Great Texas Cookin'
Homestyle service, homestyle food, best fried chicken around.    [11 Nov 2001 12:17:10]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: fried chicken

     ­kk   

Fried Chicken Like You Ain't Never Had
Fried chicken all day, every day. I hate to admit it, but this chicken is better than my wife OR my momma ever made. The side dishes change from day to day and they are great too.

Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, green beans, slaw are some of the sides that are offered in the all inclusive all you can eat price (about $10 each and well worth it). The chicken and dumplings are made fresh every day, none of that canned stuff here.

Service is boarding house style. After you sit at the huge picnic tables inside this very old converted school, someone will bring out big dishes of chicken and the side vegetables. You just spoon it on your plate. If the girl didn't bring enough the first time just ask for more and she'll bring it. When you're about done, wave at the waitress to bring you the desert of the day. If you go away hungry it's your own fault. They keep a wheelbarrow on hand to wheel hogs like me back to the car. (Just kidding.)

Drinks are self service, ice tea, sassafrass tea, coffee, water and buttermilk are available. We don't drink soft drinks but I'm sure they have them. My wife says that the buttermilk is the very freshest she has ever had. I love the sassafrass tea!

The walls are decorated with old circus posters dating back into the very early 1900's. Part of the fun of dining here is to find a poster from the year you were born. Otherwise, the decor is "early grandma."

Everyone I have ever spoken to that has eaten here (and there are a lot) has raved about the food.

I also reccommend going next door to the Heritage Village which has old buildings restored to their original condition. You can go through an old general store, sit in an old barber chair in a barber shop, and lock yourself in the old jail.

Some weekends can be crowded. You may have to share a table with strangers. Everyone I have met at the table with me were wonderful.

We pass through here about 4 or 5 times a year and we always stop. Yes, it's that good.    [19 Jun 2002 13:06:53]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: fried chicken, chicken and dumplings

     ­Mike   

The Best Chicken Ever
I've lived all over the States and this is absolutely the very best. Fresh, hot, flavored just right.

If you have kids, let them know they prefer the drumsticks and they'll bring some extras.

The vegetables are fresh and good. Side bar has pickles and beets.

This place is a special treat for all of us. Sometimes we'll drive the 100+ miles from Houston just for a special Sunday dinner - usually topped off with a wonderful cobbler.    [15 Feb 2005 14:54:44]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: chicken

     ­Anonymous   

The very best country kitchen ever
Be sure to help yourself to the pickled watermelon rind,beets, and cole slaw. My family has patronized the Pickett House since the early 70's. The best ever fried chicken. All vegetables are fresh cooked, nothing comes from tin cans. The food and the people are both very good and most agreeable. All the ice tea, coffee or lemon-ade you want are available, just refill as needed. All the cobblers are delicious. Too bad we don't have this style cafe and service available all over the State. We drive from Houston just to dine at the Pickett House on occasion. The floura and the fawna are great in this East Texas thicket. Summers tend to be extra hot here so dress accordingly and bring a parasol. No alcohol is served as Tyler County is a dry county.    [29 May 2005 21:10:20]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Chicken, cobbler, pickled watermelon rind all vegetables

     ­Anonymous   

I have been going to Woodville for over 25 yrs. just to eat at the Pickett House. The food has always been just like eating at your grandmothers. The staff was always very friendly and down home. Within this past year, a group of teenagers have became the servers and cashiers. Sadly, they are not as friendly or welcoming as the older staffers. But the food is still good..    [19 Feb 2007 16:12:08]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Fried Chicken

     ­Anonymous