Awesome place to eat. Simple laid back, good honest food and honest prices. People were very friendly, it's nice to go somewhere that's not a chain. I got the cats fish and it was made perfectly, the Cajun rice and beans had the right amount of spice. The sweet tea was perfect, the right balance of sweet and tea. I will add this to my food stops in Lubbock. read more

Everything was just okay. I think the only thing that was really good was the fry bread but other than that the food was fine I guess. The drink station was an absolute mess and everything was watery and gross. The staff was really friendly but it's somewhere personally I won't be returning to. read more

Would give them a half of star but the app won't let me. Went to order a gallon tea but was planning to eat in the restaurant. They then turned around and said the 5 gallon tea is only for to go orders but that is not shown on the sign or advertised that way. The heavy set guy who was asked to make the tea complained he had to even make it. Heaven forbid he actually have to work. Then he decided to talk shit as we walked out. read more

Great food and friendly service. Take your whole family and try the catfish, whItefish and chicken strips. Chicken fried steak is a hidden gem with probably the best cream gravy anywhere!! I would highly recommend Riversmith's for lunch and dinner!! 1st class establishment read more

Blah. My best friend and I were passing through Lubbock and staying the night. We were starving, and saw River Smith's as we were driving around town and looking for nourishment for our tired, hungry souls. It looked decent (AKA not ghetto), and the exterior was pretty catchy, so we went in. Ordering was a bit confusing. We didn't know if we had to seat ourselves or what the hell we were supposed to do. Turns out, as soon you walk in, make a right, and place your order at the counter. You will then be given a vibrating indicator with your order number taped to it to put on some stand on your table when your food is ready, which will be brought out to you. I didn't see the point of that vibrating indicator - other than it flashes red lights, which make it easier to spot in the dim restaurant. But whatevs. The interior is rather kitschy. Animal trophies strewn about the walls, typical red restaurant chairs and brown tables. Carpet for whatever reason - which is dumb because people spill and knock shit over all the time. And there's a big screen television showing sports toward the back of the dining hall. Anyway, the River Smith burger was dull. Silly me - I thought that since it was the signature burger of the place, it would be fully loaded and interesting. In addition, I ordered a side of 3 hushpuppies for 99 cents. They were also disappointingly small - about the size of a quarter. And my fries were cold and flavorless. My best friend didn't seem too much into his chiliburger. If you're looking for good food, skip this place. If you're looking for food and are desperate enough that anything will do, keep moving. read more

I wish I could leave no stars. I had lunch with aunt and her shrimp was supposed to be blackened and it wasn't and then we sent it back to be cooled correctly and it took 20 minutes. Even my Shrimp had no taste or flavor. It was very poor quality and poor service. Only good thin about the whole visit was the bacon fries and the water with lemon I had but I know when I am in town again to NOT come here. Oh and the men's restroom was disgusting and stunk. I hope they clean it and sanitize it because it was filthy. I'd post a picture of it but I don't want to make people throw up. read more

The service was not bad, the food could be better. Taste sits in the back seat in this place, the decor is the so-called hit. I did entertain myself looking around as I ate the greasy, bland cat fish and hush puppies, oh and frozen fries that became fresh cause they fried them. Just cause it is cat-fish and you fry it, does not make it good. read more

Good catfish and shrimp for Lubbock. Fried is the most popular way to go but they have grilled and blackened for healthier option. The fries and hush puppies are good too. You order and pay at the counter first and then take a number to any table where a server quickly brings you your food. It's right in front of Walmart and they have a drive thru too. read more

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This place, according to my parents, has slipped. In my personal experience; I had the blackened shrimp. It seemed It was reheated and served to me. which gave the shrimp the consistency of tire rubber. The corn on the cobb was mushy. Their salad dressings seemed to be watered down. Two good point were the hush puppies and the rice pilaf, that wasnt enough to save the meal. This place is only worth a try if their standards improved or you are indifferent to quality. read more

Not my cup of tea. They don't have a server so you order at the counter which is confusing for someone who's never been here before. The food I had was precooked (catfish) so it came out Luke warm in under 30 seconds and was average at best. Below average beer selection and they will only give you one (I asked for a bucket but was told no even though they have buckets???) This place might be right up someone else's alley but not mine, just your regular catfish place with subpar attributes that turned me off personally. read more

Looking for fried food? They have it - and not much else. Catfish, shrimp, chicken fried steak, etc... My friend and I passed this place on our way into town and couldn't remember the name... we kept calling it one of these: Catfish Slim's Catfish Jim's Dr. Catfish read more

i dont know much about Lubbock but its not where i spent a lot of time. Until I found River Smiths. I make sure business takes me to Lubbock pretty often. I cant seem to figure out the crowd here because every time I head in theres someone different there. I usually order the chicken. Ive had the friend chicken, delicious; the chicken dinner, delicious; chicken strips, and the chicken fried chicken is my favorite. The meals are all pretty big, they come with a side and a hush puppy. The hush puppies alone are OMG amazing. The catfish is really good too if you like catfish. Its not the best Ive ever had but its worth trying. I like it here I come by when ever im in Lubbock. What else are you going to do in Lubbock afterall read more

Absolutely amazing this was the best seafood in Lubbock . I am from Houston and my boyfriend told me about this place and this place is absolutely delicious read more

first time ever going, when you walk in, kinda underwhelming and really boring. but i was really craving catfish, so i went with it. i ordered the blackened catfish and it was THE best thing on my plate! so flakey and juicy; definitely recommend. and my girlfriend ordered the pick 2 combo; she loved the fried catfish, chicken not so much. over all, it was a 3/5 fersure. service was pretty good. read more

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This is pretty much our fried food stop on the way through Lubbock. The fish and whatnot are pretty good and you get free refills on drinks. There seems to be beer and liquor available, not sure if you have to join a club or not. We like it because it's huge and roomy and the kids can make noise and not bother anyone. Plenty of parking too. They have lots of TVs with sports on at all times, which is good for me. read more

I have given this place a couple of tries. Both times we ordered a family pack with a variety of the catfish, chicken, and shrimp, with sides and even ordered extra sides. Both times our order has been shorted on the meats and biscuits. They also only gave us 2 tarter sauces for all the catfish which this meal should feed about 4 people but they never give you enough condiments for 4. When you are splitting it between everyone, someone always get shorted their portion because they never give you exactly what you order. I live way to far out to make another run in to pick up what they didn't give me. They have a sign that says check your order before you leave but it's kind of hard to do that with such a large order. I probably won't go back. read more

When you pull up to Riversmith's, you get the feel of a country store in the middle of nowhere. It just feels good. However, keeping in mind you're in the middle of downtown Lubbock, you secretly expect the inside to be modern, and have nice amenities with down home country cookin. You go up to the counter, order, and take a number after you pay. Simple process. But Ordering our food took 10 minutes. I am a very decisive person, but the menu has the most horrible set up I've ever seen. The cashier had to explain everything on there. We went at a slow time when there were only 3 of many tables with people at them, and yet we still created a line to order. Can't they just make a menu with a better format? Once you get the hieroglyphic menu deciphered, here's how the food is: Their chicken is the BOMB. It's a must get. Hush puppies-delicious. Catfish-good, but I've had better. I prefer corn meal in the batter, to make it crunchy. Theirs was a soft batter which doesn't go too well with anything fried. French fries- average. They also stuck this sweet Asian pastry in my basket, which I call the grease sponge. Salad bar isn't worth getting. Overall, the food was so greasy that I used around 30 napkins, (a huge wad) to get oil off my hands and excess from the food as I ate. There was no music where I sat, which was odd. It was just silent. Maybe a slip up. Cool decorations on the wall. read more

This restaurant use to be a favorite place to eat but now its become slow and unfriendly! They messed up our order and were unapologetic for the mistake. They had a 2 pitcher limit that hadn't been enforced before, but they said it was a TABC rule. Never coming back ! Manager very RUDE! read more

If I ever get a chance to drive thru Lubbock ever again, I'm stopping here for sure. $7.99 for a killer chicken fried chicken w/ salad and fries?? Yes, please. Great food, great service, super clean, and an extra funky, uniquely Texas vibe. I'm coming back for the catfish next time and you should eat here too. read more

Just ordered for delivery in order to support this local business. They forgot part of my order which makes me not want to do business with them again. It should not be this hard to get an electronic order right. read more

My Mom and I decided we would stop and try the food here hoping it would be decent but oh no, nuh uh. It wasn't decent at all. It was fantastic! I ordered the chicken fried steak which came with a huge steak & gravy, home cut fries, a nice side salad and a fried "biscuit"? I don't know what they call it but it was soooo good with honey drizzled on it. My mom had the fried fish basket with several pieces of perfectly fried fish, home cut fries and that same dadgum fried ball of dough. Everything was seasoned just right, we didn't even have to add any additional salt at all. The food was hot off the grill. The staff were attentive and friendly. We were very satisfied and next time we're in town we will be back! Thanks guys! =) read more

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Love the Catfish, Hands down Y'all do awesome job !!!!! Had to go order everything was there, Don't even have to check Thanks again will be again read more

Not bad, not great, but decent and decent price. You get catfish, fries, hush puppies and a fried biscuit for $7. The hush puppies are good, liked the spice. Fries were ok. Catfish was ok. Fried biscuit was a fried biscuit. Overall, better than McD or KFC. The service was good for a food on a tray type place. read more

Out here visiting family in Texas and they insisted on River Smith's, so we ended up here twice during our visit. Both times were takeout and we ordered a couple family packs fish and chicken. The second visit we ordered the whole catfish which seems to be a favorite. Everything was good definitely preferred whole catfish over fillets, and those hush puppies and forgot the name of other bread that you dip in honey, was very flavorful. And of course another Texas establishment with great friendly customer service. We will be back next time in town. read more

River Smith's Chicken & Catfish - Catfish time!!! - Seafood Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

Food is great atmosphere is awesome man Texas is just great I haven't been anywhere here I didn't like

Let me start out by saying I've eaten here a lot and usually the food and the service is pretty good. Now I called in a order from here tonight and not only was my order not right, but I called back and got insulted by the manager Nick. I spent almost $70 and I didn't get all my order! They left off 4 gizzards and 6 shrimp. Now I saw they were very busy so I understand you make mistakes fine. But I called and told the manager and he says I counted them myself so I know your gizzards were all there but how many do you THINK you got. I'm looking at them in front of me why would I wanna cheat you out of 4 gizzards? We go back and forth for about 30 secs before he tries to take my name to compensate me. He admits they left off the shrimp right away. I don't usually leave reviews, but I was so insulted that the manager would insinuate, I would waste my time calling, just to lie to him about 4 gizzards I had to write this one. I don't know what can be done about the rudeness of that manager, but someone should definitely have a talk to him. Now they did make things right as far as my food but that was really uncalled for! read more

Waited for our food for 30 minutes. Somehow they lost our order. The manager was rude and unconcerned. Didn't offer anything to make up for the wait. read more

We enjoyed our visit to River Smith's. The prices were acceptable. Service was acceptable. We will be back. The only thing was the lack of communication between the order and the bar delivery. I think I found a new lunch spot read more

This is hands down the worst eatery I have ever been to. Everything was lukewarm, and greasy. The crab cakes were served cold. The chicken was overcooked. The catfish and butterfly shrimp weren't too bad just cold but the coleslaw was disgusting i cant even describe how bad it was. I did like the bacon cheese fries and my side of gravy was good but There wasn't enough good to out weigh the bad at this place. do not go unless you like being disappointed. read more

Casual country fare. Order at the counter, sit down and they bring the food to your table. Had the chicken fried chicken plate with a side of hush puppies and iced tea ($11). Hush puppies were great, side salad just right, and the chicken fried chicken was 'average' - not bad at all, but have had better (gravy was a bit thin & CFC had a good bit of gristle in it). Portions are about right for the price. Pro's: very friendly staff, both taking the orders and running the tables. read more

River Smith's Chicken & Catfish - Chicken Fried Chicken Plate - Seafood Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

Had the blackened catfish which was well cooked with some good spice and flavor. The rice was just okay. The corn on the cob was over cooked and only tasted like butter. I also go the salad bar and enjoyed the pickled okra and beets and the chocolate mousse and pudding. Others had fried catfish and chicken fried steak and enjoyed them as well. Will be back especially with picky guests. read more

Horrible absolutely horrible. No flavor at all in the fish, onion rings, biscuit, chicken tenders, green beans, hamburger and hush puppies. All of the food is frozen and taste like it is from Sams or Walmart. Absolutely horrible and will not be back. I believe they are still open because it is in front of Texas tech and in front of a hotel for tourist. Do not recommend at all. read more

Did not like the batter on the shrimp, shrimp was tasteless, the only thing decent was the puff.

Worse experience ever at River Smith's! My wife and I visited River Smiths and had 2 plates. One of the plates included a salad. My wife went to the salad bar to add some bacon bits and a restaurant employee ran from the other side of the restaurant to tell my wife she was not allowed at the salad bar. The employee was rude and very disrespectful so I asked to speak to a supervisor. I spoke to the supervisor and he didn't do anything. Very bad experience and never going back. read more

I grew up in Lubbock, LHS graduate, now a pastor in Baton Rouge, LA. When the RIVER SMITH owners found out somebody from Lubbock could use help after historic flooding, they sent money, both to my church which needs drastic repairs, and to me personally because my own house flooded. If you like giving your hard-earned dollars to good people- THIS is the place! Thank you, thank you, thank you to Bob Corcorran and River Smith's!!! read more

This is not a review. Hello River Smith's Restaurant. I saw your restaurant on channel 15. Talking about the local cooking oil you used. Someday, I'd like to take a trip there to try your food. I read some reviews and it sound pretty good! My husband and I like gizzard, fried chicken, and fish. Will be flying there someday, we're from Orlando Florida. read more

Stopped here while passing through Lubbock. Order and pay at the counter, you're given a pager to put on the table, but instead of picking the food up when it buzzes, the food is brought to you. Beverages (self-serve) included sodas, sweet tea and fruit flavored teas (also sweet). I had the peach tea and it was almost too sweet to drink. Since this is a catfish and chicken place, I of course ordered the daily special which was a "Green Chile Chicken Fried Steak". It was your basic CFS with a stewed poblano on top smothered in gray-brown gravy. Also a big chunk of tough green pepper skin poking up out of the gravy - not so special. Accompaniments were mashed potatoes - the grainy institutional powdered kind you might remember from a school cafeteria - with a pat of "garlic butter" (more likely margarine, but topped with a shake of garlic salt); a small chopped salad that wasn't especially noteworthy, and a side order of fried okra. Given the deep-fried aura of the place, I expected the okra to be top-notch, which indeed it was. My advice is to stick to whatever is fried that doesn't come with the questionable industrial gravy on top. I've had the catfish there many years ago and was pleased with it. River Smith's could really stand to upgrade its side dishes and gravies. Either they are cutting costs with low-quality placeholders or the kitchen isn't properly equipped mechanically or staff-wise to produce real mashed spuds or other dishes that would make the entrees sing. It's a disappointment and a pity. read more

Walking up to the counter to place my order employees behind the counter eating food. Cashier looked lost and had problems running my credit card. First table I went to sit at was sticky, this was 11:30 am . Get my order and it wasn't compleat. I got two popcorn shrimp where I normally get at least ten . This place is so going down hill. Stay away from here is all I can say . read more

Just fried fast food. My friend had the catfish and was non-plussed, although he is a bit of a catfish snob. I had the chicken fried steak which came with a measly salad, a teaspoon of dressing, and one tiny "puff." Puffs seem to be a Lubbock thing. Fried biscuit. I'm not putting it down, its just not, well, very good. The CFS: Total waste of money. It was really just a tiny, unidentifiable cut of meat that was pounded a couple of times with a tenderizer and then shriveled inside an unremarkable crust. The gravy had an off taste. Curiously, the place bills itself as "Chicken and Catfish." Both are prominently featured on the menu but during the middle of the lunch rush it was a 15 minute wait for the chicken. Wouldn't expect this wait at a fast food joint. read more

As soon as I approached this location I was impressed with the multiple AC units in the rear parking lot. At face value I was concerned the inside would be gross due to my bias of avoiding local restaurants. Upon entering my experience changed and I felt as if I had been transported to Branson, MO and on a TV Food Network show. The personalization in design was attractive to me. The menu was easy to comprehend and the prices were assuring. The staff seemed to be knowledgeable of their purpose and eager to please any additional request from customers. The order (out) delivery time for dine-in was prompt and restaurant lunch time volume on this visit was low. When my food was brought to the table I was sitting, it was hot and meticulously arranged for my viewing pleasure. After the first couple of bites, I was convinced I had found a new location for lunch and would be returning. The beverage dispensers were functional and conventional. The sweet was mixed correctly. The AC was set at a temperature that pleased me. The bathrooms needed funding by owners to repair and/or replace existing components. If you love the Cabelas-Gander-Mountain-store-outdoorman-fishing-vibe, then you will enjoy this location. They have old-school arcade machines for children (adults). Take a chance on this local restaurant. Don't let the elaborate yet faded exterior fool you. read more