Doc’s Hot Links

This dingy looking building has been here for what seems like forever. Thank goodness.
I’ve been a semi-​regular for about 20 years or so. The only things that have changed are the counters/​benches (everything’s level now) and the ownership.
The kind service and addicting East Texas Hot Links are as good as ever. So too is the fellowship with fellow patrons ~ black, white, old and not so old. When you’re sitting down at Doc’s, you suddenly realize that you all share a common bond. It’s special indeed and rare.
The links are a specialty item with a cloudy history. There is a much larger place up the road a spell. Though the recipes are similar, Doc’s Hot Links get there for the old school cash. You won’t find sides or burgers here (they offer barbecue sauce for folks who can’t handle the classic hot sauce). You can get white bread or crackers. Order a sandwich if you desire, or eat it the classic way with saltines. Either way, you’ll leave here satisfied.

This is not the Doc’s Hot Links that Gilmer has know for decades. After running Doc’s since buying it in 1969, the Henderson family decided to retire. A lot of people, me included, feared that it would be the end of an era and Gilmer would not have East Texas Hot Links. But then a ray of hope popped up, the Henderson family had a buyer for the building and business and Doc’s would continue. There was joy and dancing in the streets of Gilmer when word got out that Doc’s wasn’t going anywhere.
And then the hometown supporters ate the new links.
No more joy. No more dancing. The ray of hope had gone black.
The links being served now are not the Doc’s links of old. Sure the new guy will tell you it is the same recipe and the Henderson family meticulously showed them how to cook the links, etc… That is fine and well, but the links suck. They suck BAD.
The links are now bite size. No kidding, at most two bites, but a lot of «East Texas Hot Link Eaters» will pop these little things in their mouth whole. They are that small. Oh yeah, they are also $ 1.00 a piece now. Of course the new régime will tell you that the Henderson family was about to go up to this price, but didn’t since there were about to sell the place. They will tell you that their links are «all beef» and that Pittsburg links are made with «beef and pork» and that is why Pittsburg links are cheaper and Doc’s cost so much. Of course a quick look at the Pittsburg Hot Links website or a quick look at the ingredients on the package of their hot links in Wal-​Mart or Brookshire’s will show you that Pittsburg links are ALL BEEF and don’t have any PORK.
So the links are small and overpriced, but hey, at least they still taste great right! NOPE. The links now are vastly under-​cooked. The casing is very rubbery and does not break or even cut clean. The new guy will tell you, well what you need to do is order «well done» links because some people like them a little more cooked than others and that is the was the Henderson’s taught them how to cook the links.
To that I say in my deepest East Texas Drawl: «Let me tell you something sonny boy, I been eatin’ links since before you were born, understand. I ain’t never ordered no well done links. I just ordered links and they were always cooked right. Don’t give me no nonsense about „Well Done“ links. We ain’t talkin’ about steak, we talkin’ about East Texas Hot Links. There is only two ways to cook them, the right way, and the wrong way. Guess which one you are doing junior.»
That felt good.
Oh, and the problems don’t stop there. The links taste different. They are now filled with some kind of «meat paste» that is a completely different texture than real Doc’s Hot Links. Not sure what they are doing, but it is not the same. The taste is not just a texture problem either, they just taste different now. They kind of have a lingering sour taste or something. It’s kind of hard to explain. They have a strange aftertaste now that I have never tasted before. I’m not saying the links taste sour because they are ruined/​spoiled, it has something to do with the seasoning that is being put in them. Same goes for the chili. It has a more watery texture and the taste is different from what is was in the many decades past.
Normally I would call for this place to go out of business and fail miserably, but I really don’t want that to happen here. I love East Texas Hot Links. It is getting harder to find them in a lot of towns that used to have hot link stands. I sincerely hope that this new owner gets his stuff together and starts making links the way the Henderson family did. For that to happen, the links have to be bigger, cooked longer, and taste the way they used to. Same goes for the chili. I would not mind paying $ 1.00 per link if I was getting the same link that the Henderson’s were selling at this time last year, but that is simply not the case.
To the new owner, I say this: CALL the Henderson’s and have them come up there and help you get the legendary Doc’s Hot Links back up to the high standard that the Henderson’s set many decades ago. If you are still in business in a year or so, or if I start hearing better reviews from many of the people that hold the same views that I do, I will try the links again. Until then, I guess I will just buy Pittsburg links at the store and cook them myself.
P. S. I know the owner will have people tell them that the links taste exactly the same or even BETTER than they used to. Please, Please, do not let this go to your head. The links are NOT the same or better. Remember the emperor and his new clothes? Don’t let that happen to you. CALL the Henderson’s and get some advice.

I love this place. I remember going there with my dad when i was a kid and he would tell me of the times that his dad took him. Every time i am within 40 miles of Gilmer I make sure that I stop by, sadly i now live near Houston so I am not always able to get my fix. One of the great things about this place is that you can buy cooked or uncooked links to freeze for later. The last time i was there i bought 12 dozen, needless to say my wife gave me some crazy looks. My favorite way to eat the links is with Doc’s hotsauce and some crackers. The setting of the place is great, they have updated since I was a kid but it still has the down home feel that I love. I would not change a thing about this place, except maybe open up a branch in New Waverly. I am looking forward to my next trip there and if you are in the mood for the best links in Texas then you should try them out.

I am almost 42 years old and I remember going to Doc’s as early as 2 – 3 years old. I have never had a bad experience, the staff is always fast and friendly and every time I open the oversized front door, I take a step back to the 70’s. I swear the inside has not changed — same benches, same tables, same floor and walls… The links are to die for. They are greasy, but just poke a few holes in them and squish them with a fork — that usually helps. The links are always fresh and hot.
I love Doc’s and I am glad they haven’t updated their business, it’s perfect just the way it is — with lots of characted and nostalgia.

So bad for you, but so damn good.
Service is friendly, and the links are good. Don’t judge the place by the exterior.

An East Texas Institution. I love this place so much I had my sister mail me their food to Seattle.