What a special find this was!!!!!! Aaron at the Hampton Inn in Nacogdoches gave us a pretty impressive review of Clear Springs and went on and on about the onion rings. Onion rings are one of the hub's favorites so off we went. The restaurant is located inside an old railroad warehouse and it has a very rustic atmosphere. You can feel the history ooze from the building's pores as you slide into your seat and get ready to take in the nice sized menu selections. I had a few items picked out from different sections and Zyra our waitress helped me make the best choice. We started out with the onion rings with ranch dressing and we DEVOURED THEM! We both chose the blackened catfish and were both very pleased. The fillets were perfectly cooked with nice seasoning and topped with pico de gallo. The pico added some much welcome acidity and zestiness to the dish. I ordered the pinto beans and crispy new potatoes and they were all superb. We enjoy stopping in Nacogdoches and soaking up the history and great food that the oldest town in Texas has to offer! We will definitely return to Clear Springs. There are way too many items on that menu that I need to enjoy! read more

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Good Food, Laid-Back Atmosphere, but Smoking Outside Was a Problem The restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to sit down and enjoy a meal. I ordered the chicken-fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, seasonal vegetables, a small side salad, and coconut cream pie to go. Overall, the food was pretty good. The side salad was actually delicious! It tasted fresh and wasn't dry like some salads can be. My only caution is that the bacon bits were extremely hard. If you have sensitive teeth or dental issues, you may want to skip them. The main dish was good as well. I especially enjoyed the mashed potatoes, which had chunks of actual potatoes, and the gravy was tasty. The chicken-fried chicken could have been a little flatter, but it was still flavorful, especially with the gravy. The seasonal vegetables were okay, although they were a bit too watery for my liking. I also ordered the coconut cream pie to go. It was pretty good, but I've had better at other restaurants. My biggest complaint, however, was the smoking right outside the front doors. As we were leaving, people were smoking so close to the entrance that I could barely breathe. I kept telling my family to walk faster because I could only hold my breath for so long, especially after eating a full meal. It was ridiculous to have to deal with that just to leave the restaurant. People should not be smoking right next to the entrance where customers are entering and exiting. If you choose to smoke, at least have the courtesy to move away from the doors and the waiting area so others like children don't have to walk through a cloud of smoke. The food was enjoyable overall, and the laid-back atmosphere was a plus. However, the experience of leaving the restaurant was unpleasant. Management really needs to address the smoking issue. read more

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We're in town for college orientation and found this place on Yelp. I had the chicken fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and sweet corn, all of which were delicious. I also ordered a "side salad," which was large enough for a meal if it had some chicken with it. My wife and son devoured the onion rings and both raved at how delicious they were. Definitely a place we'll come back to when we're in town. Our server was great and attentive and the over all atmosphere in the restaurant was enjoyable. read more

Server was great, polite, knowledgeable about the menu. Chicken fried chicken was good, so was mashed potato and onion rings. I got the steak with coleslaw and corn. I ordered my steak medium. It came rare and dripping. I asked the server if the cook flash it for a couple of minutes to cook it some more. My partner finished his food, my steak never came back. Server asked if I ever got it. I said no and asked him to charge me for the corn and coleslaw and remove the steak. They did, but left hungry. Not great. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - Incredibly rare sirloin steak... - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

I am trying to eat healthier these days, so a big fat chicken fried steak with gravy, Texas, toast, fries, and coleslaw is a big splurge for me--and the last few versions I've tried left me disappointed and fearful that this pinnacle of Texas culture was fading fast. But the CFS at Clear Springs has renewed my faith in greasy, salty carb-loading. The steak itself was big enough to be a solid presence on my plate, and the crust was perfectly seasoned and adhered to the meat properly. The cream gravy was a little bit bland, but that's what hot sauce and pepper are for. The fries were on the skinny side, but fresh, perfectly cooked and well seasoned, and the Cole Slaw was tasty--that little nod to eating my vegetables. But, oh, the Texas toast, that carb bomb of margarine-laden white bread I love nearly as much as I love my mother! The restaurant, housed in an old railway Depot building is cool and creaky, and pleasantly full of weird vintage stuff like old bicycles and prosthetic legs, wonderfully pure Texas kitsch. Add to that a tattoo-covered server who was friendly, efficient, and kept this thirsty traveler's ice water full, and you have a great addition to a holiday weekend. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

First of all I want to say that the restaurant was clean and the waitress was very attentive. She was also very knowledgable about the menu. The food? It was just so so. I ordered the chicken fried chicken and had the onion rings and steamed veggies for a side. The onion rings were good but nothing to rave about. The rest of the plate was ok. My husband did not like his fish. He said the fish was strong and had a black membrane and he only got two small pieces which was a good thing, since it was not good. The Shrimp was very good he said. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - Chicken fried chicken - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

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We were able to get seated pretty fast and the food came out pretty fast too. I was able to get my hamburger protien style and my friend liked his meal. It wasn't too busy so everything was pretty good overall. The parking lot though, was challenging as it is very small so we lucked out with one of the last spots. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

Food came out late (had to ask). They brought the wrong sauce, and then charged us for bringing us the right sauce. The appetizer came with our meal, not before. Specifically asked for melted, regular butter, and they brought garlic butter. And, other little things I won't mention. Now, the one in Tyler gets 4 stars. But, Nacogdoches; not going back. read more

Such a cute country restaurant! The food is absolutely delicious and tastes just like good, home-cooked comfort food. Every time we're in town, we make sure to stop here--it's become one of our favorite places! The service is always wonderful, and the atmosphere is so welcoming and charming. If you're looking for delicious food, great service, and that cozy country feel, you definitely need to give this place a try! read more

Have been here many times. The food and service is a great and I enjoy the building (which was once a train station) and the decor. But those bathrooms are barely one step above an outhouse! I haven't said anything thinking that by the next time I come they will have been updated. So that's my review. All I can say is go and see for yourself. But a restaurant that is that popular and has been around that long owes its customers a decent bathroom! read more

The food was wonderful. I had the recommended catfish, onion rings, coleslaw, cup of gumbo. Everything was delicious. Wife had green beans and a burger with fries. Finished with the homemade banana pudding.Excellent! Take a friend. read more

My husband and I split the crab cakes and the pan seared tilapia. Both were delicious. We opted to take dessert back to our hotel. I had banana pudding and my husband had chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. I tried his but liked my pudding better. The place was slammed-a Saturday night with lots of parties but they sat us immediately! And our server, Sarah, was incredibly sweet, friendly and made sure we were well taken care of. Casual and friendly place. read more

Have been going to Clear Springs in New Braunfels most of my life. Was not aware they had other locations. On the way back from Hot Springs the wife and I decided to give this location a try since we love the other location. The atmosphere was good, wait staff was nice and food was on par. We ordered a small onion ring appetizer and between the two of us it was gone in no time. Had to get a to go plate for our food afterwards. Would definitely go back whenever we are in the area. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - Clear Springs - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

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Amazing service and fantastic food! Highly recommend the Outlaw Burger! Or really any burger! Plus get the onion rings or mushrooms! Or both!! Everything is so good. And it's such a cute "country" place. Kind of reminds me of like an old general store without the "store" part. read more

One of the best and oldest restaurant in town. Had a great meal with awesome servers. read more

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Food is awesome! Service is good. Love the Chicken Ella. Amazing onion rings!! Definitely recommend read more

Great food, engaging staff. I could have tried multiple things from the menu. Worth a stop for sure!

I gave review a year ago. It is now hubby's time for cataract surgery. Same great food! The lunch special tilapia was still calling my name. Still so good! We need to make the hour plus trip here even without surgery just to eat. It is that good. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - Lunch special Tilapia over garlic mash potatoes and green beans seasoned with bacon. - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

Law of the Lawless. That's what the 1950's era movie poster said. And folks this place is a close to a movie set I will ever be. Step inside to a buzz of happy talk around fresh blue and cherry red checkered tablecloth tops. Artifacts from a bygone era barn, attic and fancy garage fill the rafters and walls with a curators eye. Beautiful hewn wood floors and uneven surfaces give testimony to the origins of past uses for this space. So step lively. Claim to fame is the fries onion rings, fried catfish, shrimp dip and a generous slice of Texas Americana. Glad we got lost and came. read more

For the best onion rings, fried shrimp, fried catfish, or grilled shrimp, this is a great place to go! It always delicious! The casual atmosphere is just right and service is good, too. This is one of our favorite places to eat seafood. We'll always make time for a stop at Clear Springs. read more

I've been to this restaurant before and I will be back! The food is very good. The service is excellent. I enjoyed the fun decor.

Delicious southern comfort food in a quaint no-nonsense setting in train depot area. Service was attentive.

Service and food was amazing. Would definitely encourage people to give this place a try.

Food was terrible. The service was okay, but did not make up for the food. The catfish was super fishy, the grilled shrimp was charred dry, the seasoned rice had no season and the green beans were almost just as bland. If I could give negative stars I would. read more

While in town for a work trip we wanted to try something we haven't had and stopped in. It was a great atmosphere. Our waitress was very attentive and the food was amazing. I would definitely come again when back in Nac! read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

I had lunch here yesterday at Clear Springs and afterward felt fortunate to have picked this restaurant while visiting Nacogdoches. It is located in an old building near downtown with plenty of parking available. Inside the restaurant is decorated in a local folksy way with attractive exposed brick walls. I ordered the lunch special (selecting two of the options available) picking fried catfish and gumbo with the provided fries, hush puppies and cole slaw ($14). The food arrived about 10 minutes later. Wow! The cup of Cajun gumbo was chocked full of content including shrimp, chicken and rice in a satisfying roux. It was a very good gumbo. There were 2 catfish fillets golden brown in color and with a flavorful slightly zesty coating. The fries were hot and good along with the hush puppies. Finally, the slaw was cool and light and made an excellent palate cleanser. I enjoyed this slaw. Finally my server Alexis did an very good job seeing to my needs. Clear Springs is obviously a very good restaurant that I would be happy to return. read more

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Forget it if you are vegetarian. Even the side salad had bacon on it (despite not listing that ingredient on the menu). The fried pickles tasted like cardboard. The non vegetarians were equally unimpressed. We were a large group after a funeral and at least three people left their food uneaten because it was bad. My sister's po boy didn't even have po boy sauce on it. Yuck. read more

Consistently good food for years! The fried shrimp platter was PERFECT! The cole slaw and beans were perfect. Service was excellent. No complaints about anything. The banana pudding was the perfect size for 2 people. Very clean place and decorated well! read more

Food was meh. Won't need to come back. Fried pickles were good. Catfish was fried too hard.

The one star is for the bad management of Carly. The server was great but she made a mistake and told us a side salad in place of a side was an up charge of $2.50. When the bill arrived it was $3.95. The manager refused to fix our bill because "it was the server's fault". So when the server makes a mistake, BEWARE the management makes the customer pay for it. This is an example of very poor management. read more

Always wanted to try 14 Oz ribeye. Today I did and wish I didn't. Edges were burnt and not much flavor. Steak seasoning on table helped. Toast was not hot, cold. I will go back for the shrimp which is always spot on. Wish I would have got that instead of wasting my money on steak. Something new is not always the right track. read more

pick up orders are always wrong, told I didnt say well done when I damn well know I did. told just trying to get free food when I just want it to be done right... ya record of stuff being wrong I wonder on whos side that is... read more

Stopped here just passing through and let me tell you it was great! Waiter was on top of things and the food was very good and reasonably priced. Salmon salad, and catfish and shrimp taco were hits. I'd absolutely eat here again! read more

So to start off with this was a beautiful old restaurant. Loved it! The young ladies that seated and waited on us did a very good job. I don't think I had any complaint with the staff. The food was prepared quickly. It was delicious, the problem was the size portions. I ordered the fried catfish and shrimp plate for lunch and all it has was 2 pretty small catfish pieces, three medium size shrimp and 2 hush puppies w/fries. My wife got the fish/shrimp tacos for lunch with the same sides. They were prepared promptly, delivered and presented well. The problem was we had two fairly slim plates of food with water for $30 total., before tip. I know things are more expensive now, but seriously $30? Oh, and they had the weirdest layout for their restroom. A five or 6 foot hallway leading to an extremely cramped restroom where the toilet was right up next to the wash basin. Just really poor design, I guess that comes with an old building read more

Business manager Tom C., This happened in 2024 and we have not been there since. I had never experienced such rudeness before. Our food was always hot when served, there were young people working that day. And they were looking at us as if we didn't belong there. read more

Wow the Jalapeño Crawfish Chowder was incredible! They advertised their onion rings were world famous- I agree I substituted them for the fries with my catfish and added a side of the shrimp brochette! There's no other place to even attempt to eat in this town - very tasty! Coming back soon! read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

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Very decent restaurant that tries hard. Was there jsut for one dinner, had shrimp brochette at server's recommendation, it was delightful, 9 plump shrimp wrapped with bacon and peppers and grilled. Shrimp was fresh so kudos for that. Green beans and rice pretty pedestrian but not bad, would definitely go there again. Looked like most patrons were ordering fried fish items, might try that if there again. Very fair pricing. Decor like Cracker Barrel. read more

We were back visiting our son at SFA and I had the shrimp trio this time--loved the fried and grilled shrimp, but the shrimp brochette stole the show! Hubby enjoyed the fried catfish and shrimp again. Our son liked the chicken fried chicken. read more

Clear Springs Restaurant - Shrimp Trio - American Near Me - Nacogdoches, Texas

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My husband and I came to Nacogdoches for our 22nd Anniversary and of course because of the Texas history of this piney woods town. Clear Springs was a restaurants suggested by the visitor center and this place did not disappoint. Although it was quite busy on a Friday evening we got lucky with being sat fairly quickly. Our waitress was awesome and knew her menu forwards and backwards. She gave great suggestions and could answer what fish was used in the tacos. Love our eating utensils because the size of the spoon was shovel sized The tables were spaced nicely and I wished we could have sat in one of their cozy booths. The decor was unique I love crocks so seeing their huge crock shelf made my day. It looks heavy but is very secured on the wall. My husband had the fish tacos (fried catfish) he really enjoyed them. I had the Little Buddy watch out those hush puppies have jalapeños but so good! The beans...I loved them! My shovel spoon helped me out eating them. Since we had the World (Texas) Famous Onion rings I opted for steamed veggies and no coleslaw I'm not a fan of coleslaw. The sweet tea must have been good because the hubby had two glasses. They serve Coca-Cola products so I paired my meal with a Classic Coke. Dessert I had to try their Banana Pudding I was pretty stuffed by the time I got it but it was good enough to finish and guess what I got another shovel to eat it with! Definitely the place to eat at when visiting Nacogdoches! read more

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My niece & I enjoyed a delicious shrimp dinner there this past Sunday! So glad we got to eat there before this closure. Onion rings & shrimp have a light crispy breading, beans have great flavor, Cole slaw needed a nice vinaigrette dressing. Hush Puppies are great! Maybe a remodel of the restrooms will happen while it's closed,cause that would be a plus. It's a classy but down home feel in the restaurant. But in restrooms, larger stalls & all new & fresh, that would be great! read more