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

I went here once because I thought it was a cajun place. It is mostly fried food and I can't really remember any specifics to our meal except that we ordered at a counter and picked it up when it was ready. The crowd was older (it was lunchtime) and the TV was on. It might be a good place for a fried fish craving, but I'd much rather spend my $ at Rockfish. read more

Jalepeno cheese bites were horrible, just small tasteless fried balls took them back and got bacon cheese fries and they were okay. I had the grilled catfish and my husband had grilled/blackened shrimp. The food was mediocre. Definitely no award winning food here. We will not be back. read more

Being that I travel a lot , and my mom is from Mississippi , I KNOW southern food and this misses the mark. The chicken was greasy and the mashed potatoes tasted like instant mashed potatoes. Plus if you are truly a southern restaurant, where are the potato salad and corn bread? I just think it misses the mark when it comes to southern cuisine. 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

This is THE place to go if you want fried fish and chicken. The hush puppies are great, free refills and the atmosphere is just laid back. I LOVE the aquariums here and watching the big fish as they flounder around. I have always had great service here by very friendly people. It's just down home good fried food. Don't be looking for healthy food here. :) read more

I have eaten at Riversmiths several times and the food is generally pretty good. On this occassion we were not suprised, there was plenty of fish and shrimp on the combo meal. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food. The women at the register was extremely happy and helpful. The only complaint that I might have is the beans were a little cool. read more

First time eating here. Staff was friendly mostly friendly however, after sitting at my table for awhile, I realized my order was taking long. I looked at my receipt and the time. I had been waiting 27 minutes since ordering. I mentioned this to the wait staff and she said she would check. 1 minute later, she brings my food with the comment, "the cook said it was twenty minutes, not thirty minutes, like you said". I guess twenty minutes isn't long for them. The food: I ordered the pick 3: whole chicken, catfish and clams and substituted the fries with bacon cheese fries. Well, after 28 minutes waiting, you'd think they'd get my order right, right? Wrong. The fries came out cold and my clam strips were missing. Finally got those. Chicken and catfish were good and the clam strips seemed to be clam crumbs instead. The reason I'm giving this place a high two stars is that I understand flukes happen. Two separate orders I timed after I received my food were under 7 minutes each. Not impressed for a first visit. read more

I used to really enjoy dining here but today was absolutely horrible. I was charged $0.99 per shrimp plus $1.25 to blacken the shrimp. I ordered the five piece catfish and literally two of the pieces were about half an inch pieces. Nearly $13 for a meal for one and that's without a drink. To classify this as a horrible value in addition to the overall experience is an understatement. I'm not sure what has changed but for the sake of the clientele I hope management takes notice of this review and makes changes. read more

Great family friendly atmosphere. Good food w/options for everybody. Texas friendly staff.

Catfish was good, light batter, and not greasy. Chicken strips were big, so you could tell they were from breast meat. The seasoning on the chicken strips reminded me of Chick-fil-a, but it wasn't as sweet (so I liked River Smith's better). The potato salad, cole slaw, and green beans were good side dishes, along with the hush puppies. I would certainly go back. read more

My first visit was on a Saturday late afternoon. I got the zucchini appetizer, fried catfish basket w/fries, puff, and hush puppies. Everything was great! Loved every bite. I also enjoyed the cool fish tank. My only suggestion would be to not have the lemon slices tongs inside the lemons (like so the handle doesn't touch the lemons after people grab the tongs). Maybe relocate the lemons so the tongs can be set to the side. The staff was very nice and I can't wait to go back! read more

Quality and consistency are back !!! Tea not back yet . Chicken fry are very good and catfish and chicken are some of the best! Back in our list of places to eat. read more

The quality of there regular catfish dinners has gone way down. I've ate here for years and the last few times have been disappointed in the taste. And more than half the time when I go through the drive up they'll always give me my order incomplete. If you order extra puffs be sure you will not get any honey to go with. Pist !... today was the same !! read more

Portions are really small. Paid 13 bucks for something that should be worth 7. Food was good though.

With the storefront in front of a Wal Mart you can only expect so much I guess. Easily the worst catfish I've ever had.

River Smith's has the best Catfish in West Texas. They recently started catering a weekly business luncheon, and I was surprised to learn that they have an amazingly diverse menu. The Teriyaki Chicken is my personal favorite! Would highly recommend them for a dinner out, and even more so for catering! read more

Have eaten at River Smiths several times and the level of service and quality of the food has always been excellent! Probably the best catfish I have had in a long time. I like the casual dining atmosphere and the reasonable prices as well. read more

Went in and ordered blackened catfish the catfish was really good it came with rice corn on the cob and salad next time I will order it without Corn and ask for okra but all and all a good place to eat read more

1st time...and last time I will come here. Got the regular Catfish with fries and biscuit and it was all old, tough, and luke warm at best. I had barely sat down and they were bringing it to me so that tells me that just had it sitting back there waiting for a victim. read more

I had the WORST experience at River Smith's today. I'm shocked and disgusted by the staff and any management that was available that did not come to my aid. This restuarant WAS my family's favorite, my sisters even used to work there, back in the '80s! But today was extremely different. After ordering lunch items off of the lunch menu for my parents I TRIED to order a salad bar/baked potato for myself. The man working the register says NO, then proceeds to tell me all of the items off of the menu he would not serve me or my elderly parents. I asked if there was a reason (Are those items meant only for dinner? Etc..) and he just kept saying NO...feeling completely confused, followed by anger, we left upset and hungry. I've never been treated in this manner in my entire life. My parents who live in the area were also extremely disappointed. Myself nor my family will be returning EVER again! read more

Counter girl did not now beers or how to pronounce them. Said they did not have wine but manager said they did. Fish was rubbery and cold. Huge portions but couldn't eat it. Been there twice - first and last. read more

:( . i will NEVER. eat here again... my husband and i each had the "pick 3" meal... you would like to think at least 1 of the 3 is palatable. well, that wasnt the case here. if you enjoy fried, tasteless food.. literally... no seasoning. on anything. you may enjoy this place.. but we will not be going here ever again. there are far better choices for lubbock, as... steak express.. where you can sit in the confine of your hotel and enjoy delicious food. oh .. i forgot to mention.. we waited 45 minutes for our food to come out.. and i was excited. until i tasted it. ugh. as others have mentioned.. it was reheated.. not fresh.. and certainly not cooked well.. whoever is in the kitchen should be fired. read more

If you enjoy food greasy floors semi-warm food, and food poising come here! It's got the down home feel of a dive restaurant but when I picture what that kitchen must look like.... I cringe. read more

I was passing through Lubbock on US 84 on my way back home and I was ready for lunch. I saw River Smith's and thought I'd take a chance. Best gamble I ever made. Well, you know, relatively . . . The signs said it was a house with chicken and catfish specialties and I was hankering for some chicken, but just a light lunch of it. I ordered at a counter and the counterman was friendly, accommodating, and even funny. I ordered a dinner plate of two pieces of dark meat--a drumstick and a thigh--and it came with fries, biscuits, and gravy. For cheap! With a "medium" drink and tax it came out to about eight bucks. The funny guy behind the register said it was going to take 15 minutes to get me the dark meat so he'd give me a complimentary order of onion rings while I waited. I wanted time to check up on my email and stuff so I said sure, okay, I can wait 15 minutes. I got my drink, sat down and was brought an order of onion rings almost immediately. Oh my god, those onion rings will set the standard by which I will judge all future onion rings I encounter for the rest of my life. I lost all interest in my email as I devoured those onion rings. Best ever. While eating those things, I actually contemplated moving to Lubbock. Not long after I finished the onion rings, my plate of two pieces of dark meat arrived. They were fresh out of the fryer, I mean like immediately. The skin was so crispy and the inside meat was juicy and delectable. They were two of the most delicious pieces of chicken I have ever eaten, and I've eaten a lot of chicken in the last 70 years. I'm probably responsible for the genocide of whole dynasties of chickens, yet I have no regrets. And the fries were exactly how I like my fries, and the biscuits were so soft and fresh I don't have words to describe them. There were moments I thought I was going to die from pleasure while eating this lunch. I don't know how this place sits with locals, although the joint seemed full of them, but if you're a traveler passing through Lubbock on US 84, this is a must stop. It's as culturally significant as the statue of Buddy Holly, and gastronomically superior. I give this five stars with absolute seriousness. read more

We came here Saturday after the football game and were impressed by the service and quality of food - I came here twice while in college, decided to give it another try to see if it was still good - it was convenient to the hotel. I ordered the popcorn shrimp basket. I expected it to be the usual tiny shrimps that you get everywhere else, but these were a decent size and seemed hand breaded. The hush puppies had great flavor (I wanted to take one to a restaurant in Cypress to show them how they should be done) and I enjoyed the homemade tarter sauce. The basket came out super hot and fresh. The cashier was the friendliest worker that we came across all weekend. Will definitely go back there on our next visit to Lubbock! Oh, and kudos on the fried roll that came in the basket. read more

Where do I start? the service was good but the food was horrible. We ordered chicken n bits which was okay but it had lots of fat on it and the gravy was bland. The chicken fried steak was BLAND and the catfish was BLAND. If you decide to come here I recommend the Bacon Cheeseburger it's the only thing with decent taste.( be sure to let what condiment you want on it known, because they just assume you like tons of Mayo!) read more

Was staying at nearby hotel and could have ordered by phone but online menu was confusing. Walked over and ordered. Was told chicken takes 20 minutes, so waited outside with our dogs. Chicken was done in about 15 minutes. Walked back to hotel. Chicken was still piping hot and pretty good. Catfish was only tepid but OK. Fries were greasy but OK. Both dinners were supposed to get hush puppies and biscuit, but only one did. Got chicken strips for the dogs, and they were probably the best part of the meal. read more

The catfish is sliced so thin then battered, it is mostly fried corn dough, looks like a lot of fish, but really isn't.

Called in an order for work lunch. Guess food for 3 to-go is a bit to much for the staff to handle. Got 2 out of 6 iems right.. Hickory Burger with pickles, onions came with no pickle no onions no hickory sauce but had pineapple ring (????) 3 item combo came with 2 items (quess the cook cant count to 3). Had 3 popcorn shrimp instead of what should have been butterfly shrimp. (Maybe the cook and the manager swapped glasses) Guess the manager doesnt care cause all they said was bring it back and they will fix it for us again. Yea right! Take 30 more minutes off my work to drive over there just to get crapped (litterally) and spit on food. Keep my money too cause I will never recommend River Smiths to anyone. As a matter of fact I do believe I will make it a point to let everyone I know what a shoddy place this has turned into. I didnt even want to give one star but they made me so I could post this. read more

Best sea food in town! The employees are very friendly and the menu is full of options and hard to choose from! They have a salad bar also it's pretty good but the food is way better. They also have tons of appetizers to choose from like zucchini or cheese sticks. The sea food is amazing. Would recommend to anyone! read more

Had the catfish and chicken basket today for lunch. It was great as always. The atmosphere is always fun and the crew was welcoming. Can't wait to come back. read more

Great job at catering my party. Scrumptious mouth watering foods that everyone enjoyed. Thank you for such professional service and making my party a success River Smiths. Great, Great, Great. read more

I have never had a bad expierience with River Smiths until tonight.. First the young man that took our order while very nice however I ask if I could Sub fries for a small salad? The young man replied " you sure can".. When Henry and I got to our table we noticed we were charged 10.99 instead of 7.99.. When I went to the front counter to ask about it I got a lady that was very rude.. She said we NEVER substitute.. The young man told you wrong.. So I paid 10.99 for a Whitefish dinner "no fries" and a small salad! We'll... We waited for quite a while for our food to come out (they were not busy) then I took a bite of my coleslaw.... It was rotten... My husbands was fresh... So...... Do you think that was on purpose? We'll that ruined my dinner cause if they would do that then did they spit in my food as we'll? Needless to say.... They have lost our business!!!! No stars for me!!!! read more

River Smith's recently catered a wedding I was in, and the food turned out amazing. The groom requested 2 roatsted pigs (yes, the entire pig), and River Smith's was able to accomodate the request. They made pork tacos with all the toppings, including this amazing rasberrry chipolte sauce. I would highly recommend River Smith's to anyone looking for a wedding caterer. read more

At exactly 1 hour after ordering, we decided to get our money back and leave. Our order never did come out. It's sad to say we went across the street to Denny's for better service. Management did not offer to "make it right". read more

We always love to east @ Riversmith's - UNTIL yesterday. We arrived at 2:55pm.. there were about 4 people working & maybe 6 either eating or waiting for food. the young man that took our order was not quite but just nearly rude. We did not want french fries so we asked for all hush puppies instead (not where did we see chg for substutions) We were charged for 2 orders of hush puppies. We went back to question the young man but he was already gone. So we just decided not to presue it. We waited until 3:20 & finally went & asked about our food. Several people that came in after us already had thier food. They said ours was on the way. There was 1 black lady that looked like she was doing all the cooking & serving & the other employees were "visting" with customers or each other. Anyway we finally got our food & it was excellent as always. I looked for a suggestion box or something like that so I could fill out a form or something but saw none. There is no place on their website for "comments" or "complaints" read more