River Smith’s in Lubbock, TX

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Telephone:	+1 806-765-8164
Website:	riversmiths.com
Address:	406 Ave Q, Lubbock, TX, 79401
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:	1.1 miHolden Hall RR 1.1 miWest Hall TT 1.1 miC-1 Parking
Categories:	Seafood Southern

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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations	Yes
Delivery	Yes
Take-out	Yes
Accepts Credit Cards	Yes
Parking	Private Lot
Bike Parking	Yes
Good for Kids	Yes
Good for Groups	Yes

Attire	Casual
Noise Level	Average
Alcohol	Full Bar
Outdoor Seating	No
Wi-Fi	Free
Has TV	Yes
Waiter Service	No
Caters	Yes

Today

Today	11:00 am – 9:00 pm Closed now
Local time (Lubbock)	7:22 AM Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Business hours

Monday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

River Smith’s Chicken & Catfish is a family-restaurant serving made-from-scratch Southern specialties!

Order at the counter and dine in one of our tables or booths. Famous for our hand-battered fried catfish and crispy, battered shrimp, there’s something for everyone at River Smith’s.

Serving Southern, Cajun favorites, everything is made from scratch at River Smith’s. Try our famous chicken and catfish or try our delicious burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and desserts.

We also offer catering of all sizes. Whether it’s a small get-together or a large block party, serve our delicious, home-cooked meals. We also deliver!

Come experience a friendly atmosphere and see why River Smith’s has been voted «Best of Lubbock.» We hope to serve you, and your family, soon!

History

Established in 1976.

Family-owned and operated since 1976, River Smith’s has been a Lubbock stable for catfish and chicken ever since. Bob Corcorran opened the restaurant using recipes passed down through generations of the Corcorran family. Today, Chris and Paul, Bob’s sons, carry on the family tradition.

Meet the Business Owner

Paul C.

Business Owner

Chris and Paul Corcorran are proud to carry on the legacy their dad, Bob, started in 1976. River Smith’s has gone from a small restaurant to one that’s open seven days a week, offers catering, and delivery. Voted «Best of Lubbock» in Catering and Dine-in categories, we take pride in our quality and service. Welcome!

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20 reviews of River Smith’s

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Jamel D.

Place rating: 2
Rosedale, NY

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.

Nelson L.

Place rating: 4
Lubbock, TX

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.

Rob F.

Place rating: 3
Stone Oak, San Antonio, TX

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.

Christa K.

Place rating: 5
Cypress, TX

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.

Pat R.

Place rating: 3
Manor, TX

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.

Anna Z.

Place rating: 4
Fort Worth, TX

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! =)

Alf A.

Place rating: 2
Lubbock, TX

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.

Brent R.

Place rating: 2
Searcy, AR

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.

K D D.

Place rating: 1
Brownwood, TX

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.

James D.

Place rating: 1
Lubbock, TX

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.

Simone T.

Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA

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.

Jimmie H.

Place rating: 4
Burleson, TX

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.

Tonya B.

Place rating: 4
Lubbock, TX

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.

Ian H.

Place rating: 3
Canyon, TX

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.

Austin H.

Place rating: 3
Lubbock, TX

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.

Jon B.

Place rating: 5
Lubbock, TX

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!

Jeff B.

Place rating: 1
Austin, TX

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.

Adam M.

Place rating: 2
Sun City Center, FL

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.

Alexandria J.

Place rating: 4
Gilbert, AZ

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

Adrian O.

Place rating: 1
Houston, TX

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.

River Smith’s

Lubbock, United States