20 Must Eats In Texas

When in Texas, eat like Texans! Texas is a huge and diverse state, so it is a big list! I’ve recommended some restaurants, but if I’m not specific you can easily ask any Texan and they’ll give you a great recommendation too. So now, here’s 20 Must Eats in Texas.

BBQ

Hands down the number one food you must eat in Texas is BBQ! More specifically Brisket, the Holy Grail of BBQ! All the other meats are equally awesome. Texas style barbeque is extremely popular, and meant to be consumed without sauce, but we even have Texas style BBQ Sauce! Every Texan has a different opinion on who has the best, but seriously it’s ALL good! There are great options throughout the entire state.

Here’s a few of the number ones: Hutchins BBQ in McKinney, Pecan Lodge in Dallas, Franklin BBQ in Austin, The Salt Lick in Driftwood and Killen’s BBQ in Pearland. Also, the small city of Lockhart, TX is known as the BBQ Mecca, worthy of a BBQ pilgrimage!

Tex-Mex

Aka Mexican food, but more awesome! What makes it different? Cheese, beef and flour tortillas. So much cheese!! Two of the most popular Tex-Mex dishes that you must eat: Fajitas and the all time classic, cheese enchiladas with chili con carne sauce. San Antonio is the birthplace of Tex-Mex, but you can find Tex Mex in every city, and honestly for the best experience ask a local where to go. But if you find your way to Ft. Worth, TX then you gotta try Joe T. Garcia’s down by the famous Stockyards!

Tacos

Tacos are in a category all on their own! Texans have perfected them and still come up with new creations. We’ve got street tacos, crispy tacos, fried tacos, brisket tacos, fish tacos and breakfast tacos! That’s right, we can eat tacos ALL DAY!

Torchy’s happens to be one of my favs, started in Austin, TX. It’s a chain so you can find them almost everywhere in the state now.

Chicken Fried Steak

While this is not unique to Texas, we make it the best! Deep fried, smothered in gravy and huge portions! Everything is bigger in Texas! Oh and fyi, it’s not chicken.

Babe’s Chicken is my absolute favorite in the Dallas area and Norma’s is a close second.

Chili

We have our own style of chili too! Texas Chili has no beans, extra beef and lots of spice! Terlingua, TX has an annual chili cook off for the serious foodie experience.

Burgers

There’s a bit of a controversy over who created the first burger. Texans claim it was started here in Athens, TX around 1880. Others claim elsewhere. Either way, we have perfected the art of the burger and remember, everything is bigger in Texas! Everyone has their own touch from gourmet to just a good old fashioned one in a dive bar. Ask someone in the area for a recommendation.

Fried Everything

We have also perfected the art of frying. Frying anything and everything! During the State Fair of Texas, we fry Oreos, Twinkies, bubblegum, butter, beer, coke, jelly beans, chicken fried bacon, spaghetti, pizza, Kool- Aid, pecan pie, PB&J, pop tarts, smore’s, pumpkin pie, pineapple upside down cake, cheesecake and margaritas! Just to name a few. Seriously, You must eat a uniquely fried food in Texas once.

Queso

I promise it’s like it’s own food group here. Melted yummy cheese and chips, what’s not to love?!? Most restaurants offer this on the menu, because Texans can’t get enough!

Steak

Of course I have to mention steak, it’s cattle country over here! All you need is the cowboy hat and boots and you’re having the quintessential Texan dinner. We know our beef, so everything from fine dining to causal will be cooked right. Did I mention that in Amarillo there’s even a steak eating challenge? Oh yes, a bunch of Texans and tourists alike try to eat all 72oz. to get it for free!

Gulf Shrimp

If you’re visiting the Texas coast, then fresh Gulf shrimp is a no brainer! Fried is the preferred method, but grilled, blackened, or shrimp cocktail are equally as delicious!

Kolaches

Despite being a Czech pastry, this is very much Texan now! Czech immigrants settled in central Texas and kolaches became fast breakfast staples. Kolaches are a soft yeast dough cut into squares and filled with fruit and cream cheese. Seriously delicious!! Some donut shops sell them with sausage or jalapenos in them, but that’s not the original Kolache.

Czech Stop in West TX is a perfect place to stop on a road trip.

Pecan Pie

Seeing as this is Texas’s State Dessert, I had to mention it. Pecans are native to Texas ( And it’s the state tree). Not only is it a popular holiday dessert, but can be part of the menu all year. The best pies are homemade. A slice can be served straight out of the fridge or warmed with a scoop of ice cream.

Blue Bell

Speaking of ice cream, Texans absolutely LOVE Blue Bell ice cream!! Home grown in Brenham, TX definitely makes it a must eat in Texas.

Whataburger

I can’t leave off Texan’s favorite fast food chain! Whataburger started in Corpus Christi, TX in 1950 and it’s been on the “must eats in Texas” list ever since. Whatever you pick on the menu, just make sure to dip your fries in their signature ketchup.

Shipley’s Donuts

Another delicious chain loved by Texans was started in Houston in 1936. They have locations all over the state. Be sure to get the original glazed served fresh and warm!

Buc-ee’s

Two words: Beef. Jerky. Seriously though, if you stop at one of these truck stops, plan on browsing for a hot minute! This place has everything! And did I mention to try the beef jerky? So many kinds to choose from, you really can’t go wrong!

Margaritas

So not technically food, but this is still very Texas! The frozen margarita was invented in Dallas, so of course we make them the best. There are such a variety of margaritas now its hard to pick a favorite. Definitely ask a local for a recommendation.

Dr. Pepper

Invented in Waco in 1885 and bottled in Dublin, TX makes this drink a Texas icon. And by the way here in Texas, if you ask for a coke, there’s a good chance they’re gonna ask if you mean Dr.Pepper or another soda.

Texas Beer

Definitely recommend trying a local beer. There’s a few breweries in the Hill Country to tour. Plus there’s the world famous Spoetzl Brewery in cozy little Shiner, TX!

Texas Wine

Yes, it’s a thing too! We’ve got vineyards in the Hill Country, East Texas and Grapevine. I recommend a trip to Fredricksburg, TX for this adventure!

There you have it. 20 Things to eat or drink in Texas. If there is anything I missed, let me know! And I’d love to hear what you think of my list of must eats in Texas.