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Stop in Spring before you leave for Corkscrew BBQ
Corkscrew BBQ/Facebook

Where To Eat On The Way From Houston To Dallas-Fort Worth

Fresh peaches, barbecue, and beef jerky galore

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Stop in Spring before you leave for Corkscrew BBQ
| Corkscrew BBQ/Facebook

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, going back and forth between Dallas and Houston is pretty much a fact of life for any Space City dweller. The four hour trek isn’t too bad as far as Texas road trips are concerned, but you’re bound to work up an appetite as you wind your way down Interstate 45.

Fortunately, there are plenty of spots along the way that will keep you well-fed. Ranging from gas stations with dizzying arrays of snacks to old-school diners and barbecue joints, use this map as your guide to discovering some great hidden gems throughout Texas and (bonus!) skip the fast food drive-through.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Kolache Depot

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It doesn’t have the same reputation as the hallowed kolache shops in West, TX, but Ennis’ Kolache Depot is a solid stop for sweet and savory pastries. Nearly two dozen different fruit options are on offer (like raspberry, apricot, and prune), along with jalapeno-cheese klobasneks and pockets of dough stuffed with sausage, egg, and potato.

Kolache Depot Bakery/Facebook

Sam's Restaurant

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It’s not right off the highway, but this long-standing Fairfield eatery is definitely worth the detour. Chow down on smoked barbecue, chicken fried steak, or an all-you-can-eat buffet with a rotating selection of offerings (like fried shrimp and plenty of veggies) on the cheap, and don’t forget to finish with one of Sam’s famous pies. Perhaps chocolate cream or peach?

Cooper Farms Store

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A retail outpost of a local farm, Cooper Farms is a one stop shop for all things peaches. Cooper’s peaches are grown nearby, and offered in a couple different varieties that are always ripe. Snag a pie or cobbler for when you arrive at your destination, browse the wall of unique bottled sodas from all over the country, and definitely order up a cup or cone of Cooper Farms’ famous peach soft serve.

Cooper Farms/Facebook

Woody's Smokehouse

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An alternative to the perpetually crowded Buc-ee’s, Woody’s Smokehouse offers an equally dizzying selection of smoked and cured meats, pastries, fudge, jams, preserves, pickles, and road trip snacks. There’s two Woody’s locations in Centerville — one on either side of the highway, and both serve up Woody’s perfectly serviceable barbecue brisket, sausage, and ribs. Don’t forget to snag a few different kinds of beef jerky for the rest of your journey.

Courtesy Woody’s Smokehouse - Northbound/Facebook

Buc-ee's

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The ultimate road trip mecca, Buc-ee’s is not to be missed. Outside of those world-famous clean bathrooms, the snack selection at Buc-ee’s is beyond impressive. Browse an entire wall of gummy candies, trail mixes, and crunchy snacks, then head immediately to the meat counter for summer sausage, jerky, cheese, and grab-and-go sandwiches. Oh, and definitely don’t forget a bag of those totally addictive, crispy-sweet Beaver Nuggets.

Buc-ee’s/Facebook

Texas Burger

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National fast food burger chains are pretty blah, but TX Burger offers a solid locally-grown alternative. The chain operates locations in Fairfield, Centerville, and Madisonville, serving up juicy burgers, steak finger baskets, and hand-spun milkshakes. Visiting early in the morning? Grab breakfast tacos.

Texas Burger/Facebook

New Zion Bar-B-Q

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Locally known as “Church BBQ,” this barbecue joint near the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville has been serving up East Texas-style smoked meats for nearly 50 years. The church’s pastor serves as pitmaster, smoking up solid sausages, chicken and brisket sandwiches that will soothe your belly and your soul. Tip: this spot is only open Thursday through Saturday.

Church BBQ/Facebook

Gyros King

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This no-frills Greek eatery on the outskirts of Houston serves up some of the area’s best gyros. Dolmades, spanakopita, saganaki, and hummus are also on offer, along with sandwiches, grinders, and decent Philly cheesesteaks.

Gyros King/Facebook

B-52 Brewing Company

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If you absolutely can’t make it to Houston without stopping for a beer, hit up B-52 Brewing. The dog-friendly patio offers a spot for Fido to stretch his legs, and you can sit back with a pilsner, stout, or IPA before making the rest of the trip.

B-52 Brewing/Facebook

Corkscrew BBQ

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Also on the outskirts of Houston, Spring’s Corkscrew Barbecue has been touted as one of the state’s finest barbecue joints. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the Black Angus brisket, turkey breast, and pit smoked barbecue beans absolutely cannot be beaten.

Corkscrew BBQ/Facebook

Kolache Depot

It doesn’t have the same reputation as the hallowed kolache shops in West, TX, but Ennis’ Kolache Depot is a solid stop for sweet and savory pastries. Nearly two dozen different fruit options are on offer (like raspberry, apricot, and prune), along with jalapeno-cheese klobasneks and pockets of dough stuffed with sausage, egg, and potato.

Kolache Depot Bakery/Facebook

Sam's Restaurant

It’s not right off the highway, but this long-standing Fairfield eatery is definitely worth the detour. Chow down on smoked barbecue, chicken fried steak, or an all-you-can-eat buffet with a rotating selection of offerings (like fried shrimp and plenty of veggies) on the cheap, and don’t forget to finish with one of Sam’s famous pies. Perhaps chocolate cream or peach?

Cooper Farms Store

A retail outpost of a local farm, Cooper Farms is a one stop shop for all things peaches. Cooper’s peaches are grown nearby, and offered in a couple different varieties that are always ripe. Snag a pie or cobbler for when you arrive at your destination, browse the wall of unique bottled sodas from all over the country, and definitely order up a cup or cone of Cooper Farms’ famous peach soft serve.

Cooper Farms/Facebook

Woody's Smokehouse

An alternative to the perpetually crowded Buc-ee’s, Woody’s Smokehouse offers an equally dizzying selection of smoked and cured meats, pastries, fudge, jams, preserves, pickles, and road trip snacks. There’s two Woody’s locations in Centerville — one on either side of the highway, and both serve up Woody’s perfectly serviceable barbecue brisket, sausage, and ribs. Don’t forget to snag a few different kinds of beef jerky for the rest of your journey.

Courtesy Woody’s Smokehouse - Northbound/Facebook

Buc-ee's

The ultimate road trip mecca, Buc-ee’s is not to be missed. Outside of those world-famous clean bathrooms, the snack selection at Buc-ee’s is beyond impressive. Browse an entire wall of gummy candies, trail mixes, and crunchy snacks, then head immediately to the meat counter for summer sausage, jerky, cheese, and grab-and-go sandwiches. Oh, and definitely don’t forget a bag of those totally addictive, crispy-sweet Beaver Nuggets.

Buc-ee’s/Facebook

Texas Burger

National fast food burger chains are pretty blah, but TX Burger offers a solid locally-grown alternative. The chain operates locations in Fairfield, Centerville, and Madisonville, serving up juicy burgers, steak finger baskets, and hand-spun milkshakes. Visiting early in the morning? Grab breakfast tacos.

Texas Burger/Facebook

New Zion Bar-B-Q

Locally known as “Church BBQ,” this barbecue joint near the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville has been serving up East Texas-style smoked meats for nearly 50 years. The church’s pastor serves as pitmaster, smoking up solid sausages, chicken and brisket sandwiches that will soothe your belly and your soul. Tip: this spot is only open Thursday through Saturday.

Church BBQ/Facebook

Gyros King

This no-frills Greek eatery on the outskirts of Houston serves up some of the area’s best gyros. Dolmades, spanakopita, saganaki, and hummus are also on offer, along with sandwiches, grinders, and decent Philly cheesesteaks.

Gyros King/Facebook

B-52 Brewing Company

If you absolutely can’t make it to Houston without stopping for a beer, hit up B-52 Brewing. The dog-friendly patio offers a spot for Fido to stretch his legs, and you can sit back with a pilsner, stout, or IPA before making the rest of the trip.

B-52 Brewing/Facebook

Corkscrew BBQ

Also on the outskirts of Houston, Spring’s Corkscrew Barbecue has been touted as one of the state’s finest barbecue joints. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the Black Angus brisket, turkey breast, and pit smoked barbecue beans absolutely cannot be beaten.

Corkscrew BBQ/Facebook

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