Chuy's

Another gem of a place I found in my travels in Texas is a Tex-Mex restaurant called Chuy's. This is definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, although not exactly the "authentic" Mexican style.
They start you out with chips and salsa, and upon request, their Creamy Jalapeno sauce, which is awesome! It's almost like a ranch dip, but with a kick of jalapeno. I love this dip! If they were to bottle it, I would buy it. If you sit in the seat-yourself area of the restaurant by the bar, there is a chips and salsa "bar" where you can just go up as often as you like and get your own chips and choice of salsas and dips. The ones I have seen are in what looks like the trunk of a '57 Chevy.
Their entrees are all very good from what I have had. Below you will see one of my favorites, their Baja Tacos. You can get them with fried or grilled fish or shrimp, or a combination of two. I got the combination, and although both were good, their fish was a little better than their shrimp. All the sides are very tasty as well: the rice, re-fried beans, and even their fresh tortillas. I haven't had a bad meal here.
A couple of other things I like about this place is that it has a really friendly and light atmosphere, with palm trees and a Caribbean feel to it. Also I am always pleasantly surprised by the bill. Their prices are very good, most entrees under $10. The place is always very busy because it is so popular, but they have plenty of staff when I go, so as long as you can get seated, you get good service.
I highly recommend Chuy's if you're ever near one. It looks like most of their restaurants are in Texas, but some in Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Web site: http://www.chuys.com/ 

 

Razzoo's

I was on my way back to Waco, Texas this morning from Denver via DFW airport, where I drive the rest of the way. I have said before that I time my arrival so I can hit lunch at Rudy's or Bone Daddy's in Arlington. Today I decided to try a Cajun place in the same area called Razzoo's. My brother had it last week when he was in the area, and I asked some of the locals about it. They all said it was awesome, so I was naturally intrigued.
I read mixed reviews online, with no specific meal recommendations, so I asked my waitress for the "best thing ever" on the menu. She said her favorite was the Stuff'd Fish, which is a Tilapia filet on top of  "shrimp and crap stuffing", topped with creamy crawfish butter sauce, all on a bed of rice. I got the half-order, which was plenty of food, and also because I started with some Fried Crawfish Tails, half-order of that as well. The crawfish tails were pretty good, a little heavily breaded in my opinion, and not the best I have had. The Cherry Mustard sauce they came with was pretty tasty, a little different from the usual cocktail sauce. The fries that came with the appetizer were actually really good. The spices were nice and tasty. As for the entree, I was very impressed. That was a really, really good dish. The waitress did well with her recommendation. The creamy crawfish butter sauce was awesome, tasting just like it sounds like. The shrimp and crab stuffing under the Tilapia was very good as well, and with the sauce on top, everything came together nicely. I would like to eat here again when I get the chance.
It looks like there are about fourteen of these restaurants, all but one located in Texas. The other one looks like it is in North Carolina. They have a lunch menu, which has good prices, all around $8. I ordered off the regular menu, but got half-orders of each item, and thought the price was good. Their dinner entrees are mostly under $15.
I recommend trying this place. I give it four stars with the possibility to go up later!
Web site: http://razzoos.com/

 

Rudy's BBQ

I discovered Rudy's BBQ over a year ago when I started having to travel to Waco, Texas a lot for work. Rudy's started around San Antonio in 1989 and the chain is a gas station, store, restaurant combo. This barbecue has fast become one of my favorites.
This is Texas-style barbecue, not Kansas City-style or Carolina-style, so it's on the spicy side, not sweet. They sell their meats by weight or in sandwiches. They have ribs, brisket (both moist and lean), pulled pork, pork loin, turkey, chop, pit ham (only at some places),  and sausage. I have had every kind of meat, all of which are excellent. My favorites are their pulled pork, their turkey which is really moist, and their brisket (lean). Their sides are excellent as well, my favorites being their new potatoes (extra butter) and Rudy's beans. Their sauce is famous, and awesome. They have regular and "sissy" sauce, but I don't think their regular is very hot at all, and I love it. The ordering system is like a cafeteria, where you order your food at the register and they get it all for you, put it in a tray along with slices of bread, white or wheat, and then you take your tray to the drink station. They also have a condiment station where you can get pickles, onions, pepperoncinis, or jalapenos.
Did I mention this place has a breakfast menu? Oh man the brisket breakfast burritos with Rudy's sauce is outstanding! I posted a breakfast menu below. The other pictures are a pulled pork sandwich with a half sausage and new potatoes, 1/2 pound of turkey with a pint of Rudy's beans, and 1/2 pound of pulled pork with a half jalapeno sausage and new potatoes. 
As I said before, I discovered Rudy's in Waco, Texas, but they are all over in Texas. I have since been to others, including one near Fort Worth in Arlington (which is the only one I have found "pit ham" at), and... a new one in Colorado Springs! I love that there is one so close to home now! If I had make one negative comment about Rudy's, it's that they don't offer a "sampler" platter so you can try all their meats at once, which are all amazing! I make it a point to go to Rudy's whenever I am near one. Five solid stars for this place!
Web site: http://www.rudys.com/

  

 

Bone Daddy's House of Smoke

I travel to Waco, Texas quite often for work, via DFW Airport in Fort Worth, where I drive the rest of the way. On my drive to Waco, I usually time out a lunch time arrival at Bone Daddy's House of Smoke. This place caters to men, meaning it isn't exactly family-friendly. It's like a classier version of Hooters. The food is excellent as well: Texas-style barbeque platters, sandwiches, and even salads. I wouldn't say the food is the best BBQ I have had, but it is a contender. Their pit beans are really good, as are their rolls. I haven't had a bad meat here, and their ribs are some of the better ribs I have had. I try to objectively judge the food, but I know I am biased a bit by the treatment you receive. They keep the sauce in a warmer and bring the bottle to your table warm. After your meal you get a steam towel to clean up your face and fingers. And, again, the scenery isn't bad either. There are currently four locations: Three around the Dallas/ Fort Worth area (two of which I have been to), and one in Austin (which I have been to as well). They are all equally good, but the one in Arlington is the most convenient for me during my travels. Trust me, you have to check it out (guys)!
Web site: http://www.bonedaddys.com/