.
Phone:903-425-8008
Address:103 Edgar St, Eustace, TX 75124
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The Whistlestop Restaurant & Bar
✅ A brunch menu that actually makes decisions hard.
Phone:903-778-5133
Address:104 Front St, Trinidad, TX 75163
Texas BBQ
From smoked brisket to secret dry rubs—these are the local legends of the lake.
You’ll smell it before you park—and still crave it the next day. From pepper-crusted brisket to ribs that fall apart at the bone, these pitmasters know their way around a firebox.
Texas BBQ
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B4 Barbeque & Boba
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Got Smoked on the Go
✅ BBQ that’s bold, messy, and unforgettable
Phone:903-481-9701
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Roping Steer BBQ
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Slap N' Good BBQ
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Smokelife BBQ & Tacos
✅ BBQ with a street taco twist
Phone:(972) 525-0460
Best Steak Around the Lake
Ask for it how you want it—these kitchens know what they’re doing.
Rare, medium, or well-done—one thing’s for sure: around Cedar Creek Lake, steak night is serious business. From sizzling ribeyes to hand-cut filets, these local favorites are grilling up the best of Cedar
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![Athens Boathouse]()
Athens Boathouse
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![Figs Steakhouse]()
Figs Steakhouse
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![Four Winds]()
Four Winds
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![The Dock]()
The Dock
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![The Whistlestop]()
The Whistlestop
Best Pizza Around the Lake
Thin crust, deep dish, wood-fired or classic—everyone’s got a favorite.
Around Cedar Creek Lake, pizza comes hot, cheesy, and built to argue over. Whether you're loyal to a local favorite or still taste-testing your way through town, these spots bring serious flavor—one slice at a time.
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![6 Forks Farm]()
6 Forks Farm
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![BnR Country]()
BnR Country
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![Billito's Italian]()
Billito's Italian
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![Milano's]()
Milano's
Mexican & Tex-Mex Favorites
Tamales, tacos, and Tex-Mex done right.
Around Cedar Creek Lake, you’ll find family-run restaurants with sizzling plates, meat markets serving fresh carnitas, and some of the best tamales you’ll find anywhere. These spots are local staples for a reason!
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3 Flags Meat Market
✅ Hot, fast, and exactly what you were craving.
Phone:903-880-9855
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El Agave Bar and Grill
✅ Mexican classics that make every meal feel like a celebration.
Phone: 903-802-7272
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El Jacalito Mexican Restaurant
✅ Authentic Mexican flavors that keep you coming back for más.
Phone: 903-432-4808
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El Portal De Jaripo Inc. (Fernando's)
✅ The menudo alone makes it a weekend tradition.
Phone: 9038872010
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Hector's Mexican Restaurant
✅ The kind of Tex-Mex that makes you a regular.
Phone:903-887-1179
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Jalisco's Mexican Grill Restaurant
✅ Where locals order without looking at the menu.
Phone:903-887-1581
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Little Mexico
✅ Built on family recipes, not trends
Phone:903-887-0110
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Mi Pueblito Mexican& Tex-Mex
✅ Tex-Mex made the way it should be — hearty and satisfying.
Phone: 903-887-1969
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Don Juan's Romantic Mexican Food
✅ Bold, fresh, and totally crave-worthy Mexican eats.
Phone: 903-451-6198
Italian Favorites
Red sauce, garlic knots, and plates built to share.
Sometimes you just want a bowl of pasta, a basket of bread, and a plate big enough to bring home leftovers. Around the lake, Italian means familiar favorites, housemade sauces, and comfort food that brings big portions, warm vibes, and a little oregano on everything.
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Billito's Italian Restaurant
✅ Fresh caprese, warm bread, and real-deal red sauce.
Phone:903-802-7288
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Tavi's Italian Restaurant
✅ Tucked away and easy to miss—but always worth the stop.
Phone:903-432-0330
Food Truck Yards
Big taste, small trailers, serious regulars.
Food truck yards around Cedar Creek Lake are more than a quick bite—they’re where locals hang out, grab bold street-style food, and catch live music on the weekends. You’ll find a mix of tacos, sandwiches, smoked meats, and unexpected twists—all served from small trailers with big flavor and loyal followings.
🌿 Fresh Pasta from Scratch – Now at Yummy Bus of Cedar Creek!
The Yummy Bus team is rolling out a new farm-to-table pasta menu featuring:
Dough made from scratch with fresh farm eggs
Italian unbleached flour
Sauces prepared in-house
Premium ground beef from Full Quiver Farm
Basil picked straight from their garden for house-made organic pesto
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Cloud Cup Boba
✅ ✅ Sweet, sippable happiness in every cup.
Phone: 903-681-4463
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Kyonekko Hibachi Express
✅ Fresh-off-the-grill hibachi flavor, fast and fiery.
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Swamp Bites
✅ Bold, bayou-inspired flavors you won’t forget.
Phone: 214-587-3668
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Swamp Bucket LLC
✅ Beignets, boudin, and more—bringing Louisiana vibes straight to Mabank!
Phone: 318- 510-5967
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The Sandwich King & Smoked Desserts
✅ The kind of food that shuts down conversation—in the best way.
Phone:903-603-1809
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The Tailgate Wing Company
✅ Flavor-packed wings that bring the crowd together.
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Tossed Salads, Spuds & More
✅ Fresh, hearty, and exactly how you like it.
Phone: 903-802-4135
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Wats A Taco
✅ It’s not fast food. It’s good food, made fast.
Phone:903-802-0890
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Yummy Bus of Cedar Creek
✅ Comfort food on wheels that always hits the spot.
Phone: 903- 880-2908
Restaurants with Live Music around the Lake
The Whistlestop After Dark
At Cedar Creek Lake, The Whistlestop has become the spot where live music feels like part of the weekend rhythm.
From familiar names to new artists, the shows draw people back week after week — good food, good music, and the kind of nights that keep you coming back with friends.
👉 See the full Whistlestop lineup ›
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Looking for local restaurants that welcome kids?
From food truck yards to lakeside patios with play zones, we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly places to eat around the lake.
🍷 Where to BYOB
From wood-fired pizza nights on the farm to burger joints that welcome your cooler, these local spots make dining easy—and a little more personal. Discover the best BYOB-friendly restaurants and food truck hangouts across Cedar Creek Lake.
Chef Spotlight
The Most-Asked Questions About CCL Restaurants
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Yes—Six Forks Farm hosts BYOB brick oven pizza nights, and the Mabank Food Truck Yard is a casual spot where BYOB is welcome.
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Yes—Sharkies Smashburgers uses only animal fats (no seed oils) and house-made sauces with no mixes or processed ingredients.
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Definitely. Check out Fig’s Backyard,The Dock, The Whistlestop, Vernons Lakeside and Elements by 456—all serve great food with live music on select nights.
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Locals love places like The Whistle Stop in Trinidad for upscale comfort food, and Antoinette’s Coffee House for starting the day.
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Several restaurants welcome dogs—including Cedar Creek Brewery, Fig’s Backyard, and Vernon’s Lakeside.
Check out our full Pet-Friendly Guide