Babe’s Chicken Dinner House
Amazing! Only a few miles from Texas Motor Speedway, this one is simple: family style, all-you-can eat with two options: fried chicken and chicken fried steak. Meals come with mashed potatoes, cream gravy, green salad, Grandma’s corn and homemade biscuits.
Paul and Mary Beth Vinyard opened Babe’s in 1993. The restaurant only has 155 seats and is in a warehouse building built in 1908. “Babe” is Mary Beth’s nickname.
Address: 104 Oak Street, Roanoke, Texas
Phone: (817) 491-2900
Hours: Monday through Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m and 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Clark’s Outpost:
In Gene Autry’s hometown this is a popular stop for locals, travelling food lovers and even some big dollar people who arrive by helicopter in the field across the road. The food is that good.
Beef brisket is slow cooked over hickory and pecan wood with nothing added – no seasonings, no sauces, and no marinade. Pork ribs are fantastic as well as ham, chicken and turkey. Add in the country style sides – like crisp-fried okra or jalepeno-spiked black-eyed peas – and you’re ready for some good eating. Clark’s is very popular and remains very rustic as well. (Review and photos courtesy of RoadFood.com)
Address: 101 Highway 377 at Gene Autry Drive, Tioga, Texas 76271
Phone: (940) 437-2414
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Other Favorites:
Chef Point Café:
“White Tablecloth Dining Without The White Tablecloth” is the moto of this fine-dining restaurant located in a Conoco gas station. A mixture of hearty American comfort food and Italian cuisine, the Chef Point Café menu includes such delectable culinary creations as crab cakes topped with roasted bell pepper, lobster bisque, and grilled sea scallops in garlic butter.
“Fill’er-up outside, fill’er-up inside” is the way it’s done at this quirky and fun place.
Address: 5901 Watauga Rd., Watauga, Texas
Phone: (817) 656-0080
Website: www.chefpointcafe.org/home.nxg
Twisted Root Burger Company:
Sometimes you just want a really good burger. Twisted Root Burger Company has some of the best burgers in Texas…whether you want beef, turkey, black bean and corn, ostrich or venison.
And, don’t forget to load up on hand-cut sweet potato chips, twisted French fries, fried green beans, onion rings of fried pickles. Or just get the “Fried Ride” and get all of the fried items.
Address: 101 S. Oak St, Roanoke, Texas
Phone: (817) 490-6628
Hours: Daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Up-N-Smoke BBQ House
Located in Keller, between the speedway and Fort Worth, Up-N-Smoke has a huge variety of barbecue (brisket, pork, ham, turkey breast, sausage and ribs) all slow cooked over Mesquite wood. Also on the menu are burgers, steaks, catfish, daily seafood specials and more.
The restaurant has a motorsports theme and also serves 27 import and domestic draft beers.
Address: 124 S. Main St., Keller, Texas
Phone: (817) 431-9091
Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Fred’s Texas Café
Terry Chandler is a cowboy-chef who owns Fred’s. It was originally opened by Chandler’s parents in 1978 and is named after the family dog. It’s a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featured place.
The menu features burgers, tacos and quesadillas, sandwiches, daily specials, fresh cut fries, salads and more.
Address: 915 Currie St., Fort Worth, Texas
Phone: (817) 332-0083
Website: www.FredsTexasCafe.com