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.


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.

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.

brunch spots at cedar creek lake

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

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!

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.

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

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

Restaurants with Live Music around the Lake

Looking for dinner with a side of live music? From food trucks under the stars to lakeside patios, wineries and local breweries, here’s where to eat and enjoy live music around Cedar Creek Lake.

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

Meet Chef Cassy Jones: A Southern Star with Texas-Sized Flavor
Local Restaurants Sandy McDonald Local Restaurants Sandy McDonald

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.

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