Joe's Place

“Located in what was, at various times, a confectionery, a doctor’s office, and a saloon, this charming hangout in Fayetteville’s historic square doles out a plate-sized chicken-fried steak with a toasty crust and a peppery cream gravy.” - Texas Monthly, “The 40 Best Small-Town Cafes in Texas” 2008

If you’re driving through the countryside and come upon a scenic town square that looks like it has had its fair share of desperado shootouts back in the day, I recommend taking a stroll and checking out the scenery. In the case of Fayetteville, TX, you’ll find that it’s actually a historic district with multiple buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of those buildings is Joe’s Place, an old and charming eatery serving up rib-sticking Southern fare with a side of hospitality. I’m not sure why Texas Monthly labeled this a cafe—that’s somewhere you get espresso and pommes frites, not chicken-fried steak and baked potatoes—but otherwise they were spot on with visiting this gem. I ordered a steak with twice-baked potatoes and it did the job for a nice price.

As for the town, it’s anchored by a historic courthouse in the middle of the square that you can still go visit. It has a jail cell and everything. There are other historic buildings on the square that are worth a look too, making a lunchtime stop at Joe’s Place an excellent road trip surprise. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it.