It's either this board or Metromess so I chose this one. I'll be in WF next week for work and want to find some local-type non-chain restaurants. I've eaten at Fat McBrides, a non-descript seafood/steak on the Seymour Hwy. (also McBrides owned?), and some Thai place next to the hotel.
tia

I've only eaten at the McBrides downtown (Scott street?) and I've always thought it was good.

Most everything else has been fast food, unfortunately.

Avoid the Pioneer. Used to be a good catfish place that burned. I had heard it re-opened of late.

lot's of mom and pop joints there that are off the beaten path. gene's tasty burger traditionally was excellent, but new ownership keeps it out of the elite level now for sure. matlock's is a good eclectic, high fat eatery downtown. they have odd hours though, so check before you go to make sure they're open. matlock's used to serve almost everything but has since cut back their menu significantly. a local cook who has cooked for many different places over the years opened his own place. everything i've tried there is good, and i personally really like their chicken fried steak. it's crazy huge if you order the full serving though, so be warned if you try that.

sevi's burritos is a local favorite, and it's super cheap. rodriguez tamale factory is excellent to the point it's stayed in business despite the new overhead highway exit ramp blocking the entrance to its parking lot. i'm not sure they have dine-in space though. the parkway grill is a local sports bar that's a favorite. they have prolly my favorite fried cheese that i've ever had. their food isn't spectacular, but it's all pretty reasonable and a fun place to hang out and watch sports.

i honestly think the mcbride's restaurants are waaaaay over-rated. texas roadhouse opening up has cut into their traffic a pretty decent bit. bar L is a place downtown that is kind of an old dive, but they've got some decent ribs. there's really no barbeque in the area worth writing home about though. there's also a couple antique malls downtown that do some supposedly decent chick food, like quiche and stuff. somewhere in time is one that i've heard of and know the owners of, but i've never personally tried it.

they've got like 3 hibachi places, and i don't think any of them are chains. i don't think i've tried the newest one and have only tried the middle one once, so my opinion isn't very well developed there. everyone has a different taste for hibachi grills anyway though.

to sum up, if you want some really really fattening food from places that look like old run down buildings on the outside, you'll like wichita falls. if you want high end food, sea food, or exotic stuff, i'm not sure you'll even find much in the first place, much less not like it.

you tried thai in wichita falls? seriously? you're brave.

Look for the Mexican food joint downtown that serves red enchiladas. Not bad.

Casa Manana, red tacos, good stuff. They are downtown but they close like at 7 pm so plan accordingly. McBrides downtown is good for a local steak but doesn't compare to the high end steak houses.

Ended up at Fat McBrides, El Gordos (do the McBrides own every restaurant in town?), and Samurai.

Next time you go, you've got to go to the Bar L, get an Umphrey burger and a red draw. Kitchen probably hasn't been cleaned in about 30 years, but man they got some good fixins. If that doesn't work for you, go to P2. Talk about a hole in the wall. Go about 5 pm, women dare enter as it's usually for the men, lawyers, judges, various office holders and such. Hole in the wall joint, but good stuff, or at least it used to be. Heck it may be closed for all I know, but do the Bar L for sure.

El Mejicano - all-you-can eat Mexican buffet. Its amazing.

Gene's Tasty Burger, Ronnie's Burgers, Stanley's are all good burger places too.