I guess I don't get it, but obviously, someone does after all these years. Let's just say that it's a unique place, completely unpretentious and staffed by friendly folks. I think it's fair to say the sausage would be appalling to some (including me), but it's hard to argue with success. Good luck! read more

Not what I expected. These so called hot links are tasteless, very very very greasy, the casing is tough and the inside is gooey. I ordered 3. Ate one. Couldn't stomach another greasy bite. Can't believe these are so highly rated!! Never never want to experience that taste again. Such unhealthy food. Blah!! Service was. Ambiance is or isn't really. read more

Very laid back vibe with large bench seating in a square around serving area. We dined in and were told to sit anywhere. It took almost 10 minutes before someone came and took our order, but she was friendly and attentive. The "hot links" were on point. Unique flavor that was light but meaty, kinda like boudin without rice. We got a plate with 6 sausages beans and potato salad. The beans had a weird chili powder taste so we didn't eat them. Potato salad was chunky and tasty. We also ordered a boudin link which was overcooked so one side was hard and stuck to the casing, but the flavor was good. We also had a sweet potato pecan cookie and it was moist and tasty. We got. Dozen sausages to go. Wish we had gotten more. We will definitely go back if we're in East Texas. read more

Good food and wonderful customer service!!! Brought a couple of people with me that had never been there before and they gave them a sample to let them know what they were getting. And they absolutely loved the food and how friendly the staff was!!! read more

I ordered from Goldbelly. They arrived semi-thawed which wasn't a huge problem since the meat was smoked. I was disappointed with the taste and texture, especially for the price. Pretty much threw the entire order away. Won't buy again. read more

An East Texas staple. This place is amazing. You either love them or hate them as they are very unique. My great grandfather used to eat here as well as my grandfather and father. It's a family tradition!!! read more

The hot links are delicious! The service is good. Ambiance is ok. Got to have crackers and ketchup, and a drink. I don't think they take credit cards or checks. Pretty much cash only. read more

This dingy looking building has been here for what seems like forever. Thank goodness. I've been a semi-regular for about 20 years or so. The only things that have changed are the counters/benches (everything's level now) and the ownership. The kind service and addicting East Texas Hot Links are as good as ever. So too is the fellowship with fellow patrons ~ black, white, old and not so old. When you're sitting down at Doc's, you suddenly realize that you all share a common bond. It's special indeed and rare. The links are a specialty item with a cloudy history. There is a much larger place up the road a spell. Though the recipes are similar, Doc's Hot Links get there for the old school cash. You won't find sides or burgers here (they offer barbecue sauce for folks who can't handle the classic hot sauce). You can get white bread or crackers. Order a sandwich if you desire, or eat it the classic way with saltines. Either way, you'll leave here satisfied. read more

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How on earth have I not reviewed Doc's yet? This place is an East Texas legend, an absolute staple! Iconic hot links, you won't find links like these anywhere! They've recently added jalapeño cheddar links and boudin to their menu as well! There's just no substitute for a trip to docs! Get yourself a grape or orange soda or a big red, a jalapeño, a slice of cheese, a slice of onion, a small cup of their chili, and 4-5 links and you'll be set!! read more

Doc's Hot Links - My grandpa, me, and my son all enjoying some Doc's! - Restaurants Near Me - Gilmer, Texas

In the mood for deeeeeeeLISH? Make ya way over to Dons Hot Links. The buzz I had heard about was that Docs was good....NO....Docs is AMAZING!! The jalapeño hot link is off the chart in flavor, taste and quality. These links are for sale by the dozen and well worth the $$. The staff is even better than the food. Super friendly, really friendly and soooooo very helpful. Is you want FANTASTIC hot links, make ya way over to Doc's hot Links read more

Not good at all. I was unimpressed with my order the chilli was gross and the hot links were aweful.

Great food, great atmosphere and great local history. Just be prepared for grease, hospitality and authentic local food read more

I am almost 42 years old and I remember going to Doc's as early as 2-3 years old. I have never had a bad experience, the staff is always fast and friendly and every time I open the oversized front door, I take a step back to the 70's. I swear the inside has not changed - same benches, same tables, same floor and walls... The links are to die for. They are greasy, but just poke a few holes in them and squish them with a fork - that usually helps. The links are always fresh and hot. I love Doc's and I am glad they haven't updated their business, it's perfect just the way it is - with lots of characted and nostalgia. read more

I was born, raised, and still live here in "Tatertown". I grew up eating Doc's, and there's something about walking into this "dingy looking building" that sends me straight back to my childhood. I eat mine "naked" with ketchup and saltines. The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars, is the last time me & my son went there, the links were smaller and WAY more greasy than they used to be. And they're now $1 a link. I get that that they're supposed to be greasy, but that was a bit overboard. Now when I stop by, I get them "raw" and grill them at home, so the grease can drain off. Otherwise, I hope they never go out of business! read more

Best in east Texas. We always get 5 pounds raw to bring with us since we no longer live in the area and 5 pounds cooked to eat on the road . This place is a total dive but don't be scared, lol links are so yummy!!! read more

I went to Doc;s Hot Links for the very first time on their anniversary. I waited over an hour & half to get a to-go order. I went home to eat them and when I tried to cut them; the ingredients fell out each time I cut them. They did not have any taste at all. I will never go back. read more

Whew boy! Texas original...this is some good ole country folks food. Little ketchup hot sauce and crackers...what a meal!

We drove from Dallas to Ore City for a reunion and there was no way we could pass through without stopping for links. My grandparents always stopped when I was a kid. This was always one of the highlights of our visits to east Texas. I took my boyfriend with me and he was in heaven. Next time we will be taking some to go! read more

This is not the Doc's Hot Links that Gilmer has know for decades. After running Doc's since buying it in 1969, the Henderson family decided to retire. A lot of people, me included, feared that it would be the end of an era and Gilmer would not have East Texas Hot Links. But then a ray of hope popped up, the Henderson family had a buyer for the building and business and Doc's would continue. There was joy and dancing in the streets of Gilmer when word got out that Doc's wasn't going anywhere. And then the hometown supporters ate the new links. No more joy. No more dancing. The ray of hope had gone black. The links being served now are not the Doc's links of old. Sure the new guy will tell you it is the same recipe and the Henderson family meticulously showed them how to cook the links, etc..........That is fine and well, but the links suck. They suck BAD. The links are now bite size. No kidding, at most two bites, but a lot of "East Texas Hot Link Eaters" will pop these little things in their mouth whole. They are that small. Oh yeah, they are also $1.00 a piece now. Of course the new regime will tell you that the Henderson family was about to go up to this price, but didn't since there were about to sell the place. They will tell you that their links are "all beef" and that Pittsburg links are made with "beef and pork" and that is why Pittsburg links are cheaper and Doc's cost so much. Of course a quick look at the Pittsburg Hot Links website or a quick look at the ingredients on the package of their hot links in Wal-Mart or Brookshire's will show you that Pittsburg links are ALL BEEF and don't have any PORK. So the links are small and overpriced, but hey, at least they still taste great right! NOPE. The links now are vastly under-cooked. The casing is very rubbery and does not break or even cut clean. The new guy will tell you, well what you need to do is order "well done" links because some people like them a little more cooked than others and that is the was the Henderson's taught them how to cook the links. To that I say in my deepest East Texas Drawl: "Let me tell you something sonny boy, I been eatin' links since before you were born, understand. I ain't never ordered no well done links. I just ordered links and they were always cooked right. Don't give me no nonsense about "Well Done" links. We ain't talkin' about steak, we talkin' about East Texas Hot Links. There is only two ways to cook them, the right way, and the wrong way. Guess which one you are doing junior." That felt good. Oh, and the problems don't stop there. The links taste different. They are now filled with some kind of "meat paste" that is a completely different texture than real Doc's Hot Links. Not sure what they are doing, but it is not the same. The taste is not just a texture problem either, they just taste different now. They kind of have a lingering sour taste or something. It's kind of hard to explain. They have a strange aftertaste now that I have never tasted before. I'm not saying the links taste sour because they are ruined/spoiled, it has something to do with the seasoning that is being put in them. Same goes for the chili. It has a more watery texture and the taste is different from what is was in the many decades past. Normally I would call for this place to go out of business and fail miserably, but I really don't want that to happen here. I love East Texas Hot Links. It is getting harder to find them in a lot of towns that used to have hot link stands. I sincerely hope that this new owner gets his stuff together and starts making links the way the Henderson family did. For that to happen, the links have to be bigger, cooked longer, and taste the way they used to. Same goes for the chili. I would not mind paying $1.00 per link if I was getting the same link that the Henderson's were selling at this time last year, but that is simply not the case. To the new owner, I say this: CALL the Henderson's and have them come up there and help you get the legendary Doc's Hot Links back up to the high standard that the Henderson's set many decades ago. If you are still in business in a year or so, or if I start hearing better reviews from many of the people that hold the same views that I do, I will try the links again. Until then, I guess I will just buy Pittsburg links at the store and cook them myself. P.S. I know the owner will have people tell them that the links taste exactly the same or even BETTER than they used to. Please, Please, do not let this go to your head. The links are NOT the same or better. Remember the emperor and his new clothes? Don't let that happen to you. CALL the Henderson's and get some advice. read more

An East Texas Institution. I love this place so much I had my sister mail me their food to Seattle.

I love this place. I remember going there with my dad when i was a kid and he would tell me of the times that his dad took him. Every time i am within 40 miles of Gilmer I make sure that I stop by, sadly i now live near Houston so I am not always able to get my fix. One of the great things about this place is that you can buy cooked or uncooked links to freeze for later. The last time i was there i bought 12 dozen, needless to say my wife gave me some crazy looks. My favorite way to eat the links is with Doc's hotsauce and some crackers. The setting of the place is great, they have updated since I was a kid but it still has the down home feel that I love. I would not change a thing about this place, except maybe open up a branch in New Waverly. I am looking forward to my next trip there and if you are in the mood for the best links in Texas then you should try them out. read more

Yay! I'm a fan is right but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. These delicious little soft hot links are almost identical to those sold in Pittsburg. This place is a dive if ever there was one. The old white countertops are updated a bit but even with new owners (so I understand) the place still carries on the tradition of greasy hot links and chili. I usually cut the links up and then cover in the pepper sauce. Some patrons prefer covering in catsup. The real local way may be to cut up about six links and then smother with the chili. On my recent visit the fellas next to me were doing this and I decided that I am going to try this on my next visit. I have been coming here for at least 30 years and I love this odd hot link that is unlike any traditional hot link you have ever tried. But as I said, it may not be for everyone. But, everyone should at least come in and give a try. read more

If you like grease you will love the links here. They taste good & are messy . This place is older than the hills & has not been maintained or up graded much. read more

Let me preface this by saying that I did not grow up in Gilmer and have never had Doc's before. The hot links lacked any bit of heat and made up for it by being filled with grease. The "chili" was merely the hot link without the casing; no flavor and floating in oil. On the bright side the price was low and service was great. read more

Probably the best hot links I've ever eaten. Simple, old fashioned and extremely well seasoned. I stop here every time I'm in Gilmer. Some of the women working there can be just plain rude but the links keep me coming back. read more