In a state the size of Texas, you have a lot of great food options. Cities such as Austin and San Antonio are often on lists of top food cities in the country. When you visit the Lone Star State, there are certain foods you should be sure to try; even if they’re widely available elsewhere, they’ve got their own Texas twang here.

The foods highlighted here are quintessentially Texan, chosen for their deep roots in the state’s culinary tradition and culture. Each dish, be it the pit-smoked barbecue or the hearty Tex-Mex fusion, tells a story of regional flavor and communal heritage, embodying the Texas spirit with bold tastes and generous portions. These selections aren’t just about what’s on the plate; they’re a taste of Texas itself, offering a flavorful insight into the state’s unique way of life.

1. Barbecue

If you only have time for one meal in Texas, make it barbecue. The Brisket gets top billing, but the pork ribs and sausage are usually out of this world, too. You can try one of the state’s top barbecue joints, some of which are nationally famous, or you can immerse yourself in the unique experience of Buc-ee’s, a convenience store chain built around gas stations that serves up surprisingly delicious and affordable fresh barbecue.

2. Tex-Mex

If you have time for just two meals, then the second should be Tex-Mex. After all, the category originated here as a Texas-influenced take on traditional Mexican food. Fajitas and enchiladas are the most popular, but there are so many other menu items to try.

3. Chicken-Fried Steak

Texas didn’t invent this food, but as is often the case, Texans claim their version is the biggest and the best. Cube steak is drenched with a thick flour-based batter and then deep-fried to crispy perfection and topped with a creamy gravy.

4. Chili

Chili is another food that didn’t originate in Texas but has its own Texas brand. True Texas chili has no beans and instead has extra beef and as much spice as the chef wants to add. There are state, city, and even neighborhood cookoffs to sort the best from the very good.

5. Queso

In some restaurants, this is an appetizer; in others, it’s a whole meal. People also make their own versions at home. Melted cheese, chips, and whatever other ingredients you like…how can you go wrong?

6. Breakfast Tacos

Tacos are a Texas staple for all 3 meals of the day. However, if you want to become a superhero for the day, all you have to do is treat the office to breakfast tacos from a local restaurant or food truck. At home, they’re easy to make on your own.

7. Kolaches

When breakfast tacos won’t suffice, kolaches will. At their simplest, they’re a pastry wrapped around a shortened piece of sausage, but you can add almost anything to them, which makes them the only serious breakfast competition to tacos.

8. Burgers

Many of us grew up with the understanding that hamburgers got their start in Hamburg, Germany. Despite that, some Texans swear that the first burger made its appearance around 1880 in Athens, TX. Regardless, any number of establishments here will serve you a Texas-sized burger from traditional to all kinds of Texas takes.

9. Frito Pie

This is a combination of chips (preferably Frito’s) with chili, cheese, onions, and jalapenos as toppings. It’s popular at concession stands at Texas high school football games, and it’s also a common menu item at school cafeterias.

10. Steak

Texas is the country’s leading cattle producer, so it only stands to reason that you should cut into a juicy cut in a Texas steakhouse. Whether it’s a high-end restaurant serving premium-quality cuts or a local joint, be sure to enjoy a well-seasoned locally sourced steak. Bonus points if you put on a hat and boots.

11. Cowboy Caviar

If you don’t like the idea of slurping down raw fish eggs, don’t worry; there’s none of that here. Salad ingredients with salsa on the side come together to make this uniquely Texan dish that’s actually, gasp, pretty healthy. It’s best enjoyed cold.

12. Blue Bell Ice Cream

Is ice cream even a food? Technically, it is since it’s solid, and many would argue it’s an essential dietary item regardless. Blue Bell is Texas’s home-grown ice cream brand, and the hardest thing about eating it is finding it before it sells out!

13. Mac & Cheese

This popular food didn’t get its start in Texas, and Texas is hardly the only place you can get it. However, it’s a big deal in Texas, and as with chili, people have their own special recipes meant to amaze. It’s also a big favorite as a side at barbecue joints.

14. Pecan Pie

Texans love their pecans, so it’s no shock that pecan pie is the official state dessert. You’ll find freshly baked pies in grocery stores, restaurants, and your neighbor’s own kitchen.

15. Gulf Oysters

Some oyster-lovers snub Gulf oysters for their tougher texture, but in Texas, it’s a point of pride to eat home-grown oysters. In addition to enjoying them the traditional way raw on the half-shell, Texans have their own take: their preferred way is to grill them.

16. Peaches

Georgia may be the Peach State. California may be the leading producer of the fruit. However, Texans will tell you the sweetest peaches of them all come from the Lone Star State, especially the ones grown in the Fredericksburg area in Central Texas.

17. Fried Food

Texans have a thing for fried food, and if it’s edible, a Texan has probably fried it. They’ve even fried Oreos, Twinkies, and pecan pie. If you see some interesting fried creations on a menu or at a county fair, give them a try.

18. Gulf Shrimp

The Gulf waters are abundant with shrimp, and the people of Texas relish every chance they get to partake of the bounty. Not surprisingly, the preferred choice is fried, but you can get them just about any way you want almost anywhere you go.

19. Migas

Migas is a dish that originated in Spain and Portugal, found its way to Mexico, and made it to Texas. It consists of stale bread and other ingredients. Before you cringe, consider this Texas variety: scrambled eggs with salsa and crushed tortilla chips.

20. Texas Sheet Cake

If you need dessert for a large group, here’s a Texas-sized one for you. A Texas sheet cake, typically chocolate with a fudge frosting and pecans, has a texture similar to brownies and can serve around 30 people.

21. Pralines

Have we mentioned that Texans love pecans? Pralines are behind only pecan pie when it comes to favorite desserts. One Austin-based candy maker has even become nationally famous for its “Chewie” brand.

22. Tamales

Tamales date back to ancient times, and people who migrated to Texas from Mexico and Central America brought tamales with them. You can find them year-round, but they’re in especially high demand around Christmas each year.

23. Salsa

Texans became acquainted with salsa through Mexico. David and Margaret Pace were the first known to manufacture it here, and today Pace is the leading salsa maker in the country. Chips and salsa is also the official state snack.

24. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

The King Ranch in Texas is the largest ranch in the United States, larger than the state of Rhode Island. It makes sense that this biggest of big casseroles is named for that ranch, then. Layered chicken, cheese, corn tortillas, and peppers give it its nickname: Texas lasagna.

25. Lone Star Beer

Okay, beer isn’t a food, but many people would argue that since 3 of its 4 classic ingredients are malt, hops, and yeast. If you’re a beer drinker, treat yourself to a Lone Star. As the label says, it’s the “National Beer of Texas.”

26. Shiner Bock

Another sudsy Texas original is Shiner Bock. The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, produces a variety of beers, but Shiner is the flagship, and it’s in bars and stores everywhere.

27. Margaritas

Some claim the first margarita was mixed in Galveston, but that’s probably not true. What isn’t in much dispute is that a Dallas restaurant owner invented the first frozen margarita machine. Regardless, the margarita is Texas’s signature mixed drink.

12 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas

In Texas, barbecue isn’t merely a meal; it’s almost religion. Dining at a Texas barbecue joint is often as much a cultural experience as it is a religious one, and people leave their differences and their politics behind when they walk through the doors. Texans take their barbecue very seriously, especially when it comes to brisket, pork ribs, and sausage. And they don’t pay short shrift to things like sides and sweet tea, either.

While no one will ever agree to one definitive ranking of the 12 best barbecue joints in the state, a lot of names come up repeatedly, and they’re listed in this article.

12 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas

Texas Swagger: Unraveling the Lone Star State’s Unapologetic Pride

If you’ve ever been to Texas, you’ll notice, besides all the pickup trucks and the cowboy hats, that Texans take a lot of pride in their home state. There are other places in the country that have a strong sense of regional or local pride, but Texas seems to top them all. In fact, for some Texans, the only thing bigger than Texas is their love of the Lone Star State.

Texas Swagger: Unraveling the Lone Star State’s Unapologetic Pride

Want to Retire in Texas? Here Are the 5 Best Big Cities to Consider

Among the thousands of people moving to Texas each year, many retirees choose small towns across the Lone Star State to settle down and enjoy their golden years. However, the largest Texas metro areas offer access to an unparalleled range of activities and highly-rated healthcare facilities, all easily accessible from budget-friendly in-town neighborhoods friendly to seniors. 

To help you decide if big-city life in retirement is right for you, we examined what makes five of the largest metro areas in Texas popular among their residents and attractive to seniors.

Want to Retire in Texas? Here Are the 5 Best Big Cities to Consider

This article was produced by Our Woven Journey.