Food & Drink

We tried this Harris County restaurant serving a dish I grew up eating. My review

Tucked away just off Highway 27 in Cataula is a restaurant I had never heard of before, but I wish I would’ve known about it sooner after eating there this month.

Cataula Creek, 813 US-27, is in a Harris County shopping pavilion. It has food that reminds me of some of my favorite sit-down restaurants growing up, blending Southern comfort food with more modern options as well.

While walking in, I was tempted to get the taco pizza after seeing it advertised on the chalkboard outside the restaurant. However, after looking over the lunch menu, I spotted it — the hamburger steak.

I had been craving a ground beef patty, smothered in brown gravy and sauteed onions. Growing up, the dish was one of my go-to orders at meat-and-threes. I also grew up eating the similar Banquet Salisbury Steak frozen meals during the summer when I wanted a quick snack.

My meal at Cataula Creek was phenomenal.

The meat was cooked perfectly and was still juicy when I bit into it.

Ledger-Enquirer reporter Kelby Hutchison ordered the hamburger steak, smothered in brown gravy and sauteed onions, with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy at Cataula Creek restaurant in Harris County May 7, 2026.
Ledger-Enquirer reporter Kelby Hutchison ordered the hamburger steak, smothered in brown gravy and sauteed onions, with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy at Cataula Creek restaurant in Harris County May 7, 2026. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com

The brown gravy was very hearty, full and tasted very beefy with just the right amount of salt. The onions were great and caramelized nicely to where the flavor of onion was still present but added a sweet flavor to the gravy it was accompanying.

I got mashed potatoes and gravy to go with the hamburger steak to ensure I ate my doctor-recommended daily amount of gravy (which I believe actually is zero). The potatoes were very smooth, not lumpy and had the right amount of salt.

Ledger-Enquirer visual journalist Mike Haskey tried the Buffalo wings and got them mild. He let me try one, and I was impressed with the flavor of the mild sauce but also how the wing remained moist on the inside when I bit into it.

Ledger-Enquirer visual journalist Mike Haskey ordered the wings in a mild sauce at Cataula Creek restaurant,813 US-27 in Harris County, on May 7, 2026.
Ledger-Enquirer visual journalist Mike Haskey ordered the wings in a mild sauce at Cataula Creek restaurant,813 US-27 in Harris County, on May 7, 2026. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com

Harris County resident Rachel Crumbley, who recommended Cataula Creek, accompanied us. She ordered the hamburger and fries from the children’s menu, as she wasn’t feeling that hungry.

Harris County resident Rachel Crumbley, who recommended Cataula Creek restaurant, wasn’t as hungry as the Ledger-Enquirer’s foodies, so she ordered the hamburger and fries from the children’s menu May 7, 2026.
Harris County resident Rachel Crumbley, who recommended Cataula Creek restaurant, wasn’t as hungry as the Ledger-Enquirer’s foodies, so she ordered the hamburger and fries from the children’s menu May 7, 2026. Mike Haskey mhaskey@ledger-enquirer.com

Mike and I were surprised at how large the portion of food was for a dish on the children’s menu.

So, if you’re in Cataula, or if you want a good place to stop and eat while heading north from Columbus, I definitely recommend Cataula Creek.

Kelby Hutchison
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Kelby Hutchison is the breaking news reporter for the Ledger-Enquirer. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Kelby grew up frequently visiting Columbus to eat at Country’s BBQ in the old Greyhound bus station and at Clearview BBQ on River Road. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.A. in criminal justice and a M.A. in journalism. During his studies, Kelby specialized in community journalism.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER