GAINESVILLE, Texas — Whether you live here, just moved to Cooke County, or pulled off Interstate 35, this guide covers restaurants in Gainesville: the downtown square, Highway 82, and the interstate, plus short drives to Lindsay and Valley View.
Last updated: September 26, 2026.
Jump to: Downtown Square · Highway 82 · I-35 · Short drives · Breakfast · Mexican · Barbecue · Open late · Kid-friendly
Quick picks
Five stops if you want a name and a phone before you scroll.
- Krootz Brewing Company — 315 W Elm St. Pizza, brunch, and a scratch kitchen on the square. (940) 668-0307.
- Hungry Hippo Sub Shop — 112 N Commerce St. Lunch subs. Closed Sunday. (940) 665-0025.
- El Tapatio — Mexican plates at 1205 N Grand Ave, (940) 665-2007, or 300 N I-35, (940) 360-3330.
- Wolf Den Family Restaurant — 1901 W California St. Chicken fried steak and catfish. (940) 665-9653.
- RibCrib BBQ — 101 Interstate 35. Barbecue off the highway. (940) 301-5042.
Downtown Square
The blocks around the historic Cooke County Courthouse are the heart of Gainesville's dining revival.
Krootz Brewing Company — 315 W Elm St. An independent craft brewery with a full scratch kitchen, a 4.7-star Google rating, and nearly 700 reviews. The pizza gets the most praise, and the brunch menu, burgers, and homemade desserts all deliver. A good first recommendation for anyone visiting Gainesville. Open daily. (940) 668-0307.
The County Seat Kitchen & Cocktails — 105 W California St. An upscale cocktail lounge and kitchen in a restored turn-of-the-century building on the square. Craft cocktails, elevated bar food, and a $40 Saturday steak special that regulars swear by. Live music on select evenings.
Cornerstone Cafe — 202 W Main St. A family-owned breakfast and lunch spot with views of the courthouse. Fluffy biscuits, grits, customizable breakfast sandwiches, and fried pies. Open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. — come early on weekends. (940) 665-7641.
Goodies On Commerce — 111 N Commerce St. Casual fine dining with a brunch focus. The signature croissant sandwich (avocado, bacon, egg) and Bananas Foster French toast are standouts. Gourmet paninis and loaded potatoes for lunch. Outdoor seating with string lights.
Hills Café — 204 E California St. Coffee, boba, and café food a short walk from the square. Open Monday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., closed Sunday. (940) 612-9591.
Saint Joe's Pizza — 207 N Commerce St. Deep dish and New York-style pies on Commerce Street, easy to pair with a walk around the square. Open Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday noon–8 p.m. (940) 580-3184.
Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant — 319 N Commerce St. In business since 1998. Fajitas, quesadillas, and solid chips and salsa in a downtown setting. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, Sunday lunch only. (940) 612-1721.
Hungry Hippo Sub Shop — 112 N Commerce St. A Gainesville institution for more than 44 years, in a Commerce Street storefront packed with hippo memorabilia. Meats and cheeses are sliced daily for 25 sub, sandwich, and salad combinations. The Hippo's Delight — six meats and cheese (ham, turkey, salami, pastrami, roast beef, and bologna) — is the signature order. The bread is consistently praised and portions are generous. Rated 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor. Open Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., closed Sunday. (940) 665-0025.
Highway 82 Corridor
The east-west route through town has its own cluster of restaurants.
Fuku Japanese Grill — 2118 US-82. Sushi, teriyaki, hibachi, and noodles. The Big Mouth Roll, Texas Roll (deep-fried with spicy mayo, eel sauce, and bacon bits), and filet mignon hibachi are favorites. Fresh fish, generous portions, and a 4.3-star TripAdvisor rating. Closed Tuesdays. (940) 612-2266.
Asian Buffet — 1221 N Grand Ave. More than 250 items made fresh daily, including a sushi bar, hibachi grill, Chinese buffet selections, and a dessert bar. One of the most-reviewed restaurants in Gainesville — 4.4 stars from more than 1,300 reviews — and a practical choice when a group cannot agree. Open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m. (940) 665-8919.
Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant — 908 E Hwy 82. Family-owned, cooking from family recipes. The brisket chimichanga is a sleeper hit. Reviewers consistently praise the chips and salsa, enchiladas, and the warm hospitality. Over 500 Facebook reviews at 96% positive. (940) 580-7062.
El Tapatio — 1205 N Grand Ave, with a second Gainesville location at 300 N I-35. Tacos, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, tamales, burritos, and fajitas at fair prices, and consistent praise for fresh, well-seasoned plates. Both locations are open daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Grand Avenue: (940) 665-2007. Interstate: (940) 360-3330.
Trails Inn Restaurant — 3007 E Hwy 82. A Gainesville breakfast institution since roughly 1980. Open 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Generous portions, fast service, and a no-frills morning meal with a loyal following.
Chick-fil-A — 1001 W Highway 82. Breakfast, a drive-thru, and a playground. Open Monday–Saturday 6 a.m.–10 p.m., closed Sunday. (940) 427-1306.
Wingstop — 905 E Hwy 82. Multiple wing flavors, fries, and late hours: until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. (940) 514-9464.
I-35 Corridor
For travelers and locals near the interstate. El Tapatio's second location is at 300 N I-35, (940) 360-3330, with the same menu and daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m. hours as the Grand Avenue restaurant in the Highway 82 section.
RibCrib BBQ — 101 Interstate 35. A regional chain that smokes barbecue on-site daily. Hickory-smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and sides. In business since 1992 and consistently rated around 4 stars. Open for lunch and dinner. (940) 301-5042.
Rumpy's Little German Bakery — 801 N I-35. Handmade kolaches, strudels, cinnamon rolls, fried pies, and fresh bread inside a gas-station stop. The jalapeño cheese and ham and cheese kolaches are the draw. A regular I-35 traveler stop with 113 Yelp reviews. The driveway from I-35 South can be tricky — watch for the sign.
Fera's Italian Restaurant — 300 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. Family-owned for over 25 years, with food made from scratch. Chicken parmigiana and eggplant lasagna are highlights. Reasonably priced. Closed Mondays. (940) 665-7551.
Villa Grande Mexican Restaurant — 201 N Interstate 35. Tex-Mex with chips and hot sauce that get consistent praise. Part of a multi-location chain. Takes reservations — recommended on weekends. (940) 665-3410.
Braum's — 400 W California St, near the Frank Buck Zoo, not on the interstate frontage road. Burgers, breakfast, shakes, and a Fresh Market grocery inside. Open until 10:45 p.m. daily. (940) 665-0202.
Home Cooking
Wolf Den Family Restaurant — 1901 W California St. Family-owned since 2004. The chicken fried steak is the signature dish, and the all-you-can-eat catfish dinner is a local draw. Voted Best of Cooke County for home-style cooking. Large portions, friendly service. Open Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (940) 665-9653.
Main Street Pub & Steakhouse — 216 W Main St. Steaks, roasted rosemary chicken, and homemade peach cobbler in a cowboy-themed setting with historical photos. Open Monday through Saturday. (940) 668-4040.
The Neu Ranch House — 1825 E Hwy 82. Also known as Catfish Louie's — same dining room, so it is listed once. All-you-can-eat catfish, barbecue, and homemade cobblers (peach, cherry, apple). (940) 665-6789.
Worth the Short Drive
Smokehouse BBQ — 307 E J M Lindsay Blvd, Lindsay (4 miles west). Family-owned since 1972. Texas slow-smoked barbecue, German sausage, seafood, and pizza. The Dallas Observer called it a "time capsule." The old-school curbside pickup setup adds to the charm.
Dieter Brothers Restaurant — 401 J M Lindsay Blvd, Lindsay. Comfort food, pizza, chicken fried steak, and stuffed potatoes. Generous portions and reasonable prices.
Bluebonnet Cafe and Coffee Bar — 111 N Lee St, Valley View (12 miles south). American and Tex-Mex, breakfast all day, a full espresso bar, and a liquor license. Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. (940) 637-1022.
If You're Passing Through
Chains cluster along I-35 for travelers who want something familiar.
Cracker Barrel — 4327 N I-35. Home-style breakfast and dinner, a gift shop, and rocking chairs out front. Hours are Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 7 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Chili's — 305 N I-35. Burgers, fajitas, baby back ribs, and margaritas, and a useful sit-down stop after a long drive.
Dairy Queen — 1025 W California St. Texas DQ: Blizzards, the burger basket, and the Dude Burger. Open daily until 9 p.m.
Domino's — 1211 N Grand Ave. Delivery and carryout if you are staying the night and do not want to go back out.
Pizza Hut — 738 N Grand Ave. Dine-in, carryout, and delivery.
Braum's, listed above near the zoo, is the other chain worth a stop if you have not had one of their shakes.
By cuisine and meal
Short pointers. Full write-ups are in the sections above.
Breakfast
- Trails Inn on East Highway 82, from 5:30 a.m.
- Cornerstone Cafe on the square, from 6 a.m.
- Chick-fil-A on West Highway 82, from 6 a.m. Monday–Saturday, closed Sunday
- Hills Café on East California Street, from 9:30 a.m. Monday–Saturday, closed Sunday
- Cracker Barrel on North I-35
- Bluebonnet Cafe in Valley View, breakfast all day from 6 a.m.
Mexican
- El Tapatio on Grand Avenue and at 300 N I-35
- Mi Casa on East Highway 82
- Los Mariachis on the square
- Villa Grande on the I-35 frontage road
Barbecue
- RibCrib on I-35
- The Neu Ranch House / Catfish Louie's on East Highway 82
- Smokehouse BBQ in Lindsay
Open late
- Wingstop, until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends
- Asian Buffet, until 10 p.m.
- Braum's, until 10:45 p.m.
- Chick-fil-A drive-thru, until 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday
- Chili's, a sit-down option on the I-35 frontage road
Kid-friendly
- Wolf Den Family Restaurant
- Braum's, near Frank Buck Zoo
- Chick-fil-A, which has a playground
- Cracker Barrel
- Dairy Queen
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Mexican food in Gainesville? El Tapatio serves tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and fajitas at 1205 N Grand Ave, (940) 665-2007, and at 300 N I-35, (940) 360-3330. Both are open daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mi Casa is at 908 E Hwy 82. Los Mariachis is downtown at 319 N Commerce St. Villa Grande is at 201 N Interstate 35.
Where can I get breakfast in Gainesville? Trails Inn at 3007 E Hwy 82 opens at 5:30 a.m. Cornerstone Cafe at 202 W Main St opens at 6 a.m. Chick-fil-A at 1001 W Highway 82 opens at 6 a.m. Monday–Saturday and is closed Sunday. Hills Café at 204 E California St opens at 9:30 a.m. Monday–Saturday and is closed Sunday. Cracker Barrel at 4327 N I-35 serves breakfast. Bluebonnet Cafe in Valley View serves breakfast all day and opens at 6 a.m.
Which restaurants are near I-35 in Gainesville? RibCrib BBQ is at 101 Interstate 35. Rumpy's Little German Bakery is at 801 N I-35. Fera's is at 300 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. Villa Grande is at 201 N Interstate 35. El Tapatio's highway location is at 300 N I-35. Cracker Barrel is at 4327 N I-35. Chili's is at 305 N I-35. Braum's is on West California Street near Frank Buck Zoo, not on the frontage road.
What restaurants in Gainesville stay open late? Wingstop at 905 E Hwy 82 is open until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. Asian Buffet at 1221 N Grand Ave is open until 10 p.m. Braum's is open until 10:45 p.m. Chick-fil-A's drive-thru is open until 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and closed Sunday. Chili's on North I-35 is the sit-down chain option for a later meal. This guide does not list a closing time for Chili's.
Which restaurants work well with kids? Wolf Den is a family restaurant with large portions. Braum's sits near Frank Buck Zoo and stays open until 10:45 p.m. Chick-fil-A at 1001 W Highway 82 has a playground and is closed Sunday. Cracker Barrel on North I-35 and Dairy Queen on West California Street are the other straightforward family stops in this guide.
What is worth a short drive from Gainesville? Smokehouse BBQ and Dieter Brothers are in Lindsay, about 4 miles west on the road toward the town. Bluebonnet Cafe and Coffee Bar is in Valley View, about 12 miles south, and serves breakfast all day.
What's Changed
Gainesville's dining scene is in transition. Sarah's on the Square, once the most-reviewed restaurant in town with 336 Yelp reviews, closed in early 2026. The Fried Pie Co & Restaurant, a Gainesville institution since 1982, also closed. Both were downtown landmarks.
New spots have filled some of that ground. The County Seat Kitchen, Goodies On Commerce, and the Japanese Cowboy hibachi food truck (299 N Chestnut, open Tuesday–Friday for lunch and dinner, weekends noon–9 p.m., (940) 400-9103) are part of the next chapter. The I-35 corridor development boom is expected to draw more restaurants and retailers as construction moves ahead — including a new 7-Eleven fueling center planned at I-35 and U.S. 82.
For the wider commercial picture, see our coverage of the dining and retail boom.
More Gainesville guides
Staying overnight? Use the Gainesville lodging guide. Planning the rest of the day: things to do in Gainesville, the Frank Buck Zoo summer guide, and the shopping and services guide.
This guide is maintained by the Cooke County Record and updated as restaurants open, close, or change. Know a spot we missed? Email news@cookecountyrecord.com.
Two names that appear on other Gainesville lists are not included here as open restaurants: public listings mark Mendez and Down Range Eatery closed. If either has reopened, email the newsroom.