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.
What Locals Love:
- 🥞 Brunch
- 🍕 Pizza
- 🥩 Steak
- 🚚 Food Trucks
- 🧭 Worth the Drive
Explore Local Fare:
- 🍽️ Lakeside Dining
- 🔥 BBQ
- 🌮 Tex-Mex
- 🍝 Italian
- 🍔 American
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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Vernon's Lakeside
✅ Come by boat, and stay awhile. Live music, a patio bar right over the water, great food, and friendly locals.
Phone:903-432-0903
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Tiki Hut Bar and Grill
✅ 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
Late mornings done right—no rush, just great food.
Whether you’re starting slow or gathering with the whole crew, these brunch spots deliver more than just eggs and pancakes. Around Cedar Creek Lake, brunch means scratch kitchens, thoughtful menus, and the kind of dishes that make Saturday or Sunday feel like the main event.
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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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Figs Steakhouse
✅ Southern favorites with a refined twist.
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Athens Cafe
✅ All the staples—and no rush to leave.
Phone:903-675-5504
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The Dock
✅ Come hungry. Leave thinking about next weekend..
Phone:903-489-7095
Address:4728 TX-198, Malakoff, TX 75148
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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.
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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
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.
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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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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El Portal De Jaripo Inc. (Fernando's)
✅ The menudo alone makes it a weekend tradition.
Phone: 9038872010
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
American Classics
Diner classics, and hometown staples.
You’ll find hand-cut fries, crispy fish, loaded baked potatoes, and menus that cover all the go-to favorites
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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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Pit Stop Bar & Grill
✅ Big burgers, seasoned fries, and no one leaves hungry.
Phone:903-432-2233
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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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V's Steakhouse
✅ Polished, dependable steakhouse with a refined menu and small-town warmth.
Phone:903-802-6341
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Victorian Lady Tea Room
✅ Quiche, scones, and quiet charm in a historic setting.
Phone:903-887-1837
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.
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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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Wats A Taco
✅ It’s not fast food. It’s good food, made fast.
Phone:903-802-0890
Regional Favorites Worth the Drive
Craft 64: Worth the Drive to Canton!
Looking for the perfect spot to kick back, catch the game, and enjoy some incredible food? Craft 64 has it all—epic sports vibes, healthy menu options, out-of-this-world craft burgers made with 100% Texas beef from 44 Farms, and a massive selection of craft beers from across the state.
With live music, daily drink specials, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, Craft 64 is the ultimate spot for sports fans and food lovers
Chef Spotlight

Meet Chef Cassy Jones: A Southern Star with Texas-Sized Flavor
When it comes to blending soulful Southern tradition with a modern twist, Chef Cassy Jones is in a league of her own. Known for her famously crave-worthy Fried Collard Greens, Cassy has earned her place as one of the most beloved vendors at the State Fair of Texas, where her booth has become a must-visit destination on the Midway—and we are so blessed to have her here at the lake in Malakoff.
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