If you want to understand Texas, start with what’s on the plate. From smoky brisket and butter-soaked biscuits to kolaches you’ll detour off the highway for, the Lone Star State is a food trip in itself.
Here are the best foods to try in Texas – and where to seek them out on your next road trip.
1. Central Texas Barbecue (Brisket, Ribs & Sausage)
If you eat only one thing in Texas, make it barbecue. More specifically: brisket.
It’s the undisputed star of Texas cooking — a tough cut of beef transformed into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness after hours in a low, slow smoker. You typically order it by the pound or on a tray loaded with ribs, jalapeño sausage, pickles, onions and slices of soft white bread.
What to try:
- Fatty brisket with a thick smoky bark
- Massive beef ribs (“dino ribs”) that fall off the bone
- Homemade sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad and pinto beans
If there’s a line around the block, you’re probably in the right place.
2. Breakfast Tacos
In much of Texas, breakfast is tacos. Flour or corn tortillas get stuffed with eggs and all sorts of fillings: crispy potatoes, refried beans, bacon, chorizo, cheese — sometimes even leftover brisket.
Local favourites include:
- Migas tacos – eggs scrambled with tortilla chips, peppers and cheese
- Potato, egg & cheese – simple, comforting, widely loved
- Brisket breakfast tacos – the ultimate Texan wake-up call
Don’t forget the salsa or creamy jalapeño sauce.
3. Tex-Mex & Queso
Tex-Mex is its own delicious universe. It blends Mexican flavours with American comfort food to create dishes like cheese-smothered enchiladas, sizzling fajitas and loaded nachos.
But the true icon? Queso.
A warm, melty cheese dip often mixed with chilies, tomatoes and spices. You’ll find Texans ordering it the way other people order a drink.
Must-tries:
- Chips and queso (extra points if it’s topped with ground beef or chorizo)
- Enchiladas drenched in chili gravy
- Fajitas with warm tortillas and all the fixings
4. Texas Chili (No Beans Allowed)
Texas has very strong feelings about chili — and rule number one is no beans.
Traditional Texas chili, sometimes called “Texas red,” is all about chunks of beef simmered with chilies and spices until rich, hearty and slightly fiery.
You’ll find it:
- Served in bowls with cheese and onions
- Poured over hot dogs or burgers
Turned into the legendary Frito pie – a bag of corn chips smothered in chili and cheese
5. Chicken Fried Steak
Despite the name, there’s no chicken involved. Instead, it’s a tenderized beef steak, coated in a crispy breading and fried like chicken — then drenched in creamy white gravy.
It’s classic Texas comfort food, usually served with mashed potatoes, biscuits and green beans. Hearty, indulgent and perfect after a day on the road.
6. Kolaches & Czech-Tex Treats
Thanks to Czech and German influences, Texas has become famous for kolaches: pillowy pastries stuffed with either sweet fillings (apricot, cream cheese, poppy seed) or savoury combinations like sausage, cheese and jalapeños.
You’ll find them everywhere — in small-town bakeries, gas stations and iconic stops like Buc-ee’s. They make the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for road-trippers.
7. Burgers & Roadside Classics
Texas takes burgers seriously, and almost every town has a beloved local spot. Expect everything from classic cheeseburgers to creative versions topped with jalapeños, queso or smoked bacon.
Keep an eye out for:
- Old-school diners that haven’t changed since the 70s
- Roadside shacks with hand-cut fries and thick milkshakes
- BBQ joints serving chopped brisket burgers
If the parking lot is full of pick-up trucks, stop.
8. Pecan Pie & Texas-Style Sweets
After all the savoury bites, it’s time for dessert — and Texas does not disappoint.
Two classics you should try:
- Pecan pie – sticky, nutty and rich, often served warm with whipped cream
- Texas sheet cake – a thin, ultra-moist chocolate cake topped with glossy, fudgy icing
You’ll also see banana pudding, cobblers and deep-fried everything at fairs and festivals.
9. Buc-ee’s Road-Trip Snacks
You can’t talk about Texas food without mentioning Buc-ee’s, the legendary mega gas station that’s practically a cultural experience.
Inside you’ll find:
- Freshly carved brisket sandwiches
- Sweet and savoury kolaches
- The cult-favourite Beaver Nuggets – crunchy, caramel-coated puffs of corn that are dangerously addictive
It’s chaotic, oversized and extremely Texan.
10. Regional Specials Worth Seeking Out
Because Texas is enormous, different cities have their own signatures:
- San Antonio: Puffy tacos – deep-fried tortillas that puff up into airy shells
- Austin: Queso, migas and creative food-truck mashups
- The Gulf Coast: Fresh seafood, from shrimp po’ boys to fish tacos
Small towns: Biscuits and gravy, chicken-fried everything, homemade pie.
Final Tips for Eating Your Way Around Texas
- Arrive hungry – portions are big and unapologetic.
- Share plates so you can try more without hitting a food coma every afternoon.
- Ask locals for recommendations — every Texan has a strong opinion about barbecue, tacos and kolache stops.
- Rent a car for maximum freedom – Texas is huge, and the best food often sits outside city centres. If you’re flying into San Antonio, a car rental from San Antonio Airport would kick off your culinary road trip.
Whether you’re chasing smoky brisket, buttery biscuits or the perfect kolache, exploring Texas through its food is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the state. Pack your appetite — you’re in for a delicious ride.
Planning a trip to Texas? Read these articles next:
- Beautiful College Campuses in the USA to Visit While Traveling
- HOW TO: Go on a USA Roadtrip for less than $1 a day
- 10 Essential Tips for Planning the Ultimate USA Road Trip
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