Big Pines Lodge

Sam

2023-12

At Big Pines Lodge in Caddo Lake, TX, the ambiance is a vibrant canvas of fall hues as leaves shimmer beside the Big Cypress Bayou. Despite a nip in the air, the outdoor setting beckons, and you'll find warmth at a table overlooking the scenic bayou. The lodge, perched with a dock for boats, adds an adventurous touch.Venturing into culinary exploration, my first encounter with hush puppies was an unexpected sweet surprise. While they didn't win me over, the grilled fish and shrimp platter stole the spotlight. The fillet and shrimp, seasoned to perfection, delivered a symphony of flavors. Even the fried fish and shrimp platter showcased expert frying skills—crispy without an oily aftermath. Big Pines Lodge isn't just a meal; it's a sensory journey into the heart of Caddo Lake's enchanting landscape.

M Karr

2024-02

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Constance Jenkins

2023-07

I’m an avid reviewer and truly enjoy it. We were in town visiting family and we decided to come to this beautiful spot to have lunch. The place is absolutely gorgeous, right off the water with an amazing atmosphere. The waitress was great, however our steak was over cooked. We asked for medium well which should have pink and got well done. The manager was the issue. She (the manager) came out very upset and argued that the steak was cooked to temperature. We asked for streak with pink and there was none so we asked for it to be made. The manager still made comments and I stated I didn’t care if I needed to pay extra for the steak we just wanted it cooked right. The manager brought out a second steak with a photo on her phone showing the temperature of the steak and image showing what it should be for medium well (which the temperature was still over by 1 degree). I didn’t want to argue or cause a scene so I just let it go. The check comes and they charged for 2 full steak meals ($27.99 each). I paid and said if I’m paying for two meals I expect two full meals so they needed to bring us the sides that would come with the second meal. I’ve NEVER been to a restaurant where they have done this and argued with the customer or charged when they were unhappy with a over cooked steak. Had this not happened this review would have been a 5 star review. SO IF YOUR NOT GETTING STEAK I WOULD SAY VISIT THIS LOCATION, HOWEVER IF YOU WANT STEAK I DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING HERE FOR IT!!! Management definitely needs some customer service training.

Scott Herman

2024-04

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Jonah May Go

2022-05

The place was so nice seated near the bayou. We liked the hush puppies. The fried catfish was good and juicy but the shrimp is dry. They also forgot the serve us the complete portion of the shrimp but after we told them, they gave the missing food item. I loved that they also serve rice. I also liked the coleslaw. If you are staying in Uncertain, TX for this trip, this is a nice place to eat. Close to the park entrance of Caddo Lake as well.

Ric Holder

2024-05

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Jahidul

2023-08

I did not eat in this place. But I loved the outside atmosphere here. It's so nice by the river. Has plenty of parking opportunities.

Scott Jones

2023-05

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Cliff Roberts

2023-07

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Jill Ribich

2024-04

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Kevin Braun

2023-11

We had a great time! Service was speedy and incredibly friendly, even with a large group of 3 families and 7 kidsKid-friendliness: Our kids (ages 2 through 9) had a great time on the patio!

Jackie Driver

2023-05

Had a awesome lunch after a morning out on the water! The chicken fried steak was awesome as was the okra. The jalapeño hush puppy sticks were the very best!!! Great place in the middle of no where! Also, they have Wi-Fi which seems rare!

Jennifer Schrader

2024-01

My all time favorite restaurant! There’s nothing better than sitting on the patio, watching all the boats go by. Best catfish, fried okra and coleslaw I’ve ever had in my life. Not to mention the staff is amazing.

Tamera Gray

2022-05

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Dale Morris

2023-08

Wife's food came out 25 minutes before anyone else's, mentioned it to a waitress and she had an answer for everything (not their fault). My wife being how she is would not eat in front of our small kids without having their food, so needless to say her food wasn't good when we finally received ours. Ask for hush puppies (complimentary I understand) for the kids to satisfy them, waitress said their wasn't any.... bad move we were sitting beside the kitchen exit and I saw several baskets go out. It's simple!!! Time your finish times so that parties go out the same time, teach your waitresses to fix issues not justify them. Instead of the hostess playing on her phone until she has to move, teach her to actually be a (host). Foods great but your staff wouldn't qualify to work at McDonald's. Very obvious you do not depend on repeat customers, but instead tourist that you never have to see again. We live here, we're repeat customers (weekly). I can eat what you serve other places for less. I pay for good service and atmosphere.

Russell Offringa

2024-03

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Deanna Peoples

2023-12

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jeff and angela sadler

2022-05

Omg this place was fabulous!! Great fish, huge onion rings, great portions!!! Wonderful left overs!! Oh and the alligator jalapeño cheese balls! Yummmo...

Mary Gates

2022-05

I enjoyed the atmosphere here. The beautiful scenery and huge portions were great. Covid has them very understaffed. Once they can get their crew up, I feel this business will explode. The food is truly fried happiness. The waitstaff, overworked but still smiling. Best hush puppies.

The Taster

2023-06

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Tena Jones (Explored and Conquered)

2023-05

Always a great view here. We usually prefer to sit outside on the patio and watch all the boats pass by. Really nice when you see the big River Boats pass by. The food is always amazing. The service is hit and miss. There's only been a few times that we've had to hunt down a server for drink refills or more tarter sauce. Food always comes out hot, fresh and good size portions. Right next to Caddo Lake State park, there's lot of history in this area. It's quite a long drive out in the middle of "nowhere", but there's a lot of things to do in the area to keep you busy for the day! One of the last times we drove out, there was water over the road and pretty high up to the restaurant. If there's been a lot of rain, check their facebook page for closure updates for flooding issues.Parking: There's a lot of parking spaces, but it's very muddy. The spots will fill up fast during peak times.

Philip Pool

2022-05

Great view, friendly staff, and the catfish was the cleanest tastiest fried catfish I've ordered in some time. Excellent!Oh yeah, and the jalapeno hush puppies were awesome.

Patrick Miller

2021-05

The food was interesting and the decor was nice. The restaurant was very clean and the majority of the staff was complying with current health requirements. Food came out quick and the waitstaff was very friendly and accommodating. They did have the strangest hushpuppies i’ve ever seen though! I would definitely go back.

Dakota McNeely

2024-02

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Liz

2023-05

The food was amazing and Holly is a great waitress! The portions are huge! Definitely enough to share or take home for another meal!

Road Runner

2023-11

Service was great. Sylvia was our server. Food was disappointing. It has taken me much too long to come to terms that this place will never be what it was years ago. The building is nice, service is great. The food....coleslaw is so messed up...it would be so easy to make the version that was loved my thousands of customers for decades. So why don't they? Tartar sauce is simple but they messed it up as well by adding jalapeños to it. AND WHAT IS UP WITH EVERYTHING HAVING SO MUCH BLACK PEPPER IN IT? (and my fish filets were a little translucent in the thick part, meaning they were under cooked, so I picked around it, and even then I just didn't feel this about eating it. No, I didn't tell the server about this because it wasn't going to be a game change for me anyway. I finally have it in my head that I can give up on expecting this place to be what it was. Different owners, different ideas of what is served and the recipes that are used. The name is the only thing that is the same. I don't understand why they didn't just change the name, so then at least we know that we can expect a completely different dining experience than from years past. Big Pines was lost when Betty and George were gone. We will never get that back, not even anything close to it.

Reagan Ford

2024-04

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Ashley Watson

2024-01

The natural scenery that surrounds this restaurant draws the crowds who visit it from afar. From a windowside table, you can view the towering, ancient bald cypress trees, their spreading limbs draped in Spanish moss and watch water-skiers flit past and fisherman ply the water, their coolers filled with bream, perch, channel catfish and black bass. You can enjoy a stroll on the wooden dock and see if you can spy a bullfrog, snake, or blue heron while you wait on your food to be served back inside. Big Pines Lodge is an honored institution at Caddo, serving as a kind of annual homecoming place, much like at your high school football game. Their fried catfish are consistently cooked to perfection and come out hot, crispy, and delicious, accompanied by soft hush puppies, french fries and an optional but highly recommended relish tray which consists of green tomato relish quarters and fresh sweet onions. I even tried their fried shrimp once and was quite taken back by their succulent, plump, and lightly breaded taste, which was just about as good as the best shrimp I've had anywhere in the nation. They also serve a massive and excellent chicken fried steak served with homemade gravy, baked potato and golden Texas toast, which may be the best and biggest chicken fried steak I've had in a decade. Be sure and put Big Pines Lodge at the top of your dining destination list and don't forget to bring your camera or videocam to capture the outdoor scenes of nature while you're there. Enjoy!

Sam Peterson

2019-05

Great food, great service. Very nice scenery as you sit and enjoy your dinner. Very nice wait staff who did very well with a large group. I would definitely recommend that if you are ever in the area stop by and try the catfish. You are sure to be delighted with all the aspects of this wonderful place.

hrt4me

2024-03

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