There is something honest about a plate lunch eaten within sight of an old county courthouse. You get chicken fried steak, real mashed potatoes, and a slice of small-town Texas that big-city spots just cannot copy.
Across the state, cafes sit right on the square where folks come to settle county business, then stay for lunch. This list rounds up seven of those cafes, from Denton down to the Hill Country and East Texas.
Each one gives you a reason to park the car, grab a booth, and take your time.
1. Cartwright’s Ranch House, Denton, TX
Chasing the perfect chicken fried steak often ends the same way in Denton, with a drive straight to the historic town square and a table at Cartwright’s Ranch House…