Texas— home of barbeque, Tex-Mex, and big hats. 🤠 But locals know there is so much more to Texas dining than a big bowl of chili (the state dish). Henderson, TX, is home to some great food that you’d be remiss not to partake in.
Trust us at Clean Cut, the region’s Texas’ locally trusted roofing company.
Here are the top-rated restaurants in Henderson that you must visit.
HushPuppies Catfish and Seafood Restaurant
“This place is absolutely awesome! The catfish, my goodness— the best I’ve ever had! It’s a must-go, for sure!”
4.4 stars out of 1,476 Google reviews
If you’ve never eaten a hushpuppy, you’ve truly never lived. Hushpuppies are basically deep-fried cornmeal and often go as a side with seafood dishes like crawfish and southern boils. HushPuppies Catfish and Seafood Restaurant has, you guessed it, hushpuppies and seafood.
From their fun, southern decor to the incredible menu, it’s a must-stop spot in Henderson for a meal that’s as delicious as it is fun. They even have deep-fried alligator tail for those brave enough to give it a try!
Herschel’s Restaurant
“Love this place. My family goes here every chance we get. Lunch, breakfast, it doesn’t matter. It’s always good!”
4.2 stars out of 775 Google reviews
Herschel F. Witherspoon founded the first Herschel’s Restaurant in the ’70s and since then has opened 3 locations across Texas. Herschel’s goal is to always give customers a 5-star experience with some classic Texas charm and hospitality.
And this classic family-style restaurant does it right. This spot is the perfect place to grab a stack of flapjacks for breakfast, a burger and fries for lunch, or a good old-fashioned chicken fried steak for dinner in town.
The Rusty Star Cafe
“Great food, great service. Real home cooking style!”
4.4 stars out of 831 Google reviews
Just one visit to the Rusty Star Cafe dining room and you’ll understand why residents of Henderson have made it one of their favorite local eateries. If you’re looking for some good home-cooked meals, it’s a must-try. They have everything from fried catfish to homemade pies and you can’t be their everyday, all-day, award-winning breakfast! As they say, it’s just like grandma used to make.
Yamato Sushi Steak House of Henderson
“The food was BOMB. Everything tasted fresh and the service was amazing too, very nice people and excellent food! I’m coming back until I burn out on sushi.”
4.6 stars out of 416 Google reviews
Every good city needs a good sushi restaurant. And in Henderson, that is Yamato Sushi Steak House. Their dedication to providing the best and freshest fish in town shows through. Despite being the only sushi restaurant in Henderson, they remain at the top of everyone’s list for some of the best food around. We highly recommend getting one of their delicious bento boxes for lunch— you won’t regret it!
Bodacious Bar-B-Q
“The Mel-Man is amazing! No other sandwich comes close if you like sausage and chopped beef!”
4.3 stars out of 645 Google reviews
Bodacious Bar-B-Q is famous for its ribs and coleslaw, but the consistent favorite remains their sandwiches, including their chopped beef which we heard is to die for! Making BBQ in Texas invites a lot of stiff competition, but they sure hold their own in Henderson and beyond.
And if you’ve never heard of a Bo-Pie— listen up. Imagine a pulled pork sandwich but with beans and Fritos and the whole meal, but on a sandwich. It’s rich and makes burgers look healthy, but it is darn good food.
Sal’s Italian Restaurant
“Great food, great atmosphere, great people! If you love Italian food or just an amazing pizza, go to Sal’s!”
4.7 stars out of 762 Google reviews
How did we make it to the bottom of this list without mentioning a good pizza shop? Well, Sal’s is it. Sal’s Italian Restaurant sits right off Main St. in an area known for having all the restaurants. But Sal’s stands out as the spot to get served top-notch pizza at even better prices.
They have both deep dish and New York-style hand-tossed pizza— there’s truly something for everyone! Don’t feel like making dinner for the whole family? Just stop by Sal’s for some pizza, pasta, and salad and you’re sure to bring home a crowd-pleaser.
Mac’s Burgers
“Literally one of the best hamburgers I have ever had. I recommend the ‘Austin’ which has peanut butter, bacon bits, and plum jelly.”
4.8 stars out of 113 Google reviews
Mac’s Burgers in Henderson is well known for having out-of-this-world burgers that won’t be found at your average diner. Sure, they have a classic Angus beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
But locals know that the Rattlesnake burger is a site for sore eyes (and stomachs). This burger is stuffed with jalapeno poppers and contains panko bread crumbs for an added crunch. It’s not for the faint at heart but is so good that people can’t stop going back.
Don Felix’s Mexican Restaurant
“Not only is the food great but karaoke has added so much fun for a lot of people in Henderson. Love this place!”
4.3 stars out of 325 Google reviews
You heard it here folks, Don Felix’s has good Mexican food and karaoke! You can’t go wrong with a place that has seven different quesos on its menu— yum! Don Felix’s is one of the best restaurants in Henderson, for more than just its food.
The staff is amazing and always makes it a fun experience, and locals can enjoy some live entertainment when they hit up the karaoke nights! For a Mexican menu you can count on and service that’s hard to beat, you can’t go wrong stopping for burritos, tacos, and fun.
Support Other Local Businesses in Henderson, Texas
While you eat your way through this delicious list of hot spots in East Texas, why not check out some other local businesses? Locals who live in or near Henderson choose Clean Cut for their roofing needs.
Clean Cut Roofing has been an East Texas preferred roofing contractor for over two decades. Hundreds of homeowners have chosen Clean Cut Roofing to inspect, repair, and replace their shingle roofs— and you can be next. Just reach out to get started!
