Before we get started, let us remind you that these are opinions. We base our ratings on a combination of our personal opinions, a private survey given to a diverse group of people, and the e-mail we receive about restaurants. Your taste and
opinions of the restaurants may vary, and we welcome all comments about restaurants. E-mail them to sfascoop@usa.net
NEW! We now have a listing of all the restaurants in the area with their address and phone numbers.
Click here to see the Restaurant Listing
Now that we have gotten past that, here is The Scoop on restaurants in this area.
All the restaurants are rated on a 
rating.
The lowest rating a restaurant can have a one rating, which is pretty bad place. The highest rating, on the other hand, is a five rating, which rates with the top restaurants in the area. We will leave the ratings up, and add and change them as we rate them.
Restaurant Ratings
Barnhill's
Location:
Nacogodoches, on North Street
Date Type:
Casual, "Just Friends" Date. Good when each person is paying their own way.
Atmosphere:
Buffet/All-You-Can-Eat/Menu/Booths
Cost:
The buffet is well worth the cost if you are in the need some real food. Best to go for lunch, dinner prices are more expensive. If you are a cheapskate, you are better off at Burger King.
Comments:
This place is THE BOMB! Home cooked food on the buffet including ribs, catfish, fried or baked chicken, corn, several types of greens, macaronni, several types of roles, nachos, fajitas. The dessert is part of the all-you-can-eat, and ranges from soft frozen yogurt to several types of pies and puddings. The menu items are way too expensive for the amount you get, you are better off with the buffet.
They also have certain days of the week where you can get the seafood buffet along with the regular buffet, in which they have all you can eat crawfish and shrimp.
I had the pleasure of talking to the owner (yes, Mr. Barnhill) last year and he was one of the nicest guys you will meet. The whole restaurant has a friendly, welcome home atmosphere.
Rating:
Good place to eat every once in while, but the price will put dent in your wallet.
We give it
Rita's
Location:
Nacogodoches, on North Street
Date Type:
Pretty good first date place to go. Decent prices, and good atmosphere.
Atmosphere:
Sit Down/Booth/Menu
Cost:
Hey, out of all Mexican Food places in Nacogdoches, this one is the one with the prices that are easiest on your wallet.
Comments:
This place is pretty good. They give you a good amount of food, the service is quick and friendly. This is a family atmosphere, so you don't have to worry about loud and raunchy people.
Rating:
This place does pretty good, compared to the other Mexican Restaurants.
We give it
The California
Location:
Nacogodoches, on University
Date Type:
This is a pretty fancy place. If you have money, and you are out to impress, this is the place.
Atmosphere:
Dress nice or you will feel out of place.
Cost:
An arm and a leg and a nose. Bring your credit card or be ready to run to the ATM.
Comments:
It's not that the food or service was bad, it's just that for the price you pay for the food, and the way Nacogdoches rates it as on of the "high class" restaurants, we weren't impressed. The food was good, but not outstanding. The service was about average for a sit-down restaurant, and when we asked the waitress questions about the food, she acted like we were ignorant.
Rating:
It was just plain OK
We give it
La Carretta
Location:
Nacogodoches, on North Street
Date Type:
We wouldn't take a first date here, maybe after two or three dates.
Atmosphere:
Open Table/Menu
Cost:
The prices aren't too bad. Good lunch specials.
Comments:
If you are into the open tables instead of booths, this is the place for you. There really is no privacy, the tables are crowded together and it can get kinda loud, but the food is REALLY GOOD. It has the music and decoration of a REAL mexican food place. The service can be a little lagging; the waiters/waitresses have to wait on several tables besides yours. All this is overlooked because the food is REALLY GOOD (did we already say that?).
Rating:
Get past the atmosphere and this place is AWESOME.
We give it
Kinfolks
Location:
Nacogodoches, on Stallings and the Loop
Date Type:
Very country, so second or third date
Atmosphere:
Booths/Open Table/Very Casual Dress
Cost:
This place is moderately expensive, but the food is worth it.
Comments:
The waitresses are not the friendliest people in the world, but the food is good. If you want homestyle cooking, this is the place. The jukebox only plays country, and there is a phone at every booth. Seat yourself, they will not tell you there is self-seating.
Rating:
The food is wonderful, but the service could be improved.
We give it
Clear Springs
Location:
Nacogdoches, Old Tyler Rd.
Date Type:
Second Date, maybe a first date for people who are already friends
Atmosphere:
Open tables mostly, A few booths, tacky decore
Cost:
The fish is expensive, but everything else is moderately high priced.
Comments:
When we ordered the bread, it was as hard as a rock. The gravy has a very strong garlic taste, but the onions rings are the bomb. They give you very healthy portions on Chicken Fried Steak and Chicken Fingers, and the burgers are big but dry. The fish is extremely good, but it cost way too much.
Rating:
If you can get past the decore, the food is fairly good.
We give it
Blank and Company
Location:
Nacogodoches, Downtown Nacogdoches, off of Main Street
Date Type:
First Date
Atmosphere:
Tables Only
Cost:
Moderate Cost, well worth it.
Comments:
This is a fun place to eat. The food is wonderful, and the atmosphere is cool. The peanuts were stale, but everything seemed in order. If you drink order a Blankout, or you will not experience the absolute fun of the restaurant. The food is pretty good too!
Rating:
This is a really cool place. You must visit it at least once.
We give it
Top Ten Restaurants in Nacogdoches/Lufkin Area